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
For the plan year ended December 31, 1997
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 1-11463
A. Full title of the plan and address of the plan, if different from that of
the issuer named below:
The Promus Hotel Corporation
Savings and Retirement Plan A
B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address
of its principal executive office:
Promus Hotel Corporation
755 Crossover Lane
Memphis, Tennessee 38117
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
----------------------------------------
To the Trustees of The Promus Hotel Corporation
Savings and Retirement Plan A:
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for plan
benefits, with fund information, of THE PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION SAVINGS AND
RETIREMENT PLAN A as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statements
of changes in net assets available for plan benefits, with fund information, for
the years then ended. These financial statements and the schedules referred to
below are the responsibility of the Plan Administrator. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules 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 plan benefits, with fund
information, of The Promus Hotel Corporation Savings and Retirement Plan A as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the changes in net assets available for plan
benefits, with fund information, for the years then ended, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedules of assets held
for investment purposes as of December 31, 1997 (Exhibit I) and reportable
transactions for the year ended December 31, 1997 (Exhibit II) are presented for
purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic
financial statements but are supplementary information required by the
Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The fund information in the
statements of net assets available for plan benefits and in the statements of
changes in net assets available for plan benefits is presented for purposes of
additional analysis rather than to present the net assets available for plan
benefits and changes in net assets available for plan benefits of each fund. The
supplemental schedules and fund information have been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our
opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic
financial statements taken as a whole.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Memphis, Tennessee,
June 10, 1998.
2
THE PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN A
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN BENEFITS, WITH FUND INFORMATION
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
(IN THOUSANDS)
FUND INFORMATION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participant Directed Funds
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Promus Foreign Aggressive Growth S&P 500 Equity Long-Term
Stock Fund Equity Fund Equity Fund Fund Index Fund Income Fund Bond Fund
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
ASSETS
Investments at fair value:
Pooled common stock $36,020 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Mutual funds - 1,841 5,659 1,484 - 1,916 660
Common/collective trust funds - - - - 11,815 - -
Interest bearing cash - - - - - - -
Loans to participants - - - - - - -
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- --------
Total investments 36,020 1,841 5,659 1,484 11,815 1,916 660
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- --------
Receivables:
Interest and dividends - - - - - - -
Employer's contributions 49 4 18 7 22 5 4
Participants' contributions 60 5 23 10 27 6 5
Other 14 - 3 23 4 1 1
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- -------
Total receivables 123 9 44 40 53 12 10
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- -------
Total assets 36,143 1,850 5,703 1,524 11,868 1,928 670
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- -------
LIABILITIES
Accrued refunds and other 270 16 47 18 103 18 8
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- -------
Total liabilities 270 16 47 18 103 18 8
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- -------
Net assets available for plan benefits $35,873 $1,834 $5,656 $1,506 $11,765 $1,910 $662
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- -------
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- -------
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
FUND INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------------
Participant Directed Funds
-------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Money Executive Participant Total
Bond Fund Market Fund Life Fund Loan Fund Funds
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
ASSETS
Investments at fair value:
Pooled common stock $ - $ - $ - $ - $36,020
Mutual funds 6,866 - - - 18,426
Common/collective trust funds - - - - 11,815
Interest bearing cash - 4,296 - - 4,296
Loans to participants - - - 2,587 2,587
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Total investments 6,866 4,296 - 2,587 73,144
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Receivables:
Interest and dividends 210 20 - - 230
Employer's contributions 12 7 - - 128
Participants' contributions 14 9 - - 159
Other 2 1 474 13 536
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Total receivables 238 37 474 13 1,053
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Total assets 7,104 4,333 474 2,600 74,197
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
LIABILITIES
Accrued refunds and other 54 23 - 18 575
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Total liabilities 54 23 - 18 575
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Net assets available for plan benefits $7,050 $4,310 $474 $2,582 $73,622
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
3
THE PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN A
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN BENEFITS, WITH FUND INFORMATION
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS)
