Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

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 27, 2010

OR

 

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

Commission file number 1-3344

 

 

Sara Lee Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   36-2089049

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

3500 Lacey Road, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(630) 598-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “accelerated filer, large accelerated filer, smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

On March 27, 2010, the Registrant had 661,269,828 outstanding shares of common stock $.01 par value, which is the Registrant’s only class of common stock.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

PART I

        

ITEM 1

  

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)   
      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - At March 27, 2010 and June 27, 2009    3
      Consolidated Statements of Income - For the Quarter and Nine Months ended March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009    4
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity - For the period June 28, 2008 to March 27, 2010    5
      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For the Nine Months ended March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009    6
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements    7

ITEM 2

  

   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS    29

ITEM 4

  

   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    57

PART II

        

ITEM 1A

  

   RISK FACTORS    58

ITEM 2(c)

  

   REPURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER    58

ITEM 6

  

   EXHIBITS    59

SIGNATURE

   60

 

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SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 27, 2010 and June 27, 2009

(Unaudited)

 

In millions

   March 27,
2010
   June 27,
2009

Assets

     

Cash and equivalents

   $ 935    $ 951

Trade accounts receivable, less allowances

     1,251      1,272

Inventories

     

Finished goods

     429      443

Work in process

     29      32

Materials and supplies

     337      291
             
     795      766

Current deferred income taxes

     162      213

Other current assets

     339      250

Assets held for sale

     378      378
             

Total current assets

     3,860      3,830

Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,865 and $2,776, respectively

     2,086      2,200

Trademarks and other identifiable intangibles, net

     535      585

Goodwill

     1,286      1,295

Deferred income taxes

     218      298

Other noncurrent assets

     229      245

Noncurrent assets held for sale

     930      964
             
   $ 9,144    $ 9,417
             

Liabilities and Equity

     

Notes payable

   $ 36    $ 20

Accounts payable

     893      1,004

Income taxes payable and current deferred taxes

     11      22

Other accrued liabilities

     1,336      1,467

Current maturities of long-term debt

     16      46

Liabilities held for sale

     304      287
             

Total current liabilities

     2,596      2,846
             

Long-term debt

     2,718      2,738

Pension obligation

     529      595

Deferred income taxes

     572      106

Other liabilities

     926      1,061

Noncurrent liabilities held for sale

     13      13

Equity

     

Sara Lee common stockholders’ equity

     1,757      2,036

Noncontrolling interest

     33      22
             

Total Equity

     1,790      2,058
             
   $ 9,144    $ 9,417
             

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

For the Quarter and Nine Months ended March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

(Unaudited)

 

     Quarter ended     Nine Months ended  

In millions, except per share data

   March 27,
2010
    March 28,
2009
    March 27,
2010
    March 28,
2009
 

Continuing Operations

        

Net sales

   $ 2,578      $ 2,575      $ 8,024      $ 8,225   
                                

Cost of sales

     1,563        1,643        4,935        5,347   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     762        714        2,317        2,384   

Net charges for exit activities, asset and business dispositions

     25        11        53        41   

Impairment charges

     —          —          17        107   

Contingent sale proceeds

     —          —          (133     (150

Interest expense

     37        45        110        131   

Interest income

     (7     (10     (19     (35
                                
     2,380        2,403        7,280        7,825   
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     198        172        744        400   

Income tax expense

     173        39        224        116   
                                

Income from continuing operations

     25        133        520        284   

Discontinued operations

        

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Sara Lee, net of tax expense of $442, $24, $404 and $60

     (367     32        (207     94   

Net income from noncontrolling interests, net of tax

     5        3        12        10   

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax expense of $2, nil, $2, and nil

     6        —          6        —     
                                

Net income (loss)

     (331     168        331        388   

Less: Net income from noncontrolling interests

     5        3        12        10   
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to Sara Lee

   $ (336   $ 165      $ 319      $ 378   
                                

Income from continuing operations per share of common stock

        

Basic

   $ 0.04      $ 0.19      $ 0.75      $ 0.40   
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.04      $ 0.19      $ 0.75      $ 0.40   
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to Sara Lee per share of common stock

        

Basic

   $ (0.49   $ 0.24      $ 0.46      $ 0.54   
                                

Diluted

   $ (0.49   $ 0.24      $ 0.46      $ 0.54   
                                

Average shares outstanding

        

Basic

     691        697        695        703   
                                

Diluted

     693        698        697        704   
                                

Cash dividends declared per share of common stock

   $ 0.11      $ 0.11      $ 0.22      $ 0.22   
                                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

For the period June 28, 2008 to March 27, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

           Sara Lee Common Stockholders’ Equity        

In millions

   Total     Common
Stock
   Capital
Surplus
    Retained
Earnings
    Unearned
Stock
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Noncontrolling
Interest
 

Balances at June 28, 2008

   $ 2,830      $ 7    $ 7      $ 2,760      $ (112   $ 149      $ 19   

Net income

     375        —        —          364        —          —          11   

Translation adjustments, net of tax

     (563     —        —          —          —          (561     (2

Net unrealized gain (loss) on qualifying cash flow hedges, net of tax

     (30     —        —          —          —          (30     —     

Pension/Postretirement activity, net of tax

     (164     —        —          —          —          (164     —     

Other comprehensive income activity, net of tax

     (4     —        —          —          —          (2     (2
                           

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (386                7   
                           

Dividends on common stock

     (310     —        —          (310     —          —          —     

Dividends paid on noncontrolling interest/Other

     (4     —        —          —          —          —          (4

Stock issuances—

               

Stock option and benefit plans

     4        —        4        —          —          —          —     

Restricted stock

     29        —        29        —          —          —          —     

Share repurchases and retirement

     (103     —        (25     (78     —          —          —     

Pension/Postretirement—adjustment to change in measurement date, net of tax

     (13     —        —          (16     —          3        —     

ESOP tax benefit, redemptions and other

     11        —        2        1        8        —          —     
                                                       

Balances at June 27, 2009

     2,058        7      17        2,721        (104     (605     22   

Net income

     331        —        —          319        —          —          12   

Translation adjustments, net of tax

     (5     —        —          —          —          (7     2   

Net unrealized gain (loss) on qualifying cash flow hedges, net of tax

     4        —        —          —          —          4        —     

Pension/Postretirement activity, net of tax

     27        —        —          —          —          27        —     
                           

Comprehensive income

   $ 357                   14   
                           

Dividends on common stock

     (156     —        —          (156     —          —          —     

Dividends paid on noncontrolling interest

     (3     —        —          —          —          —          (3

Stock issuances—

               

Stock option and benefit plans

     6        —        6        —          —          —          —     

Restricted stock

     23        —        23        —          —          —          —     

Share repurchases and retirement

     (500     —        (47     (453     —          —          —     

ESOP tax benefit, redemptions and other

     5        —        1        —          4        —          —     
                                                       

Balances at March 27, 2010

   $ 1,790      $ 7    $ —        $ 2,431      $ (100   $ (581   $ 33   
                                                       

Total comprehensive loss was $432 million in the first nine months of 2009, of which $434 million was attributable to Sara Lee. The comprehensive income attributable to Sara Lee in the first nine months of 2010 was $343 million.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months ended March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months ended  

In millions

   March 27,
2010
    March 28,
2009
 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES—

    

Net income

   $ 331      $ 388   

Less: Cash received from contingent sale proceeds

     (133     (150

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

    

Depreciation

     265        284   

Amortization

     80        86   

Impairment charges

     17        107   

Net (gain) loss on business dispositions

     13        (2

Pension contributions, net of expense

     (2     (179

Increase in deferred income taxes for unremitted earnings

     518        —     

Other

     (64     7   

Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired and sold

     (218     (238
                

Net cash from operating activities

     807        303   
                

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES—

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (215     (216

Purchases of software and other intangibles

     (11     (20

Acquisitions of businesses and investments

     —          (10

Dispositions of businesses and investments

     6        55   

Cash received from contingent sale proceeds

     133        150   

Cash received from (used in) derivative transactions

     61        (140

Sales of assets

     13        8   
                

Net cash used in investment activities

     (13     (173
                

FINANCING ACTIVITIES—

    

Issuances of common stock

     2        1   

Purchases of common stock

     (500     (103

Borrowings of other debt

     45        389   

Repayments of other debt

     (73     (340

Net change in financing with less than 90-day maturities

     (3     (250

Payments of dividends

     (232     (226
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (761     (529
                

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash

     (20     (220
                

Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents

     13        (619

Add: Cash balances of discontinued operations at beginning of year

     8        2   

Less: Cash balances of discontinued operations at end of period

     (37     (15

Cash and equivalents at beginning of year

     951        1,282   
                

Cash and equivalents at end of quarter

   $ 935      $ 650   
                

COMPONENTS OF CHANGES IN CURRENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES—

    

Trade accounts receivable

   $ 14      $ 11   

Inventories

     (9     (71

Other current assets

     37        7   

Accounts payable

     (27     (204

Accrued liabilities

     (103     20   

Accrued taxes

     (130     (1
                

Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired and sold

   $ (218   $ (238
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SARA LEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

  1. Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements for the quarter and nine months ended March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of Sara Lee Corporation (corporation or company), these financial statements include all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, operating results, and cash flows. The results of operations for the nine months ended March 27, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 27, 2009 has been derived from the corporation’s audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 2009. The businesses comprising the former International Household and Body Care segment are presented as discontinued operations in the corporation’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 4 – “Discontinued Operations” for additional information regarding these discontinued operations. Unless stated otherwise, any reference to income statement items in these financial statements refers to results from continuing operations.

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the corporation believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 2009 and other financial information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These financial statements consider subsequent events through the date of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The corporation’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to June 30. Fiscal 2010 ends on July 3, 2010. The third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010 ended on March 27, 2010 and the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009 ended on March 28, 2009. Each of the quarters was a thirteen-week period and each of the nine month periods was a thirty-nine week period. Fiscal 2010 is a 53-week year, whereas fiscal 2009 was a 52-week year. Unless otherwise stated, references to years relate to fiscal years.

In 2010, the corporation retrospectively adopted new accounting guidance related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. This guidance requires the classification of noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, formerly referred to as minority interest, as a separate component of equity and the changes in ownership interest must be accounted for as equity transactions. It also requires that the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income. As a result, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows present the impact of noncontrolling interests on equity, net income and comprehensive income. Net income now includes earnings attributable to both Sara Lee and noncontrolling interests.

In 2010, the corporation adopted new accounting guidance related to business combinations, which requires changes in the accounting and reporting of business acquisitions. This guidance requires an acquirer to recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, contractual contingencies, contingent consideration and any noncontrolling interest in an acquired business at fair value on the acquisition date. In addition, it also requires that acquisition costs generally be expensed when incurred, restructuring costs generally be expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date and any adjustments to deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired uncertain tax positions after the measurement period to be reflected in income tax expense. The adoption of this guidance has not impacted the consolidated financial statements.

 

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  2. Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The computation of net income (loss) per share only includes results attributable to Sara Lee and does not include earnings related to noncontrolling interests. Net income per share – basic is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Net income per share – diluted reflects the potential dilution that could occur if options or fixed awards to be issued under stock-based compensation awards were converted into common stock. For the quarter and nine months ended March 27, 2010, options to purchase 21.4 million shares and 21.9 million shares, respectively, of the corporation’s common stock had exercise prices that were greater than the average market price of those shares during the respective reporting periods. For the quarter and nine months ended March 28, 2009, options to purchase 28.3 million shares of the corporation’s common stock had exercise prices that were greater than the average market price of those shares during the respective reporting periods. These shares are excluded from the earnings per share calculation as they are anti-dilutive.

The average shares outstanding declined in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 as a result of shares repurchased under the corporation’s ongoing share repurchase program. The corporation repurchases common stock at times management deems appropriate, given current market valuations. Sara Lee announced on September 25, 2009 that its Board of Directors had authorized a $1.0 billion share repurchase program and on February 16, 2010 that its Board of Directors had increased this repurchase program by $2.0 billion shares (for a total authorization of $3.0 billion shares). In March of 2010, the corporation repurchased 36.4 million shares at a cost of $500 million under this program using an accelerated share repurchase program. During 2009, the corporation also repurchased 11.4 million shares of common stock, all of which were repurchased during the second quarter. As of March 27, 2010, the corporation was authorized to repurchase $2.5 billion of common stock under its existing share repurchase program, plus 13.5 million shares of common stock that remain authorized for repurchase under the corporation’s prior share repurchase program. The timing and amount of future share repurchases will be based upon the completion of the corporation’s sale of its household and body care businesses, market conditions and other factors.

