BROWN FORMAN CORP
10-Q, 1999-03-05
BEVERAGES
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                                  United States
                       Securities and Exchange Commission
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q
 (Mark One)

  |X|      QUARTERLY REPORT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
           OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
           For the quarterly period ended JANUARY 31, 1999

                                       OR

  |_|      TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
           EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
           For the transition  period from  _______________ to _______________

                            Commission File No. 1-123

                            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
               Louisville, Kentucky                               40210
     (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

                                 (502) 585-1100
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                       N/A
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of 
common stock, as of the latest practicable date:  March 1, 1999

      Class A Common Stock ($.15 par value, voting)             28,988,091
      Class B Common Stock ($.15 par value, nonvoting)          39,518,147


<PAGE>


                            BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
                       Index to Quarterly Report Form 10-Q


                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)                                Page

          Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
             Three months ended January 31, 1998 and 1999                3
             Nine months ended January 31, 1998 and 1999                 3

          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
             April 30, 1998 and January 31, 1999                         4

          Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
             Nine months ended January 31, 1998 and 1999                 5

          Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements       6 -  7


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
          Financial Condition and Results of Operations                  8 - 13

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     13


                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                               14

Signatures                                                              15

                                       2
<PAGE>


                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

                            BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                   (Unaudited)
                 (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

                                     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                         January 31,           January 31,
                                       1998       1999        1998       1999
                                     -------    -------     -------    -------

Net sales                            $ 480.8    $ 520.0    $1,463.1   $1,543.6
Excise taxes                            62.6       60.7       190.0      189.1
Cost of sales                          166.9      194.3       526.2      559.7
                                     -------    -------     -------    -------
      Gross profit                     251.3      265.0       746.9      794.8

Selling, general, and
 administrative expenses               104.3      110.3       306.1      326.4
Advertising expenses                    71.2       76.2       204.6      222.2
                                     -------    -------     -------    -------
   Operating income                     75.8       78.5       236.2      246.2

Interest income                          1.0        1.7         2.3        4.2
Interest expense                         3.3        2.5        11.2        8.2
                                     -------    -------     -------   --------
   Income before income taxes           73.5       77.7       227.3      242.2

Taxes on income                         27.9       28.4        86.4       88.4
                                     -------    -------     -------    -------
   Net income                           45.6       49.3       140.9      153.8

Less:  Preferred stock
        dividend requirements            0.1        --          0.4        0.2
       Preferred stock
        redemption premium               --         --          --         0.3
                                     -------    -------     -------    -------
Net income applicable
 to common stock                     $  45.5    $  49.3     $ 140.5    $ 153.3
                                     =======    =======     =======    =======

Earnings per share
 - Basic and Diluted                 $  0.66    $  0.72     $  2.04    $  2.23
                                     =======    =======     =======    =======

Shares (in thousands) used in the
calculation of earnings per share
 - Basic                              68,969     68,560      68,985     68,632
 - Diluted                            69,022     68,677      69,029     68,716

Cash dividends declared
 per common share                    $  0.28    $ 0.295     $  0.82    $ 0.855
                                     =======    =======     =======    =======


See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       3
<PAGE>


                            BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                              (Dollars in millions)

                                                      April 30,      January 31,
                                                        1998            1999
                                                                     (Unaudited)
                                                      --------         --------
Assets
- ------
Cash and cash equivalents                             $   78.3         $  124.4
Accounts receivable, net                                 264.5            231.2
Inventories:
   Barreled whiskey                                      187.0            185.6
   Finished goods                                        178.6            181.4
   Work in process                                        88.4             97.4
   Raw materials and supplies                             48.1             59.8
                                                      --------         --------
      Total inventories                                  502.1            524.2

Other current assets                                      23.9             23.0
                                                      --------         --------
      Total current assets                               868.8            902.8

Property, plant and equipment, net                       281.1            280.0
Intangible assets, net                                   249.8            244.3
Other assets                                              94.2            107.6
                                                      --------         --------
      Total assets                                    $1,493.9         $1,534.7
                                                      ========         ========
Liabilities
- -----------
Commercial paper                                      $  107.1         $  119.6
Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    233.3            218.7
Current portion of long-term debt                          7.5              8.3
Accrued taxes on income                                    7.6              6.5
Dividends payable                                          --              20.2
Deferred income taxes                                     27.4             27.4
                                                      --------         --------
      Total current liabilities                          382.9            400.7