FUND INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participant Directed Funds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Promus Foreign Aggressive Growth S&P 500 Equity Long-Term
Stock Fund Equity Fund Equity Fund Fund Index Fund Income Fund Bond Fund
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
ASSETS
Investments at fair value:
Pooled common stock $ 23,440 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Mutual funds - 1,247 5,352 1,203 - 963 763
Common/collective trust funds - - - - 7,830 - -
Interest bearing cash - - - - - - -
Loans to participants - - - - - - -
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ---- ----
Total investments 23,440 1,247 5,352 1,203 7,830 963 763
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ---- ----
Receivables:
Interest and dividends - - - - - - -
Employer's contributions 41 1 18 2 19 1 3
Participants' contributions 50 1 24 4 25 1 4
Other - - - - - - -
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ---- ----
Total receivables 91 2 42 6 44 2 7
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ---- ----
Total assets 23,531 1,249 5,394 1,209 7,874 965 770
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ---- ----
LIABILITIES
Accrued refunds and other 464 15 109 22 168 19 12
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ---- ----
Total liabilities 464 15 109 22 168 19 12
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ---- ----
Net assets available for plan benefits $ 23,067 $ 1,234 $5,285 $1,187 $7,706 $946 $758
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ---- ----
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ---- ----
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
FUND INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------------
Participant Directed Funds
---------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Money Executive Participant Total
Bond Fund Market Fund Life Fund Loan Fund Funds
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
ASSETS
Investments at fair value:
Pooled common stock $ - $ - $ - $ - $23,440
Mutual funds 7,266 - - - 16,794
Common/collective trust funds - - - - 7,830
Interest bearing cash - 4,193 - - 4,193
Loans to participants - - - 2,198 2,198
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Total investments 7,266 4,193 - 2,198 54,455
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Receivables:
Interest and dividends 38 20 - - 58
Employer's contributions 13 6 - - 104
Participants' contributions 16 7 - - 132
Other - 92 488 - 580
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Total receivables 67 125 488 - 874
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Total assets 7,333 4,318 488 2,198 55,329
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
LIABILITIES
Accrued refunds and other 88 46 - - 943
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- --------
Total liabilities 88 46 - - 943
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Net assets available for plan benefits $7,245 $4,272 $488 $2,198 $54,386
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
4
THE PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN A
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN BENEFITS,
WITH FUND INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
(IN THOUSANDS)
FUND INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participant Directed Funds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Promus Foreign Aggressive Growth S&P 500 Equity Long-Term
Stock Fund Equity Fund Equity Fund Fund Index Fund Income Fund Bond Fund
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
Additions to net assets attributed to:
Investment income:
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value
of investments $ 8,096 $ (187) $ 183 $ 91 $ 2,736 $ 13 $ 6
Interest - - - - - - -
Dividends - 272 361 110 - 236 47
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
8,096 85 544 201 2,736 249 53
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
Contributions:
Employer's 1,218 74 480 134 557 85 90
Participants' 5,447 139 773 275 852 173 138
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
6,665 213 1,253 409 1,409 258 228
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
Total additions 14,761 298 1,797 610 4,145 507 281
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
Benefits paid 2,151 79 572 92 731 32 67
Administrative expenses 42 2 7 3 13 1 -
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
Total deductions 2,193 81 579 95 744 33 67
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
Net increase prior to transfers 12,568 217 1,218 515 3,401 474 214
Net transfers 238 383 (847) (196) 658 490 (310)
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) 12,806 600 371 319 4,059 964 (96)
Net assets available for plan benefits:
Beginning of year 23,067 1,234 5,285 1,187 7,706 946 758
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
End of year $35,873 $1,834 $5,656 $1,506 $11,765 $1,910 $662
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ---------
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
FUND INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------------
Participant Directed Funds
---------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Money Executive Participant Total
Bond Fund Market Fund Life Fund Loan Fund Funds
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- ----------
Additions to net assets attributed to:
Investment income:
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value
of investments $ 60 $ (3) $ - $ - $10,995
Interest - 249 - 189 438
Dividends 599 - - - 1,625
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
659 246 - 189 13,058
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
Contributions:
Employer's 340 179 - - 3,157
Participants' 610 265 - 15 8,687
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
950 444 - 15 11,844
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
Total additions 1,609 690 - 204 24,902
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
Benefits paid 630 973 13 211 5,551
Administrative expenses 10 6 1 1 86
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
Total deductions 640 979 14 212 5,637
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