The following is a reconciliation of net income to net income per share – basic and diluted – for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 and 2009 (per share amounts are rounded and may not add to total):

Computation of Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

(In millions, except per share data)

 

     Quarter ended    Nine Months ended
     March 27,
2010
    March 28,
2009
   March 27,
2010
    March 28,
2009

Income from continuing operations

   $ 25      $ 133    $ 520      $ 284

Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Sara Lee, net of tax

     (361     32      (201     94
                             

Net income (loss) attributable to Sara Lee

   $ (336   $ 165    $ 319      $ 378
                             

Average shares outstanding – basic

     691        697      695        703

Dilutive effect of stock option and award plans

     2        1      2        1
                             

Diluted shares outstanding

     693        698      697        704
                             

Income from continuing operations per share

         

Basic

   $ 0.04      $ 0.19    $ 0.75      $ 0.40
                             

Diluted

   $ 0.04      $ 0.19    $ 0.75      $ 0.40
                             

Income (loss) from discontinued operations per share

         

Basic

   $ (0.52   $ 0.05    $ (0.29   $ 0.13
                             

Diluted

   $ (0.52   $ 0.05    $ (0.29   $ 0.13
                             

Net income (loss) per share

         

Basic

   $ (0.49   $ 0.24    $ 0.46      $ 0.54
                             

Diluted

   $ (0.49   $ 0.24    $ 0.46      $ 0.54
                             

 

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  3. Segment Information

The following is a general description of the corporation’s five business segments:

 

 

North American Retail – sells a variety of packaged meat and frozen bakery products to retail customers in North America and includes the corporation’s U.S. Senseo retail coffee business.

 

 

North American Fresh Bakery – sells a variety of fresh bakery products to retail customers in North America.

 

 

North American Foodservice – sells a variety of meat, bakery, and beverage products to foodservice customers in North America.

 

 

International Beverage – sells coffee and tea products in major markets around the world, including Europe, Australia and Brazil.

 

 

International Bakery – sells a variety of bakery and dough products to retail and foodservice customers in Europe and Australia.

The results of the businesses comprising the corporation’s former International Household and Body Care segment are now being reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 4 – “Discontinued Operations” for additional information regarding these discontinued operations.

The corporation incurs various information technology (IT) and human resource (HR) costs related to its business segments. The IT costs include amortization of software used directly by the business segments, intranet website management costs, systems support, maintenance and project costs. The HR costs include benefits administration, organizational development, labor relations and recruiting costs incurred by the corporate human resource function on behalf of the business segments. Prior to 2010, these costs were included in Other general corporate expenses. Beginning in 2010, the corporation now includes these IT and HR costs in the operating results of the business segments. The reason for this change is that the integration of our operations over the past several years has resulted in more centralized services, which in many cases are conducted directly for the benefit of the business segments. Management believes these costs should be reflected in operating segment income in order to provide better information regarding the actual results of the business segment. Business segment information for 2009 has been revised to be consistent with the new basis of presentation.

The following is a summary of net sales and operating segment income by business segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 and 2009.

 

     Net Sales  

(In millions)

   Third
Quarter
2010
    Third
Quarter
2009
    Nine
Months
2010
    Nine
Months
2009
 

North American Retail

   $ 672      $ 646      $ 2,076      $ 2,072   

North American Fresh Bakery

     501        530        1,541        1,640   

North American Foodservice

     427        487        1,413        1,638   

International Beverage

     799        741        2,417        2,295   

International Bakery

     186        179        601        607   
                                

Total business segments

     2,585        2,583        8,048        8,252   

Intersegment sales

     (7     (8     (24     (27
                                

Net sales

   $ 2,578      $ 2,575      $ 8,024      $ 8,225   
                                

 

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     Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes  

(In millions)

   Third
Quarter
2010
    Third
Quarter
2009
    Nine
Months
2010
    Nine
Months
2009
 

North American Retail

   $ 101      $ 64      $ 303      $ 192   

North American Fresh Bakery

     6        2        36        3   

North American Foodservice

     26        25        109        2   

International Beverage

     173        131        468        381   

International Bakery

     (1     11        4        7   
                                

Total operating segment income

     305        233        920        585   

Amortization of intangibles

     (12     (12     (35     (35

General corporate expenses:

        

Other

     (58     (33     (177     (165

Mark-to-market derivative gains/(losses)

     (7     19        (6     (39

Contingent sale proceeds

     —          —          133        150   
                                

Operating income

     228        207        835        496   

Net interest expense

     (30     (35     (91     (96
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 198      $ 172      $ 744      $ 400   
                                

In 2010, the corporation is now presenting certain segment assets, principally consisting of cash, in corporate assets for all periods since these assets are primarily controlled by the corporate group. A summary of segment assets as of March 27, 2010 and June 27, 2009 is as follows:

 

     March 27,
2010
   June 27,
2009

Assets

     

North American Retail

   $ 1,261    $ 1,266

North American Fresh Bakery

     1,116      1,140

North American Foodservice

     1,074      1,134

International Beverage

     1,929      1,932

International Bakery

     673      719
             
     6,053      6,191

Net assets held for sale

     1,308      1,342

Other corporate assets (a)

     1,783      1,884
             

Total assets

   $ 9,144    $ 9,417
             

 

  (a) Principally cash and cash equivalents, certain corporate fixed assets, deferred tax assets and certain other noncurrent assets.

 

  4. Discontinued Operations

In September 2009, the corporation announced that it had received a binding offer for the sale of its global body care and European detergents businesses for 1.275 billion euros. In December 2009, the corporation also announced that it received a binding offer for the sale of its air care business for 320 million euros. These proposed transactions are subject to certain customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and are anticipated to close during calendar 2010. Together these businesses represent approximately 70% of the net sales of the international household and body care businesses. The corporation is also actively marketing for sale its remaining household and body care businesses and, as a result, the businesses that formerly comprised the International Household and Body Care segment – air care, body care, shoe care and insecticides—are classified as discontinued operations and are presented in a separate line in the Consolidated Statements of Income for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities of these businesses to be sold meet the accounting criteria to be classified as held for sale and have been aggregated and reported on separate lines of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for all periods presented.

 

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The following is a summary of the operating results of the corporation’s discontinued operations:

 

     Third Quarter 2010     Third Quarter 2009

(In millions)

   Net
Sales
   Pretax
Income(1)
   Net
Loss(1)
    Net
Sales
   Pretax
Income(1)
   Net
Income(1)

International Household and Body Care businesses

   $ 525    $ 75    $ (367   $ 454    $ 56    $ 32
                                          
     First Nine Months 2010     First Nine Months 2009

(In millions)

   Net
Sales
   Pretax
Income(1)
   Net
Loss(1)
    Net
Sales
   Pretax
Income(1)
   Net
Income(1)

International Household and Body Care businesses

   $ 1,611    $ 197    $ (207   $ 1,493    $ 154    $ 94
                                          

 

(1) Represents amounts attributable to Sara Lee.

The $404 million tax expense reported in the first nine months of 2010 includes the following significant tax amounts: (i) a $416 million tax charge related to the company’s third quarter decision to no longer reinvest overseas earnings attributable to overseas cash and the net assets of the household and body care businesses; (ii) a $53 million tax benefit related to the reversal of a tax valuation allowance on United Kingdom net operating loss carryforwards as a result of the anticipated gain from the household and body care business disposition; and (iii) a $27 million tax benefit related to the anticipated utilization of U.S. capital loss carryforwards available to offset the capital gain resulting from the household and body care business disposition.

The following is a summary of the net assets held for sale as of March 27, 2010 and June 27, 2009, which consists of the net assets of the international household and body care businesses.

 

(In millions)

   March 27,
2010
   June 27,
2009

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 37    $ 8

Trade accounts receivable

     56      61

Inventories

     241      262

Other current assets

     44      47
             

Total current assets held for sale

     378      378

Property

     152      156

Trademarks and other intangibles

     203      221

Goodwill

     561      568

Other assets

     14      19
             

Assets held for sale

   $ 1,308    $ 1,342
             

Notes payable

   $ 1    $ —  

Accounts payable

     47      49

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     250      229

Current maturities of long-term debt

     6      9
             

Total current liabilities held for sale

     304      287

Long-term debt

     3      7

Other liabilities

     10      6
             

Liabilities held for sale

   $ 317    $ 300
             

Noncontrolling interest

   $ 33    $ 22
             

Certain tax related revisions have been made to the June 27, 2009 balance sheet presented at the end of our 2010 second quarter to reflect the deal structure associated with the binding offers announced for the household and body care businesses. The most significant change relates to $51 million of long-term deferred tax liabilities which have been reclassified into continuing operations as those tax attributes will remain with the continuing operations.

 

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The discontinued operations cash flows are summarized in the table below:

 

(In millions) – Increase / (Decrease)

   Nine  Months
ended
Mar. 27, 2010
    Nine  Months
ended
Mar. 28, 2009
 

Cash flow from operating activities

   $ 231      $ 153   

Cash flow used in investing activities

     (2     (14

Cash flow used in financing activities

     (200     (126
                

Increase in net cash of discontinued operations

     29        13   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     8        2   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 37      $ 15   
                

The cash used in financing operations primarily represents the net transfers of cash with the corporate office. The net assets of the discontinued operations includes only the cash noted above as most of the cash of those businesses has been retained as a corporate asset.

 

  5. Impairment Review and Goodwill

The corporation tests goodwill for impairments in the second quarter of each fiscal year and whenever a significant event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of these intangible assets.

As a result of the review performed in the second quarter of 2010, the corporation determined that no goodwill impairment was required to be recognized as the carrying amounts of the reporting units did not exceed their fair values. The change in the goodwill balance from June 27, 2009 is due to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign denominated goodwill. In the second quarter of 2009, a $107 million goodwill impairment charge was recognized in the foodservice beverage reporting unit after it was determined the carrying value of assets exceeded their fair value. The foodservice beverage reporting unit had experienced a significant decline in profitability due to a highly competitive marketplace and difficult economic conditions which led to the impairment charge. The impairment charge recognized equaled the entire remaining amount of goodwill in the foodservice beverage reporting unit and no tax benefit was recognized on the charge. The corporation intends to move the testing for impairments to the fourth quarter of each fiscal year in order to better align the impairment review with the company’s long-range planning process.

In the first nine months of 2010, the corporation recognized a $17 million impairment charge related to fixed assets. Thirteen million related to the writedown of manufacturing equipment associated with the North American foodservice bakery reporting unit due to the loss of a customer contract. The remaining $4 million related to the writedown of bakery equipment associated with the Spanish bakery reporting unit.

For the 2010 goodwill impairment test, the fair value of the reporting units was estimated based on a weighting of two models—a discounted cash flow model and a market multiple model. The discounted cash flow model uses management’s business plans and projections as the basis for expected future cash flows for the first ten years and a 2% residual growth rate thereafter. A separate discount rate derived from published sources was utilized for each reporting unit and, on a weighted average basis, the discount rate used was 9.3%. The market multiple approach employs market multiples of revenues or earnings for companies comparable to the corporation’s reporting units. Management believes the assumptions used for the impairment test are consistent with those utilized by a market participant performing similar valuations for our reporting units.

The majority of goodwill impairments recognized by the corporation in the past several years relate to goodwill attributable to the Earthgrains bakery acquisition in 2002. Three reporting units that continue to carry significant Earthgrains goodwill balances at March 27, 2010 include North American foodservice bakery with $476 million, North American fresh bakery with $270 million and international bakery France with $172 million. Although the corporation currently believes the operations support the value of goodwill reported, these entities are the most sensitive to changes in inherent assumptions and estimates used in determining fair value. These three reporting units represent approximately 74% of goodwill remaining in continuing operations. Holding all other assumptions constant at the test date for both models, a 100

 

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basis point increase in the discount rate used for these three reporting units would reduce the enterprise value approximately 10% indicating no potential impairment. These three reporting units have estimated fair values in excess of net asset carrying values in the range of 21% to 33% as of the test date.

 

  6. Exit, Disposal and Transformation/Accelerate Activities

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve its operational performance and reduce costs, the corporation initiated Project Accelerate (“Accelerate”) in 2009, which is a series of global initiatives designed to drive significant savings in the next three years. It is anticipated that the overall cost of the initiatives will include severance costs as well as transition costs associated with transferring services to an outside third party. An important component of Accelerate involves outsourcing pieces of the North American and European Finance (transaction processing) and Global Information Services (applications development and maintenance) groups as well as the company’s global indirect procurement activities. In addition to cost savings, this business process outsourcing will help the corporation drive standardization, increase efficiency and provide flexibility. The corporation began implementation of the initiative in North America and Europe in the second quarter of 2009 and plans to complete global implementation within three years.

The company announced a transformation plan in February 2005 designed to improve performance and better position the company for long-term growth. The plan involved significant changes in the company’s organizational structure, portfolio changes involving the disposition of a significant portion of the corporation’s business, and a number of actions to improve operational efficiency. The corporation continues to recognize certain trailing costs related to these transformation actions, including the impact of certain activities that were completed for amounts more favorable than previously estimated.