Long-term debt                                            49.8             41.6
Deferred income taxes                                    149.7            123.7
Accrued postretirement benefits                           55.4             56.4
Other liabilities and deferred income                     38.8             39.1
                                                      --------         --------
      Total liabilities                                  676.6            661.5

Stockholders' Equity
- --------------------
Preferred stock                                           11.8              --
Common stockholders' equity:
   Common stock                                           10.3             10.3
   Retained earnings                                     821.2            897.2
   Cumulative translation adjustment                      (8.8)            (4.5)
   Treasury stock (310,000 and 490,000 Class B 
    common shares at April 30 and January 31, 
    respectively)                                        (17.2)           (29.8)
                                                      --------         --------
      Common stockholders' equity                        805.5            873.2
                                                      --------         --------
      Total stockholders' equity                         817.3            873.2
                                                      --------         --------
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity      $1,493.9         $1,534.7
                                                      ========         ========

Note:   The balance sheet at April 30, 1998, has been taken from the audited 
        financial statements at that date, and condensed.

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>


                            BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
          (In millions; amounts in parentheses are reductions of cash)

                                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                            January 31,
                                                     1998                 1999
                                                   -------              -------
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                      $ 140.9              $ 153.8
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
    cash provided by (used for) operations:
      Depreciation                                    31.3                 34.0
      Amortization                                     7.0                  7.0
      Deferred income taxes                           10.6                (26.0)
      Other                                           (8.5)                 1.8
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                             40.2                 33.3
      Inventories                                    (50.7)               (22.1)
      Other current assets                             3.7                  0.9
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses           (6.8)               (14.9)
      Accrued taxes on income                          2.4                 (1.1)
                                                   -------              -------
         Cash provided by operating activities       170.1                166.7

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Additions to property, plant, and equipment       (31.9)               (30.8)
   Disposals of property, plant, and equipment        10.9                  1.1
   Other                                              (7.3)               (12.7)
                                                   -------              -------
         Cash used for investing activities          (28.3)               (42.4)

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Net change in commercial paper                    (58.1)                12.5
   Reduction of long-term debt                       (12.8)                (7.4)
   Acquisition of treasury stock                      (6.0)               (12.3)
   Redemption of preferred stock                       --                 (12.1)
   Dividends paid                                    (57.0)               (58.9)
                                                   -------              -------
         Cash used for financing activities         (133.9)               (78.2)
                                                   -------              -------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents              7.9                 46.1

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period        58.2                 78.3
                                                   -------              -------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period           $  66.1              $ 124.4
                                                   =======              =======


See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       5

<PAGE>


                            BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
            NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

In these notes, "we," "us," and "our" refer to Brown-Forman Corporation.

1.   Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

We  prepared  these  unaudited  condensed  consolidated   statements  using  our
customary accounting practices as set out in our 1998 annual report on Form 10-K
(the "1998 Annual Report").  We made all of the adjustments (which includes only
normal, recurring adjustments) needed to present this data fairly.

We condensed or left out some of the information  found in financial  statements
prepared according to generally accepted  accounting  principles  ("GAAP").  You
should read these  financial  statements  together with the 1998 Annual  Report,
which does conform to GAAP.

2.   Inventories

We use the last-in,  first-out method to determine the cost of almost all of our
inventories.  If the last-in,  first-out  method had not been used,  inventories
would have $104.4  million higher than reported as of April 30, 1998, and $110.1
million higher than reported as of January 31, 1999.

