CLOROX CO /DE/
10-Q, 1997-02-14
SPECIALTY CLEANING, POLISHING AND SANITATION PREPARATIONS
Previous: CLEVETRUST REALTY INVESTORS, 10-Q, 1997-02-14
Next: COACHMEN INDUSTRIES INC, SC 13G/A, 1997-02-14



             UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    Washington, D.C.  20549
                          Form 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended December 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 number)
                                                       
1221 Broadway - Oakland, California              94612 - 1888
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)               
                                                       
Registrant's telephone number,                    (510)-271-7000
 (including 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 December 31, 1996 there were 51,711,431 shares outstanding of
the registrant's common stock (par value -  $1.00), the registrant's
only outstanding class of stock. 
                                                       
     

Total  pages 10                                              1


                   THE CLOROX COMPANY                          
                       
                         
                         
                         
PART 1.            Financial Information             Page No.
                   ---------------------             --------
      
  Item 1.  Financial Statements     
                         
           Condensed Statements of Consolidated
            Earnings     
            Three and Six Months Ended
             December 31, 1996 and 1995                  3
                         
                         
           Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets     
            December 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996          4
                         
                         
           Condensed Statements of Consolidated
            Cash Flows     
            Six Months Ended December 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                     Six Months Ended
                                       --------------------------------       ------------------------------
                                       12/31/96             12/31/95          12/31/96           12/31/95
                                       --------             --------          --------           --------
<S>                                 <C>                  <C>                <C>                <C>
Net Sales                           $   530,215          $   466,789        $1,120,988         $  985,275 
                                                                                   
Costs and Expenses                                                                               
     Cost of products sold              235,626              213,171           492,987            444,504 
                                                                                
     Selling, delivery and
      administration                    120,439              102,378           237,033            201,034 
                                                                                
     Advertising                         80,910               66,628           169,884            139,110 
                                                                                
     Research and development            11,532               11,205            22,030             21,407 
                                                                                
     Interest expense                    11,745                7,588            22,242             15,360 
                                                                                
     Other (income) expense, net         (2,986)               2,196            (4,959)             1,629 
                                       --------             --------          --------           --------

          Total costs and expenses      457,266              403,166           939,217            823,044 
                                       ========             ========          ========           ========
                                                                                







Earnings before income taxes             72,949               63,623           181,771            162,231 
                                                                                
Income Taxes                             29,034               25,712            72,346             65,541 
                                       --------             --------          --------           --------

Net Earnings                        $    43,915           $   37,911        $  109,425         $   96,690 
                                       ========             ========          ========           ========

                                                                           
Earnings per Common Share           $      0.85           $     0.73        $     2.12         $     1.85 
                                                                                
Dividends per Share                 $      0.58           $     0.53        $     1.16         $     1.06 
                                                                              
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding      51,685               52,089            51,615             52,222 
                                                                             
                                                                           
                                                                           
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, except per share amounts)


                                                                           12/31/96                6/30/96  
                                                                        --------------          -------------
<S>                                                                     <C>                     <C>
ASSETS
- ------                                              
  Current Assets
    Cash and short-term investments                                     $      80,911           $     90,828 
    Accounts receivable, less allowance                                       302,002                315,106 
    Inventories                                                               189,853                138,848 
    Deferred income taxes                                                      24,110                 10,987 
    Prepaid expenses                                                           25,362                 18,076 
                                                                        --------------          -------------
      Total current assets                                                    622,238                573,845 
                                                  
  Property, Plant and Equipment - Net                                         569,186                551,437 
                                                  
  Brands, Trademarks, Patents and Other Intangibles                         1,140,328                704,669 
                                                  
  Investments in Affiliates                                                    98,833                 99,033 
                                                  
  Other Assets                                                                280,503                249,910 
                                                                        --------------          -------------
                                                  