The nature of the costs incurred under these plans includes the following:

1) Exit Activities, Asset and Business Disposition Actions – These amounts primarily relate to:

 

   

Employee termination costs

 

   

Lease exit costs

 

   

Gains or losses on the disposition of assets or asset groupings that do not qualify as discontinued operations

2) Transformation/Accelerate Costs recognized in Cost of sales and Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily relate to:

 

   

Expenses associated with the installation of new information systems

 

   

Costs to retain and relocate employees

 

   

Consulting costs

 

   

Costs associated with the transition of services to an outside third party vendor as part of a business process outsourcing initiative

Transformation/Accelerate costs are recognized in Cost of sales or Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income as they do not qualify for treatment as an exit activity or asset and business disposition under the accounting rules for exit and disposal activities. However, management believes the disclosure of these transformation/Accelerate related charges provides the reader greater transparency to the total cost of the initiatives.

 

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The following is a summary of the (income) expense associated with new and ongoing actions, which also highlights where the costs are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income along with the impact on diluted EPS:

 

     Quarter ended     Nine Months ended  

(In millions)

   March  27,
2010
    March  28,
2009
    March  27,
2010
    March  28,
2009
 

Cost of sales:

        

Accelerate charges – other

   $ 1      $ —        $ 1      $ —     

Selling, general and administrative expenses:

        

Transformation/Accelerate charges – IT and other

     12        6        22        11   

Net charges for (income from):

        

Exit activities

     14        11        33        44   

Asset and business dispositions

     11        —          20        (3
                                

Decrease in income from continuing operations before income taxes

     38        17        76        52   

Income tax benefit (at applicable statutory rates)

     (12     (4     (25     (13
                                

Decrease in income from continuing operations

   $ 26      $ 13      $ 51      $ 39   
                                

Impact on diluted EPS

   $ 0.03      $ 0.02      $ 0.07      $ 0.06   
                                

The impact of these actions on the corporation’s business segments and general corporate expenses is summarized as follows:

 

     Quarter ended    Nine Months ended  

(In millions)

   March 27,
2010
   March 28,
2009
   March 27,
2010
   March 28,
2009
 

North American Retail

   $ —      $ —      $ 3    $ (1

North American Fresh Bakery

     2      —        3      —     

North American Foodservice

     8      2      10      (2

International Beverage

     4      5      4      8   

International Bakery

     10      1      26      30   
                             

Decrease in operating segment income

     24      8      46      35   

Increase in general corporate expenses

     14      9      30      17   
                             

Total

   $ 38    $ 17    $ 76    $ 52   
                             

The following discussion provides information concerning the exit, disposal and transformation/Accelerate activities for each year where actions were initiated and material reserves exist.

2010 Actions

During 2010, the corporation approved certain actions related to exit, disposal, and Accelerate activities and recognized charges of $82 million related to these actions. Each of these activities is to be completed within a 12-month period after being approved and include the following:

 

   

Recognized a charge to implement a plan to terminate 814 employees, related to both European and North American operations, and provide them with severance benefits in accordance with benefit plans previously communicated to the affected employee group or with local employment laws. Of the 814 targeted employees, 484 employees have not yet been terminated, but are expected to be terminated within the next 12 months.

 

   

Recognized costs associated with the transition of services to an outside third party vendor as part of a business process outsourcing initiative.

 

   

Recognized a $20 million net loss associated with the disposition of certain bakery manufacturing facilities in Spain.

The following table summarizes the net charges taken for the exit, disposal and Accelerate activities approved during 2010 and the related status as of March 27, 2010. The accrued amounts remaining represent those cash expenditures necessary to satisfy remaining obligations. The majority of the cash payments to satisfy the accrued costs are expected to be paid in the next 12 months. The composition of these charges and the remaining accruals are summarized below. Approximately $30 million of additional charges are expected to be recognized in the remainder of 2010.

 

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(In millions)

   Employee
termination  and
other benefits
    Accelerate costs
– IT and other
    Non-
cancellable
Leases
    Asset and
Business
Disposition
Actions
    Total  

Exit, disposal and other costs recognized during 2010

   $ 31      $ 24      $ 7      $ 20      $ 82   

Cash payments

     (7     (15     (2     —          (24

Non-cash charges

     —          (2     —          —          (2

Foreign exchange impacts

     (1     —          —          —          (1

Asset and business disposition losses

     —          —          —          (20     (20
                                        

Accrued costs as of March 27, 2010

   $ 23      $ 7      $ 5      $ —        $ 35   
                                        

2009 Actions

During 2009, the corporation approved certain actions related to exit, disposal, transformation and Accelerate activities and recognized cumulative charges of $125 million related to these actions. Each of these activities is to be completed within a 12-month period after being approved and include the following:

 

   

Recognized a charge to implement a plan to terminate 1,006 employees, related to both European and North American operations, and provide them with severance benefits in accordance with benefit plans previously communicated to the affected employee group or with local employment laws. Of the 1,006 targeted employees, 135 employees have not yet been terminated, but are expected to be terminated by the end of 2010.

 

   

Recognized a net gain associated with the disposal of the sauces and dressings business in the North American Foodservice segment.

 

   

Recognized costs related to the implementation of common information systems across the organization in order to improve operational efficiencies.

 

   

Recognized costs associated with the transition of services to an outside third party vendor as part of a business process outsourcing initiative.

Significant actions completed during the first nine months of 2010 and the status of the remaining elements of the 2009 actions, along with the remaining accruals, is described below. The accrued amounts remaining represent those cash expenditures necessary to satisfy remaining obligations. The majority of the cash payments to satisfy the accrued costs are expected to be paid in the next 12 months. The corporation does not anticipate any additional material future charges related to the 2009 actions. The composition of these charges and the remaining accruals are summarized below.

 

(In millions)

   Employee
termination and
other benefits
    Transformation/
Accelerate costs
– IT and other
    Total  

Accrued costs as of June 27, 2009

   $ 95      $ 6      $ 101   

Non-cash charges

     (1     —          (1

Cash payments

     (51     (2     (53

Change in estimate

     (6     (1     (7

Foreign exchange impacts

     (1     —          (1
                        

Accrued costs as of March 27, 2010

   $ 36      $ 3      $ 39   
                        

2008 Actions

During 2008, the corporation approved certain actions related to exit, disposal and transformation activities and recognized cumulative charges of $89 million related to these actions. Each of these activities was completed within a 12-month period after being approved and included the following:

 

   

Implemented a plan to terminate 525 employees and provide them with severance benefits in accordance with benefit plans previously communicated to the affected employee group or with local employment laws. Essentially all of these employees have been terminated at this time.

 

   

Incurred costs to exit certain leased space, including the exit of a North American R&D facility.

 

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Recognized net gains associated with the disposal of several asset groupings, the largest of which was a $3 million gain related to the disposition of a North American Foodservice manufacturing facility. Total proceeds from these disposals were $9 million.

 

   

Recognized costs related to the implementation of common information systems across the organization in order to improve operational efficiencies.

The status of the remaining elements of the 2008 actions, along with the remaining accruals, is described below. The accrued amounts remaining represent those cash expenditures necessary to satisfy remaining obligations. The majority of the cash payments to satisfy the accrued costs are expected to be paid in the next 12 months. The corporation does not anticipate any additional material future charges related to the 2008 actions. The composition of these charges and the remaining accruals are summarized below.

 

(In millions)

   Employee
termination and
other benefits
    Non-cancelable
lease and other
contractual
obligations
    Total  

Accrued costs as of June 27, 2009

   $ 11      $ 3      $ 14   

Cash payments

     (4     (1     (5

Change in estimate

     —          2        2   
                        

Accrued costs as of March 27, 2010

   $ 7      $ 4      $ 11   
                        

In periods prior to 2008, the corporation had approved and completed various actions to exit certain defined business activities and lower its cost structure and these actions have had minimal impact on current year results. As of March 27, 2010, the accrued liabilities remaining in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet related to these completed actions total $24 million and primarily represent certain severance obligations. These accrued amounts are expected to be satisfied in cash and will be funded from operations.

 

  7. Financial Instruments

Background Information

The corporation uses derivative financial instruments, including forward exchange, futures, options and swap contracts, to manage its exposures to foreign exchange, commodity prices and interest rate risks. The use of these derivative financial instruments modifies the exposure of these risks with the intent to reduce the risk or cost to the corporation. The corporation does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes and is not a party to leveraged derivatives.

The corporation recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet. The corporation uses either hedge accounting or mark-to-market accounting for its derivative instruments. For derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting, the corporation designates these derivatives as fair value, cash flow or net investment hedges by formally documenting the hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction. The process includes linking derivatives that are designated as hedges of specific assets, liabilities, firm commitments or forecasted transactions.

As noted above, the corporation uses derivative financial instruments to manage some of its exposure to commodity prices. A commodity derivative not declared a hedge in accordance with the accounting rules related to derivative instruments and hedging activities is accounted for under mark-to-market accounting with changes in fair value recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The corporation includes these unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses in general corporate expenses until the derivative instrument is settled. At that time, the cumulative gain or loss previously recorded in general corporate expenses for the derivative instrument will be reclassified into the business segment’s results.

On the date the derivative is entered into, the corporation designates the derivative as one of the following types of hedging instruments and accounts for the derivative as follows:

Fair Value Hedge – A hedge of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment is declared as a fair value hedge which qualifies for hedge accounting. For fair value hedges, both the effective and ineffective portions of the changes in the fair value of the derivative, along with the gain or loss on the hedged item that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in earnings and are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income on the same line as the hedged item.

 

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Cash Flow Hedge – A hedge of a forecasted transaction, firm commitment or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability is declared a cash flow hedge. Cash flow hedges qualify for hedge accounting. The effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative that is declared as a cash flow hedge is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (within common stockholders’ equity) and later reclassified to the income statement at the same time the underlying hedged item impacts the income statement. In addition, both the fair value of changes excluded from the corporation’s effectiveness assessments and the ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of derivatives used as cash flow hedges are reported in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

At March 27, 2010 the maximum maturity date of any cash flow hedge was approximately three years principally related to two cross currency swaps that mature in 2012 and 2013. The corporation expects to reclassify into earnings during the next twelve months net gains from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income of approximately $1 million at the time the underlying hedged transaction is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Net Investment Hedge – A hedge of the exposure of changes in the underlying foreign currency denominated subsidiary net assets is declared as a net investment hedge. Net investment hedges qualify for hedge accounting. Net investment hedges can include either derivative or non-derivative instruments such as, non-U.S. dollar financing transactions or non-U.S. dollar assets or liabilities, including intercompany loans. The effective portion of the change in the fair value of net investment hedges is recorded in the cumulative translation adjustment account within common stockholders’ equity. At March 27, 2010, the U.S. dollar equivalent of intercompany loans and forward exchange contracts designated as net investment hedges was $4.7 billion. The corporation increased its net investment hedges in the third quarter in order to hedge €1.6 billion of proceeds anticipated to be generated by the divestiture of its air care and body care businesses.

Mark-to-Market Hedge – A derivative that does not qualify for hedge accounting in one of the categories above is accounted for under mark-to-market accounting and referred to as a mark-to-market hedge. Changes in the fair value of a mark-to-market hedge are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income to act as an economic hedge against the changes in the values of another item or transaction. Changes in the fair value of derivatives classified as mark-to-market hedges are reported in earnings in either the “Cost of sales” or “Selling, general and administrative expenses” lines of the Consolidated Statements of Income where the change in value of the underlying transaction is recorded.

Types of Derivative Instruments

Interest Rate and Cross Currency Swaps – To manage interest rate risk, the corporation has entered into interest rate swaps that effectively convert certain fixed-rate debt instruments into floating-rate debt instruments. Interest rate swap agreements that are effective at hedging the fair value of fixed-rate debt agreements are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges. The corporation utilizes interest rate swap derivatives in order to maintain a targeted amount of both fixed-rate and floating-rate long term debt and notes payable. Currently, the corporation has a fixed interest rate on approximately 70% of long-term debt and notes payable issued.

The corporation has issued certain foreign-denominated debt instruments and utilizes cross currency swaps to reduce the variability of functional currency cash flows related to the foreign currency debt. Cross currency swap agreements that are effective at hedging the variability of foreign-denominated cash flows are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges. As of March 27, 2010, the total notional amount of the corporation’s interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps were $385 million and $746 million, respectively. The notional value of the cross currency swaps is calculated by multiplying the euro value swapped by the exchange rate at the reporting date.

 

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In connection with the funding of the anticipated retirement of the 6.25% notes in September 2011, the corporation maintains a $50 million forward starting swap to effectively fix the cash flows related to interest payments on the anticipated debt issuance.

Currency Forward Exchange, Futures and Option Contracts – The corporation uses forward exchange and option contracts to reduce the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on short-term foreign-currency-denominated intercompany transactions, third-party product-sourcing transactions, foreign-denominated investments (including subsidiary net assets) and other known foreign currency exposures. Gains and losses on the derivative instruments are intended to offset losses and gains on the hedged transaction in an effort to reduce the earnings volatility resulting from fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. Forward currency exchange contracts mature at the anticipated cash requirement date of the hedged transaction, generally within one year to eighteen months. Forward currency exchange contracts which are effective at hedging the fair value of a recognized asset or liability are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges. Forward currency contracts that act as a hedge of changes in the underlying foreign currency denominated subsidiary net assets are accounted for as net investment hedges. All remaining currency forward and options contracts are accounted for as mark-to-market hedges.