3.   Environmental

Along with other responsible  parties,  we face  environmental  claims resulting
from the cleanup of several waste deposit  sites.  We have accrued our estimated
portion of cleanup  costs.  We expect  either the other  responsible  parties or
insurance to cover the remaining  costs.  We do not believe that any  additional
costs we incur to satisfy  environmental  claims  will have a  material  adverse
effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

4.   Contingencies

We get sued in the  ordinary  course of  business.  Some suits and  claims  seek
significant  damages.  Many of them  take  years  to  resolve,  which  makes  it
difficult  for us to predict  their  outcomes.  We  believe,  based on our legal
counsel's advice, that none of the suits and claims pending against us will have
a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

5.   Earnings Per Share

Basic  earnings  per share is  calculated  using net income  reduced by dividend
requirements  on  preferred  stock,  divided by the weighted  average  number of
common  shares  outstanding  during the period.  Diluted  earnings  per share is
calculated  in the same  manner,  except  that  the  denominator  also  includes
additional  common  shares  that would  have been  issued if  outstanding  stock
options had been exercised during the period. The dilutive effect of outstanding
stock options is determined by application of the treasury stock method.

                                       6
<PAGE>


6.   Comprehensive Income

Effective May 1, 1998, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income."  The adoption of SFAS 
No. 130 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Comprehensive income, which is defined as the change in equity from transactions
and other events from nonowner sources, was as follows (in millions):

                                         Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                            January 31,           January 31,
                                           1998      1999       1998       1999
                                          ------    ------    -------    -------
Net income                               $ 45.6     $ 49.3    $ 140.9    $ 153.8
Foreign currency translation adjustment    (0.6)      (0.7)      (1.6)       4.3
                                          ------    ------    -------    -------
   Comprehensive income                  $ 45.0     $ 48.6    $ 139.3    $ 158.1
                                          ======    ======    =======    =======


7.   New Accounting Pronouncement

In June 1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting  for  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities,"  which  is
effective for fiscal years  beginning after June 15, 1999. SFAS No. 133 requires
that all  derivatives  be measured at fair value and  recognized  in the balance
sheet as either assets or  liabilities.  SFAS No. 133 requires that changes in a
derivative's  fair value be  recognized  currently in earnings  unless  specific
hedge  accounting  criteria are met.  Special  accounting for qualifying  hedges
allows a derivative's  gains and losses to offset related  results on the hedged
item in the income  statement.  The  adoption of SFAS No. 133 is not expected to
have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

8.   Redemption of Preferred Stock

On  October  1,  1998,  we  redeemed  all  outstanding  shares of the  company's
preferred stock at a total redemption cost of approximately  $12.1 million.  The
$0.3  million  excess of the  redemption  cost over the $11.8  million  carrying
amount of the  preferred  shares was deducted  from net income to determine  net
income applicable to common stock for the nine months ended January 31, 1999.


9.   Subsequent Event

On February 11, 1999, we agreed to acquire a majority of the  outstanding  stock
of Sonoma-Cutrer  Vineyards,  Inc. The acquisition is subject to approval by the
shareholders of Sonoma-Cutrer and regulatory review.

                                       7

<PAGE>


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
         and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion and analysis along with our 1998 Annual
Report.  Note that the results of  operations  for the nine months ended January
31, 1999, do not  necessarily  indicate what our operating  results for the full
fiscal year will be. In this Item,  "we," "us," and "our" refer to  Brown-Forman
Corporation.

Risk Factors Affecting Forward-Looking Statements:
From  time to  time,  we may  make  forward-looking  statements  related  to our
anticipated financial performance, business prospects, new products, and similar
matters.  We make several such  statements in the  discussion and analysis which
follows,  but we do not guarantee  that the results  indicated  will actually be
achieved.

The Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for
forward-looking statements. To comply with the terms of the safe harbor, we note
that the following  non-exclusive list of important risk factors could cause our
actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated  results
or other expectations expressed in those forward-looking statements:

Generally:  We operate in highly competitive markets. Our business is subject to
changes in general economic  conditions,  changes in consumer  preferences,  the
degree of acceptance of new products,  and the  uncertainties of litigation.  As
our  business  continues  to expand  outside the United  States,  our  financial
results are more exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations and the health of
foreign economies. Our operations could also be adversely impacted by incomplete
or untimely resolution of the "Year 2000" issue.