  Total                                                                 $   2,711,088           $  2,178,894 
                                                                        ==============          ==============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                   
- ------------------------------------
  Current Liabilities                                              
    Accounts payable                                                    $     116,910           $    155,366 
    Accrued liabilities                                                       336,748                266,192 
    Income taxes payable                                                       11,264                  9,354 
    Commercial paper and notes payable                                        183,760                192,683 
    Current maturities of long-term debt                                          179                    291 
                                                                        --------------          -------------
      Total current liabilities                                               648,861                623,886 
                                                  
  Long-term Debt                                                              793,350                356,267 
                                               
  Other Obligations                                                           121,807                100,246 
                                                  
  Deferred Income Taxes                                                       148,221                148,408 
                                                
  Stockholders' Equity                                             
    Common Stock                                                               55,422                 55,422 
    Additional paid-in capital                                                114,663                111,782 
    Retained earnings                                                       1,128,694              1,078,789 
    Treasury shares, at cost                                                 (252,692)              (251,393) 
    Cumulative translation adjustments and other                              (47,238)               (44,513) 
                                                                        --------------          -------------
      Stockholders' Equity                                                    998,849                950,087 
                                                                        --------------          -------------
  Total                                                                  $  2,711,088            $ 2,178,894 
                                                                        ==============          =============

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)

                                                                                 Six  Months Ended
                                                                        -----------------------------------
                                                                          12/31/96                12/31/95
                                                                        ------------           ------------
<S>                                                                     <C>                    <C>        
Operations:                                              
     Net earnings                                                       $    109,425           $     96,690 
     Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided 
       by operating activities:                                            
          Depreciation and amortization                                       59,783                 55,669 
          Deferred income taxes                                                2,146                  3,300 
          Other                                                                5,303                 12,532 
          Effects of changes in:                                       
               Accounts  receivable                                           43,710                 91,497 
               Inventories                                                   (41,838)               (33,505) 
               Prepaid expenses                                               (7,285)                 2,243 
               Accounts payable                                              (52,574)               (33,385) 
               Accrued liabilities                                            19,194                (44,049) 
               Income taxes payable                                              817                 (5,863) 
                                                                        ------------           ------------
                                                
               Net cash provided by  operations                              138,681                145,129 

                                                
Investing Activities:                                                 
     Property, plant and equipment                                           (37,403)               (30,658) 
     Disposal of property, plant and equipment                                 1,921                    770 
     Businesses purchased                                                   (452,788)               (61,665) 
     Other                                                                   (23,386)               (22,168) 
                                                                        ------------           ------------
                                                
               Net cash used for investment                                 (511,656)              (113,721) 
                                                                        ------------           ------------
                                                
Financing Activities:                                              
     Short-term borrowings                                                     7,671                    -      
     Long-term borrowings                                                    438,196                    - 
     Long-term debt and other obligations repayments                          (4,637)               (12,696) 
     Commercial paper, net                                                   (16,548)                53,223 
     Cash dividends                                                          (59,868)               (55,537) 
     Treasury stock                                                          (11,752)               (50,150) 
     Employee stock plans                                                      9,996                  2,288 
                                                
                                                                        ------------           ------------
               Net cash provided by (used for) financing                     363,058                (62,872) 
                                                                        ------------           ------------
                                                
Decrease in Cash and Short-Term Investments                                   (9,917)               (31,464) 
Cash and Short-Term Investments:                                               
     Beginning of period                                                      90,828                 137,330 
                                                                        ------------           ------------
                                                
     End of period                                                      $     80,911           $     105,866 
                                                                        ============           =============
                                             
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.       
                                                                                               5 

</TABLE>



                    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 six months 
ended December 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 six months 
ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 should not be considered 
as necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.