The principal currencies hedged by the corporation include the European euro, British pound, Danish krone, Hungarian forint, U.S. dollar, Swiss franc and Brazilian real. As of March 27, 2010, the net U.S. dollar equivalent of commitments to purchase and sell foreign currencies is $4,565 million and $4,551 million, respectively, using the exchange rate at the reporting date. The corporation hedges virtually all foreign exchange risk derived from recorded transactions and firm commitments and only hedges foreign exchange risk related to anticipated transactions where the exposure is potentially significant.

The corporation did not have any foreign exchange option contracts outstanding as of March 27, 2010.

Commodity Futures and Options Contracts – The corporation uses commodity futures and options to hedge a portion of its commodity price risk. The principal commodities hedged by the corporation include hogs, beef, natural gas, diesel fuel, coffee, corn, wheat and other ingredients. The corporation does not use significant levels of commodity financial instruments to hedge commodity prices and primarily relies upon fixed rate supplier contracts to determine commodity pricing. In circumstances where commodity-derivative instruments are used, there is a high correlation between the commodity costs and the derivative instruments. For those instruments where the commodity instrument and underlying hedged item correlate between 80-125%, the corporation accounts for those contracts as cash flow hedges. However, the majority of commodity derivative instruments are accounted for as mark-to-market hedges.

As of March 27, 2010, the total notional amount of commodity futures and option contracts was $121 million and $27 million, respectively. The notional amount of commodity futures contracts is determined by the initial cost of the contracts while the notional amount of options contracts is determined by the delta adjusted value as of period end.

The corporation only enters into futures and options contracts that are traded on established, well-recognized exchanges that offer high liquidity, transparent pricing, daily cash settlement and collateralization through margin requirements.

Cash Flow Presentation

The settlement of derivative contracts related to the purchase of inventory, commodities or other hedged items that utilize hedge accounting are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as an operating cash flow, while those derivatives that utilize the mark-to-market hedge accounting model are reported in investing activities when those contracts are realized in cash. Fixed to floating rate swaps are reported as a component of interest expense and therefore are reported in cash flow from operating activities similar to how cash interest payments are reported. The portion of the gain or loss on a cross currency swap that offsets the change in the value of interest expense is recognized in cash flow from operations, while the gain or loss on the swap that is offsetting the change in value of the debt is classified as a financing activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

 

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Contingent Features/Concentration of Credit Risk

All of the corporation’s derivative instruments are governed by International Swaps and Derivatives Association (i.e. ISDA) master agreements, requiring the corporation to maintain an investment grade credit rating from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s credit rating agencies. If the corporation’s debt were to fall below investment grade, it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate collateralization on the derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position on March 27, 2010, is $251 million for which the corporation has posted no collateral. If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on March 27, 2010, the corporation would be required to post collateral of, at most, $251 million with its counterparties.

A large number of major international financial institutions are counterparties to the corporation’s financial instruments including cross currency swaps, interest rate swaps, and currency exchange forwards and swaps. The corporation enters into financial instrument agreements only with counterparties meeting very stringent credit standards (a credit rating of A-/A3 or better), limiting the amount of agreements or contracts it enters into with any one party and, where legally available, executing master netting agreements. These positions are continually monitored. While the corporation may be exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by individual counterparties of the entire group of counterparties, it has not recognized any losses with these counterparties in the past and does not anticipate material losses in the future.

Fair Value Measurements

Effective the beginning of 2009, the corporation implemented new accounting guidance related to the fair value of financial assets and liabilities while in 2010 new fair value accounting rules were adopted for non-financial assets and liabilities. The adoption of these rules did not have a significant impact on the measurement of the corporation’s assets and liabilities.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value must be categorized into one of three different levels depending on the assumptions (i.e., inputs) used in the valuation. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value while level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is defined as follows:

Level 1 – Unadjusted Quoted Prices – Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An example would be a marketable equity security that is traded on a major stock exchange.

Level 2 – Pricing Models with Significant Observable Inputs – Valuations are based on information derived from either an active market quoted price, which may require further adjustment based on the attributes of the asset or liability being measured, or an inactive market transaction. Circumstances when adjustments to market quoted prices may be appropriate include (i) a quoted price for an actively traded equity investment that is adjusted for a contractual trading restriction, or (ii) the fair value derived from a trade of an identical or similar security in an inactive market. An interest rate swap derivative valued based on a LIBOR swap curve is an example of a level 2 asset or liability.

Level 3 – Pricing Models with Significant Unobservable Inputs – Valuations are based on internally derived assumptions surrounding the timing and amount of expected cash flows for the financial instrument, which are significant to the overall fair value measurement. These assumptions are unobservable in either an active or inactive market. The inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability at the measurement date. A goodwill impairment test that utilizes an internally developed discounted cash flow model is an example of a level 3 asset or liability.

 

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The carrying amounts of cash and equivalents, trade accounts receivables, accounts payable, derivative instruments and notes payable approximate fair values.

The fair values and carrying amounts of long-term debt, including the current portion, at March 27, 2010 were $2,822 million and $2,734 million, and at June 27, 2009 were $2,780 million and $2,784 million, respectively. The fair value of the corporation’s long-term debt, including the current portion, is estimated using discounted cash flows based on the corporation’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Information on the location and amounts of derivative fair values in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 27, 2010 and June 27, 2009 is as follows:

 

     Assets    Liabilities
     Other Current
Assets
   Other Non-
Current Assets
   Accrued
Liabilities – Other
   Other
(in millions)    Mar. 27,
2010
   June 27,
2009
   Mar. 27,
2010
   June 27,
2009
   Mar. 27,
2010
   June 27,
2009
   Mar. 27,
2010
   June 27,
2009

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

                       

Interest rate contracts (b)

   $ 3    $ 3    $ 28    $ 30    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

Foreign exchange contracts (b)

     29      1      —        —        —        8      206      249

Commodity contracts (a)

     1      1      —        —        —        —        —        —  
                                                       

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

     33      5      28      30      —        8      206      249
                                                       

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

                       

Foreign exchange contracts (b)

     30      61      —        —        45      34      —        —  

Commodity contracts (a)

     —        1      —        —        —        —        —        —  
                                                       

Total derivatives not designated as Hedging instruments

     30      62      —        —        45      34      —        —  
                                                       

Total derivatives

   $ 63    $ 67    $ 28    $ 30    $ 45    $ 42    $ 206    $ 249
                                                       

 

(a) Categorized as level 1: Fair value of level 1 assets and liabilities as of March 27, 2010 are $1 million and nil and at June 27, 2009 are $2 million and nil, respectively.
(b) Categorized as level 2: Fair value of level 2 assets and liabilities as of March 27, 2010 are $90 million and $251 million and at June 27, 2009 are $95 million and $291 million, respectively.

 

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Information related to our cash flow hedges, net investment hedges, fair value hedges and other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments for the quarterly and nine-month periods ended March 27, 2010, and March 28, 2009, follows:

 

     Interest Rate
Contracts
   Foreign Exchange
Contracts
    Commodity
Contracts
    Total  
     Quarter ended    Quarter ended     Quarter ended     Quarter ended  
(In Millions)    Mar. 27,
2010
    Mar. 28,
2009
   Mar. 27,
2010
    Mar. 28,
2009
    Mar. 27,
2010
    Mar. 28,
2009
    Mar. 27,
2010
    Mar. 28,
2009
 

Cash Flow Derivatives:

                 

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI) (a)

   $ (1   $ 1    $ 39      $ 19      $ (3   $ (2   $ 35      $ 18   

Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into earnings (a) (b)

     —          —        45        20        (1     (8     44        12   

Amount of ineffectiveness recognized in earnings (c) (d)

     —          —        (2     —          —          —          (2     —     

Net Investment Derivatives:

                 

Amount of gain recognized in OCI (a)

     —          —        232        136        —          —          232        136   

Fair Value Derivatives:

                 

Amount of derivative gain (loss) recognized in earnings (e)

     5        1      —          (81     —          —          5        (80

Amount of Hedged Item gain (loss) recognized in earnings (e)

     —          3      —          88        —          —          —          91   

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

                 

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in Cost of Sales

     —          —        13        4        (2     (2     11        2   

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in SG&A

     —          —        (38     1        (1     1        (39     2   

 

     Nine Months ended     Nine Months ended     Nine Months ended     Nine Months ended  
(In Millions)    Mar. 27,
2010
   Mar. 28,
2009
    Mar. 27,
2010
    Mar. 28,
2009
    Mar. 27,
2010
    Mar. 28,
2009
    Mar. 27,
2010
    Mar. 28,
2009
 

Cash Flow Derivatives:

                 

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI (a)

   $ —      $ 1      $ 33      $ 63      $ (1   $ (30   $ 32      $ 34   

Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into earnings (a) (b)

     —        —          31        82        (3     (11     28        71   

Amount of ineffectiveness recognized in earnings (c) (d)

     —        —          (8     —          —          (2     (8     (2

Net Investment Derivatives:

                 

Amount of gain recognized in OCI (a)

     —        —          145        549        —          —          145        549   

Fair Value Derivatives:

                 

Amount of Derivative gain (loss) recognized in earnings (e)

     12      33        —          13        —          —          12        46   

Amount of Hedged Item gain (loss) recognized in earnings (e)

     1      (24     —          (8     —          —          1        (32

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

                 

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in Cost of sales

     —        —          14        (3     1        (21     15        (24

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in SG&A

     —        —          3        (176     —          (36     3        (212

 

(a) Effective portion.
(b) Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in interest, for interest rate swaps, in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses for foreign exchange contracts and in cost of sales for commodity contracts.
(c) Gain (loss) recognized in earnings is related to the ineffective portion and amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
(d) Gain (loss) recognized in earnings is reported in interest expense for foreign exchange contracts and SG&A expenses for commodity contracts.
(e) The amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings on the derivative contracts and the related hedged item is reported in interest for the interest rate contracts and SG&A for the foreign exchange contracts.

 

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8. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The components of the net periodic pension cost and the postretirement medical cost (income) for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

     Pension     Postretirement Medical and
Life Insurance
 

(In millions)

   Third
Quarter
2010
    Third
Quarter
2009
    Third Quarter
2010
    Third Quarter
2009
 

Service cost

   $ 16      $ 15      $ 1      $ 2   

Interest cost

     64        61        3        4   

Expected return on plan assets

     (65     (64     —          —     

Amortization of

        

Prior service cost (credit)

     1        2        (7     (5

Net actuarial loss

     13        3        —          1   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 29      $ 17      $ (3   $ 2   
                                

Curtailment gain

   $ 24      $ —        $ —        $ —     
                                
     Pension     Postretirement Medical and
Life Insurance
 

(In millions)

   Nine
Months
2010
    Nine
Months
2009
    Nine Months
2010
    Nine Months
2009
 

Service cost

   $ 45      $ 45      $ 3      $ 5   

Interest cost

     198        194        8        11   

Expected return on plan assets

     (193     (202     —          —     

Amortization of

        

Transition (asset) obligation

     —          —          (1     (1

Prior service cost (credit)

     5        6        (21     (16

Net actuarial loss

     39        8        1        2   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 94      $ 51      $ (10   $ 1   
                                

Curtailment gain

   $ 24      $ —        $ —        $ 12   
                                

The net periodic benefit cost of the corporation’s defined benefit pension plans in the first nine months of 2010 was $43 million higher than in 2009 as a result of the following:

 

   

A decline in the expected return on plan assets as a result of a decline in asset values as of the beginning of the current fiscal year as compared to the prior year end.

 

   

The amortization of net actuarial losses increased in 2010 as a result of an increase in net unamortized actuarial losses which are required to be amortized in future years. The amount of unamortized actuarial losses increased from $570 million at the end of 2008 to $883 million as of the end of 2009 primarily as a result of actuarial losses on plan assets. This resulted in a higher level of loss amortization in 2010.

In 2010, the corporation classified the international household and body care businesses as discontinued operations and anticipates retaining the pension and postretirement medical obligations related to those businesses. The corporation no longer anticipates incurring service cost for the participants in those plans after these businesses are sold and this cost component is recognized in discontinued operations while the remainder of net periodic benefit cost is recognized in continuing operations.

During the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, the corporation contributed $100 million and $235 million, respectively, to its defined benefit pension plans. At the present time, the corporation expects to contribute approximately $130 million of cash to its defined benefit pension plans in 2010, or $30 million additional in the fourth quarter, as part of its normal funding requirements. However, in February 2010, the corporation announced that it intends to make an additional $200 million dollar contribution to its pension plans, which is not included in the $130 million estimate above. The exact amount of cash contributions made to pension plans in any year is dependent upon a number of factors including minimum funding requirements in the jurisdictions in which the corporation operates and arrangements made with trustees of certain foreign plans. As a result, the actual funding in 2010 may differ from the current estimate.

