UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009
Commission file number 002-26821
BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 61-0143150
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
850 Dixie Highway 40210
Louisville, Kentucky (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (502) 585-1100
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of Each Exchange
Title of Each Class on Which Registered
------------------- ----------------------
Class A Common Stock (voting) $0.15 par value New York Stock Exchange
Class B Common Stock (nonvoting) $0.15 par value New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as
defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
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 [ ] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]
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 "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and
"smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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]
The aggregate market value, as of the last business day of the most recently
completed second fiscal quarter, of the voting and nonvoting equity held by
nonaffiliates of the registrant was approximately $4,000,000,000.
The number of shares outstanding for each of the registrant's classes of
Common Stock on May 31, 2009 was:
Class A Common Stock (voting) 56,589,734
Class B Common Stock (nonvoting) 93,540,787
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders are incorporated
by reference into Parts I, II, and IV of this report. Portions of the Proxy
Statement of Registrant for use in connection with the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held July 23, 2009 are incorporated by reference into Part
III of this report.
PART I
Item 1. Business
Brown-Forman Corporation ("we," "us," or "our" below) was incorporated under the
laws of the State of Delaware in 1933, successor to a business founded in 1870
as a partnership and subsequently incorporated under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1901.
We primarily manufacture, bottle, import, export, and market a wide variety of
alcoholic beverage brands. Our principal beverage brands are:
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey Five Rivers Wines
Southern Comfort Herradura Tequila
Finlandia Vodka Jekel Vineyards Wines
Gentleman Jack Korbel California Champagnes*
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Little Black Dress Wines
Jack Daniel's Ready-to-Drinks Michel Picard Wines*
Antiguo Tequila New Mix Ready-to-Drinks
Bel Arbor Wines Old Forester Bourbon
Bonterra Vineyards Wines Pepe Lopez Tequilas
Canadian Mist Blended Canadian Whisky Sanctuary Wines
Chambord Liqueur Sonoma-Cutrer Wines
Don Eduardo Tequila Tuaca Liqueur
Early Times Kentucky Whisky Virgin Vines Wines*
el Jimador Tequila Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Fetzer Wines
* Brands represented in the U.S. and/or other select markets by Brown-Forman
The most important brand in our portfolio is Jack Daniel's, which is the
fifth-largest premium spirits brand and the largest selling American whiskey
brand in the world according to volume statistics recently published by Impact
Databank, a well-known trade publication. Our other leading brands are Southern
Comfort, the third-largest selling liqueur in the United States, and Canadian
Mist, the fourth-largest selling Canadian whiskey worldwide, according to the
recently published volume statistics referenced above. Our largest wine brands
are Fetzer and Korbel, generally selling in the $6-11 per bottle price range. We
believe the statistics used to rank these products are reasonably accurate.
Geographic information about net sales and long-lived assets is in Note 14 of
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 45 of our 2009 Annual
Report to Stockholders, which information is incorporated into this report by
reference.
Our strategy is to market high quality products that satisfy the preferences of
consumers of legal drinking age and to support those products with extensive
international, national, and regional marketing programs. These programs are
intended to extend consumer brand recognition and brand loyalty.
We own numerous valuable trademarks that are essential to our business.
Registrations of trademarks can generally be renewed indefinitely as long as the
trademarks are in use. Through licensing arrangements, we have authorized the
use of some of our trademarks on promotional items for the primary purpose of
enhancing brand awareness.
Customers
In the United States, we sell wine and spirits either through wholesale
distributors or in states that directly control alcohol sales, state governments
that then sell to retail customers and consumers. In some markets, we have
contracts with our distributors that are not for a fixed term. These contracts
are terminable at will and contain a liquidated damages provision that provides
limited compensation based primarily on a percentage of purchases over time.
Some states have statutes that limit our ability to terminate our distribution
relationship.
Our main international markets are the U.K., Australia, Mexico, Poland, Germany,
France, Spain, Italy, South Africa, China, Japan, Canada, and Russia. We use a
variety of distribution models outside the United States. Our preference for a
particular arrangement depends on a number of factors, including our assessment
of a market's long-term competitive dynamics and our portfolio's stage of
development in that market. We own and operate our distribution network in
several markets, including Australia, China, Poland, Mexico, Korea, the Czech
Republic, Taiwan and Thailand. In the United Kingdom and Germany, we partner
with another supplier, Bacardi, to sell a combined portfolio of our companies'
brands. In all of these markets, we sell our beverage alcohol products directly
to retail stores and to wholesalers. In many other markets, we use third parties
to distribute our portfolio of brands.
Ingredients and Other Supplies
The principal raw materials used in manufacturing and packaging our distilled
spirits are corn, rye, malted barley, agave, sugar, glass, cartons, PET, labels,
and wood for barrels, which are used for storage of bourbon, Tennessee whiskey,
and certain tequilas. The principal raw materials used in liqueurs are neutral
spirits, sugar, and wine, while the principal raw materials used in our
ready-to-drink products are sugar, neutral spirits, whiskey, tequila, or malt.
Currently, none of these raw materials is in short supply, and there are
adequate sources from which they may be obtained, but shortages in some of these
can occur.
Due to aging requirements, production of whiskeys and other distilled spirits is
scheduled to meet demand three to ten years in the future. Accordingly, our
inventories may be larger in relation to sales and total assets than would be
normal for most other businesses.
The principal raw materials used in the production of wines are grapes,
packaging materials and wood for wine barrels. Grapes are primarily purchased
under contracts with independent growers and, from time to time, are adversely
affected by weather and other forces that may limit production. We believe that
our relationships with our growers are good.
Competition
The wine and spirits industry is highly competitive, and there are many brands
sold in the consumer market. Trade information indicates that we are one of the
largest wine and spirits suppliers in the United States in terms of revenues.
Regulatory Environment
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the United States Treasury
Department regulates the wine and spirits industry with respect to production,
blending, bottling, sales, advertising and transportation of industry products.
Also, each state regulates the advertising, promotion, transportation, sale, and
distribution of such products.
Under federal regulations, bourbon and Tennessee whiskeys must be aged for at
least two years in new charred oak barrels. We age all of our whiskeys for a
minimum of three to six years. Federal regulations also require that "Canadian"
whiskey must be manufactured in Canada in compliance with Canadian laws. We
believe we are in compliance with these regulations.
Employees
As of May 1, 2009, we employed about 4,100 persons, including approximately 300
employed on a part-time or temporary basis. We believe our employee relations
are good.
Available Information
You may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC's
Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information
on the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains
reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding
issuers that file with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Our website address is www.brown-forman.com. Please note that our website
address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. Our annual reports on
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any
amendments to these reports are available free of charge on our website as soon
as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those reports with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The information provided on our website is
not part of this report, and is therefore not incorporated by reference, unless
such information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this report.
On our website, we have posted our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of
Conduct and Compliance Guidelines that apply to all directors and employees, and
our Code of Ethics that applies specifically to our senior executive and
financial officers. We have also posted on our website the charters of our Audit
Committee, Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, and Executive Committee. Copies of these materials are also available
free of charge by writing to our Secretary, Matthew E. Hamel, 850 Dixie Highway,
Louisville, Kentucky 40210 or e-mailing him at Secretary@b-f.com.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risk factors described below and throughout
this report, which could materially affect our business. There are also risks
that are not presently known or not presently material, as well as the other
information set forth in this report that could materially affect our business.
In addition, in our periodic filings with the SEC, press releases and other
statements, we discuss estimates and projections regarding our future
performance and business outlook. By their nature, such "forward-looking
statements" involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that in some cases are out of our control. These factors could cause our actual
results to differ materially from our historical results or our present
expectations and projections. These risk factors and uncertainties include, but
are not limited to:
PROLONGED CONTINUATION OR FURTHER DETERIORATION OF THE ECONOMIC DECLINE OR
CREDIT MARKET CRISIS COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS AND RESULTS
SIGNIFICANTLY.
Our business and financial results will continue to be affected by worldwide
economic conditions. The current global recession and market turmoil have led to
a widespread reduction of business activity in general. Consumer confidence and
spending have decreased dramatically and remain down significantly. Liquidity,
including both business and consumer credit, has contracted in a number of major
markets. Unemployment rates have increased significantly in the U.S. and many
other countries. Many spirits and wine consumers have "traded down" to less
expensive products and to drinking occasions and venues less favorable to some
of our premium and super-premium products. Some large retailers and consumers
are refusing to accept even moderate product price increases. Distributors and
retailers have reduced their levels of beverage alcohol inventory.
It is difficult to determine the ultimate breadth and duration of the current
global economic and financial market problems and the many ways in which they
may affect our business going forward. For example, the recession may lead to
higher interest rates, significant changes in the rate of inflation (up or
down), and/or lower returns on pension assets (requiring higher contributions to
pension plans). Our suppliers, customers and consumers could experience cash
flow problems, credit defaults, and other financial hardships. Further, even as
the economy picks back up, consumers may continue to curtail spending, make more
value-driven and price-sensitive purchasing choices, and more at-home drinking
occasions rather than at restaurants and bars. In sum, in a variety of different
manifestations, these difficult and uncertain economic conditions or a deepening
or expansion of them could have significant adverse effects on our business,
financial position and results of operations, as could the continuation of one
or more of the related trends noted above.
OUR GLOBAL GROWTH IS SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL AND POLITICAL RISKS.
We currently market products in more than 135 countries. In addition to the
United States, significant markets for us include the United Kingdom, Australia,
Mexico, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, South Africa, China, Japan,
Canada, and Russia. We expect our future growth rates in international markets
to surpass our growth in the U.S. Emerging markets, such as Eastern Europe,
Latin America, and Asia, as well as countries that some companies might consider
to be developed markets, such as France and Australia, provide significant
growth opportunities for us.
If there is an increase in anti-American sentiment in the principal countries to
which we export our beverage products, our global business could suffer.
Potentially unstable governments or legal systems, intergovernmental disputes,
military conflicts, local labor conditions and business practices,
nationalizations, inflation, recession, pandemics, terrorist activities, U. S.
laws regulating activities of U.S. companies abroad, and laws, regulations and
policies of foreign governments, are also risks due to the global nature of our
business. These and other political, commercial and economic uncertainties in
our various markets around the world may have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and future growth prospects.
The longer-term outlook for our business anticipates continued success of Jack
Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Tequila
Herradura, el Jimador Tequila, and our other spirits and wine brands. This
assumption is based in part on favorable demographic trends for the sale of wine
and spirits in the United States and many of our global markets. If these
demographic trends do not translate into corresponding sales increases, we may
fail to meet our growth expectations.
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS AFFECT OUR RESULTS.
We sell our products and pay for goods and services in international markets
primarily in local currency. Since we sell more in local currencies than we
purchase, we have a net exposure to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar.
Thus, profits from our overseas businesses would be adversely affected if the
U.S. dollar strengthens against other currencies in our major markets,
especially the British pound, euro, Australian dollar, and Polish zloty. As we
increasingly expand our business globally, the effect of exchange rate
fluctuations on our financial results increases. To buffer this effect, we
regularly hedge a portion of our currency exposure. Nevertheless, over time our
reported financial results generally will be hurt by a stronger U.S. dollar and
helped by a weaker one. For fiscal 2010, due to the significant strengthening of
the U.S. dollar in fiscal 2009 and based on the currency hedges we have in place
for this fiscal year, we anticipate that our financial results will be adversely
affected in comparison to our fiscal 2009 results.
HIGHER COSTS OR UNAVAILABILITY OF INPUT MATERIALS COULD AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL
RESULTS, AS COULD OUR INABILITY TO OBTAIN CERTAIN FINISHED GOODS.
If energy costs rise, our transportation, freight and other operating costs,
such as distilling and bottling, will likely increase. Similarly, higher costs
for grain, grapes, agave, wood, glass, plastic, closures and other input
materials and/or associated labor costs would likely adversely affect our
financial results, since we may not be able to pass along such cost increases to
our customers through higher prices.
Our products use a number of materials and ingredients that we purchase from
third-party suppliers. Our ability to make our products hinges on having
available all of the raw materials, ingredients, bottle closures, packaging,
bottles, cans, and other materials used to produce and package them; without
sufficient quantities of one or more key input materials, our operations and
financial results could suffer. For instance, only a few glass producers make
bottles on a scale sufficient for our requirements; and a single producer
(Owens-Illinois) supplies most of our glass container requirements. Similarly, a
Finnish corporation (Altia plc) distills and bottles our Finlandia products for
us pursuant to an exclusive long-term supply agreement. If Owens-Illinois, Altia
or another of our key suppliers were no longer able to meet our timing, quality
or capacity requirements, ceased doing business with us, or increased its prices
and we could not develop alternative cost-effective sources of supply, our
operations and financial results could be adversely affected. Additionally,
rising energy and other costs may further curtail consumer spending on
entertainment and discretionary products, thereby resulting in decreased
purchases of our brands.
DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS MAY DECREASE DUE TO CHANGES IN CONSUMER PREFERENCES OR
OTHER FACTORS.
We operate in a highly competitive marketplace. Maintaining our competitive
position depends on our continued ability to offer products that have a strong
appeal to consumers. Consumer preferences may shift due to a variety of factors,
including changes in demographic and social trends and changes in dining and
beverage consumption patterns, as they have from time to time in the past. If
consumer preferences were to move away from our premium brands in any of our
major markets, or from our ready-to-drink products, particularly Jack Daniel's &
Cola in Australia (its largest market) or New Mix, the el Jimador tequila-based
ready-to-drink product we sell in Mexico, our financial results might be
adversely affected. New product offerings, brand line extensions, and packaging
changes by both us and our competitors will increasingly compete for consumers;
our inability to attract consumers relative to our competitors likely would have
a negative effect our business performance and financial results over time.
Other factors may also reduce consumer spending on our products, including the
recessionary economic environment, a lasting consumer trend toward frugality
even as the economy improves, wars, pandemics, natural disasters or terrorist
attacks, to name a few.
NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS OR UNDERTAKE INVESTIGATIONS
THAT COULD INCREASE OUR EXPENSES OR LIMIT OUR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.
Our operations are subject to extensive regulatory requirements regarding
advertising, marketing, labeling, distribution and production. Legal or
regulatory measures against beverage alcohol could adversely affect our
business. In particular, governmental bodies in countries where we operate may
impose or increase limitations on advertising and promotional activities, or
adopt other non-tariff measures that could hurt our sales. In addition, from
time to time national and state governments investigate business and trade
practices of beverage alcohol suppliers, distributors and retailers, including
specific beverage alcohol trade regulations, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices
Act and similar laws in other countries. Adverse developments in or as a result
of these or similar regulatory measures and governmental investigations could
hurt our business and financial results.
TAX INCREASES AND CHANGES IN TAX RULES COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL
RESULTS.
The wine and spirits business is sensitive to changes in taxes. As a company
based in the United States, Brown-Forman is more exposed to the effects of the
various forms of tax increases in the U.S. than most of our major competitors,
especially those that affect the net effective corporate income tax rate.
President Obama's 2009 budget proposal and various tax changes under discussion
in Congress exemplify this risk; they include repealing LIFO (last-in, first-out
treatment of inventory), decreasing or eliminating the ability of U.S. companies
to receive a tax credit for foreign taxes paid or to defer the U.S. deduction of
expenses in connection with investments made in other countries, and increasing
the tax on dividends and capital gains.
Increases in federal or state excise taxes or other U.S. tax increases also
could materially depress our financial results, both by reducing consumption of
our products and by encouraging consumers to switch to lower-priced and
lower-taxed product categories. While no legislation to increase U.S. federal
excise taxes on distilled spirits is currently pending, excise tax increases are
possible, as are further increases to other federal tax burdens imposed on the
broader business community and consumers. Particularly in this depressed
economy, numerous municipal and state governments may also increase tax burdens
to cover budget deficits and compensate for declines in other revenue sources.
For instance, in April 2009 Kentucky, where our corporate headquarters are
located, imposed a 6% sales tax on sales of wine and spirits products. Several
large states and many more municipalities have various tax increases under
consideration that could adversely affect our business and/or consumers of our
products. New tax rules, accounting standards or pronouncements, and changes in
interpretation of existing ones, could also have a significant adverse effect on
our business and financial results.
The global economic downturn has increased our tax-related risks in many
countries in which we do business. Increases in tax rates, such as income taxes,
excise taxes, value added taxes, import and export duties, tariff barriers,
and/or related local governmental economic protectionism, and the suddenness and
unpredictability with which these can occur, can also negatively affect our
business. For example, in April 2008 the Australian government unexpectedly
imposed, with immediate effect, a 70% excise tax increase on spirits-based
ready-to-drink products. Although we successfully shifted some of our
ready-to-drink sales in this market to our regular proof products and changed
the ready-to-drink formula to a less tax-penalized one, this tax increase
adversely affected our Australian business and overall financial results.
IF THE SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY OF OUR PRODUCTS DECLINES OR GOVERNMENTS ADOPT
POLICIES DISADVANTAGEOUS TO BEVERAGE ALCOHOL, OUR BUSINESS COULD BE MATERIALLY
ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
Our ability to market and sell our products depends heavily on both societal
attitudes toward drinking and governmental policies that flow from those
attitudes. In recent years, there has been increased social and political
attention directed at the beverage alcohol industry. The recent attention has
focused largely on public health concerns related to alcohol abuse, including
drunk driving, underage drinking, and health consequences from the abuse and
misuse of beverage alcohol. Alcohol critics in the U.S., Europe and other
countries around the world increasingly seek governmental measures to make
beverage alcohol products more expensive, less available, and more difficult to
advertise and promote. If the social acceptability of beverage alcohol were to
decline significantly, sales of our products could materially decrease. Our
sales would also suffer if governments sought to ban or restrict advertising or
promotional activities, to limit hours or places of sale or consumption, or took
other actions that discourage alcohol purchase or consumption, which could
adversely affect our business and financial results.
LITIGATION COULD EXPOSE OUR BUSINESS TO FINANCIAL AND REPUTATIONAL RISK.
In the United States and other litigious countries in particular, private or
governmental lawsuits are a continuing risk to our business, including but not
limited to lawsuits relating to labor and employment practices, environmental
impact, taxes, trade and business practices, intellectual property and antitrust
matters. Several years ago, a series of putative class action lawsuits were
filed against spirits, beer, and wine manufacturers, including Brown- Forman,
alleging that our marketing caused illegal alcohol consumption by persons under
the legal drinking age. All of the cases were either dismissed or withdrawn and
the litigation was concluded in 2007. However, other lawsuits attacking sales
and marketing practices of beverage alcohol producers, wholesalers or retailers
could hurt our financial results and business, and the entire industry.
PRODUCTION COST INCREASES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
Our Mexico-based tequila operations have entered into long-term contracts with
land owners in regions where blue agave (the primary raw material in tequila) is
grown. Most of these contracts require us to plant, maintain, and harvest the
agave, and to compensate the land owners pursuant to formulas based on the
prevailing market price for agave at the time of harvest. Instability in agave
market conditions could cause us to pay above-market prices for some of the
agave we use to produce tequila. Likewise, our California-based wine operations
have entered into long-term contracts with various growers and wineries to
supply portions of our future grape requirements. Most of the contracts call for
prices to be determined based on market conditions, within a certain range, and
most of the contracts also have minimum tonnage requirements. Although these
contracts may provide some protection in times of rising grape prices, the
contracts may result in above-market costs during times of declining prices.
There can be no assurances as to the future prevailing market prices for agave,
grapes, or our other input materials, including grain, glass, wood, plastic, and
closures, or our ability, relative to our competitors, to take advantage of
changes in market prices for them. Weather, changes in climate conditions,
diseases, and other agricultural uncertainties that affect the mortality,
health, yield, quality or price of the various raw materials we use in our
products also present risks for our business, including potential impairment in
the recorded value of our inventory.
CONSOLIDATION AMONG, CHANGES IN, INCREASED COMPETITION BY OR POOR PERFORMANCE BY
SPIRITS PRODUCERS, WHOLESALERS OR RETAILERS COULD HINDER THE MARKETING, SALE AND
DISTRIBUTION OF OUR PRODUCTS.
We use a number of different business models to market and distribute our
products in different regions of the world. In the United States we sell our
products either to wholesale distributors or, in those states that control
alcohol sales, to state governments who then sell to retail customers and
consumers. In our other global markets, we use a variety of route-to-consumer
models, including in many markets reliance on other spirits producers to market
and sell our products. Although to date it has happened rarely, if ever,
consolidation among spirits producers overseas or wholesalers in the United
States could hinder the distribution and sale of our products as a result of
reduced attention and resources allocated to our brands during transition
periods, the possibility that our brands may represent a smaller portion of the
new business, and/or a changing competitive environment. Also, changes to our
route-to-consumer partner in important markets could result in temporary sales
disruption. Further, while we believe that our size relative to that of our
competitors gives us sufficient scale to succeed, we nevertheless face a risk
that a continuing consolidation of the large beverage alcohol companies could
put us at a competitive disadvantage.
Retailers and wholesalers of our brands offer products that compete directly
with ours for shelf space, promotional displays and consumer purchases. Pricing
(including price promotions, discounting, couponing or free goods), marketing,
new product introductions and other competitive behavior by other suppliers, and
by distributors and retailers who sell their products against one or more of our
brands, could also adversely affect our business and financial results. In
recessionary times like these, consumers tend to be particularly price sensitive
and to make more of their purchases in discount stores and other off-premise
establishments. Therefore, the effects of these competitive activities may be
more pronounced in this difficult economic climate.
WE MAY NOT SUCCEED IN OUR STRATEGIES FOR ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS.
From time to time, we acquire additional brands or businesses, such as our
purchases in 2006 and 2007 of Chambord Liqueur and the Casa Herradura business.