(2)  Inventories at December 31, 1996 and at June 30, 1996 
consisted of (in thousands):
                                                          
                              12/31/96                6/30/96
                             ---------               ---------
                                                                 
Finished goods and work
 in process                  $ 122,495               $  82,261
Raw materials and supplies      67,358                  56,587 
                             ---------               ---------
                                                    
          Total              $ 189,853               $ 138,848
     

(3) The aggregate exercise price of the put options, $17,259,000,
which was classified as other long-term obligations at June 30,
1996 have been reclassified to treasury stock at December 31,
1996 as a result of renegotiation of terms which resulted in
these transactions being classified as equity.  The Company sold
240,000 put options and purchased 240,000 call options during 
the second quarter of fiscal year 1996 with various strike
prices (average of $71.91 per share) that expire on various
dates through September 30, 2005.  Upon exercise, each put option
requires the Company to purchase, and each call option allows the
Company to buy one share of its common stock at the strike price.

(4)     Businesses purchased for the six months ended December 31, 
1996 totaled $452,788,000 and included the acquisition of  
Armor All Products Corporation for $360,144,000.  The
acquisition occurred on December 30, 1996 with the completion 
of a tender offer.  The acquired business markets the leading 
line of automotive cleaning products under the brand name 
Armor All.  Net assets acquired include cash of $48,000,000, 
other net working capital of $1,100,000, property plant and 
equipment of $9,177,000, and intangible assets of $358,000,000  
Intangible assets, principally brands and trademarks, will be 
amortized over 40 years.  Other businesses purchased included 
the Shell Group's non-core line of household products in Chile, 
the Pinoluz brand of pine cleaner in Argentina, and the Limpido 
brand of liquid bleach and an increase in ownership in 
Tecnoclor, S.A., both in Colombia.

     All acquisitions were accounted for as purchases and were 
funded from cash provided by operations, long-term borrowings, 
and commercial paper.  Commercial paper expected to be refinanced 
has been classified as Long-term Debt.

     Acquisitions for the six months ended December 31, 1995 of 
$61,665,000 were funded from cash provided from operations and 
included the Black Flag line of insecticides, the acquisition 
of the remaining minority interest of the business in Argentina,
and other business interests in Mexico.  These acquisitions 
were accounted for as purchases.

                                                         6


                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 December 31, 1996
             with the Three Months Ended December 31, 1995
             ---------------------------------------------

Earnings per share increased 16 percent to $.85 from $.73, and 
net earnings increased 16 percent to $43,915,000 from $37,911,000 
a year ago, principally due to a 14 percent increase in net 
sales driven by a 13 percent increase in volume.  Record shipments 
were recorded for our home cleaning business unit which includes 
Clean Up, S.O.S, Soft Scrub, and Clorox toilet bowl cleaners.  
Clorox 2 Color-Safe bleach shipped its highest volume since the 
second quarter of fiscal 1994.  Combat insecticides and Kingsford 
charcoal shipments were also up strongly.  Brita water filtration 
systems shipped record quarterly volumes reflecting strong growth 
in all trade channels.  Foreign net sales were 18 percent of 
total Company net sales, up from 15 percent of total Company sales 
for the year ago quarter.  Increased sales levels reflect the 
results of acquisition activity, principally in Latin America.  

Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales was 44.4 and 
45.7 percent in the current and year ago quarters, respectively.  
The improvement reflects the results of certain cost savings 
measures, including our manufacturing strategy and our 
initiative in the food business.  These margins are anticipated 
to remain at approximately these levels for the remainder of the 
fiscal year.

Selling, delivery, and administration expense increased 18 
percent over the year ago period principally due to continued 
investment in international infrastructure, foreign acquisitions 
and costs arising from investments in information technology 
both domestically and abroad.

Advertising expense increased 21 percent over the year ago 
period principally due to higher media spending as well as 
sales promotion spending on new product activities, and spending
for our Brita business to solidify brand equity and maintain our
current category leadership. 

Interest expense increased $4,157,000 over the year ago period 
due to higher levels of commercial paper, and additional 
indebtedness related to long-term borrowings that funded 
acquisitions.