 

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In March 2010, the corporation announced changes to its U.S. defined benefit pension plans for salaried employees whereby participants will no longer accrue benefits under these plans. All future retirement benefits will be provided through a defined contribution plan. The benefit plan changes resulted in the elimination of any expected years of future service associated with these plans. As a result, a pretax curtailment gain of $25 million was recognized, of which $24 million impacted continuing operations and $1 million impacted discontinued operations. The curtailment gain resulted from the recognition of $3 million of previously unamortized net prior service credits associated with these benefit plans as well as a $22 million reduction in the projected benefit obligation associated with one of the plans. As a result of the significant benefit plan changes, the plan assets and liabilities of the two U.S. defined benefit plans were remeasured. Based on the results of the remeasurement, the net underfunded position of these plans decreased by approximately $13 million, which was recognized as a decrease in noncurrent pension liabilities with an offsetting decrease in the unamortized actuarial loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). The reduction in the net underfunded position related to an increase in assets due to improved investment performance partially offset by an increase in the projected benefit obligation due to a decrease in discount rates.

During 2009, the corporation entered into a new collective labor agreement in the Netherlands which eliminated postretirement health care benefits for certain employee groups, while also reducing benefits provided to others. The elimination of benefits resulted in the recognition of a curtailment gain of $17 million, of which $12 million impacted continuing operations, related to a portion of the unamortized prior service cost credit which was reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. The plan changes also resulted in a $32 million reduction in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation with an offset to AOCI.

As discussed in footnote 4, Discontinued Operations, the corporation received a binding offer for the sale of the corporation’s body care and European detergents businesses in the first quarter of 2010 and a binding offer for the air care business in the second quarter of 2010. Based on the proposed terms of the sales agreements, the corporation anticipates a significant reduction in the expected years of future service for the employees associated with a defined benefit pension plan in the Netherlands. Although the business dispositions have not yet been completed, a pretax curtailment loss of $11 million has been recognized because the loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. The curtailment loss, which relates to the previously unamortized prior service cost associated with this benefit plan, was recognized in the results of discontinued operations. In conjunction with the curtailment, the plan assets and liabilities of the Netherlands defined benefit plan were remeasured as of the end of December 2009. Based on the results of the remeasurement, the net funded position of this plan declined by approximately $81 million, which was recognized as a decrease in noncurrent pension assets with an offsetting increase in the unamortized actuarial loss in AOCI. This reduction in net funded position primarily related to a reduction in the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation.

The corporation recognized a $7 million charge to income during the first quarter of 2010 to establish the estimated partial withdrawal liability for certain multi-employer pension plans. The charges were all recognized in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and related to the North American Fresh Bakery segment.

 

  9. Receipt of Contingent Sale Proceeds

The corporation sold its European cut tobacco business in 1999. Under the terms of that agreement, the corporation was to receive an annual cash payment of 95 million euros if tobacco continued to be a legal product in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium through July 15, 2009. The contingencies associated with the 2010 and 2009 payments passed in the first quarter of each fiscal year and the corporation received the annual payments and recorded income in the Contingent sales proceeds line in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The payment received in 2009 increased annual diluted earnings per share by $0.21 and the payment received in 2010 is expected to increase annual diluted earnings per share by $0.19. The payment received in 2010 represents the final payment to be received under the terms of the sale agreement.

 

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  10. Income Taxes

Effective Annual Tax Rate for Interim Reporting – Generally accepted accounting principles require that the interim period tax provision be determined as follows:

 

   

At the end of each quarter, the corporation estimates the tax that will be provided for the fiscal year stated as a percent of estimated “ordinary” income for the fiscal year. The term ordinary income refers to income from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding significant unusual or infrequently occurring items as defined by the guidelines for the accounting for income taxes. Discontinued operations are excluded in determining ordinary income.

 

   

The estimated annual effective tax rate is applied to the year-to-date “ordinary” income at the end of each quarter to compute the year-to-date tax applicable to ordinary income. The tax expense or benefit related to ordinary income in each quarter is the difference between the most recent year-to-date and the prior quarter year-to-date computations.

 

   

The tax effects of significant unusual or infrequently occurring items are recognized as discrete items in the interim period in which the events occur. The impact of changes in tax laws or rates on deferred tax amounts, the effects of changes in judgment about valuation allowances established in prior years and changes in tax reserves resulting from the finalization of tax audits or reviews are examples of significant unusual or infrequently occurring items which are recognized as discrete items in the interim period in which the event occurs.

The determination of the annual effective tax rate is based upon a number of significant estimates and judgments, including the estimated annual pretax income of the corporation in each tax jurisdiction in which it operates and the development of tax planning strategies during the year. In addition, as a global commercial enterprise, the corporation’s tax expense can be impacted by changes in tax rates or laws, the finalization of tax audits and reviews, as well as other factors that cannot be predicted with certainty. As such, there can be significant volatility in interim tax provisions.

The following table sets out the tax expense (benefit) and the effective tax rate for the corporation:

 

     Third Quarter     Nine Months  

(In millions)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Continuing operations:

        

Income before income taxes

   $ 198      $ 172      $ 744      $ 400   

Income tax expense

     173        39        224        116   

Effective tax rate

     87.1     22.5     30.1     28.9

Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2010

In the third quarter of 2010, the corporation recognized tax expense of $173 million on pretax income from continuing operations of $198 million, or an effective tax rate of 87.1%. The tax expense and related effective tax rate on continuing operations were impacted by recognizing $22 million of discrete tax expense related to the following items:

 

   

$43 million of tax expense related to a Belgian litigation proceeding that is expected to result in additional income tax expense. (See Note 11 – Contingencies and Commitments)

 

   

$19 million of tax benefit, of which $18 million is associated with a change in estimated 2009 foreign taxes paid or accrued.

 

   

$9 million of tax benefit related to the settlement of tax audits and expiration of statutes of limitations in France, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States, of which $1 million of tax benefit is from the settlement of tax audits, and $8 million of tax benefit is from the expiration of statutes of limitations.

 

   

$7 million of tax expense related to deferred tax adjustments, of which $3 million related to a change in the law on the deductibility of benefits reimbursed under the Medicare Part D retiree prescription drug program.

 

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In the first nine months of 2010, the corporation recognized tax expense of $224 million on pretax income from continuing operations of $744 million, or an effective tax rate of 30.1%. The tax expense and related effective tax rate on continuing operations was determined by applying a 39.1% estimated annual effective tax rate to pretax earnings and then recognizing $67 million of discrete tax benefits. The discrete tax items relate to the following:

 

   

$103 million of tax benefit primarily from the settlement of tax audits and expiration of the statutes of limitations in the United Kingdom, Hungary, Spain, the United States, South Africa, France, the Netherlands, and various state and local jurisdictions, of which $95 million is primarily from the settlement of audits with the tax authorities, and $8 million is from the expiration of statutes of limitations.

 

   

$43 million of tax expense related to a Belgian litigation proceeding that is expected to result in additional income tax expense. (See Note 11 – Contingencies and Commitments)

 

   

$25 million of tax expense to establish a valuation allowance on net operating losses and other deferred tax assets in Belgium.

 

   

$20 million of tax benefit from the release of a valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets of the corporation’s Brazilian subsidiaries.

 

   

$19 million of tax benefit, of which $18 million is associated with a change in estimated 2009 foreign taxes paid or accrued.

 

   

$7 million of tax expense related to deferred tax adjustments, of which $3 million related to a change in the law on the deductibility of benefits reimbursed under the Medicare Part D retiree prescription drug program.

The corporation’s 2010 estimated annual effective tax rate increased from 25.7% to 39.1% primarily due to a one-time tax charge of $118 million related to current year foreign earnings that are no longer indefinitely reinvested. This tax charge is in connection with the company’s third quarter decision, announced February 16, 2010, to no longer reinvest overseas earnings primarily attributable to existing overseas cash and the book value of the household and body care businesses. Herein after this tax charge may also be referred to as the tax on unremitted earnings. This tax charge increased the estimated annual effective tax rate by approximately 14%. The portion of this tax charge recognized in the first nine months of 2010 is $102 million, all of which was recognized in the third quarter. Additionally, for the same reasons as noted above, the first nine months of 2010 includes a $416 million charge in discontinued operations.

The 2010 estimated annual effective tax rate also includes $18 million of non-recurring tax benefits related to the utilization of United Kingdom net operating losses which lowered the estimated annual effective rate by approximately 2%. The portion of this tax benefit recognized in the first nine months of 2010 is $16 million, of which $4 million was recognized in the third quarter.

Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2009

In the third quarter of 2009, the corporation recognized tax expense of $39 million on pretax income from continuing operations of $172 million, or an effective tax rate of 22.5%. The tax rate in the third quarter was impacted by $7 million of tax expense related to the following discrete tax items:

 

   

$13 million expense relates to adjustments of taxes previously provided on the 2008 earnings of the corporation, consisting primarily of a net $4 million understatement of tax related to foreign exchange gains, and a $10 million write-off of state tax benefits on foreign exchange losses offset by $1 million of other provision adjustments.

 

   

$5 million benefit relates to adjustments of prior year tax provision estimates.

 

   

$1 million benefit relates to various discrete items, none of which were material individually or in the aggregate.

 

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The estimated annual effective tax rate includes a charge of $53 million related to the expected repatriation of a portion of 2009 foreign earnings. The estimated charge increases the estimated annual effective tax rate by approximately 10%.

The tax expense and related effective tax rate on continuing operations, for the first nine months of 2009, were determined by applying a 26.9% estimated annual effective tax rate to pretax earnings and then recognizing the impact of $8 million of tax expense related to the following discrete tax items:

 

   

$13 million expense relates to adjustments of taxes previously provided on the 2008 earnings of the corporation, consisting primarily of a net $4 million understatement of tax related to foreign exchange gains, and a $10 million write-off of state tax benefits on foreign exchange losses offset by $1 million of other provision adjustments.

 

   

$5 million benefit relates to adjustments of prior year tax provision estimates.

The corporation’s 2009 estimated annual effective tax rate decreased from 33.4% to 26.9% due to a $29 million non-recurring tax benefit from current year foreign exchange gains. A significant portion of this non-recurring tax benefit should have been reflected in prior quarters of 2009. Management believes this error is immaterial to the quarterly financial statements.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

Each quarter, the corporation makes a determination of the tax liability needed for unrecognized tax benefits that should be recorded in the financial statements. For tax benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

The year-to-date net decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $118 million, resulting in an ending balance of $434 million as of March 27, 2010. There was a decrease in the gross liability for uncertain tax positions of $142 million, of which $92 million relates to audit settlements, $24 million relates to the expiration of statutes of limitations, $9 million relates to prior year decreases, and $17 million relates to favorable foreign currency exchange translation. This decrease was offset by an increase in the gross liability for uncertain tax positions of $24 million, all of which relate to 2010 increases.

At this time, the corporation estimates that it is reasonably possible that the liability for unrecognized tax benefits will decrease between $90 – $130 million in the next twelve months from a variety of uncertain tax positions as a result of the completion of various worldwide tax audits currently in process and the expiration of statutes of limitations in several jurisdictions.

The corporation’s tax returns are routinely audited by federal, state, and foreign tax authorities and these audits are at various stages of completion at any given time. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has completed examinations of the company’s U.S. income tax returns through July 1, 2006. Fiscal years remaining open to examination in the Netherlands include 2003 and forward. Other foreign jurisdictions remain open to audits after 2000. With few exceptions, the company is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before June 28, 2003.

As expected, in October 2009, the Spanish tax administration upheld the challenge made by its local field examination team against tax positions taken by the corporation’s Spanish subsidiaries. In November 2009, the corporation filed an appeal against this claim with the Spanish Tax Court. In April 2010, the Spanish Chief Inspector upheld a portion of the claim raised by the Spanish tax authorities, which the corporation will appeal. The corporation believes it is adequately reserved for the claim upheld by the Spanish Chief Inspector. However, in order to continue its appeal, the corporation anticipates obtaining a bank guarantee in 2010 for up to $135 million as security against all allegations. The corporation continues to dispute the challenge and will continue to communicate with the Spanish tax authorities regarding this issue.

 

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  11. Contingencies and Commitments

Aris – This is a consolidation of cases filed by individual complainants with the Republic of the Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) from 1998 through July 1999. The complaint alleges unfair labor practices due to the termination of manufacturing operations in the Philippines by Aris Philippines, Inc. (Aris), a former subsidiary of the corporation. The complaint names the corporation as a party defendant. In 2006, the arbitrator ruled against the corporation and awarded the plaintiffs $60 million in damages and fees, and the corporation appealed this ruling. In December 2006, the NLRC set aside the arbitrator’s ruling, and remanded the case to the arbitrator for further proceedings. The complainants and the corporation have filed motions for reconsideration – the corporation seeking a final judgment and outright dismissal of the case, and complainants seeking to reinstate the original arbitrator’s judgment against the defendants, including the corporation. The respective motions for reconsideration have been fully briefed and the parties await the NLRC’s rulings.

In response to the arbitrator’s original ruling, the Court of Appeals required the corporation to post a bond of approximately $25 million. However, the corporation has appealed the decision to the Supreme Court and, as a result, no bond posting is required until all allowable appeals have been exhausted. The corporation continues to believe that the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit; however, it is reasonably possible that this case will be ruled against the corporation and have a material adverse impact on the corporation’s results of operations or cash flows.

