The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. 2008 Annual Report
[Intro]
[Chairman's Message]
[Chief Executive's Review]
[Fiscal 2008 Highlights]
[Multi-National Expansion]
[Multi-Channel Distribution]
[Multi-Brand Leadership]
[Portfolio of Brands]
[Board of Directors]
[Executive Officers]
[Financial Section]
[Stockholder Information]
[Environmental Profile]
[Form 10K]

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(continued)

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
Net interest expense was $38.9 million as compared with $23.8 million in fiscal 2006. This change primarily resulted from higher average debt balances, primarily associated with the funding of our accelerated share repurchase program, and higher average interest rates. Also contributing to the increase was reduced interest income generated from lower average investment balances internationally, partially offset by higher average investment rates. These increases were partially offset by the capitalization of interest expense on internally developed software in connection with the upgrade of our information systems.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes represents Federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. The effective rate differs from statutory rates due to the effect of state and local taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate will change from year to year based on non-recurring and recurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state and local taxes, tax audit settlements and the interaction of various global tax strategies. The effective rate for income taxes for the year ended June 30, 2007 was 35.9% as compared with 43.6% in fiscal 2006. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily attributable to the fiscal 2006 effect of the IRS tax settlement of approximately 770 basis points.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On September 30, 2005, we committed to a plan to sell and on April 10, 2006, we completed the sale of certain assets and operations of our reporting unit that marketed and sold Stila brand products. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, $0.5 million, net of tax, of operating income was reflected as discontinued operations, reflecting the conclusion of transitional distribution services provided to the purchaser. The fiscal 2006 charge of $80.3 million, net of tax, reflected the then-anticipated loss on the sale of the business of $69.9 million, net of tax, and the operating loss of $10.4 million, net of tax.

NET EARNINGS
Net earnings as compared with fiscal 2006 increased $205.0 million to $449.2 million and diluted net earnings per common share improved 93% from $1.12 to $2.16. Net earnings from continuing operations as compared with fiscal 2006 increased by $124.2 million, or 38%, to $448.7 million and diluted net earnings per common share from continuing operations increased 45% from $1.49 to $2.16.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our principal sources of funds historically have been cash flows from operations, borrowings pursuant to our commercial paper program, borrowings from the issuance of long-term debt and committed and uncommitted credit lines provided by banks and other lenders in the United States and abroad. At June 30, 2008, we had cash and cash equivalents of $401.7 million compared with $253.7 million at June 30, 2007.

At June 30, 2008, our outstanding borrowings were as follows:

(1) Consists of $300.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $3.8 million.
(2) Consists of $200.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $2.5 million.
(3) Consists of $300.0 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $0.4 million and a $10.8 million adjustment to reflect the fair value of outstanding interest rate swaps.
(4) Consists of $250.0 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $0.4 million and a $7.6 million adjustment to reflect the remaining termination value of an interest rate swap that is being amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt.
(5) Consists of $13.5 million face value and unamortized premium of $2.2 million.
(6) Consists of $7.0 million face value and unamortized premium of $0.4 million.