Net increase prior to transfers 969 (289) (14) (8) 19,265
Net transfers (1,164) 327 - 392 (29)
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
Net increase (decrease) (195) 38 (14) 384 19,236
Net assets available for plan benefits:
Beginning of year 7,245 4,272 488 2,198 54,386
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
End of year $ 7,050 $4,310 $474 $2,582 $73,622
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
------- ------- ----- ------ -------
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
5
THE PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN A
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN BENEFITS,
WITH FUND INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS)
FUND INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participant Directed Funds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Promus Foreign Aggressive Growth S&P 500 Equity Long-Term
Stock Fund Equity Fund Equity Fund Fund Index Fund Income Fund Bond Fund
---------- ----------- ----------- ------ ----------- ----------- ---------
Additions to net assets attributed to:
Transfers from prior plan $17,821 $ - $3,665 $ - $ 7,023 $ - $ 1,835
------- ------- ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
Investment income:
Net appreciation (depreciation)
in fair value of investments 5,706 47 585 40 1,650 27 (151)
Interest - - - - - - -
Dividends - 58 184 46 - 75 116
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
5,706 105 769 86 1,650 102 (35)
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
Contributions:
Employer's 1,147 11 440 22 522 9 75
Participants' 1,430 19 601 36 714 14 104
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
2,577 30 1,041 58 1,236 23 179
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
Total additions 26,104 135 5,475 144 9,909 125 1,979
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
Benefits paid 1,548 18 454 24 716 20 40
Administrative expenses 24 1 7 1 10 1 -
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
Total deductions 1,572 19 461 25 726 21 40
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
Net increase prior to transfers 24,532 116 5,014 119 9,183 104 1,939
Net transfers (1,465) 1,118 271 1,068 (1,477) 842 (1,181)
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
Net increase 23,067 1,234 5,285 1,187 7,706 946 758
Net assets available for plan benefits:
Beginning of year - - - - - - -
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
End of year $23,067 $1,234 $5,285 $1,187 $ 7,706 $946 $ 758
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ---- -------
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
FUND INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------------
Participant Directed Funds
---------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Money Executive Participant Total
Bond Fund Market Fund Life Fund Loan Fund Funds
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Additions to net assets attributed to:
Transfers from prior plan $7,384 $2,981 $509 $1,694 $42,912
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Investment income:
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value
of investments (154) (8) - (3) 7,739
Interest - 188 - 136 324
Dividends 438 - - - 917
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
284 180 - 133 8,980
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Contributions:
Employer's 377 170 - - 2,773
Participants' 474 197 - - 3,589
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
851 367 - - 6,362
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Total additions 8,519 3,528 509 1,827 58,254
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
Benefits paid 747 240 21 95 3,923
Administrative expenses 8 2 - - 54
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Total deductions 755 242 21 95 3,977
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Net increase prior to transfers 7,764 3,286 488 1,732 54,277
Net transfers (519) 986 - 466 109
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
Net increase 7,245 4,272 488 2,198 54,386
Net assets available for plan benefits:
Beginning of year - - - - -
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
End of year $7,245 $4,272 $488 $2,198 $54,386
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
------------ ----------- --------- ----------- -------
The accompanying notes to financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
6
THE PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
The following description of The Promus Hotel Corporation Savings and Retirement
Plan A (the Plan) is provided for general information purposes only. Reference
should be made to the Plan Document for a more complete description of the
Plan's provisions.
The Plan
Prior to January 1, 1996, Promus Hotel Corporation was the plan sponsor of The
Promus Hotel Corporation Savings and Retirement Plan (the Predecessor Plan).
Effective December 31, 1995, the Plan was created by splitting the Predecessor
Plan into three plans: The Promus Hotel Corporation Savings and Retirement Plan
A, The Promus Hotel Corporation Savings and Retirement Plan B (Plan B), and The
Promus Hotel Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), (collectively
referred to as the S&RPs). The participant accounts of the Predecessor Plan were
transferred at fair value to these new plans.
On February 21, 1996, the Board of Directors of Promus Hotel Corporation elected
to terminate the ESOP upon receipt of a favorable tax-exempt determination from
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS issued a determination letter dated
April 17, 1997, stating that the ESOP was designed in accordance with the
applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). In the fourth
quarter of 1997, participant balances were distributed and approximately
$924,000 was transferred to the Plan.
Effective December 19, 1997, Promus Hotel Corporation completed a merger with
Doubletree Corporation. The new parent company was named Promus Hotel
Corporation. The former Promus Hotel Corporation became a wholly owned
subsidiary of the parent company and was renamed Promus Operating Company, Inc.
