CLOROX CO /DE/
10-Q, 1996-05-15
SPECIALTY CLEANING, POLISHING AND SANITATION PREPARATIONS
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           UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                       Washington, D.C.  20549
                               Form 10-Q



(MARK ONE)  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D)
    X       OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
   ---                                                       

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1996

                               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 number   1-07151 
                         -------

                               THE CLOROX COMPANY
- -----------------------------------------------------------
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                                       
     DELAWARE                                      31-0595760  
- -------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction                 (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)            Identification No.)
                                                       

   1221 Broadway - Oakland, California           94612 - 1888
- -------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)
                                     
 Registrant's telephone number, (including     (510)-271-7000
                                 area code)    --------------
 

- --------------------------------------------------------------
(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                      
                      ------          ------           

As of March 31, 1996 there were 51,639,671 shares outstanding of
the registrant's common stock (par value -  $1.00), the 
registrant's only outstanding class of stock. 

- ----------------------------------------------------------------


                                              Total  pages 10  
                                                            1
                                                            -

<PAGE>
              THE CLOROX COMPANY           
                                                

PART 1.      Financial Information                     Page No. 
             ----------------------                    --------
  Item 1.    Financial Statements           
                         
             Condensed Statements of Consolidated
              Earnings                
                Three and Nine Months Ended 
                March 31, 1996 and 1995                      3 
                          
                         
             Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 
                March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1995             4 
                          
                         
             Condensed Statements of Consolidated
              Cash Flows            
                Nine Months Ended March 31, 1996 and 1995    5
                          
                         
             Notes to Condensed Consolidated
              Financial Statements                           6
                         
                         
   Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
               Results of Operations and Financial 
               Condition                                    7-9



                                                            2
                                                            -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                         Item 1. Financial Statements
                                      The Clorox Company and Subsidiaries
                                 Condensed Statements of Consolidated Earnings
                                  ----------------------------------------------                      
                                     (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                Three Months Ended                                    Nine Months Ended     
                            ---------------------------------             --------------------------------       
                            3/31/96                3/31/95                3/31/96                  3/31/95      
                            ---------              ----------             ----------            ----------

<S>                         <C>                    <C>                    <C>                   <C>   

Net Sales                   $  560,091             $  499,060             $1,545,366            $1,389,881 
                                                                                
Costs and Expenses                                                                              
  Cost of products sold        255,570                225,997                700,070               620,094 
                                                                               
  Selling, delivery and
  administration               114,686                100,727                315,720               282,083 
                                                                                
  Advertising                   67,543                 66,432                206,653               205,406 
                                                                                
  Research and development      11,103                 10,742                 32,510                31,659 
                                                                                
  Interest expense              10,753                  7,213                 26,113                17,302 
                                                                                
  Other expense (income), net      432                 (2,284)                 2,061                (4,086) 
                               -------               ---------             ---------             ----------
                                                                                
    Total costs and expenses   460,087                 408,827             1,283,131             1,152,458 
                                                                                
                                                                                
Earnings before income taxes   100,004                  90,233               262,235               237,423 
                                                                                
Income Taxes                    40,405                  36,199               105,946                96,113 
                               -------               ---------             ---------             ----------
                                                                                
Net Earnings                $   59,599               $  54,034             $ 156,289             $ 141,310 
                            ==========               ==========            =========             =========
                                                                            
Earnings per Common Share   $     1.15               $    1.02             $    3.00             $    2.65 
                                                                                
Dividends per Share         $     0.53               $    0.48             $    1.59             $    1.44 
                                                                              
Weighted Average
Shares Outstanding              51,767                  53,083                52,070                53,255 
                                                                              
                                  
                                                                           
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.    
                                                                                    3
                                                                                    -

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                            PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
                                   Item 1. Financial Statements
                                 The Clorox Company and Subsidiaries
                                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 ---------------------------------------
                                             (In thousands)

                                                            3/31/96                6/30/95      
                                                        -----------------      --------------
<S>                                                     <C>                     <C>    
ASSETS                                              
- ------
     Current Assets                                          
          Cash and short-term investments               $      88,433          $      137,330 
          Accounts receivable, less allowance                 320,797                 311,868 
          Inventories                                         175,613                 121,095 
          Deferred income taxes                                11,113                  11,495 
          Prepaid expenses                                     24,736                  18,543 
                                                        -------------              ----------
               Total current assets                           620,692                 600,331 
                                                  
