The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. 2009 Annual Report

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

FINANCIAL CONDITION

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
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, 2009, we had cash and cash equivalents of $864.5 million compared with $401.7 million at June 30, 2008. Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained at a number of financial institutions. As of June 30, 2009, approximately 10% of the total balance is insured by governmental agencies. To mitigate the risk of uninsured balances, we select financial institutions based on their credit ratings and financial strength and perform ongoing evaluations of these institutions to limit our concentration risk exposure.

Our business is seasonal in nature and, accordingly, our working capital needs vary. From time to time, we may enter into investing and financing transactions that require additional funding. To the extent that these needs exceed cash from operations, we could, subject to market conditions, issue commercial paper, issue long-term debt securities or borrow under our revolving credit facilities.

During fiscal 2009, we have been able to issue commercial paper in amounts and with terms that we deem acceptable. We do not anticipate protracted difficulties in securing this form of working capital financing. However, in order to maintain sufficient cash reserves over a longer period of time, in light of the current macroeconomic conditions, and the real or perceived lack of available credit, we issued $300.0 million of 7.75% Senior Notes due November 1, 2013 during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The net proceeds were used to repay then-outstanding commercial paper balances upon their maturity.

Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe that cash on hand, cash generated from operations, available credit lines and access to credit markets will be adequate to support currently planned business operations, information systems enhancements, capital expenditures, potential stock repurchases, commitments and other contractual obligations on both a near-term and long-term basis.

The effects of inflation have not been significant to our overall operating results in recent years. Generally, we have been able to introduce new products at higher selling prices or increase selling prices sufficiently to offset cost increases, which have been moderate.

Debt
At June 30, 2009, our outstanding borrowings were as follows:

(1) Consists of $300.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $3.7 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 $24.5 million adjustment to reflect the fair value of outstanding interest rate swaps.

(4) Consists of $300.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $0.2 million.

(5) Consists of $250.0 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $0.3 million and a $5.5 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.

(6) Consists of $13.5 million face value and unamortized premium of $1.7 million.

(7) Consists of $7.0 million face value and capitalized interest of $0.7 million.

We have a $750.0 million commercial paper program under which we may issue commercial paper in the United States. Our commercial paper is currently rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's and P-1 by Moody's. Our long-term credit ratings are A with a negative outlook by Standard & Poor's and A2 with a negative outlook by Moody's. At June 30, 2009, there was no commercial paper outstanding. We also have $201.4 million in additional uncommitted credit facilities, of which $16.3 million was used as of June 30, 2009.

We have an undrawn $750.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility that expires on April 26, 2012. This facility may be used primarily to provide credit support for our commercial paper program, to repurchase shares of our common stock and for general corporate purposes. Up to the equivalent of $250 million of the credit facility is available for multi-currency loans. The interest rate on borrowings under the credit facility is based on LIBOR or on the higher of prime, which is the rate of interest publicly announced by the administrative agent, or 1/2% plus the Federal funds rate. We incurred costs of approximately $0.3 million to establish the facility which will be amortized over the term of the facility. The credit facility has an annual fee of $0.4 million, payable quarterly, based on our current credit ratings. This facility also contains a crossdefault provision whereby a failure to pay other material financial obligations in excess of $50.0 million (after grace periods and absent a waiver from the lenders) would result in an event of default and the acceleration of the maturity of any outstanding debt under this facility. As of June 30, 2009, we were in compliance with all related financial and other restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness and liens, and expect continued compliance. The financial covenant of this facility requires an interest expense coverage ratio of greater than 3:1 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The interest expense coverage ratio is defined in the credit agreement as the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA (which does not represent a measure of our operating results as defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) to Consolidated Interest Expense and is calculated as stipulated in the agreement as follows:

(1) In accordance with the credit agreement, this period represents the four most recent quarters.

(2) Excludes amortization of debt discount, and derivative and debt issuance costs as they are already included in Interest expense, net.

(3) Includes goodwill, intangible asset and other long-lived asset impairments and non-cash charges associated with restructuring activities.

In November 2008, we issued and sold $300.0 million of 7.75% Senior Notes due November 1, 2013 ("7.75% Senior Notes due 2013") in a public offering. The 7.75% Senior Notes due 2013 were priced at 99.932% with a yield of 7.767%. Interest payments are required to be made semi-annually on May 1 and November 1, commencing May 1, 2009. The net proceeds of this offering were used to repay then-outstanding commercial paper balances upon their maturity.

The purchase price related to the July 2007 acquisition of Ojon Corporation included (i) a promissory note due July 31, 2009 with a notional value of $7.0 million and capitalized interest of $0.7 million (present value of $7.7 million at June 30, 2009), bearing interest at 10.00% due at maturity and (ii) a promissory note due August 31, 2012 with a notional amount of $13.5 million and unamortized premium of $1.7 million (present value of $15.2 million at June 30, 2009), bearing interest at 10.00% payable annually on July 31. These notes were recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at present value using effective rates of 5.11% and 5.42%, respectively. The note due July 31, 2009, and the related interest thereon, was paid subsequent to year-end upon maturity.

We have a fixed rate promissory note agreement with a financial institution pursuant to which we may borrow up to $150.0 million in the form of loan participation notes through one of our subsidiaries in Europe. The interest rate on borrowings under this agreement is at an all-in fixed rate determined by the lender and agreed to by us at the date of each borrowing. At June 30, 2009, no borrowings were outstanding under this agreement. Debt issuance costs incurred related to this agreement were de minimis.

We have an overdraft borrowing agreement with a financial institution pursuant to which our subsidiary in Turkey may be credited to satisfy outstanding negative daily balances arising from its business operations. The total balance outstanding at any time shall not exceed 30.0 million Turkish lira ($19.6 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2009). The interest rate applicable to each such credit shall be up to a maximum of 175 basis points per annum above the spot rate charged by the lender or the lender's floating call rate agreed to by us at each borrowing. There were no debt issuance costs incurred related to this agreement. The outstanding balance at June 30, 2009 ($12.5 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2009) is classified as short-term debt in our consolidated balance sheet. Subsequent to year-end, the borrowing authorization under this facility was increased to 40.0 million Turkish lira ($26.1 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2009).

Our 3.0 billion Japanese yen revolving credit facility expired on March 24, 2009. This facility was replaced with a 1.5 billion Japanese yen ($15.7 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2009) revolving credit facility that expires on March 31, 2010 and a 1.5 billion Japanese yen ($15.7 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2009) revolving credit facility that expires on March 31, 2012. The interest rates on borrowings under these credit facilities are based on TIBOR (Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate) plus .45% and .75%, respectively and the facility fees incurred on undrawn balances are 15 basis points and 25 basis points, respectively. At June 30, 2009, no borrowings were outstanding under these facilities.

Total debt as a percent of total capitalization increased to 46% at June 30, 2009 from 42% at June 30, 2008, primarily as a result of the issuance of the 7.75% Senior Notes due 2013, partially offset by the repayment of outstanding commercial paper balances. Based on our current plans, we do not expect this change to have a material adverse impact on our future results of operations or liquidity on both a near-term and long-term basis.