Beverage Risk Factors: The U.S. beverage alcohol business is highly sensitive to
tax  increases;  an increase in federal or state  excise  taxes (which we do not
anticipate  at this time) would  depress our  domestic  beverage  business.  Our
current outlook for our domestic beverage business anticipates continued success
of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, and our other core spirits
brands. Current expectations for our foreign beverage business could prove to be
optimistic  if the  U.S.  dollar  strengthens  against  other  currencies  or if
economic  conditions  deteriorate in the principal  countries to which we export
our  beverage  products,  including  Germany,  the United  Kingdom,  Japan,  and
Australia.  The wine and spirits business, both in the United States and abroad,
is also sensitive to political and social trends.  Legal or regulatory  measures
against  beverage  alcohol  (including  its  advertising  and  promotion)  could
adversely  affect  sales.  Product  liability  litigation  against  the  alcohol
industry,  while not currently a major risk factor,  could become significant if
new lawsuits were filed against alcohol manufacturers.  Current expectations for
our  global  beverage  business  may  not be met if  consumption  trends  do not
continue to  increase.  Profits  could also be affected if grain or grape prices
increase.

                                       8
<PAGE>

Consumer Durables Risk Factors:  Earnings  projections for our consumer durables
segment  anticipate  a  continued   strengthening  of  our  Lenox  and  Hartmann
businesses.  These  projections could be offset by factors such as poor consumer
response to direct  mail, a soft retail  environment  at outlet  malls,  further
department  store  consolidation,  or weakened  demand for  tableware,  giftware
and/or leather goods.

Results of Operations:
Third Quarter Fiscal 1999 Compared to Third Quarter Fiscal 1998

Here is a summary of our operating  performance  (expressed in millions,  
except percentage and per share amounts):

                                             Three Months Ended
                                                 January 31,
                                            1998             1999         Change
                                           ------           ------        ------
Net Sales
   Wine & Spirits                          $339.7           $368.5           9 %
   Consumer Durables                        141.1            151.5           7 %
                                           ------           ------
      Total                                $480.8           $520.0           8 %

Gross Profit
   Wine & Spirits                          $179.2           $190.1           6 %
   Consumer Durables                         72.1             74.9           4 %
                                           ------           ------
      Total                                $251.3           $265.0           5 %

Operating Income (Expense)
   Wine & Spirits                          $ 67.5           $ 68.9           2 %
   Consumer Durables                         12.1             14.3          18 %
   Corporate                                 (3.8)            (4.7)         24 %
                                           ------           ------
      Total                                $ 75.8           $ 78.5           4 %

Net Income                                 $ 45.6           $ 49.3           8 %

Earnings per Share - Basic and Diluted     $ 0.66           $ 0.72           9 %

Effective Tax Rate                           38.0%            36.5%

Sales for our wine and spirits  segment  increased 9%,  largely due to continued
strong  consumer  demand  around the world for Jack Daniel's and volume gains by
Korbel  Champagne,  offset partially by volume softness for Southern Comfort and
some other  brands in certain  markets.  Gross profit grew 6% for the quarter as
the  increase  in sales  was  tempered  by higher  grape  costs.  The  segment's
operating income improved 2%, as gross profit gains were partially reinvested in
brand-building activities and technology initiatives.

                                       9
<PAGE>

Revenues  from our  consumer  durables  segment  increased  7% for the  quarter,
primarily  reflecting  strong tableware product sales during the holiday season.
Gross  profit  grew  at a  slower  rate  than  revenues  due to a  lower  mix of
higher-margin direct marketing sales.  Operating income improved 18%, reflecting
effective cost containment throughout the segment.

Net  interest  expense  declined  from last  year's  third  quarter due to lower
average  interest rates on the company's debt as well as an increase in invested
cash balances.  The reduction in the company's  consolidated  effective tax rate
reflects lower effective state tax rates.

Results of Operations:
Nine Months Fiscal 1999 Compared to Nine Months Fiscal 1998

Here is a summary of our operating  performance  (expressed in millions,  
except percentage and per share amounts):

                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                January 31,
                                           1998             1999          Change
                                         --------         --------        ------
Net Sales
   Wine & Spirits                        $1,048.8         $1,104.8           5 %
   Consumer Durables                        414.3            438.8           6 %
                                         --------         --------
      Total                              $1,463.1         $1,543.6           6 %

Gross Profit
   Wine & Spirits                        $  541.5         $  575.3           6 %
   Consumer Durables                        205.4            219.5           7 %
                                         --------         --------
      Total                              $  746.9         $  794.8           6 %