     Property, Plant and Equipment - Net                      540,441                 524,972 
                                                  
     Brands, Trademarks, Patents and Other
     Intangibles                                              673,810                 592,792 
                                                  
     Investments in Affiliates                                 98,690                  96,385 
                                                  
     Other Assets                                             246,936                  92,192 
                                                        -------------              ----------
                                                  
     Total                                              $   2,180,569           $   1,906,672 
                                                  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- ------------------------------------                                                   
     Current Liabilities                                              
          Accounts payable                              $     122,938           $     122,763 
          Accrued liabilities                                 211,399                 234,595 
          Income taxes payable                                 23,214                   6,283 
          Commercial paper and notes payable                  294,044                 115,303 
          Current maturities of long-term debt                    269                     379 
                                                        -------------              ----------
               Total current liabilities                      651,864                 479,323 
                                                  
     Long-term Debt                                           356,902                 253,079 
                                               
     Other Obligations                                        101,903                  85,129 
                                                  
     Deferred Income Taxes                                    133,062                 145,228 
                                                
     Put Option Obligations                                    17,259                     - 
                                              
     Stockholders' Equity                                             
          Common Stock                                         55,422                  55,422 
          Additional paid-in capital                          110,951                 108,347 
          Retained earnings                                 1,041,057                 971,380 
          Treasury shares, at cost                           (256,362)               (168,217) 
          Cumulative translation adjustments and other        (31,489)                (23,019) 
                                                        -------------              ----------
               Stockholders' Equity                           919,579                 943,913 
                                                        -------------              ----------
                                               
     Total                                              $   2,180,569           $   1,906,672 
                                                        ==============           ============  

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.                                              
                                                                                       4
                                                                                       -

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                            PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
                                 Item 1.  Financial Statements
                              The Clorox Company and Subsidiaries
                          Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
                          -----------------------------------------------
                                          (In thousands)



                                                                                          Nine  Months Ended 
                                                                                  ----------------------------------
                                                                                       3/31/96                3/31/95
                                                                                  -----------            -----------
<S>                                                                               <C>                    <C>
Operations:                                              
     Earnings from continuing operations                                          $   156,289            $   141,310 
     Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:                                            
          Depreciation and amortization                                                90,677                 79,961 
          Deferred income taxes                                                         4,300                  9,000 
          Other                                                                         9,084                  8,588 
          Effects of changes in:                                       
               Accounts  receivable                                                    23,741                (16,158) 
               Inventories                                                            (43,062)               (53,623) 
               Prepaid expenses                                                       (13,885)                 1,923 
               Accounts payable                                                       (37,385)               (23,613) 
               Accrued liabilities                                                    (23,203)               (24,481) 
               Income taxes payable                                                    25,714                 21,969 
                                                                                  -----------            -----------
                                                                                
               Net cash provided by  operations                                       192,270                144,876 
                                                      
Investing Activities:                                                 
     Property, plant and equipment                                                    (53,678)               (39,517) 
     Disposal of property, plant and equipment                                          2,791                  7,865 
     Businesses purchased                                                            (131,025)               (54,015) 
     Investment in other assets                                                      (110,045)                   
     Other                                                                            (58,448)               (24,113) 
                                                                                  -----------            -----------

               Net cash used for investment                                          (350,405)              (109,780) 
                                                
Financing Activities:                                               
     Short-term borrowings                                                             11,160                  5,112 
     Long-term debt borrowings                                                        110,268                    -
     Long-term debt and other obligations repayments                                  (15,021)                  (387) 
     Commercial paper, net                                                            154,840                 36,000 
     Cash dividends                                                                   (83,082)               (76,762) 
     Treasury stock purchased                                                         (82,932)               (29,199) 
     Employee stock plans                                                              14,005                  7,110 
                                                                                  -----------            -----------

               Net cash used for financing                                            109,238                (58,126) 
                                                
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Short-Term Investments                                (48,897)               (23,030) 
Cash and Short-Term Investments:                                                
     Beginning of period                                                              137,330                115,922 
                                                                                  -----------            -----------
                                                
     End of period                                                                $    88,433            $    92,892 
                                                                                  ===========            ===========
Non-cash transaction:                                               
     Other obligation arising from business purchased                             $    12,968            $    17,081 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.                                               

                                                                                                                5 
                                                                                                                - 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

            PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
                Item 1.  Financial Statements
              The Clorox Company and Subsidiaries
       Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


(1)  The summarized financial information for the three and nine 
months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995 has not been audited but, 
in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only 
of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation 
of the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows 
of The Clorox Company and subsidiaries (the Company) have been made.
The results of the three and nine months ended March 31, 1996 
and 1995 should not be considered as necessarily indicative of 
the results for the entire year.


