Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x

  

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED:

    

March 31, 2003

    

-OR-

¨

  

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

 

Commission File No. 1-5050

 

 

ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

36-2257936

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

2525 Armitage Avenue

   

Melrose Park, Illinois

 

60160

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (708) 450-3000

 

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         

 

At March 31, 2003, the company had 26,321,119 shares of Class A common stock and 32,340,240 shares of Class B common stock outstanding.

 


 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

    

(Unaudited)


    

2003


  

2002


Net sales

  

$

706,956

  

657,762

Cost of products sold

  

 

349,068

  

336,822

    

  

Gross profit

  

 

357,888

  

320,940

Advertising, marketing, selling and administrative

  

 

293,006

  

264,554

    

  

Operating earnings

  

 

64,882

  

56,386

Interest expense, net of interest income of $688 in 2003 and $671 in 2002

  

 

5,734

  

6,155

    

  

Earnings before provision for income taxes

  

 

59,148

  

50,231

Provision for income taxes

  

 

21,293

  

17,581

    

  

Net earnings

  

$

37,855

  

32,650

    

  

Net earnings per share

           

Basic

  

$

0.65

  

0.57

    

  

Diluted

  

$

0.63

  

0.55

    

  

Cash dividends paid per share

  

$

0.105

  

0.09

    

  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

2


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Six Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

    

(Unaudited)


    

2003


  

2002


Net sales

  

$

1,403,732

  

1,272,022

Cost of products sold

  

 

701,356

  

647,407

    

  

Gross profit

  

 

702,376

  

624,615

Advertising, marketing, selling and administrative

  

 

575,637

  

517,833

    

  

Operating earnings

  

 

126,739

  

106,782

             

Interest expense, net of interest income of $1,580 in 2003 and $1,869 in 2002

  

 

11,316

  

11,484

    

  

Earnings before provision for income taxes

  

 

115,423

  

95,298

Provision for income taxes

  

 

41,552

  

33,354

    

  

Net earnings

  

$

73,871

  

61,944

    

  

Net earnings per share

           

Basic

  

$

1.27

  

1.09

    

  

Diluted

  

$

1.23

  

1.05

    

  

Cash dividends paid per share

  

$

    .1950

  

.1725

    

  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

3


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2003 and September 30, 2002

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

    

(Unaudited)

March 31,

2003


    

September 30,
2002


 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  

$

246,893

 

  

217,485

 

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts ($19,632 at 3/31/03 and $17,550 at 9/30/02)

  

 

204,988

 

  

209,010

 

Inventories:

               

Raw materials

  

 

37,307

 

  

39,932

 

Work-in-process

  

 

4,770

 

  

5,545

 

Finished goods

  

 

505,061

 

  

476,731

 

    


  

Total inventories

  

 

547,138

 

  

522,208

 

Other current assets

  

 

40,079

 

  

35,514

 

    


  

Total current assets

  

 

1,039,098

 

  

984,217

 

    


  

Property, plant and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation ($288,992 at 3/31/03 and $271,169 at 9/30/02)

  

 

248,533

 

  

247,850

 

Goodwill, net

  

 

349,252

 

  

343,431

 

Trade names, net

  

 

81,845

 

  

79,681

 

Other assets

  

 

72,916

 

  

74,312

 

    


  

Total assets

  

$

1,791,644

 

  

1,729,491

 

    


  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

  

$

3,357

 

  

3,702

 

Accounts payable

  

 

218,051

 

  

233,942

 

Accrued expenses

  

 

195,391

 

  

208,311

 

Income taxes

  

 

10,617

 

  

14,492

 

    


  

Total current liabilities

  

 

427,416

 

  

460,447

 

    


  

Long-term debt

  

 

320,284

 

  

320,181

 

Deferred income taxes

  

 

39,828

 

  

38,337

 

Other liabilities

  

 

49,922

 

  

48,067

 

Stockholders’ equity:

               

Common stock, par value $.22 per share:

               

Class A authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 30,612,798 shares

