ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY 
By MELROSE PARK, Ill., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alberto Culver Company (NYSE: ACV), a leading manufacturer and marketer of beauty care brands including TRESemme, Alberto VO5, Nexxus, St. Ives, Simple and Noxzema, today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2010 ended September 30, 2010.
Fourth Quarter
-- Net sales for the fourth quarter increased 12.1% to $431.9 million
compared to $385.2 million in the prior year quarter. On an organic
basis, which excludes the effect of foreign currency fluctuations and
acquisitions and divestitures, sales increased 4.9% in the current
quarter.
-- Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased 28.1% to
41 cents in the fourth quarter compared to 32 cents in the prior year
quarter. Excluding restructuring and discrete items, diluted earnings
per share from continuing operations increased 39.4% to 46 cents
compared to 33 cents in the prior year quarter.
-- The current and prior year quarters include approximately 4 cents
per share and 3 cents per share, respectively, of tax benefits
resulting from intercompany dividend payments.
Fiscal Year
-- Net sales for the fiscal year increased 11.4% to $1.60 billion compared
to $1.43 billion in the prior year period. On an organic basis, which
excludes the effect of foreign currency fluctuations and acquisitions
and divestitures, sales increased 4.2% in the current fiscal year.
-- Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased 30.3% to
$1.55 in fiscal year 2010 compared to $1.19 in the prior year period.
Excluding restructuring and discrete items, diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations increased 22.7% to $1.62 compared to $1.32 in
the prior year period.
-- The current year includes approximately 4 cents per share of tax
benefits resulting from intercompany dividend payments offset by
approximately 4 cents per share of expenses related to the voluntary
withdrawal of select products in the Company's relaxer kit business.
-- The prior year includes approximately 3 cents per share of tax
benefits resulting from intercompany dividend payments.
In the U.S., sales increased 3.5% in the fourth quarter due to growth in TRESemme and Nexxus. International sales on a reported basis increased 26.7% (the net effect of foreign currency fluctuations, acquisitions and divestitures accounted for approximately 19.5% of the growth) as each international region generated organic sales growth, with Latin America and Canada being particularly strong.
The Company's gross profit margin was 52.1% in the fourth quarter compared to 52.3% in the prior year quarter. The decrease in gross margin was primarily a result of elevated trade promotions, partly offset by manufacturing efficiencies. For the full fiscal year 2010, gross profit margin improved 100 basis points to 52.3% compared to 51.3% in the prior year mainly due to lower commodity costs, partially offset by higher trade promotions.
Advertising and other marketing investments in the fourth quarter were $74.6 million. For the full fiscal year 2010, advertising and other marketing investments increased 9.3% to $261.8 million compared to the prior year.
Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased 30 basis points to 20.3% in the fourth quarter compared to 20.6% in the prior year quarter. For the full fiscal year 2010, selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased 40 basis points to 20.9% compared to 21.3% in the prior year.
Carol Lavin Bernick, Executive Chairman of the Company, announced that the Company's board of directors approved the regular 8.5 cents quarterly cash dividend. The dividend will be paid on November 23, 2010 to shareholders of record on November 11, 2010.
On September 27, 2010, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Unilever pursuant to which Unilever will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Alberto Culver for $37.50 per share in cash, valuing the company at approximately $3.7 billion. The transaction is structured as a merger and is subject to approval by owners holding a majority of Alberto Culver's outstanding common stock, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.
On December 18, 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited. Simple is a leading skin care company based in the United Kingdom that was owned primarily by Duke Street, a mid-market private equity fund. The total purchase price was approximately $385 million, and the transaction was funded from the Company's existing cash.
On July 31, 2008, the Company sold its Cederroth International subsidiary to a company owned by two funds controlled by CapMan, a Nordic based private equity firm, for 159.5 million Euros. As a result of the transaction, the results of operations of Cederroth are reported as discontinued operations.
On November 16, 2006, the Company closed a transaction that separated its consumer products business from its beauty supply distribution business and resulted in the formation of two separate and independent publicly-traded companies: new Alberto Culver and Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. As a result of the transaction, the results of operations of the beauty supply distribution business are reported as discontinued operations.
Due to the disclosure of organic sales growth and financial results excluding restructuring and discrete items, this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by Regulation G of the Securities and Exchange Commission. A description of the Company's restructuring activities and discrete items, as well as a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, are included as a schedule to this release and can also be found on the Company's web site at www.alberto.com.
Alberto Culver Company manufactures, distributes and markets leading beauty care and other personal care brands including TRESemme, Alberto VO5, Nexxus, St. Ives, Simple and Noxzema in the United States and internationally. It is also the second largest producer in the U.S. of products for the ethnic hair care market with leading brands including Motions and Soft & Beautiful. Several of its household/grocery brands such as Mrs. Dash and Static Guard are niche category leaders in the U.S.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and assessments of risks and uncertainties and reflect various assumptions concerning anticipated results, which may or may not prove to be correct. Some of the factors relating to the Unilever merger that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in such forward-looking statements include: the occurrence of any event, effect or change that could give rise to a termination of the Unilever merger agreement; the outcome of legal proceedings that have been instituted or may be instituted in the future against the Company in connection with the Unilever merger agreement; the inability to complete the Unilever merger due to the failure to obtain stockholder approval or the failure to satisfy other conditions to the completion of the merger, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations and creates potential difficulties in employee retention; and the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Unilever merger. Other factors not involving the Unilever merger that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in such forward-looking statements include: the pattern of brand sales; competition within the relevant product markets; loss of one or more key customers; inability of efficiency initiatives to improve the Company's margins; loss of one or more key suppliers or copackers; inability of the Company to protect its intellectual property; the disruption of normal business activities due to the Company's implementation of a new worldwide ERP system; manufacturing and supply chain disruptions; adverse changes in currency exchange rates; special demands by key customers; risks inherent in acquisitions, divestitures and strategic alliances, including, without limitation, undisclosed liabilities and obligations for which the Company may have limited or no recourse; loss of one or more key employees; risks inherent in expanding in existing geographic locations and entering new geographic locations; the risk that the expected cost savings related to the reorganizations and restructurings may not be realized; the effects of a prolonged United States or global economic downturn or recession; health epidemics; unavailability of raw materials or finished products; increases in costs of raw materials and inflation rates; events that negatively affect the intended tax free nature of the distribution of shares of Alberto Culver Company in connection with the separation of the consumer products business from the beauty supply distribution business on November 16, 2006; changes in costs; the unanticipated costs and effects of legal or administrative proceedings; adverse weather conditions; and variations in political, economic or other factors such as interest rates, availability of credit, tax changes, legal and regulatory changes or other external factors over which the Company has no control. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and there is no undertaking to update or revise them as more information becomes available. Additional factors that could cause Alberto Culver's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on November 24, 2009 with the SEC and available at the SEC's internet site (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, please refer to the documents that the Company files with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, which identify and address other important factors that could cause events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements set forth in this press release.
Additional Information About the Merger and Where to Find It
Alberto Culver Company filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC on Friday, October 15, 2010. A definitive proxy statement will also be filed with the SEC. Stockholders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction with Unilever. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed or delivered to the Company's stockholders. In addition, stockholders will be able to obtain the proxy statement and other relevant documents filed by the Company with the SEC free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, at the Company's website at www.alberto.com/investing by clicking on the link "SEC Filings" or from Alberto Culver Company, Attention: Investor Relations, 2525 Armitage Avenue, Melrose Park, Illinois 60160, (708) 450-3000.
Participants in the Solicitation
The Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of the Company in connection with the proposed transaction with Unilever. Information about the Company and its directors and executive officers, and their ownership of the Company's securities, is set forth in the proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held on January 28, 2010, which was filed with the SEC on December 14, 2009. Additional information regarding the interests of those persons may be obtained by reading the preliminary proxy statement filed with the SEC on Friday, October 15, 2010.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
-------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010 and
2009 2010 2009
----------------------- ---- ----
Net sales $431,882 385,191
Cost of products sold 206,959 183,845
------- -------
Gross profit 224,923 201,346
Advertising, marketing,
selling and administrative 162,251 155,533
Transaction expenses (1) 7,279 --
Restructuring and other (2) 381 1,464
--- -----
Operating earnings 55,012 44,349
Interest expense (income),
net 1,793 (345)
----- ----
Earnings from continuing
operations before income
taxes 53,219 44,694
Provision for income taxes
(3) 11,906 13,309
------ ------
Earnings from continuing
operations 41,313 31,385
Discontinued operations,
net of income taxes (4) 36 278
--- ---
Net earnings $41,349 31,663
======= ======
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations $.42 .32
Discontinued operations -- --
--- ---
Total $.42 .32
==== ===
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations (1)
(2) (3) $.41 .32
Discontinued operations -- --
--- ---
Total $.41 .32
==== ===
Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic 98,216 97,721
Diluted 100,271 99,402
Transaction expenses reflect investment banking, legal
and other professional service fees incurred in
connection with the proposed transaction with
Unilever. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year
2010, this amount reduced earnings from continuing
operations by $7,279 and diluted earnings per share
(1) from continuing operations by 7 cents.
Restructuring and other primarily includes severance
and other costs incurred in connection with the
Company's plan to downsize its manufacturing facility
and consolidate its warehouse and office facilities
in Chatsworth, California, which was announced in
June 2009, and the Company's subsequent plan
primarily related to ceasing all manufacturing
activities at its Chatsworth facility, which was
announced in November 2009. During the fourth
quarter of fiscal year 2010, restructuring and other
reduced earnings from continuing operations (net of
tax) by $309 and did not have an effect on diluted
earnings per share from continuing operations.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009,
restructuring and other reduced earnings from
continuing operations (net of tax) by $943 and
diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
(2) by 1 cent.
The provision for income taxes in the fourth quarter
of fiscal year 2010 includes $2,431 of discrete tax
benefit, which increased diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations by 2 cents. The provision
for income taxes in the fourth quarter of fiscal year
2009 includes $288 of discrete tax expense, which did
not have an effect on diluted earnings per share from
(3) continuing operations.
Discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of both
fiscal years 2010 and 2009 include adjustments to
self-insurance reserves for pre-separation Sally
(4) claims retained by Alberto Culver.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
-------------------------------------
Twelve Months Ended September 30,
2010 and 2009 2010 2009
--------------------------------- ---- ----
Net sales $1,597,233 1,433,980
Cost of products sold 762,557 698,778
------- -------
Gross profit 834,676 735,202
Advertising, marketing, selling and
administrative (1) 596,124 545,261
Transaction expenses (2) 13,283 --
Restructuring and other (3) 5,101 6,776
----- -----
Operating earnings 220,168 183,165
Interest expense (income), net 2,324 (2,673)
----- ------
Earnings from continuing operations
before income taxes 217,844 185,838
Provision for income taxes (4) 62,708 68,005
------ ------
Earnings from continuing operations 155,136 117,833
Discontinued operations, net of
income taxes (5) 174 1,541
--- -----
Net earnings $155,310 119,374
======== =======
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations $1.58 1.21
Discontinued operations .01 .01
--- ---
Total $1.59 1.22
----- ----
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations (2) (3) (4) $1.55 1.19
Discontinued operations .01 .01
--- ---
Total $1.56 1.20
===== ====
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 97,985 97,670
Diluted 99,852 99,108
Fiscal year 2010 includes $5,490 of expenses related to
the withdrawal of select products in the Company's
relaxer kit business and $7,615 of earnings from the
settlement of a dispute with a supplier. Fiscal year
2009 includes $2,933 of expenses related to the same
(1) dispute with a supplier.
Transaction expenses reflect investment banking, legal
and other professional service fees incurred in
connection with the proposed transaction with Unilever
($7,279) and the acquisition of Simple Health & Beauty
Group Limited ($6,004). During fiscal year 2010, this
amount reduced earnings from continuing operations by
$13,283 and diluted earnings per share from continuing
(2) operations by 13 cents.
Restructuring and other primarily includes severance
and other costs incurred related to the Company's plan
to downsize its manufacturing facility and consolidate
its warehouse and office facilities in Chatsworth,
California, which was announced in June 2009, and the
Company's subsequent plan primarily related to ceasing
all manufacturing activities at its Chatsworth
facility, which was announced in November 2009.
During fiscal year 2010, restructuring and other
reduced earnings from continuing operations (net of
tax) by $3,224 and diluted earnings per share from
continuing operations by 3 cents. During fiscal year
2009, restructuring and other reduced earnings from
continuing operations (net of tax) by $4,234 and
diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
(3) by 4 cents.
The provision for income taxes in fiscal year 2010
includes $4,542 of discrete tax benefit, which
increased diluted earnings per share from continuing
operations by 4 cents. The provision for income taxes
in fiscal year 2009 includes $6,813 of discrete tax
expense, primarily related to taxes on a local
currency gain on U.S. dollar denominated cash held in
Sweden following the Cederroth sale, which reduced
diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
(4) by 7 cents.
Discontinued operations in both periods include
adjustments to self-insurance reserves for pre-
separation Sally claims retained by Alberto Culver.
In fiscal year 2009, discontinued operations also
(5) include adjustments related to the sale of Cederroth.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
--------------
September 30,
Assets 2010 2009
---- ----
Cash and cash equivalents $301,978 469,775
Accounts receivable, net 283,183 228,979
Inventories 171,306 126,777
Other current assets and
income taxes 47,637 40,097
------ ------
Total current assets 804,104 865,628
Property, plant and
equipment, net 247,049 249,911
Goodwill and trade names 688,715 313,955
Long-term investments 53,706 58,412
Other assets 84,701 70,108
------ ------
Total assets $1,878,275 1,558,014
========== =========
Liabilities and Stockholders'
Equity
Current portion of long-term
debt $181 175
Accounts payable, accrued
expenses and income taxes 283,243 275,649
------- -------
Total current liabilities 283,424 275,824
Long-term debt 150,241 429
Other liabilities and income
taxes 117,370 80,339
------- ------
Total liabilities 551,035 356,592
Stock options subject to
redemption 2,628 4,776
Stockholders' equity 1,324,612 1,196,646
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $1,878,275 1,558,014
========== =========
Segment Data (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
--------------
Three Months Ended September
30, 2010 and 2009 2010 2009
---------------------------- ---- ----
Net Sales:
United States $250,760 242,263
International 181,122 142,928
------- -------
$431,882 385,191
======== =======
Earnings From Continuing
Operations Before Income
Taxes:
United States $39,255 37,646
International 26,757 10,444
------ ------
Segment operating profit 66,012 48,090
Stock-based compensation
expense (3,340) (2,277)
Transaction expenses (1) (7,279) --
Restructuring and other (2) (381) (1,464)
Interest income (expense),
net (1,793) 345
------ ---
$53,219 44,694
======= ======
Twelve Months Ended September
30, 2010 and 2009 2010 2009
----------------------------- ---- ----
Net Sales:
United States $943,916 916,996
International 653,317 516,984
------- -------
$1,597,233 1,433,980
========== =========
Earnings From Continuing
Operations Before Income
Taxes:
United States $161,900 153,192
International 89,465 47,249
------ ------
Segment operating profit 251,365 200,441
Stock-based compensation
expense (12,813) (10,500)
Transaction expenses (1) (13,283) --
Restructuring and other (2) (5,101) (6,776)
Interest income (expense),
net (2,324) 2,673
------ -----
$217,844 185,838
======== =======
Transaction expenses reflect investment banking, legal and other
professional service fees incurred in connection with the
proposed transaction with Unilever and the acquisition of
(1) Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited.
Restructuring and other primarily includes severance and other
costs incurred related to the Company's plan to downsize its
manufacturing facility and consolidate its warehouse and office
facilities in Chatsworth, California, which was announced in
June 2009, and the Company's subsequent plan primarily related
to ceasing all manufacturing activities at its Chatsworth
(2) facility, which was announced in November 2009.
Schedule - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company's press release announcing results of operations for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2010 includes references to certain of the following "non-GAAP financial measures" as defined by Regulation G of the Securities and Exchange Commission:
-- Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations excluding restructuring and
discrete items
-- Earnings from continuing operations excluding restructuring and discrete
items
-- Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding
restructuring and discrete items
-- Organic sales growth
In June 2009, the Company committed to a plan primarily related to the downsizing of its manufacturing facility and the consolidation of its warehouse and office facilities in Chatsworth, California. During fiscal year 2009, the Company recorded restructuring costs related to this plan of $6.3 million ($1.3 million in the fourth quarter). During fiscal year 2010, the Company recorded additional restructuring costs related to this plan of $460,000 ($81,000 in the fourth quarter).
In November 2009, the Company committed to a plan primarily related to ceasing all manufacturing activities at its facility in Chatsworth, California. This plan is in addition to the Company's initial plan to downsize the Chatsworth manufacturing facility. During fiscal year 2010, the Company recorded restructuring costs related to this plan of $4.5 million ($98,000 in the fourth quarter), primarily related to severance.
In addition to these two plans, the Company recorded restructuring costs of $119,000 in fiscal year 2010 ($202,000 in the fourth quarter) and $519,000 during fiscal year 2009 ($117,000 in the fourth quarter) related to previously announced plans.
In total, the Company recorded restructuring and other costs during fiscal year 2010 of $5.1 million ($3.2 million after taxes or 3 cents per diluted share from continuing operations) with $381,000 in the fourth quarter ($309,000 after taxes and no effect on diluted earnings per share from continuing operations). In fiscal year 2009, the Company recorded total restructuring and other costs of $6.8 million ($4.2 million after taxes or 4 cents per diluted share from continuing operations) with $1.5 million in the fourth quarter ($943,000 after taxes or 1 cent per diluted share from continuing operations).
In connection with the proposed transaction with Unilever, the Company incurred transaction expenses (primarily investment banking, legal and other professional service fees) during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010 of $7.3 million (7 cents per diluted share from continuing operations). In connection with the acquisition of Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited on December 18, 2009, the Company incurred transaction expenses during fiscal year 2010 of $6.0 million (6 cents per diluted share from continuing operations). In total, the Company incurred transaction expenses of $13.3 million (13 cents per diluted share from continuing operations) with $7.3 million in the fourth quarter (7 cents per diluted share from continuing operations). These amounts are not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.
In fiscal year 2009, the Company incurred costs related to a dispute with a supplier of $2.9 million ($1.9 million after taxes) with $278,000 in the fourth quarter ($186,000 after taxes). In fiscal year 2010, additional costs of $1.1 million were incurred prior to the dispute being settled in the third quarter. The settlement included the forgiveness of $5.8 million of obligations the Company owed to the supplier and the receipt of $2.9 million in cash from the supplier. On a net basis, the Company recorded a benefit related to this matter of $7.6 million in fiscal year 2010 ($5.2 million after taxes or 5 cents per diluted share from continuing operations).
The Company's provision for income taxes in fiscal year 2010 included net discrete tax benefit of $4.5 million (4 cents per diluted share from continuing operations) with net discrete tax benefit of $2.4 million in the fourth quarter (2 cents per diluted share from continuing operations). The Company's provision for income taxes in fiscal year 2009 included net discrete tax expense of $6.8 million (7 cents per diluted share from continuing operations), with $288,000 in the fourth quarter. The fiscal year 2009 amount is primarily related to taxes on a local currency gain on U.S. dollar denominated cash held in Sweden following the Cederroth sale.
Schedule - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(continued)
--------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most
directly comparable financial measures
under GAAP for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2010
and 2009 are as follows (in thousands,
except per share data):
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
September 30 September 30
2010 2009 2010 2009
---- ---- ---- ----
Pre-tax earnings
from continuing
operations, as
reported $53,219 44,694 $217,844 185,838
Restructuring and
other 381 1,464 5,101 6,776
Transaction
expenses 7,279 -- 13,283 --
Dispute with a
supplier -- 278 (7,615) 2,933
--- --- ------ -----
Pre-tax earnings
from continuing
operations,
excluding
restructuring and
discrete items $60,879 46,436 $228,613 195,547
======= ====== ======== =======
Earnings from
continuing
operations (net
of income
taxes),
as reported $41,313 31,385 $155,136 117,833
Restructuring and
other, net of
income taxes 309 943 3,224 4,234
Transaction
expenses, net of
income taxes 7,279 -- 13,283 --
Dispute with a
supplier, net of
income taxes -- 186 (5,224) 1,930
Discrete tax
items (2,431) 288 (4,542) 6,813
------ --- ------ -----
Earnings from
continuing
operations (net
of income
taxes),
excluding
restructuring
and discrete
items $46,470 32,802 $161,877 130,810
======= ====== ======== =======
Diluted earnings
per share from
continuing
operations,
as reported $.41 .32 $1.55 1.19
Restructuring and
other, net of
income taxes -- .01 .03 .04
Transaction
expenses, net of
income taxes .07 -- .13 --
Dispute with a
supplier, net of
income taxes -- -- (.05) .02
Discrete tax
items (.02) -- (.04) .07
---- --- ---- ---
Diluted earnings
per share from
continuing
operations,
excluding
restructuring
and discrete
items $.46 .33 $1.62 1.32
==== === ===== ====
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
September 30 September 30
2010 2009 2010 2009
---- ---- ---- ----
Net sales growth
(decline), as
reported 12.1% (0.2)% 11.4% (0.7)%
Effect of foreign
currency
fluctuations (0.1) 5.0 (2.1) 8.1
Effect of
acquisition (7.6) (2.6) (5.8) (2.5)
Effect of
divestiture 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.1
--- --- --- ---
Organic sales
growth 4.9% 2.7% 4.2% 5.0%
=== === === ===
Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the performance of the Company and believes the presentation of these amounts provides the reader with information necessary to analyze the Company's normal operations for the periods compared.
SOURCE Alberto Culver Company