Effective as of the merger date, the Plan was amended to define "Company" as
Promus Operating Company, Inc. (the Company).
The Plan is a defined contribution plan which was established to allow eligible
employees of the Company or its designated affiliates to accumulate capital for
their retirement. Participants can contribute either pre-tax payroll dollars
(i.e., temporary deferral of federal and/or state income taxes) or after-tax
payroll dollars to the Plan, as provided for under Sections 401(k) and 401(m) of
the IRC. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Plan Investment Funds
By election of each participant, account balances (contributions, Company
matching funds and accumulated earnings) can be invested in one or in a
combination of up to nine separate funds of the Plan in one percent increments
as follows:
I. Promus Stock Fund - invests in units of a pooled fund shared between
the S&RPs, which in turn owns the Company's common stock and certain
money market instruments. The Plan owns 2,091,872.821 units of the
total 2,117,995.485 units owned by the S&RPs at December 31, 1997, and
1,778,343.092 of the total 1,943,809.923 units owned by the S&RPs at
December 31, 1996. The fund's return is based on the change in market
value of the Company's common stock, including any dividends declared
thereon;
II. Foreign Equity Fund - invests in the Templeton Foreign Fund comprised
primarily of stocks of companies outside the United States;
III. Aggressive Equity Fund - invests in the AIM Constellation Fund
comprised of stocks of small to medium sized companies with strong
earnings growth expectations;
7
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED)
IV. Growth Fund - invests in the IDS New Dimensions Fund comprised
primarily of stocks of large and medium sized companies considered to
be growth oriented;
V. S & P 500 Index Fund - invests in the American Express Trust Equity
Index Fund II, which is comprised primarily of the same securities upon
which the S & P 500 Stock Index is based;
VI. Equity Income Fund - invests in the IDS Diversified Equity Income Fund
comprised of medium to large "blue- chip" companies, utility stocks,
value stocks and foreign issues;
VII. Long-Term Bond Fund - invests in the IDS Selective Fund comprised of
the four highest investment grades of marketable debt securities in
order to provide current income and preservation of capital;
VIII. Intermediate Bond Fund - invests in the Pacific Investment Management
Company (PIMCO) Total Return Fund comprised of fixed income securities
with varying maturities, designed to realize maximum return while
preserving capital;
IX. Money Market Fund - invests in the American Express Trust U.S.
Government Securities Fund II, a collective fund that invests in
short-term debt securities of the United States Government.
The Plan also includes two other special purpose funds as follows:
I. Executive Life Fund - segregates the assets and participants' equity
accounts related to the investment in Executive Life Insurance
Company's guaranteed investment contract. See Note 5 Executive Life
Investment for further details;
II. Participant Loan Fund - separately tracks loans to participants as
provided for under the Plan.
Plan Administration
General administration of the Plan is the responsibility of the Company, through
its operating subsidiary Promus Hotels, Inc., which acts as the Plan
Administrator. The Trustees, who are appointed by the Company's Board of
Directors, perform the duties and exercise the authority set forth in the Plan
and the Promus Hotel Corporation Master Retirement Plan Trust Agreement. The
Company has delegated certain aspects of its authority for purposes of
day-to-day administration. Effective January 2, 1996, American Express Trust
Company (American Express) began administering the Plan. American Express
provides recordkeeping, accounting, daily trading and investment management
services. Additionally, American Express and IDS, an American Express affiliate,
manage five of the nine investment funds discussed above.
8
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED)
Employee Eligibility, Vesting and Termination
The Plan is available to all employees of the Company or its direct and indirect
subsidiaries with the exception of suitekeepers and room attendants (who are
covered under Plan B). Eligible employees may join the Plan on or after the
first entry date (January 1 or July 1) following completion of 12 months during
which they are credited with at least 1,000 hours of service. Employees must
also be at least 21 years of age to join the Plan. In accordance with the
November 13, 1996 Plan amendment, participants vest in the Company's matching
contributions after two calendar years of credited service as follows:
Years of Vested
Credited Service Percentage
------------------- ----------
Less than two years 0%
Two years or more 100%
However, employees who were partially vested in the Predecessor Plan as of the
amendment date will remain partially vested until they obtain two years of
credited service. An employee's active participation in the Plan ceases upon
separation of service, at which time the vested account balance can either be
withdrawn or remain in the Plan according to the Plan Document.
Plan Expenses
Administrative expenses charged by American Express are paid by the Plan.