Operating Income (Expense)
   Wine & Spirits                        $  216.1         $  224.9           4 %
   Consumer Durables                         32.6             35.9          10 %
   Corporate                                (12.5)           (14.6)         17 %
                                         --------         --------      
      Total                              $  236.2         $  246.2           4 %

Net Income                               $  140.9         $  153.8           9 %

Earnings per Share - Basic and Diluted   $   2.04         $   2.23          10 %

Effective Tax Rate                           38.0%            36.5%

Sales of our wine and spirits increased 5% for the nine months ended January 31,
driven  by strong  worldwide  growth by Jack  Daniel's  and by volume  gains for
Korbel  Champagne  in the U.S.  and for  Fetzer in  international  markets.  The
segment's gross profit and operating  income  improved 6% and 4%,  respectively,
reflecting higher sales as well as favorable  production costs. A portion of the
gain in gross profit was reinvested in advertising and marketing programs and in
information systems.

                                       10
<PAGE>

Revenues from our consumer durables segment increased 6% for the period,  driven
by an increase in direct  marketing  volumes and sales of  dinnerware  products.
Gross  profit for the segment  improved  7%,  driven by higher  revenues  and an
increased mix of  higher-margin  direct  marketing  revenues.  The 10% growth in
operating  income for the segment  reflects the gross profit gains and effective
management of costs.

Net interest expense decreased from last year due to lower net debt balances and
lower average  interest  rates as well as an increase in invested cash balances.
The decline in the company's  consolidated  effective  tax rate  reflects  lower
effective state tax rates.

As  discussed in Note 7 to the  accompanying  condensed  consolidated  financial
statements,  we are required to adopt SFAS No. 133 by May 1, 2000.  The adoption
of SFAS No. 133 is not  expected to have a material  impact on our  consolidated
financial statements.

Liquidity and Financial Condition

Cash and cash  equivalents  increased  by $46.1  million  during the nine months
ended January 31, 1999, as cash provided by operating  activities  exceeded cash
used for financing and investing activities. Cash provided by operations totaled
$166.7  million,   primarily  reflecting  net  income  before  depreciation  and
amortization and a decrease in accounts receivable due to the normal seasonality
of revenues.  Those amounts were partially  offset by an increase in inventories
in  anticipation  of future sales growth and a partial  liquidation  of deferred
income taxes in compliance with new U.S. tax regulations.  Cash of $42.4 million
was used for investing  activities,  consisting mostly of expenditures to expand
and modernize our  production  facilities and enhance our  information  systems.
Cash of $78.2 million was used for financing  activities,  primarily  reflecting
dividend payments made during the period.

Dividends

On January 28, 1999,  the Board of Directors  declared a regular  quarterly cash
dividend of $0.295 per share on both Class A and Class B common  stock,  payable
April 1, 1999.

Year 2000 Issue

Until recently, computer programs generally were written using two digits rather
than four to define the applicable year.  Accordingly,  programs may recognize a
date using "00" as the year 1900  instead of as the year 2000.  This problem may
affect the  company's  information  technology  systems  (IT  systems),  such as
financial,  order entry,  inventory control and forecasting  systems, and non-IT
systems that contain computer chips,  such as production  equipment and security
systems.  It may also affect the  technology  systems of third party vendors and
customers,  and of  governmental  entities  upon  which the  company's  business
ordinarily relies.

                                       11
<PAGE>


The  Company is  addressing  the Year 2000 issues in three  phases:  assessment,
design of appropriate  remediation,  and implementation.  For our IT systems, we
have  substantially  completed the assessment and remediation  design phases and
are in the  implementation  phase,  which  consists of  replacing  or  repairing
non-compliant  systems,  testing the new systems and  training  employees to use
them.  We expect to  complete  the  implementation  phase by the summer of 1999.
Also, we have begun assessing the Year 2000 compliance of our non-IT systems and
we expect to complete this assessment by the end of this fiscal year. We plan to
complete the design and implementation of any remediation necessary with respect
to these non-IT systems by the summer of 1999. In addition, we are assessing the
Year 2000  preparedness of important  customers and suppliers and are monitoring
their remediation efforts.