(2)  Inventories at March 31, 1996 and at June 30, 1995 consisted 
of (in thousands):
                                                                 

                              3/31/96                6/30/95 
                                                            
     Finished goods and
      work in process        $ 112,476             $  71,102
     Raw materials and
      supplies                  63,137                49,993
                              --------              --------
                                                             
          Total              $ 175,613             $ 121,095 
                             =========             =========

(3)  Stock Repurchases

The Company's Board of Directors in July 1995, authorized a 
$100,000,000 share repurchase program which is planned for 
completion during fiscal year 1996.  The shares will be 
purchased on the open market.  Shares reacquired will be 
held as treasury shares and are available for reissuance for 
corporate uses.  Through March 31, 1996, 1,069,400 shares 
had been repurchased at a cost of $82,932,000.


(4)  Acquisitions for the nine months ended March 31, 1996 of 
$131,025,000 were funded from cash provided from operations 
and included the Black Flag line of insecticides, the 
acquisition of the remaining minority interest of our 
business in Argentina, the Poet San Juan business in 
Argentina, the Electroquimicas S.A.C.I., business in Chile,
and other business interests in Mexico.  These acquisitions 
were accounted for as purchases.


(5)  Put Option Obligations

The Company sold 240,000 put options and purchased 240,000 
call options during the second quarter of fiscal 1996 with 
various strike prices (average of $71.91 per share) that 
expire at various times through September 30, 2005.  Upon 
exercise, each put option obligates the Company to purchase 
one share of its common stock at the strike price and each 
call option allows the Company to purchase one share of its 
common stock at the strike price.  The aggregate exercise 
price of $17,259,000 has been classified as put option 
obligations with a corresponding increase in treasury stock 
at December 31, 1995.
                                                           6
                                                           - 
<PAGE>                                                   
          PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
        Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
          Results of Operations and Financial Condition
          ---------------------------------------------

                     Results of Operations
                     ---------------------

        Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 1996
        ---------------------------------------------------
            with the Three Months Ended March 31, 1995
            ------------------------------------------

Earnings per share increased 13 percent to $1.15 from $1.02, 
and net earnings increased 10 percent to $59,599,000  from 
$54,034,000 a year ago principally due to a 12 percent increase 
in net sales driven by a 11 percent increase in volume.  Record 
shipments were recorded for our home cleaning business unit and 
were led by Pine-Sol.  This unit achieved its 
thirteenth consecutive quarterly increase in shipments.  Both 
Combat insecticides and Kingsford charcoal experienced reduced 
shipments due to the cold weather in the Eastern part of the 
country.  Brita water filtration systems shipped record quarterly
volumes reflecting strong growth in all trade channels.  Our 
international business growth during the quarter was 
principally due to volume from businesses acquired in fiscal 
1995.

Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales was 45.6 and 
45.3 percent in the current and year ago quarters, respectively.
Gross margins are anticipated to remain at approximately 55 
percent for the remainder of this fiscal year.     

Selling, delivery, and administration expense increased 14 
percent over the year ago period principally due to continued 
investment in international infrastructure and costs 
implementing our customer interface project.     

Advertising expense increased 2 percent over the year ago period
principally due to increased media spending offset by reductions
in sales promotion activities (e.g. couponing).             

Interest expense increased $3,540,000 over the year ago period 
due to higher levels and rates on commercial paper, and 
additional indebtedness related to the Brita Canada acquisition 
of January 1995.     