Currently, at the Company's discretion, other administrative expenses are paid
by the Company.
Participants' Contributions and Withdrawals
Participants may elect to make basic contributions ranging from two to six
percent of eligible earnings, as defined. If a non-highly compensated
participant makes basic pre-tax contributions of six percent of earnings to the
Plan, the participant may elect to make supplemental contributions of up to an
additional ten percent, of which eight percent qualifies as pre-tax
contributions. Highly compensated employees may contribute up to six percent of
eligible earnings, as defined. The Company will match the first six percent of
all participants' contributions.
Participants' contributions, vested matching Company contributions and related
income may be withdrawn by giving 30 days written notice subject to Plan and IRS
rules. In-service withdrawals of pre-tax contributions, basic after-tax and
matching contributions are subject to hardship rules if the withdrawal occurs
before age 59 1/2. Withdrawal of those contributions will not prohibit
participants from making further contributions; however, if these contributions
or any other funds are withdrawn, the Company will not match subsequent
contributions for six months. Supplemental after-tax contributions and any
earnings thereon may be withdrawn without this penalty.
Benefit Payments
On termination of service, a participant may elect to receive his or her vested
account balance as either a lump-sum amount or as equal installments over a term
not to exceed fifteen years.
9
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED)
Allocation of Forfeitures and Plan Net Income
The Plan provides for amounts attributed to non-vested Company matching
contributions of terminated employees to be forfeited at the earlier of (1)
distribution of vested account balances or (2) a five year break in service.
Forfeitures are reallocated to remaining participants quarterly.
The Predecessor Plan provided for the allocation on a monthly basis of Plan net
income (i.e., unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments, dividend and
interest income and realized gains or losses on the sale of investments, net of
administrative expenses). Effective January 2, 1996, participants' accounts are
valued daily based on the market value of the participants' respective
investment funds at the close of each trading day.
Loans
Loans may be made to participants upon written application to the Plan
Administrator. All loans, other than those used to acquire or construct the
principal residence of a participant, shall be repaid within five years. The
minimum amount that may be borrowed is $500. Participants may have up to two
loans outstanding at any one time. The balance of loans outstanding under the
Plan to a participant may not exceed $50,000 (which is subject to reduction if
another loan is outstanding) or one-half of the vested balance of the
participant's account, whichever is less. Loans bear fixed interest at the prime
lending rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the date of each loan.
At December 31, 1997 and 1996, rates on outstanding loans ranged from 7.5% to
9.5%. Principal and interest paid by a participant are credited to the
participant's account.
Use of 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 amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform with current year
presentation.
NOTE 2 - VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS
Investments in securities and mutual funds are stated at fair value on the last
business day of the Plan year.
NOTE 3 - INVESTMENTS
As of December 31, the fair value of individual investments that represent 5% or
more of the Plan's total net assets are as follows (in thousands):
1997 1996
------- -------
Promus Hotel Corporation Pooled Stock Fund $36,020 $23,440
American Express Trust Equity Index Fund II 11,815 7,830
PIMCO Total Return Fund 6,866 7,266
AIM Constellation Fund 5,659 5,352
American Express U.S. Government Securities Fund II 4,296 4,193
10
NOTE 4 - EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS
Related to the Predecessor Plan, in March 1996 and December 1996, certain highly
compensated Plan participants received refunds of a portion of their 1995
contributions and attributable earnings totaling approximately $142,000 and
$119,000, respectively. In March 1998 and 1997, certain highly compensated Plan
participants received refunds of a portion of their 1997 and 1996 contributions
and attributable earnings totaling approximately $520,000 and $940,000,
respectively, which has been appropriately accrued in the accompanying financial
statements. Such refunds have been reflected as benefits paid in the statements
of changes in net assets available for plan benefits, with fund information.
All such refunds were paid in accordance with IRC Sections 401(k) and 401(m), as
well as IRC Section 415, which require that certain nondiscriminatory tests
related to the overall composition of participants' contributions be met, and
that annual contributions not exceed 25% of the participant's compensation, as
defined.