We intend to continue to seek acquisitions that we believe will increase
long-term shareholder value, but we cannot assure that we will be able to find
and purchase businesses at acceptable prices and terms. It may also prove
difficult to integrate acquired businesses and personnel into our existing
systems and operations, and to bring them into conformity with our trade
practice standards, financial control environment and U.S. public company
requirements. Integration may involve significant expenses and management time
and attention, and may otherwise disrupt our business. Our ability to profitably
grow sales of the brands we acquire will be important to our future performance.
For instance, our expectations for future profit contribution from the main
brands we purchased in the Casa Herradura business depend on our ability to grow
the Herradura and el Jimador brands in the U.S. and other key tequila markets
around the world.
Brand or business acquisitions also may expose us to unknown liabilities, the
possible loss of key customers and employees knowledgeable about the acquired
business, and risks associated with doing business in countries or regions with
less stable governments, political climates, and legal systems and/or economies,
among other risks. Acquisitions could also lead us to incur additional debt and
related interest expenses, issue additional shares, and become exposed to
contingent liabilities, as well as to experience dilution in our earnings per
share and a reduction in our return on invested capital. We may incur future
restructuring charges or record impairment losses on the value of goodwill and
or other intangible assets resulting from previous acquisitions, which may also
adversely affect our financial results.
We also evaluate from time-to-time the potential disposition of assets or
businesses that may no longer meet our growth, return and/or strategic
objectives. In selling assets or businesses, we may not get a price or terms as
favorable as we anticipated. We could also encounter difficulty in finding
buyers on acceptable terms in a timely manner, which could delay our
accomplishment of strategic objectives. Expected cost savings from reduced
overhead relating to the sold assets may not materialize.
COUNTERFEITING, TAMPERING, OR CONTAMINATION OF OUR PRODUCTS COULD HARM OUR
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND FINANCIAL RESULTS, AS WELL AS OUR REPUTATION.
The success of our branded products relies considerably on the image consumers
have of them. Consequently, our business depends on the successful protection of
our trademarks and other intellectual property rights. Given our dependence on
the recognition of our brands by, and their attraction to, consumers, we devote
substantial efforts to protect our intellectual property rights around the
world. In addition, we work to reduce the ability of others to imitate our
products. Although we believe that our intellectual property rights are legally
supported in the markets in which we do business, the protection afforded
intellectual property rights varies greatly from country to country. The
beverage alcohol industry experiences problems with product counterfeiting and
other forms of trademark infringement, especially in Asia and Eastern European
markets. Confusingly similar, lower quality or even dangerous counterfeit
product could reach the market and adversely affect our intellectual property
rights, brand equity, corporate reputation and/or financial results.
Sales of a brand also could diminish because of a scare over product tampering
or contamination. Actual contamination of our products or of raw materials used
to produce, ferment or distill them, whether arising deliberately by a third
party or accidentally, could lead to inferior product quality and even illness,
injury or death to consumers. If a product recall became necessary, sales of the
affected product or our broader portfolio of brands could be adversely affected.
NEGATIVE PUBLICITY MAY AFFECT OUR STOCK PRICE AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE.
Unfavorable media reports related to our company, brands, personnel, operations,
business performance or prospects may affect our stock price and the performance
of our business, regardless of their accuracy or inaccuracy. Since we are a
branded consumer products company, adverse publicity can hurt both our company's
stock price and actual operating results, as consumers might steer away from
brands or products that receive bad press.
TERMINATION OF OUR RIGHTS TO DISTRIBUTE AND MARKET AGENCY BRANDS INCLUDED IN OUR
PORTFOLIO COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
In addition to the brands our company owns, we also market and distribute
products on behalf of other brand owners in selected markets, including the U.S.
Our rights to sell these agency brands are based on contracts with various brand
owners, which have varying lengths, renewal terms, termination rights, and other
provisions. We earn a margin for these sales and also gain distribution cost
efficiencies in some instances. Therefore, the termination of our rights to
distribute agency brands included in our portfolio could adversely affect our
business.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
Significant properties are as follows:
Owned facilities:
- Office facilities:
- Corporate offices (including renovated historic structures)
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Production and warehousing facilities:
- Lynchburg, Tennessee
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
- Shively, Kentucky
- Woodford County, Kentucky
- Hopland, California
- Paso Robles, California
- Windsor, California
- Livorno, Italy
- Albany, Kentucky
- Waverly, Tennessee
- Cour Cheverny, France
- Amatitan, Mexico
Leased facilities:
- Production and bottling facility in Dublin, Ireland
- Warehousing facilities in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, California
- Stave and heading mill in Jackson, Ohio
The lease terms expire at various dates and are generally renewable.
We believe that the facilities are in good condition and are adequate for our
business.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Principal Occupation and
Name Age Business Experience
---- --- ---------------------------------
Paul C. Varga 45 Chairman of the Company since August
2007. Chief Executive Officer since
August 2005. President and Chief
Executive Officer of Brown-Forman
Beverages (a division of the
Company) from August 2003 to August
2005.
Donald C. Berg 54 Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer since May 2008.
Senior Vice President and Director
of Corporate Finance from July 2006
to May 2008. President of
Brown-Forman Spirits Americas from
July 2003 to July 2006.
Matthew E. Hamel 49 Executive Vice President, General
Counsel, and Secretary since October
2007. Associate General Counsel and
Vice President, Law, of the
Enterprise Media Group of Dow Jones
& Company, Inc., from December 2006
to October 2007. Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary of Dow
Jones Reuters Business Interactive
LLC (d/b/a Factiva) from December
1999 to December 2006.
James S. Welch, Jr. 50 Vice Chairman of the Company,
Executive Director of Corporate
Affairs, Strategy, Diversity, and
Human Resources since 2007. Company
Vice Chairman, Executive Director
of Corporate Strategy and Human
Resources from 2003 to 2007.
James L. Bareuther 63 Executive Vice President for Global
Business Development since May 2009.
Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company
from July 2006 through April 2009.
Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of Brown-Forman
Beverages from August 2003 to July
2006.
Mark I. McCallum 54 Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company
since May 2009. Executive Vice
President and Chief Brands Officer
from May 2006 through April 2009.
Senior Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer from July 2003 to
May 2006.
Jane C. Morreau 50 Senior Vice President and Director
of Finance, Accounting, and
Technology since May 2008. Senior
Vice President and Controller from
December 2006 to May 2008. Vice
President and Controller from August
2002 to December 2006.
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our Class A and Class B Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange
(symbols "BFA" and "BFB," respectively). Information regarding the high and low
sales prices and cash dividends paid on each class of our common stock for each
full quarterly period within the two most recent fiscal years is set forth in
the section entitled "Quarterly Financial Information" on page 50 of our 2009
Annual Report to Stockholders, which information is incorporated herein by
reference.
Holders of record of our common stock at April 30, 2009:
Class A Common Stock (Voting) 3,253
Class B Common Stock (Nonvoting) 6,625
The following table provides information about shares of our common stock that
we repurchased during the quarter ended April 30, 2009:
Total Number of Approximate Dollar
Total Shares Purchased Value of Shares
Number of Average as Part of that May Yet Be
Shares Price Paid Publicly Announced Purchased Under the
Period Purchased per Share Plans or Programs Plans or Programs
February 1, 2009 - February 28, 2009 251,100 $46.47 251,100 $215,700,000
March 1, 2009 - March 31, 2009 1,972 $51.48 -- $215,700,000
April 1, 2009 - April 30, 2009 120,132 $38.91 120,132 $211,000,000
Total 373,204 $44.07 371,232
As announced on December 4, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized the
repurchase of up to $250.0 million of outstanding Class A and Class B common
stock over the succeeding 12 months, subject to market conditions. Under this
plan, we can repurchase shares from time to time for cash in open market
purchases, block transactions, and privately negotiated transactions in
accordance with applicable federal securities laws. 371,232 of the shares
included in the above table were acquired as part of this program.
The remaining 1,972 shares included in the above table were received from an
employee to satisfy income tax withholding obligations triggered by the
employee's retirement from the Company.
For the other information required by this item, refer to the section entitled
"Quarterly Financial Information" on page 50 of the 2009 Annual Report to
Stockholders, which information is incorporated into this report by reference.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
For the information required by this item, refer to the section entitled
"Selected Financial Data" on page 18 of the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders,
which information is incorporated into this report by reference.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
For the information required by this item, refer to the section entitled
"Management's Discussion and Analysis" on pages 19 through 30 of the 2009 Annual
Report to Stockholders, and the section entitled "Important Information on
Forward-Looking Statements" on page 49 of the 2009 Annual Report to
Stockholders, which information is incorporated into this report by reference.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
For the information required by this item, refer to the section entitled "Market
Risks" on page 29 of the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders, which information
is incorporated into this report by reference.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
For the information required by this item, refer to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Reports of Management,
and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on pages 31 through
48 of the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders, which information is incorporated
into this report by reference.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
The Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and the Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") of
Brown-Forman (its principal executive and principal financial officers) have
evaluated the effectiveness of the company's "disclosure controls and
procedures" (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the company's
disclosure controls and procedures: are effective to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by the company in the reports filed or submitted by it
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within
the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms; and include controls
and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by
the company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the company's
management, including the CEO and the CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure. There has been no change in the
company's internal control over financial reporting during the most recent
fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting.
For the other information required by this item, refer to "Management's Report
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting" and "Report of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm" on pages 47 and 48 of the 2009 Annual Report
to Stockholders, respectively, which information is incorporated into this
report by reference.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
For the information required by this item, refer to the following sections of
our definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
July 23, 2009, which information is incorporated into this report by reference:
(a) "Election of Directors" on pages 12 through 14 (for information on
directors); (b) "Corporate Governance" on page 10 (for information on our Code
of Ethics); (c) "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" on
page 19 (for information on delinquent Section 16 filings); and (d) "Audit
Committee" on pages 20 through 22. Also, see the information with respect to
"Executive Officers of the Registrant" under Part I of this report, which
information is incorporated herein by reference.
We will post on our corporate website any amendment to our Code of Ethics that
applies to our chief executive officer, principal financial officer, controller
and principal accounting officer, and any waivers that are required to be
disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or NYSE.
We filed during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009 with the NYSE the Annual
CEO Certification regarding the Company's compliance with the NYSE's Corporate
Governance listing standards as required by Section 303A-12(a) of the NYSE
Listed Company Manual. In addition, the Company has filed as exhibits to this
annual report and to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30,
2008, the applicable certifications of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief
Financial Officer required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
regarding the quality of the company's public disclosures.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
For the information required by this item, refer to the following sections of
our proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held July 23,
2009, which information is incorporated into this report by reference: (a)
"Executive Compensation" on pages 23 through 47; and (b) "Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation" on pages 51 and 52.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters
Equity Compensation Plan Information
In July 2004, shareholders approved the 2004 Omnibus Compensation Plan as the
successor to both the 1994 Omnibus Compensation Plan providing equity awards to
employees and the Non-Employee Directors ("NED") Plan providing equity awards to
non-employee directors. At the time the NED Plan was discontinued, it had not
been submitted to shareholders. The following table provides information on
these plans as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year:
Number of securities
Number of securities to be Weighted-average exercise remaining available
issued upon exercise of price of outstanding for future issuance
outstanding options, options, warrants and under equity compensation
Plan category warrants and rights rights(1) plans(2)
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders 4,173,651 $40.11 5,028,571
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders 141,036 $26.09 -- (3)
--------- ------ ---------
Total 4,314,687 $39.65 5,028,571
========= ====== =========
(1) Grant prices were equal to the fair market value of the stock at the time of grant.
(2) Securities available for issuance under the 2004 Omnibus Compensation Plan include stock, stock options, stock appreciation
rights, market value units, and performance units.
(3) No further awards can be made under the NED plan.
For the other information required by this item, refer to the section entitled
"Stock Ownership" on pages 15 through 19 of our proxy statement for the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held July 23, 2009, which information is
incorporated into this report by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence
For the information required by this item, refer to the following sections of
our definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
July 23, 2009, which information is incorporated into this report by reference:
(a) "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" on page 51; and (b)
"Corporate Governance" on pages 5 through 11.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
For the information required by this item, refer to the sections entitled "Fees
Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "Policy on Audit
Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" on page 21 of our definitive
proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held July 23, 2009,
which information is incorporated into this report by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) (1) and (2) - Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule:
Reference
Annual
Form 10-K Report to
Annual Report Stockholders
Page Page(s)
(1) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended April 30, 2009:
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
years ended April 30, 2007, 2008, and 2009* -- 31
Consolidated Balance Sheets at April 30, 2008 and 2009* -- 32
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
years ended April 30, 2007, 2008, and 2009* -- 33
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
for the years ended April 30, 2007, 2008, and 2009* -- 34
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the years ended April 30, 2007, 2008, and 2009* -- 35
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements* -- 36 - 46
Reports of Management* -- 47
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm* -- 48
Important Information on Forward-Looking Statements -- 49
(2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
on Financial Statement Schedule S-1 --
II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts S-2 --
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted either
because they are not required under the related instructions, because the
information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and
notes thereto, or because they are not applicable.
* Incorporated by reference to Item 8 in this report.
(a) (3) - Exhibits: Filed with this report:
Exhibit Index
-------------
13 Brown-Forman Corporation's Annual Report to Stockholders for the
year ended April 30, 2009, but only to the extent set forth in
Items 1, 5, 6, 7, 7A, 8 and 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended April 30, 2009.
21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm.
31.1 CEO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
31.2 CFO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
32 CEO and CFO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(not considered to be filed).
Previously Filed:
Exhibit Index
-------------
2(a) Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2006, among Chatham
International Incorporated, Charles Jacquin et Cie., Inc., the
Selling Stockholders and Brown-Forman Corporation, which is
incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 10-K filed on June 29, 2006.
2(b) Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2006, among Jose
Guillermo Romo de la Pena, Luis Pedro Pablo Romo de la Pena, Grupo
Industrial Herradura, S.A. de C.V., certain of their respective
affiliates, Brown-Forman Corporation and Brown-Forman Tequila
Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., a subsidiary of Brown-Forman
Corporation, as amended, which is incorporated into this report by
reference to Brown-Forman Corporation's Forms 8-K filed on
August 29, 2006, December 22, 2006, January 16, 2007, and
January 22, 2007.
3(i) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of registrant, which is
incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on March 4, 2004.
3(ii) By-laws of registrant, as amended on May 28, 2009, which is
incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2009.
4(a) Form of Indenture dated as of March 1, 1994 between Brown-Forman
Corporation and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee,
which is incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-52551) filed on
March 8, 1994.
4(b) The description of the terms of $150,000,000 of Floating Rate Notes
due 2010 and $250,000,000 of 5.2% Notes due 2012, which description
is incorporated into this report by reference to the Indenture, the
Officer's Certificate pursuant thereto and the 2010 and 2012 global
notes filed as exhibits to Brown-Forman Corporation's Form 8-K
filed on April 3, 2007.
4(c) The description of the terms of $250,000,000 of 5% Notes due 2014,
which description is incorporated into this report by reference to
the Indenture, the Officer's Certificate pursuant thereto and the
global 5% Note due 2014 filed as exhibits to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on January 9, 2009.
10(a) Brown-Forman Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan,
which is incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 10-K filed on July 23, 1990.*
10(b) A description of the Brown-Forman Savings Plan, which is
incorporated into this report by reference to page 10 of
Brown-Forman's definitive proxy statement filed on June 27, 1996
in connection with its 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.*
10(c) Brown-Forman Corporation 2004 Omnibus Compensation Plan, as
amended, which is incorporated into this report by reference to
Brown-Forman's proxy statement filed on June 26, 2009, in
connection with its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
10(d) Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of April 30, 2007 by and among
Brown-Forman Corporation, Brown-Forman Beverages, Europe, LTD,
certain borrowing subsidiaries and certain lender parties thereto,
Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent and as a Lender,
Citicorp North America, Inc., Barclays Bank Plc, National City Bank
and Wachovia Bank, National Association as Co-Documentation Agents
and as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent
and as a Lender and J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as London Agent.,
which is incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2007.
10(e) Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, as amended, which is
incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporations's Form 10-K filed on June 30, 2005.*
10(f) Form of Employee Stock Appreciation Right Award, which is
incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2006.*
10(g) Form of Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Award, which is
incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2006.*
10(h) Form of Non-Employee Director Stock Appreciation Right Award, which
is incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2006.*
10(i) Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Award,
which is incorporated into this report by reference to Brown-Forman
Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2006.*
10(j) Summary of Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation.**
10(k) First Amendment to the Brown-Forman Omnibus Compensation Plan
Restricted Stock Agreement, which is incorporated into this report
by reference to Brown-Forman's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended April 30, 2007, filed on June 28, 2007.*
10(l) Second Amendment to the Brown-Forman 2004 Omnibus Compensation Plan
Restricted Stock Agreement, which is incorporated into this report
by reference to Brown-Forman's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended April 30, 2007, filed on June 28, 2007.*
10(m) Letter Agreement dated as of April 28, 2008, between Brown-Forman
Corporation and Phoebe A. Wood, which is incorporated into this
report by reference to Brown-Forman Corporation's Form 8-K filed on
April 28, 2008.*
14 Code of Ethics, which is incorporated into this report by reference
to Brown-Forman Corporation's Form 10-K filed on July 2, 2004.
* Indicates management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.
** Incorporated by reference to the sections entitled "Executive Compensation"
and "Director Compensation" in the Proxy Statement distributed in connection
with our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 23, 2009, which is
being filed in conjunction with this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (Fiscal 2009
compensation policies with respect to the company's directors and named
executive officers will remain in effect until the company's Compensation
Committee determines fiscal year 2010 compensation at its July 2009 meeting.)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
(Registrant)
/s/ Paul C. Varga
Date: June 26, 2009 By: Paul C. Varga
Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Company
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities on June 26, 2009 as indicated:
/s/ Geo. Garvin Brown IV
By: Geo. Garvin Brown IV
Director, Presiding Chairman of the Board
/s/ Paul C. Varga
By: Director, Chief Executive Officer,
and Chairman of the Company
/s/ Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne
By: Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne
Director
/s/ Martin S. Brown, Jr.
By: Martin S. Brown, Jr.
Director
/s/ Donald G. Calder
By: Donald G. Calder
Director
/s/ John D. Cook
By: John D. Cook
Director
/s/ Sandra A. Frazier
By: Sandra A. Frazier
Director
/s/ Richard P. Mayer
By: Richard P. Mayer
Director
/s/ William E. Mitchell
By: William E. Mitchell
Director
/s/ William M. Street
By: William M. Street
Director
/s/ Dace Brown Stubbs
By: Dace Brown Stubbs
Director
/s/ James S. Welch, Jr.
By: James S. Welch, Jr.
Director
/s/ Donald C. Berg
By: Donald C. Berg
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Jane C. Morreau
By: Jane C. Morreau
Senior Vice President and Director
of Finance, Accounting and Technology
(Principal Accounting Officer)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
To the Board of Directors
of Brown-Forman Corporation:
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements and of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting referred to in our report dated June
26, 2009 appearing in the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders of Brown-Forman
Corporation and Subsidiaries (which report and consolidated financial statements
are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included
an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) of this
Form 10-K. In our opinion, this financial statement schedule presents fairly, in
all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in
conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Louisville, Kentucky
June 26, 2009
S-1
BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Years Ended April 30, 2007, 2008, and 2009
(Expressed in thousands)
Col. A Col. B Col. C(1) Col. C(2) Col. D Col. E
------ ------ --------- --------- ------ ------
Additions Additions
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
Beginning Costs Other End
Description of Period and Expenses Accounts Deductions of Period
----------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------
2007
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $5,264 $316 $16,374(1) -- $21,954
2008
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $21,954 $992 -- $4,185(2) $18,761
2009
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $18,761 $335 -- $4,509(2) $14,587
Accrued Restructuring Costs -- $12,024 -- -- $12,024
(1) Amount recorded as part of the Casa Herradura acquisition.
(2) Doubtful accounts written off, net of recoveries.