American Bakers Association Retirement Plan (ABA Plan) – The corporation is a participating employer in the ABA Plan. In 1979, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) determined that the ABA Plan was an aggregate of single-employer pension plans rather than a multiple employer plan. Under the express terms of the ABA Plan’s governing documents, the corporation’s contributions can only be used to pay for the benefits of its own employee-participants. In August 2006, the PBGC reversed its 1979 determination and concluded that the ABA Plan is and always has been a multiple employer plan in which the participating parties share responsibility for any plan liabilities (2006 Determination). If the 2006 Determination was upheld, it would have required the corporation to be responsible for a substantial portion of the ABA Plan’s underfunded liabilities. The corporation initiated litigation in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia seeking to overturn the 2006 Determination.

On December 1, 2009, the United States District Court upheld the 2006 Determination. However, the corporation moved the Court to alter or amend its Order to specifically state, among other things, that the 2006 Determination is prospective only and that the ABA Plan is deemed to have been, and shall for all purposes be treated as, an aggregate of single-employer pension plans from its establishment until the date of the 2006 Determination. On February 18, 2010, the Court granted the corporation’s motion, specifically stating that the 2006 Determination has prospective effect only. The time period for any party to appeal the Court’s amended Order ended on April 19, 2010, and no appeals were filed.

Based on the Court’s amended Order, the ABA Plan should be treated as an aggregate of single-employer pension plans prior to the 2006 Determination (i.e., the 2006 Determination would have no retroactive application) and as a multiple employer pension plan after the 2006 Determination. We are awaiting updated actuarial calculations; however, we believe that the amended Order significantly reduces the corporation’s responsibility for the ABA Plan’s underfunded liabilities prior to August 8, 2006.

As a result of the amended Order, the corporation began to recognize the obligations as if the ABA Plan was a multiple employer pension plan, with all future contributions to the plan immediately expensed in the consolidated statements of income. The corporation does not believe the resolution of this matter will have a material adverse impact on the corporation’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Hanesbrands Inc. – In September 2006, the corporation spun off its branded apparel business into an independent publicly-traded company named Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI). In connection with the spin off, the corporation and HBI entered into a tax sharing agreement that governs the allocation of tax assets and liabilities between the parties. HBI has initiated binding arbitration claiming that it is owed $72 million from the corporation under the tax sharing agreement. The corporation believes HBI’s claims are without merit and is vigorously contesting the matter. The parties are engaging in discovery and the final hearing is scheduled for mid-June 2010. The corporation expects that this matter will be resolved by the end of August 2010.

 

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Multi-Employer Pension Plans – The corporation participates in various multi-employer pension plans that provide retirement benefits to certain employees covered by collective bargaining agreements (MEPP). Participating employers in a MEPP are jointly responsible for any plan underfunding. MEPP contributions are established by the applicable collective bargaining agreements; however, the MEPPs may impose increased contribution rates and surcharges based on the funded status of the plan and the provisions of the Pension Protection Act, which requires substantially underfunded MEPPs to implement rehabilitation plans to improve funded status. The corporation believes that its contributions to MEPPs may increase by approximately 12% to 15% through 2011 due to increased contribution rates and surcharges MEPPs are expected to impose under the Pension Protection Act. Factors that could impact funded status of a MEPP include investment performance, changes in the participant demographics, financial stability of contributing employers and changes in actuarial assumptions.

In addition to regular contributions, the corporation could be obligated to pay additional contributions (known as a complete or partial withdrawal liability) if a MEPP has unfunded vested benefits. These withdrawal liabilities, which would be triggered if the corporation ceases to make contributions to a MEPP with respect to one or more collective bargaining units, would equal the corporation’s proportionate share of the unfunded vested benefits based on the year in which liability is triggered. The corporation believes that certain of the MEPPs in which it participates have unfunded vested benefits, and some are significantly underfunded. Withdrawal liability triggers could include the corporation’s decision to close a plant or the dissolution of a collective bargaining unit. Due to uncertainty regarding future withdrawal liability triggers, we are unable to determine the amount and timing of the corporation’s future withdrawal liability, if any, or whether the corporation’s participation in these MEPPs could have any material adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Disagreements over potential withdrawal liability may lead to legal disputes. The corporation currently is involved in litigation with one MEPP and it is reasonably possible that the outcome of this litigation may result in an additional partial withdrawal liability of approximately $16 million.

The corporation’s regular scheduled contributions to MEPPs totaled $49 million in 2009, $48 million in 2008 and $47 million in 2007. The corporation recognized charges for partial withdrawal liabilities of approximately $7 million in 2010 to date, $31 million in 2009, and an immaterial amount in 2008.

Competition Law – During the past few years, competition authorities in various European countries and the European Commission have initiated investigations into the conduct of consumer products companies. These investigations usually continue for several years and, if violations are found, may result in substantial fines. In connection with these investigations, Sara Lee’s household and body care business operating in Europe has received requests for information, made employees available for interviews, and been subjected to unannounced inspections by various competition authorities. In the second quarter of 2010, the corporation recognized a 3.7 million euro charge for a fine imposed by the Spanish Competition Authorities related to claims that the corporation engaged in inappropriate activities to indirectly increase prices of its shower gel products. To date, except for the Spanish fine and the previously disclosed 5.5 million euros fine imposed by the German cartel authorities in February 2008, no formal charges have been brought against Sara Lee concerning the substantive conduct that is the subject of these investigations. Our practice is to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to our business, including the antitrust laws, and to cooperate with relevant regulatory authorities.

Charges for fines that already have been imposed against the corporation, as noted above, have been reflected in the consolidated statements of income in the year we were notified of the fine. The corporation also recognized a charge of 4 million euros in the third quarter of 2010 as an estimate of additional fines that may be imposed. Based on currently available information, it is reasonably possible the corporation may be subject to additional fines related to several of these investigations and, with respect to one of these investigations, it is probable that a fine will be imposed. However, we are unable to estimate the impact on our financial statements of additional fines, if any, that may be imposed against the corporation.

Belgian tax matter – In 1997, the corporation sold a Belgian subsidiary to an unrelated third party. At the time of the sale, the Belgian subsidiary owed a Belgian tax liability of approximately 30 million euros (resulting from an intercompany restructuring completed before the 1997 sale) and the third party buyer

 

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assumed all assets and liabilities of the subsidiary. In 1999, the former Belgian subsidiary, then owned by the third party buyer, declared bankruptcy and did not pay the outstanding Belgian tax liability. In 2001, the Belgian Ministry of Finance launched an investigation into the 1997 sale. In November 2009, the corporation received from the Belgian state prosecutor a notice of intent to indict the third party buyer as well as several of the corporation’s international subsidiaries and several current and former directors and officers of such subsidiaries, in connection with the 1997 sale. The notice alleges various tax-related legal violations, some of which carry criminal penalties. The corporation is engaged in settlement discussions with the Belgian authorities. Although no settlement has been reached, based on currently available information the corporation accrued $43 million for Belgian taxes, interest, and penalties in the third quarter.

 

  12. Subsequent event – Debt Issuance

On March 30, 2010, a subsidiary of the corporation issued 300 million of euro denominated debt, which is scheduled to mature in March 2012. The notes were issued at a fixed rate of 2.25% but have effectively been converted into variable rate debt using interest rate swap instruments. The proceeds were used to retire 285 million euro of debt that was scheduled to mature in 2011.

Item 2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of the results of operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared with the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 and a discussion of the changes in financial condition and liquidity during the first nine months of 2010. Below is an outline of the analyses included herein:

 

   

Business Overview

 

   

Summary of Results

 

   

Consolidated Results – Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2010

 

   

Operating Results by Business Segment

 

   

Financial Condition

 

   

Liquidity

 

   

Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Estimates

 

   

Issued but not yet Effective Accounting Standards

 

   

Forward-Looking Information

Business Overview

Our Business

Sara Lee is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand name products for consumers throughout the world focused primarily in the meat, bakery, and beverage products categories. Our brands include Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Senseo and our namesake, Sara Lee.

In North America, the company sells a variety of packaged meat products that include hot dogs, corn dogs, breakfast sausages, dinner sausages and deli meats as well as a variety of fresh and frozen baked products and specialty items that include bread, buns, bagels, cakes and cheesecakes. These products are sold through the retail channel to supermarkets, warehouse clubs and national chains. The company also sells a variety of meat, bakery and beverage products to foodservice customers in North America. Internationally, the company sells coffee and tea products in Europe, Brazil, Australia and Asia through both the retail and foodservice channels as well as a variety of bakery and dough products to retail and foodservice customers in Europe and Australia.

In September 2009, the corporation announced that it had received a binding offer to acquire its global body care and European detergents businesses for 1.275 billion euros. In December 2009, the

 

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corporation also announced that it had received a binding offer for the sale of its air care business for 320 million euros. Together these businesses represent approximately 70% of the net sales of the international household and body care businesses. The results of these businesses and the remaining household and body care businesses, which were previously reported as a separate business segment, are now being reported as discontinued operations. Prior period results have been revised to reflect these businesses as discontinued operations. See Note 4 – “Discontinued Operations” for additional information regarding these discontinued operations. Unless stated otherwise, any reference to income statement items in these financial statements refers to results from continuing operations. The corporation intends to use the proceeds from the divestiture to, among other things, repurchase stock, make additional contributions to its pension plans and invest for growth in its core businesses.

Summary of Results

The business highlights include the following:

 

   

Reported operating income for the third quarter of 2010 was $228 million, an increase of $21 million over the same period of the prior year. The increase was due to improved operating results for the North American Retail and International Beverage segments, partially offset by an increase in general corporate expenses due to a $26 million decline in mark-to-market results related to unrealized commodity derivatives and a $25 million increase in other general corporate expenses due to charges for Accelerate activities and a tax indemnification.

 

   

Net sales for the third quarter of $2.6 billion were virtually unchanged as the negative impact of volume declines, planned business exits, and pricing actions were offset by the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and a favorable sales mix shift.

 

   

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations declined from $0.19 to $0.04 due to a significant increase in income tax expense, which was the result of a $102 million, or $0.15 per share, charge related to the tax on unremitted earnings.

 

   

Total cash flow from operating activities of $807 million for the first nine months of 2010 showed a very strong increase of $504 million over the prior year driven primarily by improved operating results, lower pension contributions and improved working capital management. Discontinued operations contributed $231 million of the total cash from operating activities, an increase of $78 million over the prior year.

Challenges and Risks

As an international consumer products company, we face certain risks and challenges that impact our business and financial performance. The risks and challenges described below have impacted our performance and are likely to impact our future results as well.

The food businesses are highly competitive. In many product categories, we compete not only with widely advertised branded products, but also with private label products that are generally sold at lower prices. As a result, from time to time, we may need to reduce the prices for some of our products to respond to competitive pressures. In addition, the turmoil in the financial markets has led to general economic weakness, which has negatively impacted our business. The continued economic uncertainty may also result in increased pressure to reduce the prices for some of our products, limit our ability to increase or maintain prices or lead to a continued shift toward private label products. Any reduction in prices or our inability to increase prices could negatively impact profit margins and the overall profitability of our reporting units, which could potentially trigger a goodwill impairment.

Commodity prices directly impact our business because of their effect on the cost of raw materials used to make our products and the cost of inputs to manufacture, package and ship our products. In addition, under some of our contracts, the prices at which we sell our products are tied to increases and decreases in commodity costs. Many of the commodities we use, including coffee, wheat, beef, pork, corn, corn syrup, soybean and corn oils, butter, sugar and fuel, have experienced price volatility due to factors beyond our control. The company’s objective is to offset commodity price increases with pricing actions and to offset any operating cost increases with continuous improvement savings.

 

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The company’s business results are also heavily influenced by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For the most recently completed fiscal year, approximately 35% of net sales and 50% of operating segment income were generated outside of the U.S. As a result, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the European euro, can have a significant impact on the reported results. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased net sales by $162 million and increased operating income by $22 million for the first nine months of 2010.

The company’s international operations also provide a significant portion of the company’s cash flow from operating activities, which is expected to require the company to continue to repatriate a significant portion of cash generated outside of the U.S. The repatriation of these funds has and is expected to continue to result in a higher effective income tax rate and cash tax payments.

Significant Items Affecting Comparability

The reported results for 2010 and 2009 reflect amounts recognized for actions associated with the corporation’s ongoing business transformation program, Project Accelerate and other significant amounts that impact comparability. More information on these costs can be found in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Exit, Disposal and Transformation/Accelerate Activities.” The nature of these items includes the following:

Exit Activities, Asset and Business Dispositions – These costs are reported on a separate line of the Consolidated Statements of Income. Exit activities primarily relate to charges taken to recognize severance actions approved by the corporation’s management and the exit of leased facilities or other contractual arrangements. Asset and business disposition activities include costs associated with separating businesses targeted for sale, as well as gains and losses associated with the disposition of asset groups that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting.