NOTE 5 - EXECUTIVE LIFE INVESTMENT
The former Promus Hotel Corporation was formed as a result of a June 30, 1995
spin-off (the Spin-Off) by The Promus Companies Incorporated ("PCI"),which was
renamed Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. On May 1, 1991, PCI's savings and
retirement plan (PCI Plan) was amended to provide that approximately $12.9
million attributable to a guaranteed investment contract issued by Executive
Life Insurance Company (Executive Life) and held in the PCI Plan's Income
Investment Fund would be frozen until such time as the contract is finally paid
out. The $12.9 million represented the book value of this contract as of March
31, 1991. The action was taken by PCI due to the conservatorship imposed on
Executive Life by the State of California Insurance Commissioner. PCI agreed to
pay to the PCI Plan any deficiency between the $12.9 million and amounts finally
received from the contract. On September 3, 1993, substantially all Executive
Life assets and restructured liabilities were transferred to Aurora National
Life Insurance Company (Aurora). On February 4, 1994, the PCI Plan elected to
participate in the ongoing rehabilitation plan offered by Aurora. This plan
provides for recovery of at least 77.7% of the $12.9 million book value of the
Executive Life contract.
Effective with the formation of the Predecessor Plan, the Plan Administrator
recorded a receivable for the remaining book value of participants' investments
in the Executive Life Fund. This receivable was approximately $474,000 and
$488,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The receivable is
supported by a guaranteed investment contract that is maintained by the Harrah's
Entertainment, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan, formerly the PCI Plan. The
guaranteed investment contract is due to mature in September 1998.
NOTE 6 - PLAN TERMINATION
Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right
under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the
Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of Plan termination,
participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.
NOTE 7 - TAX STATUS
The Plan is intended to satisfy the tax qualification requirements under Section
401(a) of the IRC; therefore, the trust funds of the Plan are intended to be
exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(a). A favorable determination
letter regarding the Plan's status, dated April 17, 1997, was received from the
IRS.
11
EXHIBIT I
THE PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN A
LINE 27A-SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
(IN THOUSANDS)
Historical Current
Identity of Issuer or Borrower Description of Investment Cost Value
- - ------------------------------ ------------------------ ---------- ---------
*Promus Hotel Corporation Pooled Stock Fund $25,641 $36,020
*American Express Trust Company Equity Index Fund II 8,338 11,815
*American Express Trust Company U.S. Govt. Securities Fund II 4,296 4,296
AIM Equity Funds, Inc. Constellation Fund 5,390 5,659
*IDS New Dimensions Fund, Inc. New Dimensions Fund 1,434 1,484
*IDS Selective Fund, Inc. Selective Fund 666 660
*IDS Investment Series, Inc. Diversified Equity Income Fund 1,957 1,916
Pacific Investment Management Company Total Return Fund 6,851 6,866
Franklin Templeton Foreign Fund 1,976 1,841
*Promus Participants Loans to participants, 7.5% to 9.5% 2,587 2,587
--------- --------
Total investments $59,136 $73,144
--------- --------
--------- --------
*Represents a Party-In-Interest.
12
EXHIBIT II
THE PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN A
LINE 27D-SCHEDULE OF REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
(IN THOUSANDS)
Identity of Issuer or Description of Purchase Selling Cost of Net Gain/
Borrower Investment Price Price Assets (Loss)
- - -------------------- -------------- -------- ------- ------- ---------
Single Transaction:
*Promus Hotel Corporation Pooled Stock Fund $ 2,948 $ - $ - $ -
Series of Transactions:
*Promus Hotel Corporation Pooled Stock Fund 10,105 6,475 4,356 2,119
*American Express Trust Company Equity Index Fund II 3,183 1,920 1,423 497
*American Express Trust Company U.S. Govt. Securities Fund II 5,046 4,943 4,943 -
AIM Equity Funds, Inc. Constellation Fund 3,118 2,985 2,677 308
*IDS New Dimensions Fund, Inc. New Dimensions Fund 1,676 1,485 1,406 79
Pacific Investment Management Company Total Return Fund 2,350 2,797 2,818 (21)
Franklin Templeton Foreign Fund 2,149 1,368 1,377 (9)
*Represents a Party-In-Interest.
13
Signature
---------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
trustees have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION
SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN A
DATED: JUNE 29, 1998 By /s/ WILLIAM L. PEROCCHI
------------------------------------
(William L. Perocchi, Authorized
Trustee of the Plan, Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer of Promus Hotel Corporation)
14
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description Submission Media
- - ---------- ----------- ----------------
Ex 23 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Electronic
Independent Public Accountants,
dated June 29, 1998
15