S-2
Exhibit 13
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Expressed in millions, except per share amounts and ratios)
2008 2009 % Change
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Net Sales $3,282 $3,192 (3%)
Gross Profit $1,695 $1,577 (7%)
Operating Income $ 685 $ 661 (4%)
Net Income $ 440 $ 435 (1%)
Earnings Per Share
- Basic $ 2.87 $ 2.89 1%
- Diluted $ 2.84 $ 2.87 1%
Return on Average Invested Capital 17.2% 15.9%
Gross Margin 51.6% 49.4%
Operating Margin 20.9% 20.7%
LONG-TERM COMPOUND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE
Diluted
Net Operating Earnings
Sales Income Per Share
35-year since 1974 7% 8% 12%
25-year since 1984 5% 6% 11%
15-year since 1994 7% 7% 10%
10-year since 1999 8% 9% 11%
5-year since 2004 10% 12% 12%
BROWN-FORMAN STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE VERSUS THE S&P 500 INDEX
(indexed to April 30, 1994)
Brown-Forman
Class B S&P 500
April 30, 1994 100% 100%
April 30, 1995 110% 114%
April 30, 1996 132% 145%
April 30, 1997 169% 178%
April 30, 1998 189% 247%
April 30, 1999 246% 296%
April 30, 2000 193% 320%
April 30, 2001 203% 277%
April 30, 2002 263% 239%
April 30, 2003 256% 203%
April 30, 2004 313% 246%
April 30, 2005 371% 257%
April 30, 2006 498% 291%
April 30, 2007 427% 329%
April 30, 2008 455% 307%
April 30, 2009 389% 194%
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(Expressed in millions, except per share amounts and ratios)
Year Ended April 30,
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Net Sales $1,542 1,572 1,618 1,795 1,992 2,195 2,412 2,806 3,282 3,192
Gross Profit $ 812 848 849 900 1,024 1,156 1,308 1,481 1,695 1,577
Operating Income $ 296 320 326 341 383 445 563 602 685 661
Income from Continuing Operations $ 187 200 212 222 243 339 395 400 440 435
Weighted Average Shares used to
calculate Earnings per Share
- Basic 171.3 171.2 170.8 168.4 151.7 152.2 152.6 153.6 153.1 150.5
- Diluted 171.4 171.4 171.2 168.9 152.5 153.1 154.3 155.3 154.5 151.5
Earnings per Share from
Continuing Operations
- Basic $ 1.09 1.17 1.24 1.32 1.60 2.23 2.59 2.61 2.87 2.89
- Diluted $ 1.09 1.17 1.24 1.32 1.59 2.22 2.56 2.58 2.84 2.87
Gross Margin 52.6% 53.9% 52.5% 50.1% 51.4% 52.7% 54.2% 52.8% 51.6% 49.4%
Operating Margin 19.2% 20.3% 20.2% 19.0% 19.2% 20.3% 23.3% 21.5% 20.9% 20.7%
Effective Tax Rate 35.9% 35.8% 34.1% 33.6% 33.1% 32.6% 29.3% 31.7% 31.7% 31.1%
Average Invested Capital $ 889 1,016 1,128 1,266 1,392 1,535 1,863 2,431 2,747 2,893
Return on Average Invested Capital 22.0% 20.7% 19.3% 18.0% 18.5% 23.0% 21.9% 17.4% 17.2% 15.9%
TOTAL COMPANY
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share $ 0.49 0.51 0.54 0.58 0.64 0.73 0.84 0.93 1.03 1.12
Average Stockholders' Equity $ 976 1,111 1,241 1,290 936 1,198 1,397 1,700 1,668 1,793
Total Assets at April 30 $1,802 1,939 2,016 2,264 2,376 2,649 2,728 3,551 3,405 3,475
Long-Term Debt at April 30 $ 33 33 33 629 630 351 351 422 417 509
Total Debt at April 30 $ 259 237 200 829 679 630 576 1,177 1,006 999
Cash Flow from Operations $ 241 232 249 243 304 396 343 355 534 491
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity 22.1% 20.7% 18.1% 18.7% 27.1% 25.7% 22.9% 22.9% 26.4% 24.2%
Total Debt to Total Capital 19.8% 16.6% 13.2% 49.4% 38.3% 32.5% 26.9% 42.8% 36.8% 35.5%
Dividend Payout Ratio 38.5% 38.1% 41.4% 41.1% 38.2% 36.1% 40.0% 36.8% 35.8% 38.9%
Notes:
1. Includes the consolidated results of Finlandia Vodka Worldwide,
Tuoni e Canepa, Swift & Moore, Chambord, and Casa Herradura since
their acquisitions in December 2002, February 2003, February 2006,
May 2006, and January 2007, respectively.
2. Weighted average shares, earnings per share, and cash dividends declared
per common share have been adjusted for a 2-for-1 common stock split in
January 2004 and a 5-for-4 common stock split in October 2008.
3. We define Return on Average Invested Capital as the sum of net income
(excluding extraordinary items) and after-tax interest expense, divided by
average invested capital. Invested capital equals assets less liabilities,
excluding interest-bearing debt.
4. We define Return on Average Stockholders' Equity as net income applicable
to common stock divided by average stockholders' equity.
5. We define Total Debt to Total Capital as total debt divided by the sum of
total debt and stockholders' equity.
6. We define Dividend Payout Ratio as cash dividends divided by net income.
18
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Below, we review Brown-Forman's consolidated financial condition and results of
operations for fiscal years ended April 30, 2007, 2008, and 2009. We also
comment on our anticipated financial performance, discuss factors that may
affect our future financial condition and performance, and make other
forward-looking statements. Please read this Management's Discussion and
Analysis section of our report together with the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended April 30, 2009, their related notes, and the
important note on forward-looking statements on page 49. This note lists some
risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what we
currently expect.
As discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying financial statements, we sold Brooks
& Bentley and Hartmann in fiscal 2007. We report these entities as discontinued
operations in the accompanying financial statements.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Brown-Forman Corporation produces and markets high-quality consumer beverage
alcohol products including Tennessee, Canadian, and Kentucky whiskeys; Kentucky
bourbon; tequila; vodka; liqueurs; California sparkling wine; table wine; and
ready-to-drink products. Our brands include Jack Daniel's and its related
brands; Finlandia; Southern Comfort; Tequila Herradura; el Jimador; Canadian
Mist; Chambord; Woodford Reserve; Fetzer, Bonterra, and Sonoma-Cutrer wines; and
Korbel Champagne.
Our Markets
In the mid-1990s, we embarked on a strategic initiative to expand our
international footprint. This initiative has succeeded, as our sales generated
outside of the U.S. have expanded from about 20% to over 50% in fiscal 2009.
Today, we sell our brands in more than 135 countries. In fiscal 2008, we passed
a milestone when we generated the majority of our net sales outside the U.S.
Despite the adverse impact of a strong U.S. dollar, we continued to generate
more than half of our net sales outside the U.S. in fiscal 2009. The U.S.
remains our largest, most important market, contributing 48% of our net sales in
fiscal 2009 (unchanged from fiscal 2008). Our net sales declined about 1% in the
U.S. and about 4% outside the U.S., reflecting reductions in distributor and
retail trade inventory levels. But net sales outside the U.S. increased by 2% on
a constant- currency basis. ("Constant-currency" represents reported net sales
with the effect of a stronger U.S. dollar removed. We believe it is important to
understand our growth in sales on a constant-dollar basis, as fluctuations in
exchange rates can distort the underlying(1) growth in sales, both positively
and negatively.)
Europe, our second-largest region, accounts for 28% of our net sales. For fiscal
2009, net sales in Europe declined 7% on an as-reported basis. This decline was
mostly due to the U.S. dollar's dramatic strengthening against European
currencies, particularly during the latter half of the fiscal year. After
adjusting for this foreign exchange impact, net sales in Europe declined 4%. We
continued to enjoy solid underlying growth in a number of markets there,
particularly in Eastern Europe and France. But overall growth in Europe slowed
as the economic crisis affected many Western European markets and some Eastern
European markets.
Net sales outside Europe and the U.S. constitute 24% of our total sales and
declined by 1% in fiscal 2009. The decline was driven primarily by the effect of
a stronger U.S. dollar. Net sales in the rest of the world increased by 10% on a
constant-currency basis. We continued to experience good underlying growth for a
number of our brands in markets such as Australia, Latin America, and various
Asian markets.
Net Sales Contribution
1995 2009
---- ----
United States 80% 48%
International 20% 52%
Our main international markets include the U.K., Australia, Mexico, Poland,
Germany, France, Spain, Italy, South Africa, China, Japan, Canada, and Russia.
We continue to see long-term growth opportunities for our portfolio of brands in
both developed and emerging markets, particularly Eastern Europe, Asia, and
Latin America. Naturally, the more we expand our business outside the U.S., the
more our financial results will be exposed to exchange rate fluctuations. This
exposure includes the sale of our brands in currencies other than the U.S.
dollar and the cost of goods, services, and manpower paid for in currencies
other than the U.S. dollar. Because we sell more in local currencies than we
purchase, we have a net exposure to changes in the U.S. dollar's strength. To
buffer these exchange rate fluctuations, we regularly hedge a portion of our
foreign currency exposure. But over the long term, our reported financial
results will generally be hurt by a stronger U.S. dollar and helped by a weaker
U.S. dollar.
Not surprisingly, the global economic crisis has curtailed consumption of
premium spirits brands in a number of ways. In the U.S. and the U.K., we have
seen less activity in on-premise accounts such as bars, pubs, and restaurants as
consumers have shifted to more at-home consumption and dining. We have also seen
evidence of consumers trading down from super-premium and premium brands to
popular and value-priced brands. We have seen the switch to at-home consumption
and trading down in some other international markets. Nevertheless, we believe
the long-term growth potential for premium spirits remains positive due to
favorable demographic trends and continued consumer desire for premium brands.
This is particularly true in many emerging markets, where Western premium brands
are aspirational. But in the short term, we believe the current economic
contraction's duration and severity could constrain our performance.
Our Brands
Our strategic platform for growing sales and earnings is based on expanding our
brands geographically, introducing new brand offerings, acquiring brands, taking
price increases, and divesting non-core and under-performing assets. Over the
past several years, we have made significant advances in each area, including
expanding international sales, continually developing new flavors in the vodka
and ready-to-drink (RTD) categories, acquiring the Casa Herradura tequila brands
and Chambord liqueur in fiscal 2007, increasing prices strategically over the
last several years, and completing the divesture of our consumer durables
business in fiscal 2007.
We built on this strategic platform in fiscal 2009 by continuing international
growth; developing new packaging and flavors for a number of brands; and, as
part of our ongoing review of our portfolio, divesting our Italian wine brands,
Bolla and Fontana Candida. Depletions (shipments direct to retailers or from
distributors to wholesalers and retailers) for our total brand portfolio are
approaching 36 million nine-liter cases, and nine of our brands saw depletions
of more than 1 million nine-liter cases in fiscal 2009.
--------
(1) Underlying growth represents the percentage growth in reported financial
results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
in the United States, adjusted for certain items. We believe providing
underlying growth helps provide transparency to our comparable business
performance.
19
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey is the most important brand in our portfolio and
one of the largest, most profitable spirits brands in the world based on our
review of industry data. Global depletions for Jack Daniel's increased less than
1% in fiscal 2009 as the global recession affected key markets for the brand and
credit pressures resulted in significantly lower retail inventory levels around
the world. Essentially flat volumes in the U.S. and declines in some Western
European markets were more than offset by continued solid growth in Eastern
Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, India, and Latin America.
Although the global macroeconomic environment has reduced demand for premium
spirits in some markets, we believe the positive longterm environment for
premium spirits, continued advertising and promotion support, and Jack Daniel's
iconic brand image will continue to drive the brand's sustained growth. Because
Jack Daniel's generates a significant percentage of our total net sales and
earnings, it remains our primary focus, vital to our overall performance. We
attribute the brand's slower growth in fiscal 2009 primarily to the weaker
global economy. But any significant declines in Jack Daniel's volume or selling
price, particularly over an extended time, could materially depress our
earnings. We remain encouraged by the brand's resiliency in the face of a
challenging environment and its continued development in emerging markets. As
economies slowly recover, we anticipate a return to growth in the brand's more
established markets.
The Jack Daniel's family of brands, which includes Jack Daniel's Tennessee
Whiskey, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel, and Jack Daniel's RTD
products such as Jack Daniel's & Cola and Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails, grew
volumes 2% globally. Net sales on an as-reported basis declined 3% due to the
impact of a stronger U.S. dollar and lower distributor and trade inventories.
But on a constant-currency basis, net sales increased 2%. Line extensions of
Jack Daniel's have continued to contribute to annual growth. For instance, our
repackaging of Gentleman Jack, launched in fiscal 2007, helped generate over a
20% increase in volume in fiscal 2009; depletions are now approaching 300,000
nine-liter cases. The dramatic increase in taxes in Australia on RTD products
curtailed the profit growth of Jack Daniel's & Cola in that market, but
globally, our Jack Daniel's RTD depletions grew by 4% due to strong growth in
Germany. Australia is our single most important market for Jack Daniel's & Cola,
and the tax situation there remains uncertain. At the end of last year, the 70%
RTD excise tax was repealed by the federal legislature but reinstituted recently
by the executive branch. Jack Daniel's & Cola contributes significantly to our
growth in the Asia Pacific region, and a continued unfavorable tax environment
would inhibit our near-term growth.
Finlandia is our second-largest brand by volume and an important part of our
overall brand portfolio. Finlandia delivered volume growth of 7% in fiscal 2009
and surpassed the 3 million nine-liter case mark for the first time. Net sales
grew by 10% on an as-reported basis and by 12% on a constant-currency basis.
Finlandia's growth came from continued market penetration in Poland, Russia, and
other Eastern European markets. In contrast to Jack Daniel's and Southern
Comfort, about 90% of Finlandia sales come from outside the U.S., providing both
geographic and portfolio diversification.
Southern Comfort is our third-largest brand. Its volumes declined 5% in fiscal
2009 after holding steady in fiscal 2008. Net sales declined 11% in fiscal 2009
on a reported basis and 3% on a constant-currency basis. Many of Southern
Comfort's key markets were significantly hurt by the global recession, including
the U.S., the U.K., Spain, Ireland, and South Africa, resulting in reduced
volumes. Southern Comfort has suffered from the consumers' shift toward more
off-premise drinking occasions, where they are less likely to mix complicated
cocktails. We believe that the inventory reductions also hurt the brand's volume
and net sales for fiscal 2009. Southern Comfort's long-term success has been
built on pricing, innovative packaging, products, and drink offerings. To
reinvigorate the brand's growth, we have developed new product offerings such as
ready-to-drink and ready-to-pour Southern Comfort offerings to introduce in
early fiscal 2010.
In fiscal 2007, we significantly broadened and diversified our portfolio by
acquiring the Casa Herradura brands, including el Jimador, Herradura, New Mix (a
tequila-based RTD product), Antiguo, and Suave 35. These brands have proven to
be a source of growth, as depletions increased by 6% in fiscal 2009. Net sales
declined slightly on an as-reported basis but increased by 6% on a
constant-currency basis. These premium tequila brands have considerable
potential for future growth because they are strong competitors in a growing
category in the U.S. and the rest of the world outside of Mexico, and are only
now expanding their geographic footprint.
Depletions for our mid-priced brands generally declined in fiscal 2009. Fetzer
Valley Oaks, Korbel, Canadian Mist, and Early Times all recorded declines - but
some of our wine offerings, including Little Black Dress, enjoyed good growth.
These are largely off-premise driven brands in fiercely price-competitive
segments. Although they may see some short-term benefit from consumers trading
down in the current difficult economic environment, we expect longer-term growth
for most of these brands to be modest.
Our brands in the super-premium price category continued to develop despite the
economic headwinds. Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack, Sonoma-Cutrer, Tuaca, and
Bonterra all scored depletion gains in fiscal 2009. Chambord depletions declined
in volume but grew net sales in the low single digits on a constant-currency
basis. Most Chambord is consumed on premise, so demand has been hurt by
consumers dining out less. But we are encouraged by the performance of these
small-but-growing super-premium brands and expect to see more growth
opportunities, particularly as the world economy recovers.
Our Route-to-Consumer Strategy
Introduced in 2003, the "Brown-Forman Arrow" summarizes our overall strategy. It
captures our overarching objective to "Be the Best Brand Builder in the
Industry, Period!" and the five supporting imperatives that help us reach this
objective.
A critical component of our brand-building strategy is a multifaceted program
designed to ensure that consumers can find our products whenever and wherever
they can choose a premium beverage alcohol brand. To accomplish this easy
access, we use a variety of distribution models around the world. Among the
factors we consider in choosing the distribution model for a given market are
(1) that market's long-term attractiveness and competitive dynamics and (2) our
portfolio's stage of development in that market. Based on this assessment, we
aim to choose the most appropriate model to optimize our access to consumers in
that market at that time. Our choice of model can evolve as market dynamics
change and as our portfolio matures.
20
We own and operate our own distribution network in a handful of markets,
including Australia, China, Poland, Mexico, Korea, the Czech Republic, Taiwan,
and Thailand. In these markets, we sell our products directly to retail stores
or to wholesalers. In the U.K. and Germany, we partner with another supplier,
Bacardi, to sell a combined portfolio of our companies' brands. In the U.S., we
sell our product to either wholesalers or, in states that directly control
alcohol sales, state governments that then sell to retail customers and
consumers. In many other markets, we rely significantly on other spirits
producers to distribute our products. While to date this has happened rarely, if
ever, consolidation among wholesalers in the U.S. or spirits producers around
the world could hinder the distribution of our products in the future as a
result of reduced attention to our brands, the possibility that our brands may
comprise a smaller portion of their business, or a changing competitive
environment.
In fiscal 2009, we strengthened our sales alliance with Bacardi in the U.S. by
expanding it to several more states. Focused sales teams within our distributors
in these states sell our companies' strong portfolios while each company
continues its own unique brand-building initiatives to support alliance
distributors.
After reviewing our distribution arrangements in 12 markets in Central and
Eastern Europe and Turkey, we renewed some and replaced others in fiscal 2009.
We believe the new distribution arrangements should improve our ability to
influence and access local consumers. In fiscal 2010, we expect to repeat this
review process in at least a dozen markets in Western Europe, Central Europe,
and Russia and in three markets in Asia. We expect to pursue strategies and
partnerships that will improve our in-market brand-building efforts. But in the
short term, if changes are made to our route to consumers in a market, we could
potentially experience temporary sales disruptions.
Our Competition
We operate in a highly competitive industry. We compete against many global,
regional, and local brands in a variety of categories of beverage alcohol, but
most of our brands compete primarily in the industry's premium end. Trade
information indicates that we are one of the largest suppliers of wine and
spirits in the U.S. While the industry has consolidated considerably over the
last decade, the 10 largest global spirits companies control less than 15% of
the total global market for spirits, and in Asia their share is less than 3%. We
believe that the overall market environment offers considerable growth
opportunities for exceptional builders of premium wine and spirits brands.
Our Business Environment
We expect long-term demand for wine and spirits to continue to grow in the U.S.
and our major markets outside the U.S. But our near-term view of the overall
business environment for many of our brands has been tempered by the current
global recession, which has decreased consumers' disposable income and increased
unemployment. As a result, some consumers have shifted their consumption
patterns from on-premise to off-premise, hurting some of our higher-priced
brands that skew to the on-premise occasion. We have shifted some of our
advertising and promotion efforts to the off-premise market and have developed
new product offerings, such as ready-to-drink and ready-to-pour beverages for
convenient at-home consumption.
Recent trends also suggest that beverage alcohol consumers are trading down to
lower-priced brands, which could hurt the short-term performance of many of our
brands. We believe the demand for premium brands will accelerate once we emerge
from the global economic downturn and, despite our near-term caution, we are
encouraged by the favorable demographic trends in the U.S. over the next several
years. In addition, we see enormous potential for our brands to grow in the
global marketplace, where our business today accounts for only 1% of the total
global market for wine and spirits. Markets outside the U.S. accounted for only
about 20% of our net sales in fiscal 1995, but today they account for over 50%.
We see great opportunities for growth outside the U.S., not only in emerging
markets (such as Brazil, Russia, Mexico, and China) but also in developed
markets (such as France and Australia).
PUBLIC ATTITUDES; GOVERNMENT POLICIES. Our ability to market and sell our
products depends heavily on society's attitudes toward drinking and government
policies that flow from them. A number of organizations criticize abusive
drinking and blame alcohol manufacturers for problems associated with alcohol
misuse. Specifically, critics incorrectly say that alcohol companies
intentionally market their products to encourage underage drinking. Legal or
regulatory measures directed in response against beverage alcohol (including its
advertising and promotion) could adversely affect our sales.
Illegal alcohol consumption by underage drinkers and abusive drinking by a
minority of adult drinkers give rise to public issues of great significance.
Alcohol critics seek governmental measures to make beverage alcohol more
expensive, less available, and more difficult to advertise and promote. We do
not think these are good strategies. In our view, society is more likely to curb
alcohol abuse by better educating consumers about beverage alcohol and moderate
drinking than by restricting alcohol advertising and sales or by imposing
punitive taxes.
We strongly oppose underage and abusive drinking. We are very careful to target
our products only to adults. We have developed a comprehensive internal
marketing code and also adhere to marketing and advertising guidelines of the
U.S. Distilled Spirits Council, the Wine Institute, and the European Forum for
Responsible Drinking, among others. Brown-Forman contributes significant
resources to The Century Council, an organization that we and other spirits
producers created in the early 1990s to combat misuse of alcohol, including
drunk driving and underage drinking. We actively participate in similar
organizations where they exist in our other primary global markets.
Regulatory measures currently are a particular concern in Europe, where many
countries are devoting increased attention to more restrictive alcohol policies.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has undertaken a major alcohol policy-making
process intended to produce a global strategy to combat the misuse of alcohol.
While the WHO's global strategy will not carry the force of law, it is highly
influential, particularly in the developing world. We believe WHO alcohol policy
recommendations will be taken seriously and probably adopted into law in many
WHO member states. We are committed to working with the WHO during this
policy-making process to ensure that its global strategy is based on sound
science and recognizes the critical distinction between the use and abuse of
beverage alcohol.
POLICY OBJECTIVES. Broadly speaking, we seek two things:
1. recognition that beverage alcohol should be regarded like other products that
have inherent benefits and risks and
2. equal treatment for distilled spirits, wine, and beer - all forms of beverage
alcohol - by governments and their agencies.
We fully acknowledge that beverage alcohol, when misused or abused, can
contribute to social and health issues. But we also believe strongly that
beverage alcohol should be viewed like other consumer products - such as food
and motor vehicles, any of which can be hazardous if misused. Our belief is that
beverage alcohol plays an important part in enriching the lives of the vast
21
majority of those who choose to drink. That is why we encourage responsible
consumption as we promote our brands. And it is why we discourage underage
drinking and irresponsible drinking, including drunk driving. We believe that
the optimal way to discourage alcohol misuse and abuse is by partnering with
parents, schools, law enforcement, and other concerned stakeholders.
Distilled spirits, wine, and beer are all forms of beverage alcohol, and we
believe governments should treat them equally. But generally (especially in the
U.S.), distilled spirits are taxed far more highly than beer per ounce of
alcohol, and are subject to tighter restrictions on where and when consumers can
buy them. Compared with beer and wine, distilled spirits are also denied the
right to advertise in some venues. Achieving greater cultural acceptance of our
products and parity with beer and wine in having access to consumers is a major
goal and one we share with other distillers. We seek fairer distribution rules,
such as Sunday sales in those U.S. states that still ban them and laws that
permit product tasting, so that consumers can sample our products and buy them
more easily. We encourage rules that liberalize international trade, so that we
can expand our business more globally. As we explain below, we oppose tax
increases that make our products more expensive for consumers, and seek to
diminish the tax advantage that beer enjoys.