Project Accelerate (Accelerate) Costs – These include costs associated with the transition of services to an outside third party vendor as part of a business process outsourcing initiative. The initiative includes the outsourcing of a portion of the North American and European finance processing functions, information systems application development and maintenance as well as indirect procurement activities. These costs are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income in Selling, general and administrative expenses or Cost of sales. Employee termination costs, lease exit costs and gains or losses on the disposition of assets or asset groupings that do not qualify as discontinued operations associated with these initiatives are reported as part of exit activities, asset and business dispositions.

For continuing operations, the savings resulting from Accelerate and other restructuring actions were approximately $127 million in the first nine months of 2010, of which $89 million is incremental to the prior year. The corporation anticipates annualized savings in 2010 of approximately $170-$190 million related to these actions, of which $120-$140 million is incremental to the Accelerate savings in 2009.

Business Transformation Costs – These include costs to retain and relocate existing employees, recruit new employees, and third-party consulting costs associated with transformation efforts. These costs are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income in Selling, general and administrative expenses or Cost of sales. Employee termination costs, lease exit costs and gains or losses on the disposition of assets or asset groupings that do not qualify as discontinued operations associated with these initiatives are reported as part of exit activities, asset and business dispositions.

Other Significant Items – The reported results are also impacted by other items that affect comparability. These items include, but are not limited to, impairment charges, pension partial withdrawal liability charges, curtailment gains (losses) and certain discrete tax matters, which include charges related to the tax on unremitted earnings, audit settlements/reserve adjustments, valuation allowance adjustments and various other tax matters.

 

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Impact of Significant Items on Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable to Sara Lee

 

     Quarter ended March 27, 2010     Quarter ended March 28, 2009  

In millions, except per share data

   Pretax
Impact
    Net
Income
Attributable  to
Sara Lee (2)
    Diluted EPS
Impact (1)
    Pretax
Impact
    Net
Income
Attributable  to
Sara Lee (2)
    Diluted EPS
Impact  (1)
 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 198      $ 25      $ 0.04      $ 172      $ 133      $ 0.19   
                                                

Net income (loss) attributable to Sara Lee

     $ (336   $ (0.49     $ 165      $ 0.24   
                                    

Significant items affecting comparability of income from continuing operations:

            

Charges for exit activities, asset and business dispositions:

            

Income from (charges for) exit activities

   $ (14   $ (9   $ (0.01   $ (11   $ (8   $ (0.01

Income from (charges for) business disposition activities

     (11     (8     (0.01     —          —          —     
                                                

Subtotal

     (25     (17     (0.02     (11     (8     (0.01

(Charges to) income in Cost of sales:

            

Accelerate charges

     (1     (1     —          —          —          —     

Curtailment gain

     7        5        0.01        —          —          —     

Pension partial withdrawal liability charge

     —          —          —          (1     (1     —     

(Charges to) income in SG&A expenses:

            

Transformation/Accelerate charges

     (12     (8     (0.01     (6     (5     —     

Curtailment gain

     17        11        0.02        —          —          —     

Mexican tax indemnification

     (15     (10     (0.01     —          —          —     

Balance sheet corrections

     —          —          —          8        5        0.01   
                                                

Impact of significant items on income from continuing operations before significant tax matters

     (29     (20     (0.03     (10     (9     (0.01

Significant tax matters affecting comparability:

            

Tax on unremitted earnings

     —          (102     (0.15     —          —          —     

Tax audit settlements/reserve adjustments

     —          9        0.01        —          3        —     

Belgian tax proceeding

     —          (43     (0.06     —          —          —     

U.K. net operating loss utilization

     —          4        0.01        —          —          —     

Tax credit adjustment

     —          18        0.03        —          —          —     

Provision expense corrections

     —          —          —          —          (13     (0.02

Tax benefit on non-recurring foreign exchange gains

     —          —          —          —          20        0.03   

Other tax adjustments

     —          —          —          —          (2     —     
                                                

Impact of significant items on income from continuing operations

     (29     (134     (0.19     (10     (1     —     
                                                

Significant items impacting discontinued operations:

            

Tax on unremitted earnings

     —          (416     (0.60     —          —          —     

Professional fees/other

     (7     (7     (0.01     —          —          —     

Curtailment gain

     1        1        —          —          —          —     

Charges for exit activities

     —          —          —          (5     (3     (0.01

Gain on sale of discontinued operation

     8        6        0.01        —          —          —     

Tax audit settlement/reserve adjustments

     —          3        —          —          —          —     
                                                

Impact of significant items on net income (loss) attributable to Sara Lee

   $ (27   $ (547   $ (0.79   $ (15   $ (4   $ —     
                                                

Notes:

(1) EPS amounts are rounded to the nearest $0.01 and may not add to the total.
(2) Taxes computed at applicable statutory rates.

 

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Impact of Significant Items on Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable to Sara Lee

 

     Nine Months ended March 27, 2010     Nine Months ended March 28, 2009  

In millions, except per share data

   Pretax
Impact
    Net
Income
Attributable  to
Sara Lee (2)
    Diluted EPS
Impact (1)
    Pretax
Impact
    Net
Income
Attributable  to
Sara Lee (2)
    Diluted EPS
Impact  (1)
 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 744      $ 520      $ 0.75      $ 400      $ 284      $ 0.40   
                                                

Net income attributable to Sara Lee

     $ 319      $ 0.46        $ 378      $ 0.54   
                                    

Significant items affecting comparability of income from continuing operations:

            

Charges for exit activities, asset and business dispositions:

            

Income from (charges for) exit activities

   $ (33   $ (21   $ (0.03   $ (44   $ (31   $ (0.04

Income from (charges for) business disposition activities

     (20     (14     (0.02     3        —          —     
                                                

Subtotal

     (53     (35     (0.05     (41     (31     (0.05

(Charges to) income in Cost of sales:

            

Curtailment gain

     7        5        0.01        6        4        0.01   

Pension partial withdrawal liability charge

     (1     (1     —          (13     (9     (0.01

Accelerate charges - Other

     (1     (1     —          —          —          —     

(Charges to) income in SG&A expenses:

            

Transformation/Accelerate charges

     (22     (15     (0.02     (11     (8     (0.01

Curtailment gain

     17        11        0.02        6        4        0.01   

Mexican tax indemnification

     (15     (10     (0.01     —          —          —     

Balance sheet corrections

     —          —          —          8        5        0.01   

Pension partial withdrawal liability charge

     (6     (4     (0.01     (18     (11     (0.02

Impairment charges

     (17     (11     (0.02     (107     (107     (0.15
                                                

Impact of significant items on income from continuing operations before significant tax matters

     (91     (61     (0.09     (170     (153     (0.22

Significant tax matters affecting comparability:

            

Tax on unremitted earnings

     —          (102     (0.15     —          —          —     

U.K. net operating loss utilization

     —          16        0.02        —          —          —     

Provision expense corrections

     —          —          —          —          (13     (0.02

Tax audit settlement/reserve adjustments

     —          103        0.15        —          5        0.01   

Belgian tax proceeding

     —          (43     (0.06     —          —          —     

Tax valuation allowance adjustment

     —          (5     (0.01     —          —          —     

Tax credit adjustment

     —          18        0.03        —          —          —     

Tax benefit on non-recurring foreign exchange gains

     —          —          —          —          20        0.03   

Other tax adjustments

     —          —          —          —          (3     —     
                                                

Impact of significant items on income from continuing operations

     (91     (74     (0.10     (170     (144     (0.21
                                                

Significant items impacting discontinued operations:

            

Professional fees/other

     (22     (20     (0.03     (2     (1     —     

Curtailment gain (loss)

     (10     (8     (0.01     5        4        —     

Transformation/Accelerate charges

     —          —          —          (2     (2     —     

Charges for exit activities

     —          —          —          (11     (8     (0.01

Gain on sale of discontinued operation

     8        6        0.01        —          —          —     

Tax valuation allowance adjustment

     —          53        0.08        —          —          —     

Tax audit settlement/reserve adjustments

     —          (3     —          —          (1     —     

Capital loss carryforward utilization

     —          27        0.04        —          —          —     

Tax basis difference adjustment

     —          11        0.02        —          —          —     

Tax on unremitted earnings

     —          (421     (0.61     —          —          —     
                                                

Impact of significant items on net income attributable to Sara Lee

   $ (115   $ (429   $ (0.61   $ (180   $ (152   $ (0.21
                                                

Notes:

(1) EPS amounts are rounded to the nearest $0.01 and may not add to the total.
(2) Taxes computed at applicable statutory rates.

 

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Consolidated Results – Third Quarter of 2010 Compared with Third Quarter of 2009

The following table summarizes net sales and operating income for the third quarter of 2010 and 2009 and certain items that affected the comparability of these amounts:

 

     Quarter ended  

Total Corporation Performance (In millions)

   March 27,
2010
    March 28,
2009
    Change     Percent
Change
 

Net sales

   $ 2,578      $ 2,575      $ 3      0.1
                              

Increase / (decrease) in net sales from:

        

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

   $ —        $ (103   $ 103     

Acquisitions/dispositions

     —          33        (33  
                          

Total

   $ —        $ (70   $ 70     
                          

Operating income

   $ 228      $ 207      $ 21      10.5
                              

Increase / (decrease) in operating income from:

        

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

   $ —        $ (11   $ 11     

Exit activities, asset and business dispositions

     (25     (11     (14  

Transformation/Accelerate charges

     (13     (6     (7  

Pension partial withdrawal liability charge

     —          (1     1     

Curtailment gain (loss)

     24        —          24     

Mexican tax indemnification

     (15     —          (15  

Balance sheet corrections

     —          8        (8  

Acquisitions/dispositions

     —          3        (3  
                          

Total

   $ (29   $ (18   $ (11  
                          

Net Sales

Net sales increased by $3 million or 0.1%. The strengthening of foreign currencies, particularly the European euro and Brazilian real increased reported net sales by $103 million, or 3.9%. Divestitures net of acquisitions occurring after the start of the third quarter of 2009 reduced net sales by $33 million, or 1.3%. Sales were negatively impacted by a 4.5% decline in unit volumes and pricing actions that decreased net sales by approximately 2% partially offset by a favorable shift in sales mix. Excluding the planned exits from the commodity meat and kosher meat businesses, unit volumes would have decreased only 1.2%. The following table summarizes the components of the percentage change in net sales as compared to the prior year:

Third quarter 2010

 

Net Sales Changes

   Unit
Volumes
  +    Price/
Mix/Other
  +    Acquisitions/
Divestitures
  +    Foreign
Exchange
  =    Net Sales
Change

Total Corporation

   (4.5)%      2.0%      (1.3)%      3.9%      0.1%
                                

Operating Income

Operating income increased by $21 million, or 10.5%. The year-over-year net impact of the changes in foreign currency exchange rates, exit activities, transformation/Accelerate charges and the other factors identified in the preceding table decreased operating income by $11 million. Operating income was also negatively impacted by a $26 million decline in income related to unrealized commodity mark-to-market derivatives versus the prior year. The remaining increase in operating income of $58 million was primarily due to improved operating results in the business segments, especially the North American Retail and International Beverage segments. The individual components that impacted operating income are discussed in more detail below.

 

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Gross Margin

Gross margin dollars in the third quarter of 2010 increased $83 million over the prior year due to the impact of lower commodity costs, savings from continuous improvement programs and the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates partially offset by the unfavorable impact of pricing actions, lower unit volumes, and the impact of business dispositions. The gross margin percent in the third quarter of 2010 increased to 39.4% from 36.2% in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to the impact of lower commodity costs and savings from continuous improvement programs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

     Quarter ended  

(In millions)

   March 27,
2010
   March 28,
2009
    Change     Percent
Change
 

SG&A expenses in the business segment results:

         

Media advertising and promotion

   $ 76    $ 65      $ 11      16.9

Other

     615      622        (7   (1.1
                             

Total business segments

     691      687        4      0.6   

Amortization of identifiable intangibles

     12      12        —        0.3   

General corporate expenses:

         

Other

     57      29        28      96.5   

Mark-to-market derivative (gains) / losses

     2      (14     16      NM   
                             

Total SG&A Expenses

   $ 762    $ 714      $ 48      6.9
                             

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by $48 million, or 6.9%. Measured as a percent of sales, SG&A expenses increased from 27.7% in 2009 to 29.6% in 2010. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased SG&A costs by $25 million, or 3.7%. The remaining increase in SG&A expenses is $23 million, or 3.2%. SG&A expenses in the business segments increased by $4 million, or 0.6%, as a reduction in distribution costs, as well as the impact of cost containment actions and a pension curtailment gain were offset by an $11 million increase in media advertising and promotion (MAP) spending. Other general corporate expenses increased $28 million versus the prior year due to higher charges for Accelerate actions, a $15 million charge related to a tax indemnification for a previously sold business and the year-over-year negative impact of some non-recurring prior year gains primarily related to a non-income related foreign tax refund and a reduction in contingent lease accruals. In the third quarter of 2010, the corporation reported mark-to-market derivative losses of $2 million, while in 2009 the mark-to-market derivatives were a gain of $14 million. The year-over-year decline in the results related to the mark-to-market derivatives was due to derivative energy contracts.