  

 

6,735

 

  

6,735

 

Class B authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 37,710,655 shares

  

 

8,296

 

  

8,296

 

Additional paid-in capital

  

 

212,011

 

  

205,470

 

Retained earnings

  

 

959,572

 

  

897,106

 

Deferred compensation

  

 

(5,359

)

  

(5,849

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation

  

 

(61,425

)

  

(77,603

)

    


  

    

 

1,119,830

 

  

1,034,155

 

Less treasury stock at cost (Class A common shares: 4,291,679 at 3/31/03 and 4,765,673 at 9/30/02; Class B common shares: 5,370,415 at 3/31/03 and 5,379,015 at 9/30/02)

  

 

(165,636

)

  

(171,696

)

    


  

Total stockholders’ equity

  

 

954,194

 

  

862,459

 

    


  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  

$

1,791,644

 

  

1,729,491

 

    


  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4


 

ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

    

(Unaudited)


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

               

Net earnings

  

$

73,871

 

  

61,944

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation

  

 

21,617

 

  

21,236

 

Amortization

  

 

1,674

 

  

1,888

 

Cash effects of changes in (exclusive of acquisitions):

               

Receivables, net

  

 

8,724

 

  

2,834

 

Inventories, net

  

 

(19,466

)

  

(18,663

)

Other current assets

  

 

(2,030

)

  

657

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  

 

(32,954

)

  

15,935

 

Income taxes

  

 

414

 

  

(8,171

)

Other assets

  

 

2,276

 

  

1,156

 

Other liabilities

  

 

(2,404

)

  

2,171

 

    


  

Net cash provided by operating activities

  

 

51,722

 

  

80,987

 

    


  

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

               

Short-term investments

  

 

—  

 

  

458

 

Capital expenditures

  

 

(21,433

)

  

(32,223

)

Payments for purchased businesses, net of acquired companies’ cash

  

 

(108

)

  

(101,222

)

Other, net

  

 

166

 

  

(1,910

)

    


  

Net cash used by investing activities

  

 

(21,375

)

  

(134,897

)

    


  

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

               

Short-term borrowings, net

  

 

634

 

  

641

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

  

 

122

 

  

—  

 

Repayments of long-term debt

  

 

(1,130

)

  

(200

)

Repurchase of previously sold accounts receivable

  

 

—  

 

  

(40,000

)

Cash dividends paid

  

 

(11,405

)

  

(9,912

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

  

 

15,476

 

  

29,744

 

Stock purchased for treasury

  

 

(9,610

)

  

(28,015

)

    


  

Net cash used by financing activities

  

 

(5,913

)

  

(47,742

)

    


  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

  

 

4,974

 

  

(163

)

    


  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  

 

29,408

 

  

(101,815

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  

 

217,485

 

  

201,970

 

    


  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  

$

246,893

 

  

100,155

 

    


  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5


 

ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The consolidated financial statements contained in this report have not been audited by independent public accountants, except for balance sheet information presented at September 30, 2002. However, in the opinion of the company, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal adjustments, necessary to present fairly the data contained therein. The results of operations for the periods covered are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Certain amounts for the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

(2) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

During fiscal years 1998 and 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the company to purchase up to 9.0 million shares of its Class A common stock. Prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2002, the company had purchased 7.3 million Class A common shares under this program at a total cost of $162.9 million with the last purchase occurring in October, 1999. In July, 2002, the Board of Directors re-authorized the company to purchase up to 1.7 million shares of Class A common stock remaining under this program. As of March 31, 2003, the company had purchased 331,700 Class A shares under this re-authorization at a total cost of $15.1 million. A total of 1,368,300 Class A shares remain available for purchase under this program as of March 31, 2003.

 

During the six months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, the company acquired $1.8 million and $28.0 million, respectively, of Class A and Class B common shares surrendered by employees in connection with the exercises of stock options and the payment of withholding taxes as provided under the terms of certain incentive plans. Shares acquired under these plans are not subject to the above-mentioned stock repurchase program.