TAXES. Recent proposals in the U.S. to increase the taxes on beverage alcohol as
a source of new government revenue are of considerable concern. Beverage alcohol
is taxed separately and substantially through state and federal excise taxes
(FET), above and beyond corporate income taxes on their producers. The U.S. FET
for spirits per ounce of pure alcohol is twice that for beer. Besides placing a
disproportionate tax burden on spirits, any FET increase would have a negative
economic effect on the hospitality industry and its millions of workers.
In 2008, only three of the top 10 global spirits companies were U.S.
companies.(2) Several former U.S.-based beverage companies have been acquired by
foreign companies over the years and shifted employment and trademark ownership
to countries with more favorable tax regimes. We estimate that our fiscal 2010
effective corporate income tax rate will be over 32%, compared to recent
effective rates ranging from 10.6% to 25% for our largest foreign competitors.
Current discussions in the U.S. Congress about decreasing or eliminating the
ability of U. S. companies to get a tax credit for foreign taxes paid and the
ability to defer the U.S. deduction of expenses incurred in connection with
foreign investments in other countries could make this disadvantage bigger and
further damage the global competitiveness of U. S. companies such as ours.
The U.S. Congress is also considering the repeal of the LIFO (last-in first-out)
treatment of inventory, an accepted accounting practice in the U.S. for 70
years. LIFO is designed to minimize artificial inflation gains and accurately
reflect replacement costs. We strongly oppose this repeal. LIFO is particularly
important to companies like Brown-Forman, whose aging process requires some
distilled spirits to be held in inventory for several years before being sold.
As proposed, LIFO repeal would also result in an unprecedented "recapture" of
tax benefits received in prior years - in effect, a retroactive tax increase.
Increased tax rates and tax law changes are risks we face in many of our
international markets as well. As our sales around the world continue to grow
and tax regimes in international markets become increasingly onerous for our
business and products, our exposure to tax changes in other countries becomes
more pronounced. For instance, in April 2008, the Australian government suddenly
imposed a 70% excise tax increase on spirits-based RTD products. We successfully
shifted some sales to our regular proof products and changed our product formula
to a less tax-penalized one, but this massive tax increase hurt our Australian
business and our overall global profit.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES. Foreign currencies' strength relative to the U.S. dollar
affects sales and the cost of purchasing goods and services in our other
markets. This year, a stronger U.S. dollar hurt our earnings, particularly in
the U.K., Europe, and Australia. Although we have hedged the majority of our
exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations in 2010 by entering into foreign
currency forwards and option contracts, our earnings are expected to be hurt
when compared to fiscal 2009 due to the rapid, significant strengthening of the
dollar in fiscal 2009 before we entered into most of our current hedge
contracts. In addition, if the U.S. dollar again appreciates significantly, the
effect on the unhedged portion would hurt our reported results.
Our Fiscal 2010 Earnings Outlook
We face the most challenging and uncertain economy in decades, and in the near
term we expect the global economic environment to remain weak and consumers to
remain wary. As a result, we are not planning for much change in fiscal 2010.
Several factors are out of our control, including the health of the financial
markets and volatility in foreign exchange. So we are focusing on factors we can
control, setting priorities to drive growth and position ourselves well once the
economy recovers. We will be striving to improve the productivity of all of our
investments in every aspect of our business by allocating resources to maximize
growth and accelerating innovation.
We are projecting modest underlying growth in operating income in fiscal 2010
despite our expectation that the consumer environment will continue to be
challenging. We expect the dramatic strengthening of the U.S. dollar that took
place in the middle of 2009 to erode our reported results in fiscal 2010. More
specifically, recent spot rates for the U.S. dollar could reduce our fiscal 2010
earnings by $0.12 per share (net of hedged foreign currency exposures), compared
to our earnings in fiscal 2009. Continued volatility in the global economic
environment could further dampen consumer demand and foreign exchange rates. We
are uncertain as to how sustained credit and cash pressures may affect the
purchasing behavior of our distributor partners and retailers this year. Given
these uncertainties, we are expecting our fiscal 2010 diluted earnings per share
to be in the range of $2.60 to $3.00, compared to fiscal 2009 earnings per share
of $2.87. We believe the improvement or deterioration of the global economic and
consumer environment, and the related retail and distributor response, as well
as foreign currency fluctuations, will most likely affect the company's actual
performance within this range.
Although our near-term underlying growth expectations are modest, we remain
confident about the future of our brands and our company. We are committed to
outperforming our competitors and we expect to emerge from this economic crisis
as an even stronger company.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our total diluted earnings per share was $2.87 in fiscal 2009, all of which came
from continuing operations. The discussion of our results from continuing
operations below relates exclusively to our beverage alcohol business. It
excludes the results related to our former consumer durables segment, which we
have segregated from continuing operations and present as discontinued
operations for all periods presented. See "Discontinued Operations," Note 2 to
the accompanying consolidated statements.
--------
(2) The top 10 companies in 2008 were Diageo (UK), Pernod (France), United
Spirits (India), Bacardi (Bermuda), Fortune Brands (U.S.), Brown-Forman
(U.S.), Constellation Spirits (U.S.), Gruppo Campari (Italy), Suntory
(Japan), and Belvedere Group (France). Source: Impact Databank,
November 15, 2008.
22
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Our beverage alcohol business includes strong brands representing a wide range
of varietal wines, champagnes, and spirits such as whiskey, bourbon, vodka,
tequila, and liqueurs. The largest market for our brands is the U.S., which
generally prohibits wine and spirits manufacturers from selling their products
directly to consumers. Instead, we sell our products to wholesale distributors
or state-owned operators, who then sell the products to retailers, who in turn
sell to consumers. We use a similar tiered distribution system in many markets
outside the U.S., but we distribute our own products in several markets,
including Australia, China, Poland, Mexico, Korea, the Czech Republic, Taiwan,
and Thailand.
Distributors and retailers normally keep some of our products in inventory, so
retailers can sell more (or less) of our products to consumers than distributors
buy from us during any given period. Because we generally record revenues when
we ship our products to distributors, our sales for a period do not necessarily
reflect actual consumer purchases during that period. Ultimately, of course,
consumer demand is critical in understanding the underlying health and financial
results of our brands and business. The beverage alcohol industry generally uses
"depletions" (defined on page 19) to approximate consumer demand. We also use
syndicated data and monitor inventory levels in the trade to confirm that
depletions accurately represent consumer demand.
Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008
Net sales of $3.2 billion decreased 3%, or $90 million, compared to net sales in
fiscal 2008. The most significant factor lowering our annual net sales was the
stronger U.S. dollar, which reduced our net sales by over $150 million. Despite
this foreign exchange headwind and a difficult environment in several countries
in Western Europe where our net sales declined, our net sales outside the U.S.
still constitute more than half (52%) of total sales. Just 10 years ago, sales
outside the U.S. constituted only about 25% of our total sales. This expansion
in sales outside the U.S. reflects the execution of our strategic initiative
from the mid-90s to expand our international footprint by growing our existing
portfolio and acquiring other brands.
The major factors driving our fiscal 2009 change in net sales were:
Change
vs. 2008
Underlying change in net sales: 3%
Net price/mix 3%
Volume 0%
Australia excise tax increase 1%
Estimated net change in distributor inventories (1%)
Discontinued agency brands (1%)
Foreign exchange (5%)
-----
Reported change in net sales (3%)
=====
In the table above, "Australia excise tax increase" refers to the additional
revenue collected due to the 70% increase in excise tax on ready-to-drink
products in Australia, implemented on April 27, 2008. Because net sales are
recorded including excise tax, we believe separately identifying the effect of
this item helps explain our sales trends.
"Estimated net change in distributor inventories" refers to the estimated
financial impact of changes in distributor inventories for our brands. We
compute this effect using our estimated depletion trends and separately identify
distributor inventory changes in our explanation of changes for our key
measures. Based on the estimated depletions and the fluctuations in distributor
inventory levels, we then adjust the percentage variances from the prior year to
the current year for our key measures. We believe separately identifying the
impact of this item helps to explain how varying levels of distributor
inventories can affect our business.
"Discontinued agency brands" refers primarily to agency brands Appleton,
Amarula, Durbanville Hills, and Red Bull, which exited our portfolio during
fiscal 2008.
"Foreign exchange" refers to net gains or losses resulting from our sales and
purchases in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We disclose this separately
to explain our business changes on a constant-currency basis, because exchange
rate fluctuations can distort the underlying growth of our business (both
positively and negatively). To filter out the effect of foreign exchange
fluctuations, we translate current year results at prior-year rates. In fiscal
2009, the stronger U.S. dollar hurt our net sales, gross profit, operating
income, and earnings per share but helped our advertising and selling, general,
and administrative expenses. Although foreign exchange volatility is a reality
for a global company, we routinely review our company performance on a
constant-currency basis. We believe separately identifying foreign exchange's
effect on major line items of the consolidated statement of operations makes our
underlying business performance more transparent.
The primary drivers contributing to our 3% underlying growth in net sales were
the brands Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Finlandia, Gentleman Jack, and New
Mix, and the geographies of Poland, Australia, the U.K., Mexico, the U.S., and
Russia. Higher used barrel sales also contributed to the underlying net sales
growth. The following discussion provides more detail of our volume and sales
changes for the year.
Global depletion volume for Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey grew for the 17th
consecutive year, though only modestly; the brand's growth rate of less than 1%
is the lowest in over 15 years. Several key Jack Daniel's markets saw volumetric
declines due in part to the effects of the global economic downturn. Most
affected were our travel retail channel, South Africa, and some Western European
markets, including Germany, Italy, and Spain. In the U.S., despite flat
depletions, consumer takeaway trends (according to National Alcohol Beverage
Control Association (NABCA) data for the 12 months ending April 2009) reflect
modest volume growth for the brand, at nearly 2%. The difference between our
depletion results and these takeaway trends implies a significant reduction in
retail inventory levels for the fiscal year.
Further, the overall distilled spirits category in the U.S. continued to grow
during fiscal 2009. U.S. industry trends, as measured by NABCA data, indicate
total distilled spirits volume grew 3.3% for the 12 months ending April 30,
2009, while Jack Daniel's grew approximately 2% for the same period. Jack
Daniel's outperformed its major competitors and on a dollar basis grew 4% for
the year, consistent with the growth in total distilled spirits.
Consumer demand continued to expand for this iconic, authentic American whiskey
in several international markets, including Australia (where the brand surpassed
300,000 nine-liter cases), France, Poland, Canada, Romania, Mexico, and many
markets in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The brand's largest market outside
the U.S., the U.K., experienced 1% growth in depletions and is nearly at a
record 1 million nine-liter case mark. Reported net sales for the brand globally
declined in the low single digits, but on a constant-currency basis, the brand
grew net sales in the low single digits.
Performance for the rest of the Jack Daniel's family of brands was solid.
Depletions for Gentleman Jack, one of the fastest-growing brands in our
23
portfolio, increased by more than 20% in fiscal 2009, with volumes approaching
300,000 nine-liter cases. Gentleman Jack's net sales grew at a double-digit rate
on both an as-reported and constant-currency basis. A major increase in excise
taxes in Australia on ready-to-drink products significantly affected the
profitability of Jack Daniel's & Cola in that market. Globally, the brand's
depletions (which are quickly approaching 2.4 million nine-liter cases) grew 6%,
fueled by strong gains in Germany.
Finlandia continued to be a major driver of growth in net sales in fiscal 2009
and a growing contributor to our international expansion. Global volumes grew 7%
in fiscal 2009, passing the 3 million nine-liter case mark for the first time.
Net sales advanced 10% on an as-reported basis and 12% on a constant-currency
basis for the fiscal year, reflecting both volume and pricing gains. Finlandia's
growth was led by continued market penetration in Eastern Europe, particularly
in Poland, the brand's largest market (where we sell over 900,000 nine-liter
cases), and in Russia (where we sell over 200,000 nine-liter cases).
Southern Comfort's global depletions declined 5% in fiscal 2009, while its net
sales declined 11%, reflecting the negative effect of the stronger U.S. dollar.
Most of the brand's key markets were adversely affected by the global recession
and by declining on-premise trends, including the U.S., the U.K., Spain,
Ireland, and South Africa, where volumes dropped. But the brand's second-largest
market outside the U.S., Australia, experienced double-digit depletion growth.
To reinvigorate Southern Comfort's growth in fiscal 2010, we are introducing
three new product offerings, including ready-to-pour and ready-to-drink line
extensions: Southern Comfort Hurricane and Southern Comfort Sweet Tea for the
U.S. market and Southern Comfort Lemonade and Lime for the U.K. market.
In fiscal 2007, we significantly expanded and diversified our portfolio with the
acquisition of the Casa Herradura brands. These brands have proven to be a
source of growth, with depletions increasing by 6% in fiscal 2009. Net sales
declined slightly on an as-reported basis but increased by 6% on a
constant-currency basis. We believe these premium brands have considerable
potential for future growth because they are strong competitors in a growing
category and are only now expanding their geographic footprint.
Overall depletion and net sales performance were mixed for our other brands.
Despite economic headwinds and some consumers trading down, several of our
super-premium priced brands registered depletion gains in fiscal 2009, including
Woodford Reserve, Sonoma-Cutrer, Tuaca, and Bonterra. Fetzer Valley Oaks, Korbel
California Champagnes, Canadian Mist, and Early Times all recorded low
single-digit percentage depletion declines in fiscal 2009.
This table highlights our major brands' worldwide depletion results for fiscal
2009:
Nine-Liter % Change
Cases (000s) vs. 2008
------------ -----------
Jack Daniel's 9,475 0%
New Mix RTDs(1) 4,635 7%
Jack Daniel's RTDs(2) 3,405 4%
Finlandia 3,030 7%
Southern Comfort 2,335 (5%)
Fetzer Valley Oaks 2,295 (3%)
Canadian Mist 1,850 (2%)
Korbel Champagnes 1,290 (1%)
el Jimador 1,050 3%
(1) New Mix is a tequila-based RTD brand we acquired in January 2007 as part
of the Casa Herradura acquisition, currently sold only in Mexico.
(2) Jack Daniel's RTD products include all ready-to-drink line extensions
of Jack Daniel's such as Jack Daniel's & Cola and Jack Daniel's Country
Cocktails.
Gross profit declined 7%, or $118 million. Two factors accounted for more than
three-fourths of this decline: (1) the stronger U.S. dollar, which lowered gross
profit nearly $70 million, and (2) a $22 million non-cash agave inventory
write-down included in cost of sales. As we reported in our Form 10-Q filings in
fiscal 2009, some of our agave fields suffered abnormally high mortality and
disease levels, reducing the expected yield by an estimated $22 million.
Although we based this provision on our best estimate, actual inventory losses
could be significantly different. Higher-than-predicted inventory losses could
materially impair our results of operations and financial condition. As of April
30, we believe our estimate to be adequate.
Reductions in distributor inventory levels and lost gross profit associated with
terminated agency relations also reduced gross profit for the year. Our
underlying change in gross profit for the year was flat. It lagged the 3%
increase in underlying net sales growth due in part to incremental value-added
packaging costs, higher grain and fuel costs, and shifts in brand and geographic
mix. The table below summarizes the major factors that reduced gross profit
growth for the year.
Change
vs. 2008
Underlying change in gross profit 0%
Estimated net change in distributor inventories (1%)
Discontinued agency brands (1%)
Non-cash agave inventory writedown (1%)
Foreign exchange (4%)
-----
Reported change in gross profit (7%)
=====
In this table, "Non-cash agave inventory writedown" refers to an abnormal number
of agave plants identified early in fiscal 2009 as dead or dying. Although
agricultural uncertainties are inherent in any business that includes growing
and harvesting raw materials, we believe that the magnitude of this item in the
fiscal year distorts the underlying trends of our business.
Gross margin (gross profit as a percent of net sales) declined from 51.6% to
49.4% for the year, mostly attributable to five factors:
(1) The non-cash agave inventory writedown (which depressed our gross margin
0.7% points)
(2) Australia's 70% increase in excise tax on ready-to-drink products, which
increased both our net sales and our costs of sales by the same amount
(3) Increased value-added packaging costs
(4) Higher costs of grain and fuel
(5) Shifts in brand and geographic mix
Advertising expenses were down $32 million, or 8%, due in part to the absence of
spending behind agency and Italian wine brands that we no longer sell. In
addition, the stronger U.S. dollar contributed significantly to the decrease in
spending for the year. Overall advertising spending on a constant-currency basis
(excluding the effect of discontinued brands) was modestly down, as we
reallocated our spending and adjusted our promotional mix to those brands,
markets, and channels where consumers and the trade were most responsive to
investments in this challenging, volatile economic environment.
24
Change
vs. 2008
Discontinued agency brands (1%)
Divestiture of Italian wine brands (1%)
Underlying change in advertising (2%)
Foreign exchange (4%)
-----
Reported change in advertising (8%)
=====
Fiscal 2009 advertising excluded increased spending for value-added packaging of
approximately $13 million (reflected in cost of sales in our financial
statements) and selective consumer price promotion (reflected in net sales).
Both of these costs are a form of advertising. Considering these reallocation
decisions, overall investments behind our brands were again up in fiscal 2009.
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased $44 million, or
7%, influenced by these factors:
Change
vs. 2008
Early retirement/workforce reduction charge 2%
Transition expenses for acquisitions (1%)
Foreign exchange (3%)
Underlying change in SG&A (5%)
-----
Reported change in SG&A (7%)
=====
This 5% underlying decline in SG&A expenses reflects our tight management of
discretionary expenses, lower performance-related costs (including incentive
compensation), and the leveraging of incremental investments made in recent
years to support our global route-to-market efforts. The $12 million charge
incurred in fiscal 2009 resulting from cost-cutting measures (including an early
retirement program and a workforce reduction action) are expected to position us
for both the difficult times we are confronting today and the uncertain and
challenging environment that we anticipate in fiscal 2010. In the table above,
"Transition expenses for acquisitions" refers to transition-related expenses
associated with the acquisition of Casa Herradura brands in 2007.
Long-term Operating Expense Investment Trends
(Compound Annual Growth Rate)
Advertising SG&A
35-year since 1974 9% 8%
25-year since 1984 7% 7%
15-year since 1994 7% 8%
10-year since 1999 7% 7%
5-year since 2004 8% 8%
Other income increased $18 million in fiscal 2009, due primarily to the $20
million gain we realized on the sale of Bolla and Fontana Candida Italian wine
brands to Gruppo Italiano Vini. The decision to sell these brands reflects our
evolving portfolio strategy and a continuation of our efforts to focus our time
and resources on the best opportunities for growth and shareholder returns.
Operating income for fiscal 2009 decreased 4%, or $24 million. Operating income
was hurt by:
- the stronger U.S. dollar (which reduced operating income nearly $30 million),
- the $22 million pre-tax non-cash charge related to an abnormal number of
agave plants identified during the year as dead or dying,
- the $12 million of one-time costs associated with our early retirement
program and workforce reduction actions taken during the year, and
- a net reduction in distributor inventory levels and the loss of income from
discontinued agency brands.
Operating income benefitted from the $20 million net gain recognized on the sale
of our Italian wine brands, lower transition expenses associated with our fiscal
2007 acquisition of Casa Herradura, and underlying operating income growth from
the business.
The chart below summarizes the major factors driving the change in operating
income for the year and identifies our underlying operating income growth for
fiscal 2009 of 4%. While lower than our growth rate in recent years, this rate
is still strong - particularly in light of the global economic downturn - and,
we believe in the top tier of our key competitor set performance.
Change
vs. 2008
Underlying change in operating income 4%
Divestiture of Italian wine brands 3%
Transition expenses for acquisitions 1%
Discontinued agency brands (1%)
Estimated net change in distributor inventories (2%)
Early retirement/workforce reduction charge (2%)
Non-cash agave inventory write-down (3%)
Foreign exchange (4%)
-----
Reported change in operating income (4%)
=====
Positive factors influencing our underlying growth in operating income for the
year include:
- higher consumer demand for Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey in several
markets;
- continued expansion of Finlandia in Eastern Europe;
- gains for several other brands, including New Mix, Gentleman Jack,
Sonoma-Cutrer, Tuaca, and Little Black Dress wines;
- higher used barrel sales;
- lower operating expenses due to tight management of discretionary
expenses; and
- lower performance-related costs such as incentive compensation.
These positive factors were partially offset by a volume decline for Southern
Comfort globally, volume declines for Jack Daniel's in some Western European
markets, lower profits for Jack Daniel's & Cola in Australia after an excise tax
increase, and higher costs of goods due in part to incremental value-added
packaging costs and input costs.
25
Operating margin (operating income divided by net sales) remained strong at
20.7%, consistent with fiscal 2008 despite the 2.2-point decline in gross margin
from 51.6% to 49.4%. In fiscal 2009, we reallocated our mix of spending to where
we believe the consumer and trade are most responsive to investments, including
value-added gift packaging (reflected in cost of goods) and selective
discounting programs (reflected in net sales). As a result, we believe operating
margin is a more appropriate year-over-year measure of our performance than
gross margin.
Interest expense (net) decreased by $10 million compared to fiscal 2008,
reflecting both a shift from debt with higher fixed rates to debt with lower
variable rates and an overall reduction in debt levels.
The effective tax rate reported in fiscal 2009 was 31.1% compared to 31.7% in
fiscal 2008. During fiscal 2009, we lowered our effective tax rate by using part
of a capital loss carryforward from the sale of Lenox Inc. to eliminate the gain
realized from the sale of Italian wine brands in December 2008. This positive
factor was partially offset by a decrease in the benefit that we receive from
income earned by our foreign subsidiaries that have lower tax rates than the
U.S. rate, primarily due to the lower tax benefit on the provision for agave
losses.
Diluted earnings per share reached a record $2.87 in fiscal 2009, up 1% over
fiscal 2008. Performance for the year was helped by underlying growth in
operating income, the gain on the sale of Italian wine brands, a reduction of
net interest expense, a lower effective tax rate, and fewer shares outstanding
after share repurchases. Reported earnings were hurt by the significant
strengthening of the U.S. dollar, the write-down of agave inventory, a reduction
in distributor and trade inventory levels, and a charge associated with the
early retirement program and reduction in workforce.
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE. In Note 16 to our consolidated financial
statements, we describe our 2004 Omnibus Compensation Plan and how we issue
stock-based awards under it. In Note 1, under "Stock-Based Compensation" we
describe how the plan is designed to avoid diluting earnings per share.
Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007
Net sales increased 17%, or $476 million, fueled by an accelerating demand for
our brands (especially outside the U.S.), the effect of the acquisition of
Chambord and Casa Herradura brands, and the benefits of a weaker U.S. dollar.
Jack Daniel's registered growth for the 16th consecutive year, as demand
expanded more than 4% globally, adding 375,000 nine-liter cases, reaching nearly
9.5 million nine-liter cases. Jack Daniel's ready-to-drink products grew 10%,
passing the 3 million nine-liter case mark on the strength of Jack Daniel's &
Cola sales in Australia. Gentlemen Jack was the fastest-growing brand in our
portfolio, growing over 40% with volumes well in excess of 200,000 nine-liter
cases in fiscal 2008. For the second consecutive year, worldwide depletions for
Finlandia grew 16%, fueled by volume growth in Poland (the brand's largest
market) and Russia. Southern Comfort worldwide depletions were flat, with solid
volume gains in the U.K. offset by low single-digit percentage declines in the
U.S. Overall volume performance during fiscal 2008 was mixed for the other
brands in our portfolio. Bonterra, Chambord, Woodford Reserve, and Sonoma-
Cutrer experienced high single-digit or double-digit percentage increases.
Fetzer Valley Oaks and Korbel California Champagnes saw low single-digit
percentage depletion growth. Canadian Mist, Bolla, and Early Times recorded
modest depletion declines.
Gross profit grew $214 million, or 14%. This growth resulted from the same
factors that generated revenue growth. Gross margin declined from 52.8% in
fiscal 2007 to 51.6% in fiscal 2008. The major reason for this decline was the
full-year effect of lower gross margins earned in Mexico for Herradura, el
Jimador, New Mix, and agency brands acquired during the Casa Herradura purchase.
Gross margins for the year were also suppressed by high raw material and fuel
costs, which were nearly offset by price increases on several of our brands in
selected markets.
Advertising expenses increased $54 million, or 15%, reflecting incremental
spending behind Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, and other brands,
including Woodford Reserve, Bonterra, and Sonoma-Cutrer, and spending behind
acquired brands (Chambord and the Casa Herradura brands). The negative impact of
a weaker U.S. dollar contributed to the increase in advertising spending for the
year.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $57 million, or 10%,
driven primarily by the full-year effect of acquisitions along with inflation on
salary and related expenses.
Amortization expense increased $3 million in fiscal 2008. The increase in the
amortization expense for fiscal 2008 reflects the 12 full months of amortization
of the cost of the U.S. distribution rights for the Herradura brand compared to
the last three months of fiscal 2007.
Other income decreased $17 million in fiscal 2008, due primarily to the absence
of an $11 million gain we recognized in fiscal 2007 on the sale of an Italian
winery used in producing Bolla wines to Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV). The Bolla
brand remained part of our portfolio until it was sold to GIV in December 2008
in a separate agreement.
Operating income reached $685 million in fiscal 2008, an improvement of $83
million, or 14%, resulting primarily from increased consumer demand for Jack
Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's & Cola, and Finlandia (particularly
outside the U.S.), and excellent growth in the U.S. for Gentleman Jack. Improved
volumes and profits from several other brands (largely focused in the U.S.),
including Bonterra, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, and Tuaca,
also contributed to operating income growth. Additionally, benefits from a
weaker U.S. dollar and the incremental profits from the Casa Herradura and
Chambord acquisitions in fiscal 2007 boosted year-over-year growth in operating
income. On a dollar basis, price increases on selected brands in selected
markets offset the rising costs of raw materials and fuel and contributed to the
growth in operating income for the year. Comparisons to the prior year were also
affected by the absence of an $11 million gain recognized in fiscal 2007 on the
sale of winery assets.
Interest expense (net) increased $25 million compared to fiscal 2007, primarily
reflecting the financing of the Casa Herrudura acquisition.
Effective tax rate in fiscal 2008 was 31.7%, unchanged from fiscal 2007. During
fiscal 2008, our effective tax rate was favorably affected by an increase in the
net reversal of previously recorded income tax provisions for items effectively
settled, compared to the prior year. This positive factor was offset primarily
by additional taxes related to a tax law change in Mexico (effective January 1,
2008) and the absence of benefits received in fiscal 2007 from investments in
tax-exempt securities.
26
Diluted earnings per share increased 10% to $2.84 in fiscal 2008. This growth
resulted from the same factors that generated operating income growth, though it
was tempered by higher interest expense related to the financing of the 2007
acquisition of Casa Herradura.
OTHER KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Our primary goal is to increase the value of our shareholders' investment
consistently and sustainably over the long term. We believe that long-term
relative performance of our stock is a good indication of our success in
delivering attractive returns to shareholders.
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN. An investment made in Brown-Forman Class B stock over
terms of one, three, five, and 10 years would have outperformed the returns of
the total S&P 500 over the same periods. Specifically, a $100 investment in our
Class B stock on April 30, 1999, would have grown to approximately $195 by the
end of fiscal 2009, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and ignoring personal
taxes and transaction costs. This represents an annualized return of 7% over the
10-year period, compared to a 2% annualized decrease for the S&P 500. While a
more recent investment in Brown-Forman would have declined over the past year
due to the global economic crisis and its effect on global equity markets, the
rate of decline of 13% over the one-year period ended April 30, 2009, compared
favorably to a 35% decline for the S&P 500.
Compound Annual Growth in Total Shareholder Return
(as of April 30, 2009, dividends reinvested)
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Brown-Forman Class B shares (14%) (5%) 7% 7%
S&P 500 index (37%) (11%) (3%) (3%)
RETURN ON AVERAGE INVESTED CAPITAL. Our return on average invested capital
remains healthy, particularly considering current market conditions. While our
return of 15.9% was down moderately compared to that of the two prior fiscal
years, our return outpaced those of our major wine and spirits competitors.
While our average invested capital was flat in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal
2008, our reported earnings declined due primarily to a stronger U.S. dollar. We
expect our return on average invested capital to remain essentially unchanged
next fiscal year but to increase over the long term, given our positive outlook
for earnings growth and careful management of our investment base.
Return on Average Invested Capital:
Fiscal 2007 17.4%
Fiscal 2008 17.2%
Fiscal 2009 15.9%
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our ability to consistently generate cash from operations is one of our most
significant financial strengths. Our strong cash flows enable us to pay
dividends, pursue brand-building programs, and make strategic acquisitions that
we believe will enhance shareholder value. Investment grade ratings of A2 from
Moody's and A from Standard & Poor's provide us with financial flexibility when
accessing global credit markets. We believe cash flows from operations are more
than adequate to meet our expected operating and capital requirements.
Cash Flow Summary
(Dollars in millions) 2007 2008 2009
------ ------ ------
Operating activities $ 355 $ 534 $ 491
Investing activities:
Acquisitions (1,045) 2 --
Sale of discontinued operations 12 -- 17
Net (purchase) sale of short-term
securities 74 86 --
Additions to property, plant,
and equipment (58) (41) (49)
Other (21) (19) (5)
------ ------ ------
(1,038) 28 (37)
Financing activities:
Net (repayment) issuance of debt 597 (172) (4)
Acquisition of treasury stock -- (223) (39)
Special distribution to stockholders -- (204) --
Dividends paid (143) (158) (169)
Other 33 21 (4)
------ ------ ------
487 (736) (216)
------ ------ ------
Foreign exchange effect 4 10 (17)
------ ------ ------
Change in cash and cash equivalents $(192) $(164) $ 221
====== ====== ======
Cash provided by operations was $491 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $534
million in fiscal 2008. This 8% decrease primarily reflects the absence of a
refund of value-added taxes related to the acquisition of Casa Herradura
received in fiscal 2008 and a reduction in net income due in part to the
appreciation of the U.S. dollar during fiscal 2009.
27
Cash used by investing activities in fiscal 2009 increased $65 million compared
to fiscal 2008, largely reflecting our liquidation of $86 million of short-term
investments last year.
Cash used for financing activities decreased by $520 million, primarily
reflecting (1) the $204 million special distribution to shareholders in May
2007, (2) a $168 million net decrease in debt repayments, and (3) a $184 million
decrease in share repurchases of our common stock compared to fiscal 2008.
In comparing fiscal 2008 with fiscal 2007, cash provided by operations increased
$179 million, reflecting higher earnings and a reduction in working capital
requirements. Cash provided by investing activities increased $1,066 million
compared to fiscal 2007, reflecting the $794 million acquisition of Casa
Herradura (including fees) in January 2007 and the $251 million acquisition of
Chambord in May 2006. Cash used for financing activities increased by $1,223
million, reflecting a $769 million increase in net debt repayments compared to
fiscal 2007, a $204 million special distribution to shareholders in May 2007,
and the repurchase of $223 million of our common stock during fiscal 2008.
Fiscal 2009 Cash Utilization
Sources of Cash:
Operating activities $491
Proceeds from sale of trade names 17
Uses of Cash:
Dividends $169
Capital spending (including software) 54
Share repurchases 39
All other, net 8
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Investments in property, plant, and equipment were $58
million in fiscal 2007, $41 million in fiscal 2008, and $49 million in fiscal
2009. Expenditures over the three-year period included investments to maintain,
expand, and improve production efficiency, and to build our brands.
We expect capital expenditures for fiscal 2010 to be $40 million to $50 million,
consistent with spending over the past two fiscal years. Our capital spending
plans in fiscal 2010 include investments in cost-saving initiatives at our
production facilities and compliance or maintenance projects. We expect to fund
fiscal 2010 capital expenditures with cash provided by operations.
SHARE REPURCHASES. During fiscal 2008, under a stock repurchase plan authorized
by our Board of Directors in November 2007, we repurchased 3,721,563 shares of
common stock (42,600 of Class A and 3,678,963 of Class B) for $200 million.
Separately, under an agreement approved in May 2007 by a committee of our Board
of Directors composed exclusively of non-family directors, we repurchased about
$22 million in shares during fiscal 2008 from a Brown family member. We also
paid about $1 million during fiscal 2008 for shares surrendered by two employees
to satisfy income tax withholding obligations, in accordance with our policy.
In December 2008, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized us to
repurchase up to $250 million of our outstanding Class A and Class B common
shares over the succeeding 12 months, subject to market conditions. This plan
lets us repurchase shares from time to time for cash in open market purchases,
block transactions, or privately negotiated transactions as allowed under
federal securities laws. As of April 30, 2009, we had repurchased 838,692 shares
(11,800 of Class A and 826,892 of Class B) under this plan for $39 million. The
average repurchase price per share, including broker commissions, was $47.22 for
Class A and $46.43 for Class B.
LIQUIDITY. We continue to manage liquidity conservatively to meet current
obligations, fund capital expenditures, and maintain dividends, while reserving
adequate capacity for acquisition opportunities. In fiscal year 2009, we
enhanced our liquidity by issuing $250 million of unsecured, 5% notes, due in
2014, with the proceeds used for general corporate purposes, including reducing
our outstanding short-term commercial paper. We also continued to hold excess
cash equivalents as a buffer during these uncertain times.
We have access to several liquidity sources to supplement our cash flow:
- Our commercial paper program, supported by our bank credit facility,
continues to fund our short-term credit needs at attractive interest rates.
Our commercial paper has enjoyed steady demand from investors.
- If we could no longer get short-term funding in the commercial paper market,
we expect that we could satisfy our liquidity needs by drawing on our $800
million bank credit facility (currently unused). This facility expires
April 30, 2012, and carries favorable terms compared with current market
conditions. Under extreme market conditions, this agreement might not be
fully funded. Several banks in our credit facility consortium have received
significant federal government funding and could fail or become nationalized;
we do not know the effect such an extreme event might have on those banks'
commitment to fund our credit facility.
- While we are concerned about this uncertainty, the markets for investment-
grade bonds and private placements are currently robust. These should provide
a source of long-term financing that we could use to pay off our short-term
debt if necessary.
We have been closely monitoring our counterparty risks with respect to our cash
balances and derivative contracts (that is, foreign currency and commodity
hedges) and have unwound exposures when prudent. Absent significant further
deterioration of market conditions, we believe our current liquidity position is
strong and sufficient to meet all of our financial commitments for the
foreseeable future, including the April 1, 2010, maturity of $150 million in our
floating rate notes.
ACQUISITIONS. Effective May 31, 2006, we acquired Chambord liqueur and all
related assets from Chatam International Incorporated and its operating
subsidiary, Charles Jacquin et Cie Inc., for $251 million, including transaction
costs.
On January 18, 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Casa
Herradura and its affiliates relating to its tequila business. Those assets
include the Herradura and el Jimador tequilas, the New Mix tequila-based
ready-to-drink brand, trade names and trademarks associated with those brands
(and other acquired brands), related production facilities, and the sales,
marketing, and distribution organization in Mexico. The acquisition, including
transaction costs and fees, cost $794 million. We financed the acquisition with
$114 million of cash and $680 million of commercial paper, $400 million of which
we later replaced with long-term debt.
28
In May 2007, we ended our joint ventures in the tequila business with the
Orendain family of Mexico. We had shared ownership of the "Don Eduardo"
trademark and other Orendain trademarks and related intellectual property with
the Orendain family since 1999 through two joint venture companies: Tequila
Orendain de Jalisco (TOJ) and BFC Tequila Limited (BFCTL). TOJ produced the
tequila and held the Mexico trademarks, and BFCTL owned the trademarks for all
markets outside Mexico. Upon ending the joint ventures, we acquired the
remaining portion of the global trademark for the Don Eduardo super-premium
tequila brand that we did not already own. In exchange, we paid $12 million to
the other shareholders of TOJ and BFCTL and surrendered our interest in all
other Orendain trademarks previously owned by these two companies. Although we
expect to continue to grow the Don Eduardo brand, these two former joint
ventures were not material to our consolidated results of operations or
financial position.
SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION. On March 22, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the
distribution to shareholders of the $204 million in cash received (net of
transaction fees) from the sale of Lenox, Inc. and Brooks & Bentley. We made the
distribution of $1.32 per share on May 10, 2007, to shareholders of record on
April 5, 2007.
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
We have long-term obligations related to contracts, leases, employee benefit
plans, and borrowing arrangements that we enter into in the normal course of
business (see Notes 5, 7, and 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial
statements). The following table summarizes the amounts of those obligations as
of April 30, 2009, and the years when those obligations must be paid:
Long-Term Obligations(1) 2011- After
(Dollars in millions) Total 2010 2014 2014
----- ---- ---- ----
Long-term debt $ 662 $153 $509 $ --
Interest on long-term debt 106 28 77 1
Grape purchase obligations 103 29 59 15
Operating leases 48 16 29 3
Postretirement benefit obligations(2) 22 22 n/a n/a
Agave purchase obligations(3) n/a n/a n/a n/a
----- ---- ---- ----
Total $ 941 $248 $674 $ 19
===== ==== ==== ====
(1) Excludes reserves for tax uncertainties as we are unable to reasonably
predict the ultimate amount or timing of settlement.
(2) As of April 30, 2009, we have unfunded pension and other postretirement
benefit obligations of $175 million. Because the specific periods in which
those obligations will be funded are not determinable, no amounts related
to those obligations are reflected in the above table other than the
$22 million of expected contribution in fiscal 2010. Historically, we have
generally funded these obligations with the minimum annual contribution
required by ERISA, but we may elect to contribute more than the minimum
amount in future years.
(3) As discussed in Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial
statements, we have obligations to purchase agave, a plant whose sap forms
the raw material for tequila. Because the specific periods in which those
obligations will be paid are not determinable, no amounts related to those
obligations are reflected in the table above. However, as of April 30,
2009, based on current market prices, obligations under these contracts
totaled $10 million.
We expect to meet these obligations with internally generated funds.
MARKET RISKS
We are exposed to market risks arising from adverse changes in commodity prices
affecting the cost of our raw materials and energy, foreign exchange rates, and
interest rates. We try to manage risk responsibly through a variety of
strategies, including production initiatives and hedging strategies. Our foreign
currency hedging contracts are subject to changes in exchange rates, our
commodity futures and option contracts are subject to changes in commodity
prices, and some of our debt obligations are subject to changes in interest
rates. We discuss these contracts below and also provide a sensitivity analysis.
See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements for details on our grape and
agave purchase obligations, which are also exposed to commodity price risk, and
"Critical Accounting Estimates" for a discussion of our pension and other
postretirement plans' exposure to interest rate risks.
See "Important Information on Forward-Looking Statements" (page 49) for details
on how economic conditions affecting market risks also affect the demand for and
pricing of our products.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE. We estimate that our foreign currency revenues for our largest
exposures will exceed our foreign currency expenses by approximately $435
million in fiscal 2010. To the extent that this foreign currency exposure is not
hedged, our results of operations improve when the U.S. dollar weakens against
foreign currencies and decline when the dollar strengthens against them.
However, we routinely use foreign currency forward and option contracts to hedge
our foreign exchange risk. Provided these contracts remain effective, we will
not recognize any unrealized gains or losses until we recognize the underlying
hedged transactions in earnings. At April 30, 2009, our foreign currency hedges
had a notional value of $375 million and a net unrealized loss of $3 million.
Incorporating the impact of our hedging program, we estimate that, for our
significant currency exposures, if the value of the U.S. dollar were to average
10% higher in fiscal 2010 than our fiscal 2009 effective rates, our fiscal 2010
operating income would decrease by $28 million. Conversely, if the value of the
U.S. dollar were to decline 10% relative to fiscal 2009 effective rates, our
operating income would decrease by $6 million due to the hedged positions we
took in 2009 following the rapid strengthening of the U.S. dollar.
COMMODITY PRICES. Commodity prices are affected by weather, supply and demand
conditions, and other geopolitical and economic variables. We use futures
contracts and options to reduce the price volatility of corn. At April 30, 2009,
we had outstanding hedge positions on approximately 1 million bushels of corn
with unrealized losses of $2 million. We estimate that a 10% decrease in corn
prices would increase the unrealized loss at April 30, 2009, by $1 million. We
expect to mitigate the effect of increases in our raw material costs through our
hedging strategies, ongoing production initiatives, and targeted increases in
prices for our brands.
INTEREST RATES. Our short-term investments and our variable-rate debt are
exposed to the risk of changes in interest rates. Based on the April 30, 2009,
balances of variable-rate debt and investments, a 1% point increase in interest
rates would increase our annual interest expense (net of interest income on cash
and short-term investments) by $2 million.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our financial statements reflect certain estimates involved in applying the
following critical accounting policies that entail uncertainties and
subjectivity. Using different estimates could have a material effect on our
operating results and financial condition.
29
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS. We have obtained most of our brands
through acquisitions from other companies. Upon acquisition, the purchase price
is first allocated to identifiable assets and liabilities, including brand names
and other intangible assets, based on estimated fair value, with any remaining
purchase price recorded as goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets with
indefinite lives are not amortized. We consider all of our brand names to have
indefinite lives.
We assess our brand names and goodwill for impairment at least annually to
ensure that estimated future cash flows continue to exceed the related book
value. A brand name is impaired if its book value exceeds its fair value.
Goodwill is evaluated for impairment if the book value of its reporting unit
exceeds its estimated fair value. Fair value is determined using discounted
estimated future cash flows, with consideration of market values for similar
assets when available. If the fair value of an evaluated asset is less than its
book value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value.
Considerable management judgment is necessary to assess impairment and estimate
fair value. The assumptions used in our evaluations, such as forecasted growth
rates and cost of capital, are consistent with our internal projections and
operating plans.
Based on our long-term assumptions, we believe none of our goodwill or other
intangible assets are impaired. However, two of our recently-acquired brand
names, Chambord and Herradura, are currently being significantly affected by the
global economic turmoil. (As of April 30, 2009, the book values of the Chambord
and Herradura brand names are $116 million and $124 million, respectively.) At
the test date for impairment, January 31, 2009, the fair value of the Chambord
and Herradura brand names exceeded the carrying value by $3 million and $2
million, respectively. A 50 basis point increase in our cost of capital, a key
assumption in which a small change can have a significant effect, would decrease
the fair value of the Chambord and Herradura brand names by $11 million and $10
million, respectively. This would result in a brand name impairment charge.
We have a number of plans and initiatives that we believe will drive the
anticipated growth of these brands, and this growth is essential to our fair
value estimate. These initiatives include new packaging, shifting focus and
spend to the off-premise market, line extensions, and more aggressive
international expansion. If our initiatives are not sufficiently successful or
the current weak economy continues for a prolonged period or declines further,
one or both of these brand names could become impaired, which would adversely
affect our earnings and stockholders' equity.
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT. We depreciate our property, plant, and equipment
on a straight-line basis using our estimates of useful life, which are 20 to 40
years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 10 years for machinery, equipment,
vehicles, furniture, and fixtures, and 3 to 7 years for capitalized software.
We assess our property, plant, and equipment and other long-lived assets for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying value of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Fair value is
determined using discounted estimated future cash flows, with consideration of
market values for similar assets when available. If the fair value of an
evaluated asset is less than its book value, we write it down to its estimated
fair value.
Considerable management judgment is necessary to assess impairment and estimate
fair value. Assumptions used in these evaluations are consistent with our
internal projections and operating plans.
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS. We sponsor various defined benefit
pension plans as well as postretirement plans providing retiree health care and
retiree life insurance benefits. Benefits are based on such factors as years of
service and compensation level during employment. The benefits expected to be
paid are expensed over the employees' expected service. This requires us to make
certain assumptions to determine the net benefit expense and obligations, such
as interest rates, return on plan assets, the rate of salary increases, expected
service, and health care cost trend rates.
The assets, obligations, and assumptions used to measure pension and retiree
medical expenses are determined as of April 30 of the preceding year
("measurement date"). Because obligations are measured on a discounted basis,
the discount rate is a significant assumption. It is based on interest rates for
high-quality, long-term corporate debt at each measurement date. The expected
return on pension plan assets is based on our historical experience and our
expectations for long-term rates of return. The other assumptions also reflect
our historical experience and management's best judgment regarding future
expectations. We review our assumptions on each annual measurement date. As of
April 30, 2009, we have increased the discount rate for pension obligations from
6.64% to 7.94%, and for other postretirement benefit obligations from 6.45% to
7.80%. Pension and postretirement benefit expense for fiscal 2010 is estimated
to be approximately $17 million, compared to $20 million for fiscal 2009. A
decrease/increase in the discount rate of 25 basis points would
increase/decrease the fiscal 2010 expense by approximately $2 million.
INCOME TAXES. Our annual effective tax rate is based on our income and the
statutory tax rates in the various jurisdictions where we do business. In fiscal
2009, our annual income tax rate for continuing operations was 31.1%, compared
to 31.7% in fiscal 2008. During fiscal 2009, our effective tax rate was
favorably affected by the use of capital loss carryforwards to offset the gain
recorded on the sale of Bolla and Fontana Candida Italian wine brands. This
positive factor was partially offset by a decrease in the beneficial impact of
taxes provided in foreign jurisdictions.
Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions. We establish
reserves when we believe that certain positions are likely to be challenged and
may not succeed, despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully
supportable. We adjust these reserves in light of changing circumstances, such
as the progress of a tax audit. We believe current reserves are appropriate for
all known contingencies, but this situation could change.
Several years can elapse before we can resolve a particular matter for which we
have established a reserve. Although predicting the final outcome or the timing
of resolution of any particular tax matter can be difficult, we believe that our
reserves reflect the likely outcome of known tax contingencies. Unfavorable
settlement of any particular issue could require use of our cash; whereas a
favorable resolution could result in either reduced cash tax payments, or the
reversal of previously established reserves or some combination of these which
could result in a reduction to our effective tax rate upon resolution.
CONTINGENCIES. We operate in a litigious environment, and we are sued in the
normal course of business. Sometimes plaintiffs seek substantial damages.
Significant judgment is required in predicting the outcome of these suits and
claims, many of which take years to adjudicate. We accrue estimated costs for a
contingency when we believe that a loss is probable and we can make a reasonable
estimate of the loss, and adjust the accrual as appropriate to reflect changes
in facts and circumstances.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS. See Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated
financial statements.
30
Brown-Forman
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Expressed in millions, except per share amounts)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended April 30, 2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $2,806 $3,282 $3,192
Excise taxes 588 700 711
Cost of sales 737 887 904
--------------------------------
Gross profit 1,481 1,695 1,577
Advertising expenses 361 415 383
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 535 592 548
Amortization expense 2 5 5
Other income, net (19) (2) (20)
--------------------------------
Operating income 602 685 661
Interest income 18 8 6
Interest expense 34 49 37
--------------------------------
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes 586 644 630
Income taxes 186 204 195
--------------------------------
Income from continuing operations 400 440 435
Loss from discontinued operations,
net of income taxes (11) -- --
--------------------------------
Net income $ 389 $ 440 $ 435
================================
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ 2.61 $ 2.87 $ 2.89
Discontinued operations (0.07) -- --
--------------------------------
Total $ 2.54 $ 2.87 $ 2.89
================================
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ 2.58 $ 2.84 $ 2.87
Discontinued operations (0.07) -- --
--------------------------------
Total $ 2.51 $ 2.85 $ 2.87
================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
31
Brown-Forman
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in millions, except share and per share amounts)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 30, 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 119 $ 340
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $19 in 2008 and $15 in 2009 453 367
Inventories:
Barreled whiskey 311 313
Finished goods 155 143
Work in process 179 144
Raw materials and supplies 40 52
---------------------
Total inventories 685 652
Current portion of deferred income taxes 102 105
Other current assets 97 110
---------------------
Total Current Assets 1,456 1,574
Property, plant, and equipment, net 501 483
Goodwill 688 675
Other intangible assets 699 686
Other assets 61 57
---------------------
Total Assets $3,405 $3,475
=====================
Liabilities
-----------
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 380 $ 326
Short-term borrowings 585 337
Current portion of long-term debt 4 153
Other current liabilities 15 20
---------------------
Total Current Liabilities 984 836
Long-term debt, less unamortized
discount of $0 in 2008 and $1 in 2009 417 509
Deferred income taxes 89 80
Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits 121 175
Other liabilities 69 59
---------------------
Total Liabilities 1,680 1,659
---------------------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
--------------------
Common Stock:
Class A, voting, $0.15 par value
(57,000,000 shares authorized;
56,964,000 shares issued) 9 9
Class B, nonvoting, $0.15 par value
(100,000,000 shares authorized;
99,363,000 shares issued) 10 15
Additional paid-in capital 74 67
Retained earnings 1,931 2,189
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustment (88) (127)
Cumulative translation adjustment 99 (10)
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedge contracts (6) 4
Treasury stock, at cost
(5,522,000 and 6,200,000 shares
in 2008 and 2009, respectively) (304) (331)
---------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 1,725 1,816
---------------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $3,405 $3,475
=====================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
32
Brown-Forman
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in millions)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended April 30, 2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 389 $ 440 $ 435
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operations:
Net loss from discontinued operations 11 -- --
Depreciation and amortization 44 52 55
Non-cash agave inventory write-down -- -- 22
Gain on sale of brand names -- -- (20)
Stock-based compensation expense 8 10 7
Deferred income taxes (7) 5 12
Other (11) (3) --
Change in assets and liabilities, excluding
the effects of businesses acquired or sold:
Accounts receivable (47) (43) 33
Inventories (41) (3) (34)
Other current assets (9) (4) (5)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 14 21 4
Accrued income taxes (20) (12) (8)
Noncurrent assets and liabilities 18 71 (10)
Net cash provided by operating activities
of discontinued operations 6 -- --
-------------------------
Cash provided by operating activities 355 534 491
-------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (1,045) 2 --
Acquisition of distribution rights (25) -- --
Acquisition of brand names and trademarks -- (13) --
Proceeds from sale of brand names and trademarks -- -- 17
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations 12 -- --
Purchase of short-term investments (249) -- --
Sale of short-term investments 323 86 --
Additions to property, plant, and equipment (58) (41) (49)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant,
and equipment 14 6 --
Computer software expenditures (9) (12) (5)
Net cash used for investing activities
of discontinued operations (1) -- --
-------------------------
Cash (used for) provided by
investing activities (1,038) 28 (37)
-------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in short-term borrowings 178 184 (249)
Proceeds from long-term debt 421 -- 249
Repayment of long-term debt (2) (356) (4)
Debt issuance costs (2) -- (2)
Net proceeds (payments) from exercise
of stock options 27 11 (6)
Excess tax benefits from stock options 8 10 4
Acquisition of treasury stock -- (223) (39)
Special distribution to stockholders -- (204) --
Dividends paid (143) (158) (169)
-------------------------
Cash provided by (used for)
financing activities 487 (736) (216)
-------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes
on cash and cash equivalents 4 10 (17)
-------------------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (192) (164) 221
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 475 283 119
-------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $283 $119 $340
=========================
Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:
Interest $ 32 $ 50 $ 34
Income taxes $205 $236 $222
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
33
Brown-Forman
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars expressed in millions, except per share amounts)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended April 30, 2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Common Stock $ 9 $ 9 $ 9
Class B Common Stock:
Balance at beginning of year 10 10 10
Stock distribution (Note 1) -- -- 5
----------------------------
Balance at end of year 10 10 15
----------------------------
Additional Paid-in Capital:
Balance at beginning of year 47 64 74
Stock issued under compensation plans 2 3 --
Stock-based compensation expense 6 6 5
Adjustment for stock option exercises 1 (9) (16)
Excess tax benefits from stock options 8 10 4
----------------------------
Balance at end of year 64 74 67
----------------------------
Retained Earnings:
Balance at beginning of year 1,607 1,649 1,931
Net income 389 440 435
Cash dividends ($0.93, $1.03, and $1.12 per
share in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively) (143) (158) (169)
Special cash distribution to
stockholders ($1.32 per share in 2007) (204) -- --
Stock distribution (Note 1) -- -- (5)
Adoption of SFAS 158 measurement date provision,
net of tax of $2 (Note 13) -- -- (3)
----------------------------
Balance at end of year 1,649 1,931 2,189
----------------------------
Treasury Stock, at cost:
Balance at beginning of year (128) (102) (304)
Acquisition of treasury stock -- (223) (39)
Stock issued under compensation plans 24 17 10
Stock-based compensation expense 2 4 2
----------------------------
Balance at end of year (102) (304) (331)
----------------------------
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Balance at beginning of year 18 (57) 5
Net other comprehensive income (loss) 19 62 (147)
Adjustment to initially apply SFAS 158,
net of tax of $60 (Note 13) (94) -- --
Adoption of SFAS 158 measurement date provision,
net of tax of $(6)(Note 13) -- -- 9
----------------------------
Balance at end of year (57) 5 (133)
----------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity $1,573 $1,725 $1,816
============================
Class A Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands):
Balance at beginning of year 56,829 56,870 56,573
Acquisition of treasury stock -- (340) (22)
Stock issued under compensation plans 41 43 39
----------------------------
Balance at end of year 56,870 56,573 56,590
----------------------------
Class B Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands):
Balance at beginning of year 65,636 66,367 64,019
Stock distribution (Note 1) -- -- 30,175
Acquisition of treasury stock -- (2,937) (843)
Stock issued under compensation plans 731 589 186
----------------------------
Balance at end of year 66,367 64,019 93,537
----------------------------
Total Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands) 123,237 120,592 150,127
============================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
34
Brown-Forman
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars expressed in millions, except per share amounts)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended April 30, 2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $389 $440 $435
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment 22 53 (109)
Pension and other postretirement benefits
adjustment, net of tax of $1,$(9), and $30
in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively (1) 11 (48)
Amounts related to cash flow hedges:
Reclassification to earnings, net of tax
of $(2), $(4), and $4 in 2007, 2008, and
2009, respectively 3 7 (6)
Net gain (loss) on hedging instruments,
net of tax of $3, $6, and $(12) in 2007,
2008, and 2009, respectively (6) (9) 16
----------------------------
Net other comprehensive income (loss) 18 62 (147)
----------------------------
Total comprehensive income $407 $502 $288
============================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
35
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars expressed in millions, except per share amounts)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We apply the following accounting policies when preparing our consolidated
financial statements. References to "FASB" are to the Financial Accounting
Standards Board, the private-sector organization that establishes financial
accounting and reporting standards, including Statements of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS).
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION. Our consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. We use the equity
method to account for investments in affiliates over which we can exercise
significant influence (but not control). We carry all other investments in
affiliates at cost. We eliminate all intercompany transactions.
CASH EQUIVALENTS. Cash equivalents include bank demand deposits and all highly
liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS. We evaluate the collectibility of accounts
receivable based on a combination of factors. When we are aware of circumstances
that may impair a specific customer's ability to meet its financial obligations,
we record a specific allowance to reduce the net recognized receivable to the
amount we reasonably believe will be collected.
INVENTORIES. We state inventories at the lower of cost or market, with
approximately 68% of consolidated inventories being valued using the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) method. Other inventories are valued using the first-in,
first-out (FIFO) method. If the FIFO method had been used, inventories would
have been $150 and $189 higher than reported at April 30, 2008 and 2009,
respectively. FIFO cost approximates current replacement cost.
Whiskey must be barrel-aged for several years, so we bottle and sell only a
portion of our whiskey inventory each year. Following industry practice, we
classify all barreled whiskey as a current asset. We include warehousing,
insurance, ad valorem taxes, and other carrying charges applicable to barreled
whiskey in inventory costs.
We classify bulk wine and agave inventories as work in process.
During 2009, we recorded a $22 provision for inventory losses (which is included
in cost of sales) resulting from abnormally high levels of mortality and disease
in some of our agave fields. We believe this provision is adequate as of April
30, 2009, but actual inventory losses could be significantly different.
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT. We state property, plant, and equipment at cost
less accumulated depreciation. We calculate depreciation on a straight-line
basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: 20 to 40 years
for buildings and improvements; 3 to 10 years for machinery, equipment,
vehicles, furniture, and fixtures; and 3 to 7 years for capitalized software
costs.
We assess our property, plant, and equipment and other long-lived assets for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying value of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Fair value is
determined using discounted estimated future cash flows, with consideration of
market values for similar assets when available. If the fair value of an
evaluated asset is less than its book value, we write it down to its estimated
fair value.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS. We assess our goodwill and other
intangible assets for impairment at least annually. If the fair value of an
evaluated asset is less than its book value, the asset is written down to its
estimated fair value. Fair value is determined using discounted estimated future
cash flows, with consideration of market values for similar assets when
available.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION. The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for
most of our consolidated operations. For those operations, we report all gains
and losses from foreign currency transactions in current income. The local
currency is the functional currency for some foreign operations. For those
investments, we report cumulative translation effects as a component of
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders'
equity.
REVENUE RECOGNITION. We recognize revenue when title and risk of loss pass to
the customer, which typically is at the time the product is shipped. Certain
sales contain customer acceptance provisions that grant a right of return on the
basis of either subjective criteria or specified objective criteria. Revenue is
recorded net of the estimated cost of sales returns and allowances.
SALES DISCOUNTS. Sales discounts, which are recorded as a reduction of net
sales, totaled $242, $303, and $328 for 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively.
COST OF SALES. Cost of sales includes the costs of receiving, producing,
inspecting, warehousing, insuring, and shipping goods sold during the period.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING FEES AND COSTS. We report the amounts we bill to our
customers for shipping and handling as net sales, and we report the costs we
incur for shipping and handling as cost of sales.
ADVERTISING COSTS. We expense the costs of advertising during the year in which
the advertisements first take place.
SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general, and
administrative expenses include the costs associated with our sales force,
administrative staff and facilities, and other expenses related to the
non-manufacturing functions of our business.
EARNINGS PER SHARE. Basic earnings per share is based upon the weighted average
number of all common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per
share includes the dilutive effect of stock-based compensation awards, including
stock options, stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SSARs), and non-vested
restricted stock.
36
The following table presents information concerning basic and diluted earnings
per share:
Year Ended April 30, 2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic and diluted net income (loss):
Continuing operations $400 $440 $435
Discontinued operations (11) -- --
------------------------------
Total $389 $440 $435
==============================
Share data (in thousands):
Basic average common shares outstanding 153,586 153,080 150,452
Dilutive effect of non-vested restricted stock 73 114 147
Dilutive effect of stock options and SSARs 1,592 1,317 923
------------------------------
Diluted average common shares outstanding 155,251 154,511 151,522
==============================
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $2.61 $2.87 $2.89
Discontinued operations (0.07) -- --
------------------------------
Total $2.54 $2.87 $2.89
==============================
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $2.58 $2.84 $2.87
Discontinued operations (0.07) -- --
------------------------------
Total $2.51 $2.85 $2.87
==============================
Note: Earnings (loss) per share amounts for continuing operations and
discontinued operations may not add to total amount for the company
due to rounding.
Stock-based awards for approximately 416,000 common shares, 945,000 common
shares, and 1,899,000 common shares were excluded from the calculation of
diluted earnings per share for 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively, because the
exercise price of the awards was greater than the average market price of the
shares.
During fiscal 2008, under a stock repurchase plan authorized by our Board of
Directors in November 2007, we repurchased 3,721,563 shares (42,600 of Class A
and 3,678,963 of Class B) for $200.
In December 2008, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the
repurchase of up to $250 of our outstanding Class A and Class B common shares
over the next 12 months, subject to market conditions. Under this plan, we can
repurchase shares from time to time for cash in open market purchases, block
transactions, and privately negotiated transactions in accordance with
applicable federal securities laws. As of April 30, 2009, we have repurchased a
total of 838,692 shares (11,800 of Class A and 826,892 of Class B) under this
plan for approximately $39. The average repurchase price per share, including
broker commissions, was $47.22 for Class A and $46.43 for Class B.
STOCK DISTRIBUTION. In September 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a stock
split, effected as a stock dividend, of one share of Class B common stock for
every four shares of either Class A or Class B common stock held by stockholders
of record as of the close of business on October 6, 2008, with fractional shares
paid in cash. The distribution took place on October 27, 2008.
As a result of the stock distribution, we reclassified approximately $5 from the
company's retained earnings account to its common stock account. The $5
represents the $0.15 par value per share of the shares issued in the stock
distribution.
All previously reported per share and Class B share amounts in the accompanying
financial statements and related notes have been restated to reflect the stock
distribution.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. Our stock-based compensation plan requires that we
purchase shares to satisfy stock-based compensation requirements, thereby
avoiding future dilution of earnings that would occur from issuing additional
shares. We acquire treasury shares from time to time in anticipation of these
requirements. We intend to hold enough treasury stock so that the number of
diluted shares never exceeds the original number of shares outstanding at the
inception of the stock-based compensation plan (as adjusted for any share
issuances unrelated to the plan). The extent to which the number of diluted
shares exceeds the number of basic shares is determined by how much our stock
price has appreciated since the stock-based compensation was awarded, not by how
many treasury shares we have acquired.
ESTIMATES. To prepare financial statements that conform with generally accepted
accounting principles, our management must make informed estimates that affect
how we report revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities, including contingent
assets and liabilities. Actual results could (and probably will) differ from
these estimates.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS. In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R),
"Business Combinations," which establishes accounting principles and disclosure
requirements for all transactions in which a company obtains control over
another business.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements," which prescribes the accounting by a parent
company for noncontrolling interests held by other parties in a subsidiary of
the parent company.
In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, "Determining Whether Instruments
Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities," which
provides additional guidance on the treatment of unvested share-based awards
(such as restricted stock) in the calculation of earnings per share.
In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 132(R)-1, "Employers' Disclosures
about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets," which expands the required
disclosures about plan assets of defined benefit pension and other
postretirement plans.
Each of the above pronouncements becomes effective during our 2010 fiscal year.
We do not expect our adoption of these pronouncements to have a material impact
on our financial statements.
During 2008, we adopted SFAS 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities." (See Note 8 for the disclosures required by SFAS 161.) SFAS
157, "Fair Value Measurements," and SFAS 159, "The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," also became effective during fiscal
2009, as discussed in Note 10.
RECLASSIFICATIONS. We have reclassified some prior year amounts to conform
with this year's presentation.
37
2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
We sold our wholly-owned subsidiary Lenox, Inc. ("Lenox") during fiscal 2006.
After we sold Lenox, we retained ownership of Brooks & Bentley, a former Lenox
subsidiary located in the U.K. We sold Brooks & Bentley in 2007. After reviewing
various strategic alternatives, we also sold our wholly-owned subsidiary
Hartmann, Inc. ("Hartmann") in 2007. Accordingly, the operating results of
Brooks & Bentley and Hartmann are classified as discontinued operations in the
accompanying consolidated statement of operations for fiscal 2007. The results
of discontinued operations for 2007 include a $9 impairment charge. The majority
of this impairment relates to the decision made in 2007 by our Board of
Directors to sell Hartmann and to focus our efforts entirely on our beverage
business. The $7 pre-tax impairment charge associated with Hartmann consisted of
a goodwill impairment of $4 and an impairment charge of $3 that represented the
excess of the carrying value of the net assets to be sold over the expected
sales proceeds, net of estimated costs to sell.
Before we decided to sell Hartmann, no impairment charge was recorded because we
believed its operations would generate sufficient future cash flows to enable us
to fully recover its carrying amount. The decision to sell Hartmann reflected
the Board's opinion that the sum of the price to be obtained from the sale and
the strategic value of focusing entirely on our beverage business would be
greater than the value of continuing to operate Hartmann.
There was also a $2 pre-tax impairment charge recorded in 2007 for Brooks &
Bentley. This impairment charge reflected a revision to its estimated fair value
and costs to sell, based on the negotiations that resulted in its ultimate sale.
A summary of discontinued operations follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended April 30, 2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $ 50 $ -- $ --
Operating expenses (53) -- --
Impairment charge (9) -- --
Transaction costs (1) -- --
--------------------------------
Loss before income taxes (13) -- --
Income tax benefit 2 -- --
--------------------------------
Net loss from discontinued operations $(11) $ -- $ --
================================
3. ACQUISITIONS
We have completed the following acquisitions over the past three years. The
operating results of each acquired entity have been consolidated with our
financial statements since their respective acquisition dates. Consolidated pro
forma operating results would not have been materially different from the actual
amounts reported.
CHAMBORD LIQUEUR. In May 2006, we completed the acquisition of Chambord liqueur
and all related assets from Chatam International Incorporated and its operating
subsidiary, Charles Jacquin et Cie Inc., for $251, including transaction costs.
The acquisition consisted primarily of the Chambord brand name and goodwill, to
which we allocated $116 and $127 of the purchase price, respectively. The entire
amount allocated to goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.
CASA HERRADURA. In January 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of
Casa Herradura and its affiliates relating to its tequila business, including
the Herradura and el Jimador tequilas, the New Mix tequila-based ready-to-drink
brand, the trade names and trademarks associated with such brands and other
acquired brands, as well as related production facilities and the sales,
marketing, and distribution organization in Mexico.
The cost of the acquisition was $794, including transaction costs of $16, and
was allocated based on management's estimates as follows:
Cash $ 2
Accounts receivable 39
Inventories 124
Other current assets 48
Property, plant, and equipment 65
Deferred income taxes 4
Goodwill 355
Trademarks and brand names 215
----
Total assets 852
----
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 52
Long-term debt 1
Other noncurrent liabilities 5
----
Total liabilities 58
----
Net assets acquired $794
====
Standard valuation procedures were used in determining the fair value of the
acquired trademarks and brand names, which were determined to have indefinite
lives. The entire goodwill amount of $355 is deductible for tax purposes.
We financed the acquisition with approximately $114 of cash and approximately
$680 of commercial paper, $400 of which was subsequently replaced with long-term
debt.
4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table shows the changes in the amounts recorded as goodwill over
the past two years:
Balance as of April 30, 2007 $670
Casa Herradura purchase price finalization 8
Foreign currency translation adjustment 10
----
Balance as of April 30, 2008 688
Foreign currency translation adjustment (13)
----
Balance as of April 30, 2009 $675
====
In May 2007, we ended our joint ventures in the tequila business with the
Orendain family of Mexico. We had shared ownership of the "Don Eduardo" and
other "Orendain" trademarks and related intellectual property with the Orendain
family since 1999 through two joint venture companies: Tequila Orendain de
Jalisco (TOJ) and BFC Tequila Limited (BFCTL). TOJ produced the tequila and held
the trademarks in Mexico. BFCTL owned the trademarks for all markets excluding
Mexico. Upon ending the joint ventures (which were not material to our
consolidated results of operations or financial position), we acquired the
remaining portion of the global trademark for the Don Eduardo super-premium
tequila brand that we did not already own. In exchange, we paid $12 to the other
shareholders of TOJ and BFCTL and surrendered to them our interest in all other
Orendain trademarks previously owned by these two companies.
38
As of April 30, 2008 and 2009, our other intangible assets consisted of:
Gross Carrying Accumulated
Amount Amortization
2008 2009 2008 2009
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Distribution rights $ 25 $ 25 $ (7) $(12)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks and brand names $681 $673 $ -- $ --
Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $2 in 2007 and $5 in both
2008 and 2009. We expect to recognize amortization expense of $5 in 2010, $5 in
2011, and $3 in 2012. However, actual amounts of future amortization expense may
differ due to additional intangible asset acquisitions, impairment of intangible
assets, accelerated amortization of intangible assets, and other events.
5. COMMITMENTS
We have contracted with various growers and wineries to supply some of our
future grape and bulk wine requirements. Many of these contracts call for prices
to be adjusted annually up or down, according to market conditions. Some
contracts set a fixed purchase price that might be higher or lower than
prevailing market price. We have total purchase obligations related to both
types of contracts of $29 in 2010, $24 in 2011, $16 in 2012, $11 in 2013, $8 in
2014, and $15 after 2014.
We also have contracts for the purchase of agave, which is used to produce
tequila. These contracts provide for prices to be determined based on market
conditions at the time of harvest, which, although not specified, is expected to
occur over the next 10 years. As of April 30, 2009, based on current market
prices, obligations under these contracts totaled $10.
We made rental payments for real estate, vehicles, and office, computer, and
manufacturing equipment under operating leases of $19 in 2007, $19 in 2008, and
$21 in 2009. We have commitments related to minimum lease payments of $16 in
2010, $13 in 2011, $8 in 2012, $5 in 2013, $3 in 2014, and $3 after 2014.
6. CREDIT FACILITIES
We have a committed revolving credit agreement with various domestic and
international banks for $800 that expires on April 30, 2012. Its most
restrictive covenant requires that our consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the
agreement) to consolidated interest expense not be less than a ratio of 3 to 1.
At April 30, 2009, with a ratio of nearly 20 to 1, we were within this
covenant's parameters. At April 30, 2009, we also had the ability to issue an
undetermined amount of debt securities under an SEC shelf registration filed in
January 2007.
7. DEBT Our long-term debt consisted of:
April 30, 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable-rate notes, due in fiscal 2010 $150 $150
5.2% notes, due in fiscal 2012 250 250
5.0% notes, due in fiscal 2014 -- 250
Other 21 12
-------------------------------
421 662
Less current portion 4 153
-------------------------------
$417 $509
===============================
Debt payments required over the next five fiscal years consist of $153 in 2010,
$3 in 2011, $253 in 2012, $2 in 2013, and $251 in 2014. The weighted average
interest rate on the variable-rate notes was 4.0% and 1.3% at April 30, 2008 and
2009, respectively. In addition to long-term debt, we had short-term borrowings
outstanding with weighted average interest rates of 2.2% and 0.5% at April 30,
2008 and 2009, respectively.
8. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Our multinational business exposes us to global market risks, including the
effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and
interest rates. We use derivatives to manage financial exposures that occur in
the normal course of business. We formally document the purpose of each
derivative contract, which includes linking the contract to the financial
exposure it is designed to mitigate. We do not hold or issue derivatives for
trading purposes.
We use currency derivative contracts to limit our exposure to the currency
exchange risk that we cannot mitigate internally by using netting strategies. We
designate most of these contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions
(expected to occur within three years). We record all changes in the fair value
of cash flow hedges (except any ineffective portion) in accumulated other
comprehensive income (AOCI) until the underlying hedged transaction occurs, at
which time we reclassify that amount into earnings. We designate some of our
currency derivatives as hedges of net investments in foreign subsidiaries. We
record all changes in the fair value of net investment hedges (except any
ineffective portion) in the cumulative translation adjustment component of AOCI.
We assess the effectiveness of our hedges based on changes in forward exchange
rates. The ineffective portion of the changes in fair value of our hedges
(recognized immediately in earnings) during each of our last three fiscal years
was not material.
We do not designate some of our currency derivatives as hedges because we use
them to at least partially offset the immediate earnings impact of changes in
foreign exchange rates on existing assets or liabilities. We immediately
recognize the change in fair value of these contracts in earnings.
As of April 30, 2009, we had outstanding foreign currency contracts of $375,
related primarily to our euro, British pound, and Australian dollar exposures.
We also had outstanding exchange-traded futures and options contracts on 1
million bushels of corn as of April 30, 2009. We use these contracts to mitigate
our exposure to corn price volatility. Because we do not designate these
contracts as hedges for accounting purposes, we immediately recognize the
changes in their fair value in earnings.
39
This table presents the fair values of derivative instruments included on our
consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2009:
Amount Classification
Derivatives in a gain position:
Currency derivatives designated as cash flow hedges $ 12 Accrued expenses
Derivatives in a loss position:
Currency derivatives designated as cash flow hedges $(13) Accrued expenses
Currency derivatives not designated as hedges $ (1) Accrued expenses
Commodity derivatives not designated as hedges $ (2) Accrued expenses
This table presents the amounts affecting our consolidated statement of
operations for the year ended April 30, 2009:
Amount Classification
Currency derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Net gain recognized in AOCI $ 28 n/a
Net gain reclassified from AOCI into income $ 10 Net sales
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Currency derivatives - net gain recognized in income $ 23 Net sales
Commodity derivatives - net loss recognized in income $ (7) Cost of sales
We expect to reclassify $9 of deferred net gains recorded in AOCI as of April
30, 2009, to earnings during fiscal 2010. The actual amounts that we ultimately
reclassify to earnings will depend on the exchange rates in effect when the
underlying hedged transactions occur. The maximum term of our contracts
outstanding at April 30, 2009 is 18 months.
CREDIT RISK. We are exposed to credit-related losses if the other parties to our
derivative contracts breach them. This credit risk is limited to the fair value
of the contracts. To manage this risk, we enter into contracts only with major
financial institutions that have earned investment-grade credit ratings; we have
established counterparty credit guidelines that are continually monitored and
reported to senior management according to prescribed guidelines; and we
monetize contracts when warranted. Because of the safeguards we have put in
place, we consider the risk of counterparty default to be immaterial.
Some of our derivative instruments require us to maintain a specific level of
creditworthiness, which we maintained throughout fiscal 2009. If our
creditworthiness were to fall below such level, then the other parties to our
derivative instruments could request immediate payment or collateralization for
derivative instruments in net liability positions. As of April 30, 2009, the
aggregate fair value of all derivatives with creditworthiness requirements that
were in a net liability position was $2.
9. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The fair value of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term borrowings approximates
the carrying amount due to the short maturities of these instruments.
We estimate the fair value of long-term debt using discounted cash flows based
on our incremental borrowing rates for similar debt. The fair value of commodity
and foreign currency contracts is determined as discussed in Note 10. A
comparison of the fair values and carrying amounts of these instruments is as
follows:
April 30, 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Amount Value Amount Value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $119 $119 $340 $340
Commodity contracts 7 7 -- --
Liabilities:
Commodity contracts -- -- 2 2
Foreign currency contracts 10 10 1 1
Short-term borrowings 585 585 337 337
Current portion of
long-term debt 4 4 153 149
Long-term debt 417 417 509 535
10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, "Fair Value Measurements," which
defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and
expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value
as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a
liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or
liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the
measurement date. SFAS 157 establishes a three-level hierarchy based upon the
assumptions (inputs) used to determine fair value. Level 1 provides the most
reliable measure of fair value, while Level 3 generally requires significant
management judgment. The three levels are:
- Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities.
- Level 2: Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1, such as
quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted
prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are
not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be derived from or
corroborated by observable market data.
- Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market
activity.
In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, which permits a one-year
deferral for the implementation of SFAS 157 as it relates to nonfinancial assets
and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the
financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), such as goodwill
and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We elected to defer adoption of
the provisions of SFAS 157 that relate to such items until the beginning of our
2010 fiscal year. We do not expect our adoption to have a material impact on our
financial statements. We adopted the other provisions of SFAS 157 on May 1,
2008, with no material impact on our financial statements.
40
As of April 30, 2009, the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities
are as follows:
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets n/a
Liabilities:
Commodity contracts $2 $2 -- --
Foreign currency contracts $1 -- $1 --
The fair value of commodity contracts is based on quoted prices in active
markets. The fair value of foreign exchange contracts is determined through
pricing models or formulas using observable market data.
SFAS 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities," which became effective as of May 1, 2008, provides the option to
measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other items for
which fair value measurement is not required. We have currently chosen not to
elect this option.
11. BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
Supplemental information on our year-end balance sheet is as follows:
April 30, 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land $ 88 $ 89
Buildings 342 347
Equipment 453 475
Construction in process 24 14
-------------------------------
907 925
Less accumulated depreciation 406 442
-------------------------------
$501 $483
===============================
Accounts payable and accrued expenses:
Accounts payable, trade $129 $ 96
Accrued expenses:
Advertising 67 52
Compensation and commissions 86 76
Excise and other non-income taxes 41 51
Self-insurance claims 10 11
Postretirement benefits 7 6
Interest 2 5
Other 38 29
-------------------------------
251 230
-------------------------------
$380 $326
===============================
12. INCOME TAXES
We incur income taxes on the earnings of our domestic and foreign operations.
The following table, based on the locations of the taxable entities from which
sales were derived (rather than the location of customers), presents the
domestic and foreign components of our income before income taxes:
Year Ended April 30, 2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States $489 $533 $533
Foreign 97 111 97
------------------------------------
$586 $644 $630
====================================
The income shown above was determined according to financial accounting
standards. Because those standards sometimes differ from the tax rules used to
calculate taxable income, there are differences between: (a) the amount of
taxable income and pretax financial income for a year; and (b) the tax bases of
assets or liabilities and their amounts as recorded in our financial statements.
As a result, we recognize a current tax liability for the estimated income tax
payable on the current tax return, and deferred tax liabilities (income tax
payable on income that will be recognized on future tax returns) and deferred
tax assets (income tax refunds from deductions that will be recognized on future
tax returns) for the estimated effects of the differences mentioned above.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of the end of each of the last two years
were as follows:
April 30, 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets:
Postretirement and other benefits $ 71 $ 98
Accrued liabilities and other 25 26
Inventories 76 83
Loss carryforwards 32 35
Valuation allowance (28) (35)
-----------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets, net 176 207
-----------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Trademarks and brand names (123) (146)
Property, plant, and equipment (40) (39)
-----------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities (163) (185)
-----------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset $ 13 $ 22
===================================
The $35 valuation allowance at April 30, 2009, relates primarily to a $15
capital loss carryforward associated with the sale of Lenox during fiscal 2006
and a $16 non-trading loss carryforward generated by Brown-Forman Beverages
Europe during fiscal 2009 in the U.K. During fiscal 2009, we used $8 of capital
loss carryforward to offset the gain recorded on the sale of the Bolla and
Fontana Candida Italian wine brands. Currently, we are unaware of any
transaction that will permit the use of the capital loss carryforward relating
to the sale of Lenox, which expires in fiscal 2011. In addition, although the
non-trading losses in the U.K. can be carried forward indefinitely, we are
unaware of any transaction that will permit them to be utilized. The remaining
valuation allowance relates to other capital loss carryforwards that expire in
fiscal 2012.
Deferred tax liabilities were not provided on undistributed earnings of certain
foreign subsidiaries ($242 and $258 at April 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively)
because we expect these undistributed earnings to be reinvested indefinitely
overseas. If these amounts were not considered permanently reinvested,
additional deferred tax liabilities of approximately $45 and $51 would have been
provided as of April 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
41
Total income tax expense for a year includes the tax associated with the current
tax return ("current tax expense") and the change in the net deferred tax asset
or liability ("deferred tax expense"). Total income tax expense for each of the
last three years was as follows:
2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current:
Federal $141 $154 $142
Foreign 27 26 23
State and local 16 19 15
------------------------------------
184 199 180
------------------------------------
Deferred:
Federal 5 3 11
Foreign 1 4 1
State and local (4) (2) 3
------------------------------------
2 5 15
------------------------------------
$186 $204 $195
====================================
Our consolidated effective tax rate may differ from current statutory rates due
to the recognition of amounts for events or transactions that have no tax
consequences. The following table reconciles our effective tax rate to the
federal statutory tax rate in the U.S.:
Percent of Income Before Taxes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. federal statutory rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
State taxes, net of U.S.
federal tax benefit 1.3 1.5 1.8
Income taxed at other than U.S.
federal statutory rate (1.5) (1.8) (1.3)
Tax benefit from export sales (1.0) -- --
Tax benefit from U.S. manufacturing (0.7) (1.8) (1.7)
Capital loss benefit -- -- (1.2)
Other, net (1.4) (1.2) (1.5)
-------------------------------------
Effective rate 31.7% 31.7% 31.1%
=====================================
Effective May 1, 2007, we adopted FIN 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes - an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109," which clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This interpretation required that
we recognize in our financial statements the impact of a tax position if that
position is more likely than not to be sustained on audit, based on the
technical merits of the position. Upon adoption, we made no adjustment to our
unrecognized tax benefits.
At April 30, 2009, we had $26 of gross unrecognized tax benefits, $19 of which
would reduce our effective income tax rate if recognized. A reconciliation of
the beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits follows:
2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year $43 $35
Additions for tax positions provided in prior periods 1 1
Additions for tax positions provided in current period 4 4
Settlements of tax positions in the current period (7) (2)
Lapse of statutes of limitations (6) (12)
-------------------------
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year $35 $26
=========================
We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a
component of our income tax provision. Total gross interest and penalties of $8
and $6 were accrued as of April 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The impact of
interest and penalties on our effective tax rates for 2008 and 2009 was not
material.
We file income tax returns in the U.S., including several state and local
jurisdictions, as well as in various other countries throughout the world in
which we conduct business. The major jurisdictions and their earliest fiscal
years that are currently open for tax examinations are 1998 in the U.S., 2005 in
Ireland and Italy, 2003 in the U.K. and Finland, and 2002 in Poland. Audits of
our fiscal 2006 and 2007 U.S. federal tax returns were initiated during fiscal
2009.
We believe it is reasonably possible that the gross unrecognized tax benefits
may decrease by approximately $2 in the next 12 months as a result of settlement
and expiration of statutes of limitations.
13. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans as well as postretirement plans
providing retiree health care and retiree life insurance benefits. Below, we
discuss our obligations related to these plans, the assets dedicated to meeting
the obligations, and the amounts we recognized in our financial statements as a
result of sponsoring these plans. As discussed below, we now use a measurement
date of April 30 to determine the amounts of the plan obligations and assets.
On April 30, 2007, we adopted SFAS 158, "Employer's Accounting for Defined
Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans." SFAS 158 requires that,
beginning in fiscal 2009, the assumptions used to measure our annual pension and
other postretirement benefit expenses be determined as of the balance sheet
date, and all plan assets and liabilities be reported as of that date.
Accordingly, as of the beginning of our 2009 fiscal year, we changed the
measurement date for our annual pension and other postretirement benefit
expenses and all plan assets and liabilities from January 31 to April 30. As a
result of this change in measurement date, we recorded an increase of $6 (net of
tax of $4) to stockholders' equity as of May 1, 2008, as follows:
Pension Medical and Life Total
Benefits Insurance Benefits Benefits
Retained earnings $(2) $(1) $(3)
Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) 8 1 9
---- ---- ----
Total $ 6 $ -- $ 6
==== ==== ====
42
OBLIGATIONS. We provide eligible employees with pension and other
post-retirement benefits based on such factors as years of service and
compensation level during employment. The pension obligation shown below
("projected benefit obligation") consists of: (a) benefits earned by employees
to date based on current salary levels ("accumulated benefit obligation"); and
(b) benefits to be received by employees as a result of expected future salary
increases. (The obligation for medical and life insurance benefits is not
affected by future salary increases.) This table shows how the present value of
our obligation changed during each of the last two years.
Pension Medical and Life
Benefits Insurance Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2009 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obligation at beginning of year $448 $451 $ 53 $ 52
Service cost 13 13 1 1
Interest cost 27 30 3 3
Net actuarial gain (21) (53) (3) (9)
Plan amendments 1 1 -- --
Retiree contributions -- -- 1 1
Benefits paid (17) (20) (3) (4)
Measurement date change -- (8) -- --
Special termination benefits -- 1 -- --
----------------------------------------
Obligation at end of year $451 $415 $ 52 $ 44
========================================
Service cost represents the present value of the benefits attributed to service
rendered by employees during the year. Interest cost is the increase in the
present value of the obligation due to the passage of time. Net actuarial loss
(gain) is the change in value of the obligation resulting from experience
different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption. (We
discuss actuarial assumptions used at the end of this note.)
As shown in the previous table, our pension and other postretirement benefit
obligations were reduced by benefit payments in 2009 of $20 and $4,
respectively. Expected benefit payments over the next 10 years are as follows:
Pension Medical and Life
Benefits Insurance Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010 $ 24 $ 3
2011 24 3
2012 25 3
2013 26 3
2014 27 4
2015-2019 158 19
ASSETS. We specifically invest in certain assets in order to fund our pension
benefit obligations. Our investment goal is to earn a total return that, over
time, will grow assets sufficiently to fund our plans' liabilities, after
providing appropriate levels of contributions and accepting prudent levels of
investment risk. To achieve this goal, plan assets are invested primarily in
funds or portfolios of funds actively managed by outside managers. Investment
risk is managed by company policies that require diversification of asset
classes, manager styles, and individual holdings. We measure and monitor
investment risk through quarterly and annual performance reviews, and periodic
asset/liability studies.
Asset allocation is the most important method for achieving our investment goals
and is based on our assessment of the plans' long-term return objectives and the
appropriate balances needed for liquidity, stability, and diversification. The
allocation of our pension plan assets at fair value on April 30, 2008 and 2009,
and the target allocation for 2010, by asset category, are as follows:
Asset Allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actual Actual Target
2008 2009 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity securities 56% 52% 47%
Debt securities 22 28 30
Real estate 10 8 8
Other 12 12 15
----------------------------------------
Total 100% 100% 100%
========================================
This table shows how the fair value of the pension plan assets changed during
each of the last two years. (We do not have assets set aside for postretirement
medical or life insurance benefits.)
Pension Medical and Life
Benefits Insurance Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2009 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value at beginning of year $396 $397 $ -- $ --
Measurement date change -- 2 -- --
Actual return on plan assets 16 (110) -- --
Retiree contributions -- -- 1 1
Company contributions 2 15 2 3
Benefits paid (17) (20) (3) (4)
----------------------------------------
Fair value at end of year $397 $284 $ -- $ --
========================================
Consistent with our funding policy, we expect to contribute $3 to our
postretirement medical and life insurance benefit plans in 2010. While we may
decide to contribute more, we currently expect to contribute $19 to our pension
plans in 2010.
FUNDED STATUS. The funded status of a plan refers to the difference between its
assets and its obligations. This table shows the funded status of our plans.
Pension Medical and Life
Benefits Insurance Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2009 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets $ 397 $ 284 $ -- $ --
Obligations (451) (415) (52) (44)
Assets contributed
after measurement date 1 -- -- --
--------------------------------------
Funded status $ (53) $(131) $(52) $(44)
======================================
43
The net liability is recorded on the balance sheet as follows:
Pension Medical and Life
Benefits Insurance Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2009 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other assets $ 23 $ 6 $ -- $ --
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (4) (3) (3) (3)
Accrued postretirement benefits (72) (134) (49) (41)
--------------------------------------
Net liability $(53) $(131) $(52) $(44)
======================================
Accumulated other comprehensive
loss (income):
Net actuarial loss (gain) $131 $203 $ 5 $ (5)
Prior service cost 5 5 1 1
--------------------------------------
$136 $208 $ 6 $ (4)
======================================
This table compares our pension plans that have assets in excess of their
accumulated benefit obligations with those whose assets are less than their
obligations. (As discussed above, we have no assets set aside for postretirement
medical or life insurance benefits.)