                                                           7
                                                           -
<PAGE>

          PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
           Results of Operations and Financial Condition
           ---------------------------------------------

                      Results of Operations
                      ---------------------

         Comparison of the Nine Months Ended March 31, 1996
         --------------------------------------------------
             with the Nine Months Ended March 31, 1995
             -----------------------------------------


Earnings per share increased 13 percent to $3.00 from $2.65, 
and net earnings increased 11 percent to $156,289,000 from 
$141,310,000 a year ago principally due to a 11 percent 
increased in net sales driven by a 10 percent increase in 
volume.  Record shipments were recorded in the first three 
quarters for our home cleaning business unit including 
Formula 409, Soft Scrub, Pine-Sol and Clorox toilet bowl 
cleaners.  Brita water filtration systems shipped record 
volumes that reflect continued strong growth in all trade 
channels and the acquisition in January 1995 of the Brita 
business in Canada.  International volume growth was 
principally due to volume from businesses acquired in 
fiscal 1995.

Cost of products sold was 45.3 and 44.6 percent in the current 
and year ago periods respectively.  Gross margins are expected 
to remain at approximately 55 percent for the remainder of 
this fiscal year.

Selling, delivery and administration expense increased 12 percent 
over the year ago period principally due to continued investment 
in international infrastructure, and costs implementing our 
customer interface project.

Advertising expense was up slightly from a year ago.  Included in 
advertising expense is a shift from sales promotion to media 
spending which improves the overall efficiency of the advertising 
effort.

Interest expense increased $8,811,000 over a year ago due to higher 
levels and rates on commercial paper, and additional indebtedness 
related to the Brita Canada acquisition of January 1995.


                                                              8
                                                              -

<PAGE>


            PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
          Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
            Results of Operations and Financial Condition
            ---------------------------------------------

                    Liquidity and Capital Resources
                    -------------------------------

The Company's financial position and liquidity remain strong 
due to cash provided by operations which increased  
$47,394,000 over the year ago period, principally due to the 
liquidation of June 30, 1995 receivables including those with 
seasonal dating terms for payment this period.  Increases in 
accounts receivable and inventory balances from June 30, 1995 
reflect normal seasonal variation, principally due to the 
charcoal and insecticides businesses.  Increases in Brands,
Trademarks, and Other Intangibles reflects the numerous business
acquisitions made during the year.  In connection with the
acquisition of certain foreign operations, an investment in 
other assets has been made to create cost efficient funding.
Increases in commercial paper borrowings and additional long-
term debt were used to supplement cash provided by operations
to fund acquisitions, the increase in other assets, and the
share repurchase program.    

In July 1995, the Board of Directors approved a $100,000,000 
share repurchase program which is planned for completion 
during this fiscal year, subject to market conditions and 
business opportunities which may arise.  Through the nine month 
period ended March 31, 1996, 1,069,400 shares at a cost of 
$82,932,000 were reacquired, of which 372,400 shares at a 
cost of $32,782,000 were reacquired during the third quarter.  
The Company also sold 240,000 put options on the Company's 
stock during the second quarter as a hedge of certain future 
stock option exercises.  The options sold were unexpired and 
unexercised at March 31, 1996.             
                                                   
The Company has approved the use of interest rate derivative 
instruments such as interest rate swaps in order to manage the 
impact of interest rate movements on interest expense.  These 
instruments have the effect of converting fixed rate interest
to floating, or floating to fixed.  The conditions under which 
interest rate derivatives can be used are set forth in a 
Company Policy Statement and include a restriction on the 
amount of such activity to a designated portion of existing 
debt, a limit on the term of any transaction, and a specific 
prohibition on the use of any leveraged transaction.     

Management believes the Company has access to additional capital 
through existing lines of credit and from public and private 
sources should the need arise.


                                                             9
                                                             -


<PAGE>



                        S I G N A T U R E


Pursuant to the requirements 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.


                                   THE CLOROX COMPANY
                                   (Registrant)




DATE  May 14, 1996               BY /S/ HENRY J. SALVO, JR.
      ------------               --------------------------
                                 Henry J. Salvo, Jr.
                                 Vice-President - Controller



                                                       10
                                                       --

<PAGE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF THE CLOROX COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, AS
PRESENTED IN THE CLOROX COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR SUCH PERIOD, AND IS QUALFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           51788
<SECURITIES>                                     36645
<RECEIVABLES>                                   322318
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1521
<INVENTORY>                                     175613
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                620692
<PP&E>                                          956426
<DEPRECIATION>                                  415985
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2180569
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           651864
<BONDS>                                         356902
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         55422
<OTHER-SE>                                      864157
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2180569
<SALES>                                        1545366
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1545366
<CGS>                                           700074
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1254957
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  2061
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               26113
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 262235
<INCOME-TAX>                                    105946
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             156289
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    156289
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


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