 

(3) WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

The following table provides information about basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months

Ended
March 31


  

Six Months
Ended
March 31


    

2003


  

2002


  

2003


  

2002


Basic weighted average shares outstanding

  

58,216

  

57,309

  

58,109

  

57,077

Effect of dilutive securities:

                   

Assumed exercise of stock options

  

1,414

  

1,579

  

1,397

  

1,402

Assumed vesting of restricted stock

  

366

  

411

  

366

  

411

    
  
  
  

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

  

59,996

  

59,299

  

59,872

  

58,890

    
  
  
  

 

Stock options for 1,235,100 shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and six months ended March 31, 2003 as the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price and, therefore, were anti-dilutive. No stock options were anti-dilutive for the three months or six months ended March 31, 2002.

 

6


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

(4) ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” requires either the adoption of a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation or the continuance of the intrinsic value method with pro-forma disclosures as if the fair value method was adopted. The company has elected to continue measuring compensation expense for its stock-based plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting or Stock Issued to Employees,” and, accordingly, no compensation cost related to stock options has been recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

Had compensation expense for these stock option plans been determined based upon the fair value of stock options on the dates of grant and recognized over the vesting period consistent with SFAS No. 123, the company’s pro-forma net earnings and net earnings per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

    

Three Months
Ended
March 31


    

Six Months
Ended
March 31


 
    

2003


    

2002


    

2003


    

2002


 

Net earnings:

                             

As reported

  

$

37,855

 

  

32,650

 

  

73,871

 

  

61,944

 

Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related income tax effects

  

 

469

 

  

459

 

  

847

 

  

866

 

Less: Stock-based compensation expense determined under the fair-value based method for all awards, net of related income tax effects

  

 

(2,835

)

  

(2,204

)

  

(4,715

)

  

(4,351

)

    


  

  

  

Pro-forma

  

$

35,489

 

  

30,905

 

  

70,003

 

  

58,459

 

    


  

  

  

Basic net earnings per share:

                             

As reported

  

$

0.65

 

  

0.57

 

  

1.27

 

  

1.09

 

Pro-forma

  

$

0.61

 

  

0.54

 

  

1.20

 

  

1.02

 

Diluted net earnings per share:

                             

As reported

  

$

0.63

 

  

0.55

 

  

1.23

 

  

1.05

 

Pro-forma

  

$

0.59

 

  

0.52

 

  

1.17

 

  

0.99

 

 

7


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

(5) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Comprehensive income consists of net earnings and foreign currency translation adjustments as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months

Ended March 31


    

Six Months

Ended March 31


 
    

2003


  

2002


    

2003


  

2002


 

Net earnings

  

$

37,855

  

32,650

 

  

73,871

  

61,944

 

Other comprehensive income adjustments-foreign currency translation

  

 

6,267

  

(9,219

)

  

16,178

  

(25,660

)

    

  

  
  

Comprehensive income

  

$

44,122

  

23,431

 

  

90,049

  

36,284

 

    

  

  
  

 

(6) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Effective October 1, 2002, the company’s consumer products business was reorganized into two divisions. A new division, Alberto-Culver Consumer Products Worldwide, is comprised of the former Alberto-Culver North America business segment and the former Alberto-Culver International business segment excluding the operations of Cederroth International. The second division is Cederroth International, which manufactures, markets and distributes beauty and health care products throughout Scandinavia and in Europe. Beginning in fiscal year 2003, the company has two segments for external financial reporting purposes: Global Consumer Products, which includes the two aforementioned consumer products divisions, and Specialty distribution-Sally, which is the same segment as previously reported. Prior year information has been reclassified to conform to the new segment presentation.