The total cost of Year 2000 issues is currently  estimated at $20-25 million. Of
the total estimated cost, we expect that  approximately 60% will be attributable
to new systems and thus capitalized. The other 40% will be expensed as incurred.
All costs are  expected  to be funded  through  operating  cash  flows.  Through
January 31, 1999,  we have  incurred  approximately  $16  million,  of which $10
million has been capitalized and $6 million has been expensed.

We expect to manage the Year 2000 issues in a timely  manner  and,  based on our
efforts  to date,  we  believe  that  substantial  disruptions  in our  business
operations due to Year 2000 non-compliance of our systems are unlikely. However,
it is not possible to anticipate all possible future outcomes,  especially since
third  parties are involved.  Thus,  there could be  circumstances  in which the
company would be unable to process  customer  orders,  produce or ship products,
invoice customers, collect payments, receive customary governmental approvals or
authorizations as they relate to our business,  or perform other normal business
activities.  To  address  these  risks,  we have  begun and  intend to  continue
developing  contingency  plans  designed to mitigate  potential  disruptions  in
operations,  including stockpiling raw materials and finished goods, identifying
alternative sources of supplies, creating back-up order processing and invoicing
procedures,  and other appropriate  measures.  We expect to complete development
and testing of these contingency plans by October 1999.

The  costs,  expected  completion  dates and  risks  described  above  represent
management's  best  estimates.  However,  there can be no  guarantee  that these
estimates will prove to be accurate.  Actual results could differ significantly.
If  we  do  not  successfully   complete  anticipated   replacements  and  other
remediation  to our IT  systems,  if  unanticipated  disruptions  in our  non-IT
systems  occur,  or if  any of  our  significant  vendors  or  customers  do not
successfully  achieve Year 2000 compliance on a timely basis,  our operations or
financial results could be adversely affected in the future.

                                       12

<PAGE>

Euro Conversion

On January 1, 1999,  the euro was  adopted as the  national  currency of certain
member  countries  of the  European  Union.  The euro will be used as a non-cash
transaction  currency during a transition  period ending January 1, 2002,  after
which  euro-denominated bills and coins will be issued and the countries' former
currencies  will be withdrawn  from  circulation.  Because  Europe is one of our
markets,  the  euro  conversion  raises  issues  such  as  the  modification  of
information   systems  to   accommodate   euro-denominated   transactions,   the
recalculation of currency risk, and the competitive impact of cross-border price
transparency.  However,  we do not expect the euro conversion to have a material
impact on the company's financial condition or results of operations.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Since  April 30,  1998,  there have been no  material  changes in the  company's
interest rate,  foreign  currency and commodity  price  exposures,  the types of
derivative  financial  instruments  used  to  hedge  those  exposures,   or  the
underlying market conditions.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)    Exhibits:

       Exhibit
       Number                   Exhibit
       -------                  -------

         27                     Financial Data Schedule

(b)    Reports on Form 8-K:  None


                                       14
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

As required by the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  the Registrant has caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned authorized officer.

                                                BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
                                                     (Registrant)


Date:   March 5, 1999                           By:  /s/ Steven B. Ratoff
                                                Steven B. Ratoff
                                                Executive Vice President and
                                                 Chief Financial Officer
                                                (On behalf of the Registrant and
                                                 as Principal Financial Officer)


                                       15


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
     company's January 31, 1999 Quarterly Report Form 10-Q and is qualified in 
     its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>    
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JAN-31-1999
<CASH>                                         124
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  231<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0  <F1>
<INVENTORY>                                    524
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               903
<PP&E>                                         674
<DEPRECIATION>                                 394
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,535
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          401
<BONDS>                                        42
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       10
<OTHER-SE>                                     863
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1,535
<SALES>                                        1,544
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1,544
<CGS>                                          749<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  749<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             8
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                242
<INCOME-TAX>                                   88
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            154
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   154
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  2.23<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  2.23<F4>
<FN>
<F1>Accounts receivable is shown net of allowance for doubtful accounts.
    Allowance for doubtful accounts has not changed materially from the 
    April 30, 1998 balance.
<F2>Includes excise taxes of $189 million.
<F3>Represents Basic EPS, calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 128.
<F4>Represents Diluted EPS, calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 128.
</FN>

        

</TABLE>


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