Transformation/Accelerate Actions, Impairment Charges, Exit Activities and Other Significant Items

The reported results for the third quarter of 2010 and 2009 reflect amounts recognized for actions associated with the corporation’s ongoing Accelerate and business transformation programs and other exit and disposal actions. The expense related to exit activities, asset and business dispositions was $25 million in the third quarter of 2010 versus $11 million in the third quarter of 2009. As discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements, “Exit, Disposal and Transformation/Accelerate Activities,” the charges in 2010 and 2009 relate to the planned termination of employees related to both European and North American operations as part of Accelerate.

These actions are more fully described in the Exit, Disposal and Transformation/Accelerate Activities Note to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense in the third quarter of 2010 was $30 million, a decrease of $5 million over the third quarter of the prior year. Interest expense decreased by $8 million, related primarily to lower average debt outstanding, and lower interest rates, while interest income decreased by $3 million, due to changes in interest rates.

 

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Income Tax Expense

Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a detailed explanation of the determination of the interim tax provision.

The following table sets out the tax expense (benefit) and effective tax rate for the corporation’s continuing operations:

 

     Third Quarter  

(In millions)

   2010     2009  

Continuing operations

    

Income before income taxes

   $ 198      $ 172   

Income tax expense

     173        39   

Effective tax rate

     87.1     22.5

In the third quarter of 2010, the corporation recognized tax expense of $173 million on pretax income from continuing operations of $198 million, or an effective tax rate of 87.1%. The tax expense and related effective tax rate on continuing operations were impacted by recognizing $22 million of discrete tax expense related to the following items:

 

   

$43 million of tax expense related to a Belgian litigation proceeding that is expected to result in additional income tax expense. (See Note 11 – Contingencies and Commitments)

 

   

$19 million of tax benefit, of which $18 million is associated with a change in estimated 2009 foreign taxes paid or accrued.

 

   

$9 million of tax benefit related to the settlement of tax audits and expiration of statutes of limitations in France, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States, of which $1 million of tax benefit is from the settlement of tax audits, and $8 million of tax benefit is from the expiration of statutes of limitations.

 

   

$7 million of tax expense related to deferred tax adjustments, of which $3 million related to a change in the law on the deductibility of benefits reimbursed under the Medicare Part D retiree prescription drug program.

The corporation’s 2010 estimated annual effective tax rate includes a one-time tax charge of $118 million related to current year foreign earnings that are no longer indefinitely reinvested. This tax charge is in connection with the company’s third quarter decision to no longer reinvest overseas earnings primarily attributable to existing overseas cash and the book value of the household and body care businesses. This tax charge increased the estimated annual effective tax rate by approximately 14%. The portion of this tax charge recognized in the third quarter is $102 million. A similar charge is also included in the results of discontinued operations.

The 2010 estimated annual effective tax rate also includes $18 million of non-recurring tax benefits related to the utilization of United Kingdom net operating losses which lowered the estimated annual effective rate by approximately 2%. The portion of this tax benefit recognized in the third quarter is $4 million.

In the third quarter of 2009, the corporation recognized tax expense of $39 million on pretax income of $172 million, or an effective tax rate of 22.5%. The tax expense and related effective tax rate on continuing operations were impacted by recognizing $7 million of discrete tax expenses related to the following items:

 

   

$13 million expense relates to adjustments of taxes previously provided on the 2008 earnings of the corporation, consisting primarily of a net $4 million understatement of tax related to foreign exchange gains, and a $10 million write-off of state tax benefits on foreign exchange losses offset by $1 million of other provision adjustments.

 

   

$5 million benefit relates to adjustments of prior year tax provision estimates.

 

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$1 million benefit relates to various discrete items, none of which were material individually or in the aggregate.

Income from Continuing Operations and Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS)

Income from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2010 was $25 million, which was $108 million lower than the comparable period of the prior year. The decline in income was due to a $134 million increase in income tax expense due to the charge for the tax on unremitted earnings. The higher tax expense was partially offset by a $21 million increase in operating income and a $5 million decrease in net interest expense versus the prior year.

Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.04 in the third quarter of 2010 versus $0.19 in the third quarter of 2009. Diluted EPS were favorably impacted by lower average shares outstanding during the third quarter of 2010 than during the third quarter of 2009. The lower average shares are due to the corporation’s ongoing share repurchase program.

Discontinued Operations Attributable to Sara Lee

Net sales from discontinued operations were $525 million in the third quarter of 2010, up 15.6% compared to the $454 million in net sales in the prior year. On a constant currency basis, net sales were up 5.3% primarily driven by strong performance in insecticides, shoe care and body care. Pre-tax income increased to $75 million from $56 million, driven by the volume growth, continuous improvement savings and lower commodity costs and favorable foreign exchange impacts partially offset by an increase in advertising and promotional spending. Pre-tax income was also favorably impacted by approximately $13 million of lower depreciation and amortization expense versus the prior year related to assets which are now classified as held for sale and as such no longer subject to depreciation and amortization under the accounting rules. The discontinued operations reported a net loss of $367 million in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to net income of $32 million in the third quarter of 2009 due to significantly higher tax expense in the current year. The higher tax expense in 2010 is due to a $416 million charge related to the tax on unremitted earnings. The results of discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009 are related to the international household and body care businesses and represent a full quarter of results in each period.

Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) Attributable to Sara Lee

In the third quarter of 2010, the corporation reported a net loss attributable to Sara Lee of $336 million versus net income attributable to Sara Lee of $165 million in the comparable period of the prior year. The $501 million decrease was due to a $518 million tax charge related to the tax on unremitted earnings, of which $102 million impacted continuing operations and $416 million impacted discontinued operations. Diluted EPS in the third quarter of 2010 was a loss of $0.49 per share versus income of $0.24 per share in the third quarter of 2009. Diluted EPS were impacted by lower average shares outstanding during the third quarter of 2010 than during the third quarter of 2009. The lower average shares are due to the corporation’s ongoing share repurchase program.

 

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Consolidated Results – First Nine Months of 2010 Compared with First Nine Months of 2009

The following table summarizes net sales and operating income for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 and certain items that affected the comparability of these amounts:

 

     Nine Months ended  

Total Corporation Performance (In millions)

   March 27,
2010
    March 28,
2009
    Change     Percent
Change
 

Net sales

   $ 8,024      $ 8,225      $ (201   (2.4 )% 
                              

Increase / (decrease) in net sales from:

        

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

   $ —        $ (162   $ 162     

Acquisitions/dispositions

     12        143        (131  
                          

Total

   $ 12      $ (19   $ 31     
                          

Operating income

   $ 835      $ 496      $ 339      68.5
                              

Increase / (decrease) in operating income from:

        

Contingent sales proceeds

   $ 133      $ 150      $ (17  

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

     —          (22     22     

Exit activities, asset and business dispositions

     (53     (41     (12  

Transformation/Accelerate charges

     (23     (11     (12  

Impairment charges

     (17     (107     90     

Pension partial withdrawal liability charge

     (7     (31     24     

Curtailment gain

     24        12        12     

Mexican tax indemnification

     (15     —          (15  

Balance sheet corrections

     —          8        (8  

Acquisitions/dispositions

     1        11        (10  
                          

Total

   $ 43      $ (31   $ 74     
                          

Net Sales

Net sales decreased by $201 million or 2.4%. The strengthening of foreign currencies, particularly the European euro and Brazilian real increased reported net sales by $162 million, or 1.9%. Divestitures net of acquisitions occurring after the start of 2009 reduced net sales by $131 million, or 1.5%. Sales were negatively impacted by a 3.1% decline in unit volumes and pricing actions that decreased net sales by approximately 1%, which were partially offset by a favorable shift in sales mix. Excluding the planned exit of the commodity meat and kosher meat businesses, unit volumes would have decreased only 1.0%. The following table summarizes the components of the percentage change in net sales as compared to the prior year:

First Nine months 2010

 

Net Sales Changes

   Unit
Volumes
  +    Price/
Mix/Other
  +    Acquisitions/
Divestitures
  +    Foreign
Exchange
  =    Net Sales
Change

Total Corporation

   (3.1)%      0.3%      (1.5)%      1.9%      (2.4)%
                                

Operating Income

Operating income increased by $339 million, or 68.5%. The year-over-year net impact of the changes in foreign currency exchange rates, transformation/Accelerate charges and the other factors identified in the preceding table increased operating income by $74 million. Operating income was also favorably impacted by a $33 million improvement in unrealized commodity mark-to-market derivatives versus the prior year. The remaining increase in operating income of $232 million was primarily due to improved operating results for the business segments, primarily in the North American Retail and International Beverage segment and a reduction in other general corporate expenses, after considering the higher Accelerate costs and a tax indemnification charge included in the table above. The individual components that impacted operating income are discussed in more detail below.

 

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Gross Margin

Gross margin dollars in the first nine months of 2010 increased $211 million over the prior year due to lower commodity costs and savings from continuous improvement programs and changes in foreign currency exchange rates partially offset by the unfavorable impact of pricing actions, lower unit volumes, and the impact of business dispositions. The gross margin percent in the first nine months of 2010 increased to 38.5% from 35.0% in the first nine months of 2009 primarily due to the impact of lower commodity costs and savings from continuous improvement programs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

     Nine Months ended  

(In millions)

   March 27,
2010
   March 28,
2009
   Change     Percent
Change
 

SG&A expenses in the business segment results:

          

Media advertising and promotion

   $ 245    $ 237    $ 8      3.4

Other

     1,865      1,931      (66   (3.4
                            

Total business segments

     2,110      2,168      (58   (2.7

Amortization of identifiable intangibles

     35      35      —        —     

General corporate expenses:

          

Other

     168      156      12      8.1   

Mark-to-market derivative (gains) / losses

     4      25      (21   (81.5
                            

Total SG&A Expenses

   $ 2,317    $ 2,384    $ (67   (2.8 )% 
                            

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased by $67 million, or 2.8%. Measured as a percent of sales, SG&A expenses decreased from 29.0% in 2009 to 28.9% in 2010. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased SG&A costs by $36 million, or 1.5%. The remaining decrease in SG&A expenses is $103 million, or 4.3%. SG&A expenses in the business segments decreased by $58 million, or 2.7%, due to a reduction in distribution and selling costs and the impact of cost containment actions. Other general corporate expenses increased $12 million versus the prior year due to a $28 million year-over-year increase in charges related to Accelerate activities and a tax indemnification charge related to a previously divested business. The remaining decrease in other general corporate expenses was due to the impact of headcount reductions and lower casualty insurance and employee benefit costs and lower professional fees. Mark-to-market losses related to commodity derivatives were $21 million lower than the prior year due to an improvement in derivative energy contracts.

Transformation/Accelerate Actions, Impairment Charges, Exit Activities and Other Significant Items

The reported results for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 reflect amounts recognized for actions associated with the corporation’s ongoing Accelerate and business transformation programs and other exit and disposal actions. The charge related to exit activities, asset and business dispositions was $53 million in the first nine months of 2010 versus $41 million in the first nine months of 2009. As discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements, “Exit, Disposal and Transformation/Accelerate Activities,” the charges in 2010 and 2009 relate to the planned termination of employees related to both European and North American operations as part of Accelerate.

In the first nine months of 2010, the corporation recognized a $17 million impairment charge, $13 million of which related to the writedown of manufacturing equipment associated with the North American foodservice bakery reporting unit and $4 million of which related to the writedown of bakery equipment associated with the Spanish bakery reporting unit. The corporation recognized a $107 million impairment charge in the first nine months of 2009 related to goodwill associated with the foodservice beverage reporting unit. The corporation determined that the carrying amount of its foodservice beverage reporting unit, which is reported in the North American Foodservice segment, exceeded its fair value. Management compared the implied fair value of the goodwill in the reporting unit with the carrying value and concluded that an impairment charge needed to be recognized. No tax benefit was recognized on the goodwill impairment loss.

 

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These actions are more fully described in the Exit, Disposal and Transformation/Accelerate Activities and Impairment Review and Goodwill Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Receipt of Contingent Sale Proceeds

The corporation sold its European cut tobacco business in 1999. Under the terms of that agreement, the corporation received an annual cash payment of 95 million euros. The 2010 annual payment was equivalent to $133 million and the 2009 annual payment was equivalent to $150 million based upon the respective exchange rates on the dates of receipt. The amount received in 2009 increased diluted earnings per share by $0.21 and the amount received in 2010 is expected to increase diluted earnings per share by $0.19.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense in the first nine months of 2010 was $91 million, which was $5 million lower than the first nine months of the prior year. A decrease in interest expense of $21 million, related primarily to lower average debt outstanding and lower interest rates, was partially offset by a decline in interest income of $16 million, due to lower interest rates.

Income Tax Expense

Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a detailed explanation of the determination of the interim tax provision.

The following table sets out the tax expense (benefit) and effective tax rate for the corporation’s continuing operations:

 

     First Nine Months  

(In millions)