 

Segment data for the three and six months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 is as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months

Ended March 31


    

Six Months

Ended March 31


 
    

2003


    

2002


    

2003


    

2002


 

Net sales:

                             

Global Consumer Products

  

$

270,872

 

  

245,968

 

  

529,818

 

  

486,005

 

Specialty distribution-Sally

  

 

443,374

 

  

418,562

 

  

886,315

 

  

799,068

 

Eliminations

  

 

(7,290

)

  

(6,768

)

  

(12,401

)

  

(13,051

)

    


  

  

  

    

$

706,956

 

  

657,762

 

  

1,403,732

 

  

1,272,022

 

    


  

  

  

Earnings before provision for income taxes:

                             

Global Consumer Products

  

$

20,676

 

  

17,654

 

  

43,175

 

  

34,289

 

Specialty distribution-Sally

  

 

48,416

 

  

43,885

 

  

94,701

 

  

82,367

 

    


  

  

  

Segment operating profit

  

 

69,092

 

  

61,539

 

  

137,876

 

  

116,656

 

Unallocated expenses, net

  

 

(4,210

)

  

(5,153

)

  

(11,137

)

  

(9,874

)

Interest expense, net of interest income

  

 

(5,734

)

  

(6,155

)

  

(11,316

)

  

(11,484

)

    


  

  

  

    

$

59,148

 

  

50,231

 

  

115,423

 

  

95,298

 

    


  

  

  

 

There has not been a material change in the identifiable assets of the Global Consumer Products segment as of March 31, 2003 versus the combined identifiable assets of the previously reported Alberto-Culver North America and Alberto-Culver International segments as of September 30, 2002.

 

8


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

(7) GOODWILL AND TRADE NAMES

 

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the six months ended March 31, 2003 is as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Global Consumer Products


  

Specialty

Distribution-

Sally


  

Total


Balance as of September 30, 2002

  

$135,907

  

207,524

  

343,431

Purchase price adjustments

  

—  

  

410

  

410

Foreign currency translation effect

  

3,706

  

1,705

  

5,411

    
  
  

Balance as of March 31, 2003

  

$139,613

  

209,639

  

349,252

    
  
  

 

Indefinite-lived trade names by operating segment at March 31, 2003 and September 30, 2002 were as follows (in thousands):

 

    

March 31,

2003


  

September 30,

2002


Global Consumer Products

  

$77,723

  

75,559

Specialty distribution-Sally

  

4,122

  

4,122

    
  
    

$81,845

  

79,681

    
  

 

The increase in indefinite-lived trade names during the six months ended March 31, 2003 was due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar versus certain foreign currencies, primarily the Swedish krona and Argentine peso.

 

9


 

ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Second Quarter and Six Months Ended March 31, 2003 versus Second Quarter and Six Months Ended March 31, 2002

 

The company achieved record second quarter net sales of $707.0 million in fiscal year 2003, up $49.2 million or 7.5% over the comparable period of the prior year. For the six-month period ending March 31, 2003, net sales reached a new high of $1.40 billion, representing a 10.4% increase compared to last year’s six-month period. Fiscal year 2003 sales were increased by the effect of foreign exchange rates. Had foreign exchange rates this year been the same as the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2002, sales would have been 2.4% and 1.4% lower than reported in the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2003, respectively.

 

Net earnings were $37.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 or 15.9% higher than the prior year’s second quarter net earnings of $32.7 million. Basic earnings per share of 65 cents in the second quarter of fiscal year 2003 were 8 cents or 14.0% higher than the same period of fiscal year 2002. Diluted earnings per share for the current quarter increased 14.5% to 63 cents from 55 cents in the same period of the prior year.

 

Net earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2003 were $73.9 million or 19.3% higher than the prior year’s first half net earnings of $61.9 million. Basic earnings per share of $1.27 in fiscal year 2003 were 18 cents or 16.5% higher than the same period of fiscal year 2002. Diluted earnings per share increased 17.1% to $1.23 from $1.05 in the first half of fiscal year 2002.