                                                            7
                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 Six Months Ended December 31, 1996
             with the Six Months Ended December 31, 1995
             ---------------------------------------------


Earnings per share increased 15 percent to $2.12 from $1.85, and 
net earnings increased 13 percent to $109,425,000 from $96,690,000 
a year ago, principally due to a 14 percent increase in net 
sales driven by a 14 percent increase in volume.  Record shipments 
were recorded for our home cleaning business unit which includes 
Formula 409, Clean Up, Soft Scrub, S.O.S, Pine-Sol and Clorox 
toilet bowl cleaners.  Combat insecticides and cat litter 
shipments were both up in volume versus the year ago period.  
Brita water filtration systems shipped record volumes that 
reflect continued strong growth in all trade channels.  
Foreign net sales were 16 percent of total Company net sales, 
up from 13 percent of total Company sales for the year ago 
quarter.  Increased sales levels reflect the results of 
acquisition activity, principally in Latin America.  

Cost of products sold as a percent of net sales was 44 and 45 
percent in the current and year ago periods, respectively.  
The improvement reflects the results of certain cost savings 
measures, including our manufacturing strategy and our 
initiative in the food business. These margins are expected to 
remain at approximately this level for the remainder of the 
fiscal year.

Selling, delivery and administration expense increased 18 
percent over the year ago period principally due to continued 
investment in international infrastructure, international 
acquisitions and costs related to investments in information 
technology both domestic and foreign.

Advertising expense increased 22 percent versus a year ago.  
This increase reflects heavier media and sales promotion 
expenses for new product introductions, and the spending to 
solidify Brita's brand equity and maintain category leadership.  
We anticipate that for the full year advertising and sales 
promotion should increase at about the same rate as the growth 
of sales.

Interest expense increased $6,882,000 over a year ago due to 
higher levels of commercial paper and additional indebtedness 
to fund the acquisition activities this year.

                                                   8


         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  during the period.  
Decreases in accounts receivable and accounts payable, and 
increases in inventory balances from June 30, 1996 reflect 
normal seasonal variations, principally due to the charcoal 
and insecticides businesses. Accrued expenses increased from 
June 30, 1996 principally due to higher levels of marketing 
support and acquisitions.  We expect inventories to increase 
during the next fiscal quarter to support the seasonal 
charcoal and insecticides businesses.

Acquisitions since June 30, 1996 totaled $452,788,000 and were 
financed from a combination of cash provided by operations, 
long term borrowing, and commercial paper borrowing anticipated 
to be refinanced on a long-term basis during the upcoming 
quarter. These acquisitions, which included the Armor All 
line of car cleaning products for $360,144,000, and  acquisitions 
in Latin America, were the principal causes for  the increase 
in Brands, Trademarks, Patents and Other Intangibles. 

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 
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 derivative transaction, and a specific prohibition on the 
use of any leveraged derivatives.

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

The foregoing Management's Discussion and Analysis contains
"forward-looking" statements under applicable securities laws.  
The Company cautions readers that actual results might differ
materially from those projected depending on a number of economic
and competitive risk factors.  For a discussion of some of those
risk factors, the Company refers readers to the Company's Form
8-K Current Report which was filed on January 9, 1997.

                                                       9












                    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 February 13, 1997         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 DECEMBER 31, 1996,
AS PRESENTED IN THE CLOROX COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FILED FOR SUCH PERIOD, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           80911
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      303
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1521
<INVENTORY>                                     189853
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                622238
<PP&E>                                         1017559
<DEPRECIATION>                                  448373
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2711088
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           648861
<BONDS>                                         793350
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         55422
<OTHER-SE>                                      943427
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2711088
<SALES>                                        1120988
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1120988
<CGS>                                           492987
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   921934
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (4959)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               22242
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 181771
<INCOME-TAX>                                     72346
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             109425
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    109425
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission