core sector communique

FORTUNE BRANDS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

• Each Business Unit Performs At or Above Company's Expectations
• Company Benefiting from Successful New Products, Cost Containment and Cash Enhancement Initiatives
• Raising Bottom End of Full-Year Earnings Target Range

 

Deerfield, Illinois, October 23, 2009 - Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), the company behind leading consumer brands including Jim Beam, Titleist and Moen, today reported results for the third quarter of 2009. Net sales for the third quarter were $1.72 billion, down 11%, reflecting flat sales for the company's spirits business, and more moderate revenue decreases for the golf and home products brands. Diluted earnings per share were $0.82, and excluding one-time items, diluted EPS before charges/gains was $0.77.

Given its third-quarter performance and signs of stabilization in the U.S. new-home construction market, the company raised the bottom end of its full-year earnings target range. The company is now targeting to deliver EPS before charges/gains for 2009 of $2.10-2.30 versus its previous target of $2.00-2.30.

"Despite the challenges of the global economy and the overall U.S. housing market, Fortune Brands continued to deliver results and operating margins at the forefront of our categories," said Bruce Carbonari, chairman and chief executive officer of Fortune Brands. "Each of our businesses performed at or above our expectations in the quarter.

"Consumers are clearly remaining cautious, but our innovative new-product programs, trusted brands and compelling value propositions are helping us compete successfully in the marketplace," Carbonari continued. "In the third quarter, we also remained focused on our successful initiatives to reduce cost structures, improve global supply chains and enhance our cash position. These initiatives are benefiting Fortune Brands and helping position the company for future growth.

"Spirits sales were flat in the quarter, benefiting from higher sales of Jim Beam bourbon and Canadian Club whisky, the Cruzan acquisition, and strong growth in emerging markets, offset by soft results in other international markets," Carbonari added. The company's spirits revenues also benefited from previously disclosed required accounting for the company's route-to-market initiatives, largely offset by unfavorable foreign exchange. "Amidst signs the U.S. housing downturn is decelerating, our share-gain initiatives across product categories helped sales in our home products business decline at a more moderate pace than in the prior two quarters. And in golf, we outperformed the industry with successful new products and double-digit constant-currency sales gains in Europe and Korea that partly offset a double-digit decrease in the United States," said Carbonari. Notable new products contributing to the company's results included the first full quarter of Red Stag by Jim Beam, eco-friendly Moen faucets, energy-efficient Simonton windows, innovative Master Lock products, the new Titleist Pro V1 family of golf balls, and the Titleist 909 series of drivers, fairways and hybrid clubs.

Operating income in the spirits business reflected the impact of previously disclosed costs associated with the company's route-to-market initiatives. In both the home products and golf segments, operating income reflected adverse operating leverage, tempered by the impact of lower cost structures in these businesses.