 

Effective October 1, 2002, the company’s consumer products business was reorganized into two divisions. A new division, Alberto-Culver Consumer Products Worldwide, is comprised of the former Alberto-Culver North America business segment and the former Alberto-Culver International business segment excluding the operations of Cederroth International. The second division is Cederroth International, which manufactures, markets and distributes beauty and health care products throughout Scandinavia and in Europe. Beginning in fiscal year 2003, the company has two segments for external financial reporting purposes: Global Consumer Products, which includes the two aforementioned consumer products divisions, and Specialty Distribution-Sally, which is the same segment as previously reported. Prior year information has been reclassified to conform to the new segment presentation.

 

Compared to the same period of the prior year, sales of Global Consumer Products increased 10.1% and 9.0% in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal year 2003, respectively. The second quarter and first half increases were primarily due to higher sales of St. Ives Swiss Formula skin care products and the TRESemme and Alberto VO5 lines of hair care products. Fiscal year 2003 sales were increased by the effect of foreign exchange rates. Had foreign exchange rates this year been the same as the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2002, Global Consumer Products sales would have been 4.7% and 2.5% lower than reported in the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2003, respectively.

 

The “Specialty distribution—Sally” (“Sally”) business segment achieved sales increases of 5.9% for the second quarter and 10.9% for the first six months of fiscal year 2003. The sales increases were mainly attributable to the expansion of Sally’s full-service operations, higher sales for established Sally Beauty Company outlets and the addition of stores during the year. First half sales also benefited from the inclusion of a full six months of operations for Armstrong-McCall, acquired in December 2001, versus only three months in the prior year.

 

Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales was 49.4% for the second quarter and 50.0% for the first six months of fiscal year 2003 compared to 51.2% for the second quarter and 50.9% for the first half of the prior year. The decreases in the cost of products sold percentage in the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2003 were primarily attributable to cost savings programs and increased sales of higher margin products for Alberto-Culver Consumer Products Worldwide and improved vendor pricing and lower store inventory shrinkage for Sally.

 

10


 

ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Compared to the prior year, advertising, marketing, selling and administrative expenses in fiscal year 2003 increased $28.5 million or 10.8% for the second quarter and $57.8 million or 11.2% for the first six months. The increases primarily resulted from the higher selling and administrative costs associated with the growth of the Sally Beauty Company business and higher expenditures for advertising and marketing.

 

Advertising and marketing expense was $59.0 million for the second quarter and $108.5 million for the first half of fiscal year 2003 versus $47.2 million for the second quarter and $93.3 million for the first half of fiscal year 2002. The increases primarily resulted from higher advertising expenditures for St. Ives Swiss Formula skin care products, TRESemme hair care products, Alberto V05 hair care products and Mrs. Dash salt-free seasoning blends.

 

Net interest expense decreased $421,000 in the second quarter and $168,000 in the first half of fiscal year 2003. The reductions in net interest expense primarily resulted from the amortization of a deferred gain resulting from the termination of an interest rate swap in July, 2002. The first half decrease was partially offset by lower interest income due to reduced interest rates on investments.

 

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of earnings before income taxes was 36.0% for the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2003 compared to 35.0% for the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2002. The higher tax rate is mainly due to the mix of foreign taxable earnings.

 

11


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

March 31, 2003 versus September 30, 2002

 

Working capital at March 31, 2003 was $611.7 million, an increase of $87.9 million from $523.8 million at September 30, 2002. The resulting ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.43 to 1.00 at March 31, 2003 compared to 2.14 to 1.00 at September 30, 2002. The increase in working capital and the ratio of current assets to current liabilities was primarily due to net working capital generated from the growth of the company, partially offset by cash outlays for capital expenditures, cash dividends and purchases of treasury shares.

 

Cash and cash equivalents increased $29.4 million during the first six months of fiscal year 2003 primarily due to cash flow provided by operating activities and cash received from the exercise of stock options. These cash inflows were partially offset by cash paid for capital expenditures, cash dividends and stock purchased for treasury.

 

Inventories increased $24.9 million during the first half of fiscal year 2003 primarily due to the growth of the Global Consumer Products business, including higher inventories related to planned promotions and new SKUs, the growth of the Sally Beauty business and the weakening of the U.S. dollar versus certain foreign currencies.

 

Accounts payable decreased $15.9 million during the first half of fiscal year 2003 primarily due to the timing of inventory purchases and vendor payments.

 

Accrued expenses decreased $12.9 million during the first six months of fiscal year 2003 primarily due to payments under various incentive plans.

 

“Accumulated other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation” decreased $16.2 million during the first half of fiscal year 2003 mainly due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar versus certain foreign currencies, primarily the British pound and Swedish krona.

 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In December, 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an amendment of SFAS No. 123.” SFAS No. 148 amends SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 regarding the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The company is required to comply with the additional disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148 in its annual financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2003. The company implemented the interim disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2003.

 

12


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (continued)

 

In January, 2003, the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) finalized Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor,” which addresses the accounting by a customer for consideration given by a vendor. EITF Issue No. 02-16 standardizes the accounting treatment for these types of arrangements by requiring that consideration received from a vendor be reflected as a reduction in the purchase price of the item, except for reimbursement of specific, incremental expenses incurred by the customer to sell a vendor’s products, which should be reflected as a reduction in the applicable expense item (“Issue 1”). EITF Issue No. 02-16 also requires that rebates or refunds from vendors that are earned based upon a specified level of purchases, or continued purchases over a specified period of time, should be accrued if it is probable they will be earned and can be estimated (“Issue 2”). As required by EITF Issue No. 02-16, the company implemented Issue 1 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2003 and Issue 2 for arrangements entered into or modified after November 21, 2002. The adoption of EITF No. 02-16 did not have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In November, 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” (“FIN 45”). FIN 45 requires guarantors to recognize a liability for the obligation it has undertaken in issuing a guarantee, including the ongoing obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of the guarantee in the event that the specified triggering events or conditions occur. FIN 45 also requires certain interim and annual disclosures regarding guarantees. The company adopted the provisions of FIN 45 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2003. The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The company’s significant accounting policies are described in note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002. A discussion of critical accounting policies is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002. There were no significant changes in the company’s critical accounting policies during the three or six months ended March 31, 2003.

 

13


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference herein, if any, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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 that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in such forward-looking statements include: the pattern of brand sales, including variations in sales volume within periods; competition within the relevant product markets, including the ability to successfully introduce new products, ensuring product quality, pricing, promotional activities, introduction of competing products and continuing customer acceptance of existing products; loss of distributorship rights; risks inherent in acquisitions and strategic alliances; the loss of one or more key employees; the effects of a prolonged United States or global economic downturn or recession; changes in costs, including changes in labor costs, raw material prices or advertising and marketing expenses; the costs and effects of unanticipated legal or administrative proceedings; and variations in political, economic or other factors such as currency exchange rates, inflation rates, tax changes, legal and regulatory changes or other external factors over which Alberto-Culver Company has no control. Alberto-Culver Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or any incorporated document.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

There have been no material changes in the company’s market risk during the three months or six months ended March 31, 2003.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)   Within 90 days prior to the date of the filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, the company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the company have concluded that Alberto-Culver Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

(b)   There were no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. There were no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses and, therefore, there were no corrective actions taken.

 

14


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

PART II

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

At the annual meeting of stockholders on January 23, 2003, Carol L. Bernick, Jim Edgar, Leonard H. Lavin and Robert H. Rock were elected as directors of the company with terms expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2006. Mrs. Bernick received a Class A and Class B Common stockholder vote of 22,086,015 and 23,359,050 shares “for” and 2,556,029 and 5,793,070 shares “withheld,” respectively. Mr. Edgar received a Class A and Class B Common stockholder vote of 24,376,562 and 27,632,118 shares “for” and 265,482 and 1,520,002 shares “withheld,” respectively. Mr. Lavin received a Class A and Class B Common stockholder vote of 22,085,971 and 23,342,450 shares “for” and 2,556,073 and 5,809,670 shares “withheld,” respectively. Mr. Rock received a Class A and Class B Common stockholder vote of 24,377,080 and 27,634,417 shares “for” and 264,964 and 1,517,703 shares “withheld,” respectively.