Accumulated Projected
Benefit Benefit
Plan Assets Obligation Obligation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plans with assets in
excess of accumulated
benefit obligation $397 $ 38 $336 $ 31 $397 $ 32
Plans with accumulated
benefit obligation in
excess of assets -- 246 45 346 54 383
------------------------------------------------
Total $397 $284 $381 $377 $451 $415
================================================
PENSION EXPENSE. This table shows the components of the pension expense
recognized during each of the last three years. The amount for each year
includes amortization of the prior service cost and net loss that was
unrecognized as of the beginning of the year.
Pension Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost $ 13 $ 13 $ 13
Interest cost 24 27 30
Special termination benefits -- -- 1
Expected return on plan assets (32) (32) (35)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost 1 1 1
Net actuarial loss 12 12 6
-----------------------------------------
Net expense $ 18 $ 21 $ 16
=========================================
The prior service cost represents the cost of retroactive benefits granted in
plan amendments and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average
remaining service period of the employees expected to receive the benefits. The
net actuarial loss results from experience different from that assumed or from a
change in actuarial assumptions, and is amortized over at least that same
period. The estimated amount of prior service cost and net actuarial loss that
will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into pension expense
in 2010 is $1 and $4, respectively.
The pension expense recorded during the year is estimated at the beginning of
the year. As a result, the amount is calculated using an expected return on plan
assets rather than the actual return. The difference between actual and expected
returns is included in the unrecognized net actuarial gain or loss at the end of
the year.
OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT EXPENSE. This table shows the components of the
postretirement medical and life insurance benefit expense that we recognized
during each of the last three years.
Medical and Life Insurance Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost $1 $1 $1
Interest cost 3 3 3
-----------------------------------------
Net expense $4 $4 $4
=========================================
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME. Changes in the funded status of our benefit plans
that are not recognized in net income (as pension and other postretirement
benefit expense) are instead recognized in other comprehensive income. Other
comprehensive income is also adjusted to reflect the amortization of the prior
service cost and net actuarial gain or loss, which is a component of net pension
and other postretirement benefit expense, from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) to net income. This table shows the amounts recognized in other
comprehensive income during 2009:
Pension Medical and Life
Benefits Insurance Benefits
Prior service cost $ 1 $--
Actuarial loss (gain) 92 (9)
Amortization reclassified to net income:
Prior service cost (1) --
Net actuarial loss (6) --
---- ----
Net amount recognized in
other comprehensive income $86 $(9)
==== ====
44
ASSUMPTIONS AND SENSITIVITY. We use various assumptions to determine the
obligations and expense related to our pension and other postretirement benefit
plans. The assumptions used in computing benefit plan obligations as of the end
of the last two years were as follows:
Pension Medical and Life
Benefits Insurance Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In Percent) 2008 2009 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate 6.64 7.94 6.45 7.80
Rate of salary increase 4.00 4.00 -- --
Expected return on plan assets 8.75 8.50 -- --
The assumptions used in computing benefit plan expense during each of the last
three years were as follows:
Pension Medical and Life
Benefits Insurance Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In Percent) 2007 2008 2009 2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate 5.95 6.04 6.87 5.95 5.98 6.87
Rate of salary increase 4.00 4.00 4.00 -- -- --
Expected return on plan assets 8.75 8.75 8.75 -- -- --
The discount rate represents the interest rate used to discount the cash-flow
stream of benefit payments to a net present value as of the current date. A
lower assumed discount rate increases the present value of the benefit
obligation. We determined the discount rate using a yield curve based on the
interest rates of high-quality debt securities with maturities corresponding to
the expected timing of our benefit payments.
The assumed rate of salary increase reflects the expected annual increase in
salaries as a result of inflation, merit increases, and promotions. A lower
assumed rate decreases the present value of the benefit obligation. The expected
return on plan assets represents the long-term rate of return that we assume
will be earned over the life of the pension assets, considering the distribution
of those assets among investment categories and the related historical rates of
return.
The assumed health care cost trend rates as of the end of the last two years
were as follows:
Medical and Life Insurance Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In Percent) 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year:
Present rate before age 65 9.0 8.0
Present rate age 65 and after 9.0 8.0
We project health care cost trend rates to decline gradually to 5.0% by 2015 and
to remain level after that. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a
significant effect on the amounts reported for postretirement medical plans. A
one percentage point increase/decrease in assumed health care cost trend rates
would have increased/decreased the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
as of April 30, 2009, by $4 and the aggregate service and interest costs for
2009 by less than $1.
SAVINGS PLANS. We also sponsor various defined contribution benefit plans that
in total cover substantially all employees. Employees can make voluntary
contributions in accordance with the provisions of their respective plans, which
includes a 401(k) tax deferral option. We match a percentage of each employee's
contributions in accordance with the provisions of the plans. We expensed $8,
$9, and $10 for matching contributions during 2007, 2008, and 2009,
respectively.
14. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The following table presents net sales by product category:
2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales:
Spirits $2,425 $2,896 $2,832
Wine 381 386 360
-----------------------------------------------
$2,806 $3,282 $3,192
===============================================
The following table presents net sales by geographic region:
2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales:
United States $1,498 $1,564 $1,542
Europe 816 955 892
Other 492 763 758
-----------------------------------------------
$2,806 $3,282 $3,192
===============================================
Net sales are attributed to countries based on where customers are located. The
net book value of property, plant, and equipment located in Mexico was $64 and
$52 as of April 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Other long-lived assets located
outside the U.S. are not significant.
15. CONTINGENCIES
We operate in a litigious environment, and we are sued in the normal course of
business. Sometimes plaintiffs seek substantial damages. Significant judgment is
required in predicting the outcome of these suits and claims, many of which take
years to adjudicate. We accrue estimated costs for a contingency when we believe
that a loss is probable and we can make a reasonable estimate of the loss, and
adjust the accrual as appropriate to reflect changes in facts and circumstances.
No material accrued loss contingencies are recorded as of April 30, 2009.
16. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Under our 2004 Omnibus Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), we can grant stock
options and other stock-based incentive awards for a total of 7,433,000 shares
of common stock to eligible employees until July 22, 2014. As of April 30, 2009,
awards for 5,029,000 shares remain available for issuance under the Plan. Shares
delivered to employees are limited by the Plan to shares that we purchase for
this purpose. No new shares may be issued.
45
We grant stock options and SSARs at an exercise price of not less than the fair
value of the underlying stock on the grant date. Stock options and SSARs granted
under the Plan become exercisable after three years from the first day of the
fiscal year of grant and expire seven years after that date. The grant-date fair
values of these awards granted during 2007, 2008, and 2009 were $12.85, $12.20,
and $11.41 per award, respectively. Fair values were estimated using the
Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions:
2007 2008 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------
Risk-free interest rate 5.0% 4.7% 3.5%
Expected volatility 16.9% 17.2% 18.1%
Expected dividend yield 1.8% 1.7% 1.8%
Expected life (years) 6 6 6
Here is a summary of stock option and SSAR activity under the Plan as of April
30, 2009, and changes during the year then ended:
Weighted Weighted
Shares Average Exercise Average Remaining Aggregate
(in thousands) Price Per Option/SSAR Contractual Term Intrinsic Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at May 1, 2008 4,474 $35.91
Granted 497 57.41
Exercised (625) 26.24
Forfeited or expired (31) 53.77
---------------
Outstanding at April 30, 2009 4,315 $39.65 5.0 $43
---------------
Exercisable at April 30, 2009 3,030 $32.69 3.8 $43
---------------
The total intrinsic value of options and SSARs exercised during 2007, 2008, and
2009 was $26, $31, and $17, respectively.
We also grant restricted shares of common stock under the Plan. As of April 30,
2009, there are approximately 162,000 restricted shares outstanding, with a
weighted-average remaining restriction period of 2.2 years. The following table
summarizes restricted stock activity during 2009.
Weighted
Restricted Average
Shares Grant Date
(in thousands) Fair Value
--------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at May 1, 2008 188 $44.69
Granted 48 57.46
Vested (68) 39.01
Forfeited (6) 46.45
---
Outstanding at April 30, 2009 162 $50.75
===
The total fair value of restricted stock vested during 2008 and 2009 was $1 and
$3, respectively. No restricted stock vested during 2007.
The accompanying consolidated statements of operations reflect compensation
expense related to stock-based incentive awards on a pre-tax basis of $8 in
2007, $10 in 2008, and $7 in 2009, partially offset by deferred income tax
benefits of $3 in 2007, $4 in 2008, and $3 in 2009. As of April 30, 2009, there
was $9 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based
compensation. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average
period of 1.8 years.
17. RESTRUCTURING COSTS
In April 2009, we accrued $12 related to our decision to reduce our workforce
through involuntary employment termination and voluntary early retirement. That
amount, which is reflected in selling, general, and administrative expenses,
consists of severance and other special termination benefits. No material
additional expenses are expected to be incurred as a result of this reduction in
workforce, which was completed in fiscal 2009. We expect substantially all of
the accrued amount to be paid during fiscal 2010.
18. OTHER INCOME
In September 2006, we entered into an agreement with Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV)
for the production of Bolla Italian wines. Under the agreement, we also sold our
main Bolla wine production facility in Pedemonte, Italy, to GIV, which then
produced Bolla Italian Wines for us. We recognized a gain on the sale of $11,
which is included in other income for fiscal 2007. The agreement also named GIV
as Bolla's distributor in the Italian domestic market. We maintained worldwide
ownership of the Bolla trademark and continued to sell Bolla Wines in the
brand's other markets.
Under a separate agreement, in December 2008, we recognized a gain of $20 on the
sale of the Bolla and Fontana Candida wine brands to GIV. In order to facilitate
the transition of the brands to GIV, we served as its agent for these brands in
the U.S. through February 28, 2009.
46
REPORTS OF MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity
of the financial information presented in this Annual Report. The consolidated
financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP), including amounts based on management's
best estimates and judgments. In management's opinion, the consolidated
financial statements fairly present the Company's financial position, results of
operations, and cash flows.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed of independent
directors, meets regularly with the independent registered public accounting
firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), internal auditors, and representatives
of management to review accounting, internal control structure, and financial
reporting matters. The internal auditors and PwC have full, free access to the
Audit Committee. As set forth in our Code of Conduct and Compliance Guidelines,
we are firmly committed to adhering to the highest standards of moral and
ethical behaviors in our business activities.
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control over financial
reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.
Under our supervision, and with the participation of management, we conducted an
evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial
reporting based on the framework and criteria in "Internal Control - Integrated
Framework" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission. Based on this evaluation, we concluded that the Company's internal
control over financial reporting was effective as of April 30, 2009.
There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial
reporting during the most recent fiscal year that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over
financial reporting. The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over
financial reporting as of April 30, 2009, has been audited by PwC, as stated in
their report that appears on page 48.
/s/ Paul C. Varga
Paul C. Varga
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Donald C. Berg
Donald C. Berg
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
47
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related
consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and stockholders' equity
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Brown-Forman
Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "Company") at April 30, 2009 and April 30,
2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended April 30, 2009 in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our
opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal
control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2009, based on criteria
established in "Internal Control - Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's
management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining
effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing on
page 47 of this Annual Report to Stockholders. Our responsibility is to express
opinions on these financial statements and on the Company's internal control
over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits
in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over
financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the
financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal
control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal
control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness
exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of
internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing
such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to
the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii)
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of
the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting
may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Louisville, Kentucky
June 26, 2009
48
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains statements, estimates, and projections that are
"forward-looking statements" as defined under U.S. federal securities laws.
Words such as "expect," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "will," "anticipate,"
"see," "project," and similar words identify forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date we make them. Except as required by law, we do not
intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events, or otherwise. By their nature, forward-
looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors (many beyond
our control) that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our
historical experience or from our current expectations or projections. These
risks and other factors include, but are not limited to:
- deepening or expansion of the global economic downturn or turmoil in
financial and equity markets (and related credit and capital market
instability and illiquidity); decreased consumer and trade spending; higher
unemployment; supplier, customer or consumer credit, or other financial
problems; further inventory reductions by distributors, wholesalers, or
retailers; bank failures or governmental nationalizations, etc.
- competitors' pricing actions (including price promotions, discounting,
couponing, or free goods), marketing, product introductions, or other
competitive activities aimed at our brands
- trade or consumer reaction to our product line extensions or new marketing
initiatives
- further decline in consumer confidence or spending, whether related to global
economic conditions, wars, natural disasters, pandemics (such as swine flu),
terrorist attacks, or other factors
- increases in tax rates (including excise, sales, corporate, individual
income, dividends, or capital gains), changes in tax rules (e.g., LIFO,
foreign income deferral, or U.S. manufacturing deduction) or accounting
standards, tariffs, or other restrictions affecting beverage alcohol, and
the unpredictability and suddenness with which they can occur
- trade or consumer resistance to price increases in our products
- tighter governmental restrictions on our ability to produce and market our
products, including advertising and promotion
- business disruption, decline or costs related to reductions in workforce or
other cost-cutting measures
- lower returns on pension assets, higher interest rates on debt, or
significant changes in recent inflation rates (whether up or down)
- fluctuations in the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, especially the
British pound, euro, Australian dollar, or Polish zloty
- reduced bar, restaurant, hotel, and other on-premise business; consumer
shifts to discount stores to buy our products; or other price-sensitive
consumer behavior
- changes in consumer preferences, societal attitudes, or cultural trends that
result in reduced consumption of our products
- distribution arrangement changes that affect the timing of our sales or limit
our ability to market or sell our products
- adverse impacts resulting from our acquisitions, dispositions, joint
ventures, business partnerships, or portfolio strategies
- lower profits, due to factors such as fewer used barrel sales, lower
production volumes (either for our own brands or those of third parties),
or cost increases in energy or raw materials, such as grapes, grain, agave,
wood, glass, plastic, or closures
- Climatic changes, agricultural uncertainties, our suppliers' financial
hardships, or other factors that reduce the availability or quality of
grapes, agave, grain, glass, closures, plastic, or wood
- negative publicity related to our company, brands, personnel, operations,
business performance, or prospects
- product counterfeiting, tampering, or contamination and resulting negative
effects on our sales, brand equity, or corporate reputation
- adverse developments stemming from state, federal, or other governmental
investigations of beverage alcohol industry business, trade, or marketing
practices by us, our distributors, or retailers
- impairment in the recorded value of inventory, fixed assets, goodwill, or
other intangibles
49
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Expressed in millions, except per share amounts)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 2008 Fiscal 2009
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
First Second Third Fourth First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Sales $739 $893 $877 $772 $3,282 $790 $935 $784 $683 $3,192
Gross Profit 391 470 433 401 1,695 381 467 371 359 1,577
Net Income
Continuing Operations 95 130 116 99 440 88 143 123 80 435
Total Company 95 129 116 99 440 88 143 123 80 435
Basic EPS
Continuing Operations $0.62 $0.84 $0.76 $0.65 $2.87 $0.59 $0.95 $0.82 $0.53 $2.89
Total Company 0.62 0.84 0.76 0.66 2.87 0.59 0.95 0.82 0.53 2.89
Diluted EPS
Continuing Operations $0.62 $0.83 $0.75 $0.65 $2.84 $0.58 $0.94 $0.81 $0.53 $2.87
Total Company 0.62 0.83 0.75 0.65 2.85 0.58 0.94 0.81 0.53 2.87
Cash Dividends Per Common Share
Declared $0.49 $0.00 $0.54 $0.00 $1.03 $0.54 $0.00 $0.58 $0.00 $1.12
Paid 0.24 0.24 0.27 0.27 1.03 0.27 0.27 0.29 0.29 1.12
Market Price Per Common Share
Class A High $62.00 $66.00 $62.80 $60.92 $66.00 $63.17 $62.91 $54.92 $50.97 $63.17
Class A Low 53.20 55.76 50.40 52.00 50.40 53.61 40.91 38.30 35.06 35.06
Class B High $59.41 $63.90 $60.92 $58.68 $63.90 $63.02 $62.98 $53.49 $48.41 $63.02
Class B Low 51.01 52.83 49.08 49.68 49.08 53.58 41.94 40.46 34.97 34.97
Note: Quarterly amounts may not add to amounts for the year due to rounding.
50
Exhibit 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
Percentage State or
of Voting Jurisdiction
Name Securities Owned of Incorporation
---- ---------------- ----------------
AMG Trading, L.L.C. 100% Delaware
B-F Korea, L.L.C. 100% Delaware
Brown-Forman Arrow Continental
Europe, L.L.C. 100% Kentucky
Brown-Forman Australia Pty. Ltd. 100% Australia
Brown-Forman Beverages North Asia, L.L.C. 100% Delaware
Brown-Forman Beverages Japan, L.L.C. 100% Delaware
Brown-Forman Italy, Inc. 100% Kentucky
Brown-Forman Thailand, L.L.C. 100% Delaware
Canadian Mist Distillers, Limited 100% Ontario, Canada
Chambord Liqueur Royale de France 100% France
Early Times Distillers Company 100% Delaware
Fetzer Vineyards 100% California
Finlandia Vodka Worldwide Ltd. 100% Finland
Heddon's Gate Investments, Inc. 100% Delaware
Jack Daniel's Properties, Inc. 100% Delaware
Limited Liability Company Brown-Forman
Ukraine 100% Ukraine
Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, Inc. 100% California
Southern Comfort Properties, Inc. 100% California
Washington Investments, L.L.C. 100% Kentucky
Woodford Reserve Stables, L.L.C. 100% Kentucky
Longnorth Limited 100% (1)(2) Ireland
Clintock Limited 100% (1)(3) Ireland
Brown-Forman Netherlands, B.V. 100% (2) Netherlands
BFC Tequila Limited 100% (3) Ireland
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow,
Prop., Inc. 100% (4) Tennessee
Brown-Forman Korea Ltd. 100% (5) Korea
Brown-Forman Worldwide (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. 100% (6) China
Brown-Forman Czech & Slovak
Republics, s.r.o. 100% (7) Czech Republic
Brown-Forman Polska Sp. z o.o. 100% (7) Poland
Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide,
Comercio de Bebidas Ltda. 100% (8) Brazil
Brown-Forman Worldwide, L.L.C. 100% (8) Delaware
Amercain Investments, C.V. 100% (9) Netherlands
Brown-Forman Holdings Mexico S.A. de C.V. 100% (10) Mexico
Distillerie Tuoni e Canepa Srl 100% (11) Italy
Brown-Forman Beverages Europe, Ltd. 100% (12) United Kingdom
Brown-Forman Dutch Holdings, B.V. 100% (12) Netherlands
Brown-Forman Spirits Trading, L.L.C. 100% (13) Turkey
Brown-Forman Tequila Mexico,
S. de R.L. de C.V. 100% (14) Mexico
Cosesa-BF S.A., de C.V. 100% (14) Mexico
Valle de Amatitan, S.A. de C.V. 100% (14) Mexico
The companies listed above constitute all active subsidiaries in which
Brown-Forman Corporation owns, either directly or indirectly, the majority of
the voting securities. No other active affiliated companies are controlled by
Brown-Forman Corporation.
(1) Includes qualifying shares assigned to Brown-Forman Corporation.
(2) Owned by Amercain Investments C.V.
(3) Owned by Longnorth Limited.
(4) Owned by Jack Daniel's Properties, Inc.
(5) Owned by B-F Korea, L.L.C.
(6) Owned by Brown-Forman Beverages North Asia, L.L.C.
(7) Owned 81.8% by Brown-Forman Netherlands, B.V. and 18.2% by Brown-Forman
Beverages Europe, Ltd.
(8) Owned 99% by Brown-Forman Corporation and 1% by Early Times Distillers
Company.
(9) Owned 90% by Brown-Forman Corporation and 10% by Heddon's Gate
Investments, Inc.
(10) Owned 58.86% by Brown-Forman Corporation and 41.14% by Brown-Forman
Netherlands, B.V.
(11) Owned 37% by Brown-Forman Netherlands, B.V. and 63% by Brown-Forman Italy,
Inc.
(12) Owned by Brown-Forman Netherlands, B.V.
(13) Owned 90% by AMG Trading, L.L.C. and 10% by Brown-Forman Worldwide, L.L.C.
(14) Owned 99% by Brown-Forman Holdings Mexico S.A. de C.V. and 1% by Early
Times Distillers Company.
Exhibit 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-140317, 33-12413, and 33-52551) and Form S-8
(No. 333-08311, 333-38649, 333-74567, 333-77903, 333-88925, 333-89294,
333-126988, and 333-117630) of Brown-Forman Corporation of our report dated June
26, 2009 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting, which appears in the 2009 Annual Report to
Stockholders, which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also
consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated June 26, 2009
relating to the financial statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Louisville, Kentucky
June 26, 2009
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Paul C. Varga, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Brown-Forman Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
to ensure that material information relating to the registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others
within those entities, particularly during the period in which this
report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such
internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end
of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control
over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most
recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the
case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over
financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
control over financial reporting.
Date: June 26, 2009 By: /s/ Paul C. Varga
Paul C. Varga
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Donald C. Berg, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Brown-Forman Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
to ensure that material information relating to the registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others
within those entities, particularly during the period in which this
report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such
internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end
of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control
over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most
recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the
case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over
financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
control over financial reporting.
Date: June 26, 2009 By: /s/ Donald C. Berg
Donald C. Berg
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Brown-Forman Corporation ("the Company")
on Form 10-K for the period ended April 30, 2009, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), each of the
undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in the capacity as an
officer of the Company, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: June 26, 2009
/s/ Paul C. Varga
Paul C. Varga
Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Company
/s/ Donald C. Berg
Donald C. Berg
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
This certificate is being furnished solely for purposes of Section 906 and is
not being filed as part of the Report.