 

A.G. Atwater, Jr., Sam J. Susser, William W. Wirtz, John A. Miller and James G. Brocksmith continue as directors and their terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2004. Howard B. Bernick, King Harris, Bernice E. Lavin and Allan B. Muchin continue as directors with terms expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2005.

 

A. Robert Abboud retired as a director when his term expired on January 23, 2003.

 

Stockholders at the annual meeting also voted on the proposed approval of the company’s Employee Stock Option Plan of 2003. The plan was approved by a Class A and Class B stockholder vote of 18,705,590 and 22,600,257 shares “for;” 3,796,751 and 4,461,496 shares “against;” 14,652 and 446,320 shares “abstaining;” and 2,125,051 and 1,644,047 shares of “broker non-votes,” respectively.

 

Stockholders at the annual meeting also voted on the proposed approval of the company’s Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors of 2003. The plan was approved by a Class A and Class B stockholder vote of 18,869,012 and 23,753,458 shares “for;” 3,622,231 and 3,289,054 shares “against;” 25,751 and 465,562 shares “abstaining;” and 2,125,050 and 1,644,046 shares of “broker non-votes,” respectively.

 

Stockholders at the meeting also voted on the proposed approval of the Alberto-Culver Company 2003 Restricted Stock Plan. The plan was approved by a Class A and Class B stockholder vote of 16,258,361 and 19,786,367 shares “for;” 6,238,722 and 7,268,383 shares “against;” 19,911 and 453,323 shares “abstaining;” and 2,125,050 and 1,644,047 shares of “broker non-votes,” respectively.

 

Stockholders at the annual meeting also voted on the proposed re-approval of the company’s 1994 Shareholder Value Incentive Plan, as amended. The plan was approved by a Class A and Class B stockholder vote of 22,137,532 and 26,709,067 shares “for;” 360,901 and 358,085 shares “against;” 18,561 and 440,921 shares “abstaining;” and 2,125,050 and 1,644,047 shares of “broker non-votes,” respectively.

 

Stockholders at the annual meeting also voted on the proposed approval of the company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved by a Class A and Class B stockholder vote of 22,038,340 and 25,230,075 shares “for;” 460,412 and 1,926,712 shares “against;” 18,242 and 351,286 shares “abstaining;” and 2,125,050 and 1,644,047 shares of “broker non-votes,” respectively.

 

Class A common stock has one-tenth vote per share and Class B common stock has one vote per share.

 

15


ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a) Exhibits:

 

10     

  

Copy of the Alberto-Culver Company Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors dated April 24, 2003 *.

99(a)

  

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

99(b)

  

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


* This exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement of the registrant.

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

 

               No report on Form 8-K was filed by the registrant during the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

 

16


SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

 

ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY

(Registrant)

By:

 

/S/    WILLIAM J. CERNUGEL        


   

William J. Cernugel

 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

May 8, 2003

 

17


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

RULES 13a-14 and 15d-14 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

 

I, Howard B. Bernick, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Alberto-Culver Company;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report on Form 10-Q does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q;

 

4.   The company’s other certifying officer and I:

 

  a)   are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the company;

 

  b)   have designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report on Form 10-Q is being prepared;

 

  c)   have evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  d)   have presented in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the company’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal controls; and

 

6.   The company’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 8, 2003

/s/    Howard B. Bernick        


Howard B. Bernick

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

18


 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

RULES 13a-14 and 15d-14 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

 

I, William J. Cernugel, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Alberto-Culver Company;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report on Form 10-Q does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q;

 

4.   The company’s other certifying officer and I:

 

  a)   are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the company;

 

  b)   have designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report on Form 10-Q is being prepared;

 

  c)   have evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  d)   have presented in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the company’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal controls; and

 

6.   The company’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 8, 2003

/s/    William J. Cernugel         


William J. Cernugel

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

19