CLOROX CO /DE/
10-Q, 1997-11-13
SPECIALTY CLEANING, POLISHING AND SANITATION PREPARATIONS
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           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 SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


      For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997
                                     ------------------

                                             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 of         (I.R.S. Employer  
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 report 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 September 30, 1997 there were  103,334,845 shares 
outstanding of the registrant's common stock (par-value -  
$1.00), the registrant's only outstanding class of stock.




Total  pages 9                                          1



                      THE CLOROX COMPANY
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        

PART 1.         Financial Information                   Page No. 
                ---------------------                   -------- 
                                        
  Item 1.  Financial Statements         
                                        
           Condensed Statements of Consolidated 
            Earnings                        
            
            Three Months Ended 
            September 30, 1997 and 1996                     3 
                                        
                                        
           Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                
            September 30, 1997 and June 30, 1997            4 
                                        
                                        

          Condensed Statements of Consolidated 
           Cash Flows 

           Three Months Ended 
            September 30, 1997 and 1996                     5 
                                         
                                        
           Notes to Condensed Consolidated 
            Financial Statements                            6 
                                        
                                        

  Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
            Results of Operations and Financial 
            Condition                                     7-8 


                                                             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 
                                          -----------------------------
                                             9/30/97            9/30/96  
                                            --------            ------- 

<S>                                     <C>                  <C>
Net Sales                               $    649,284         $  590,773
                                        -------------        ----------

 Costs and Expenses   
    Cost of products sold                    279,694            257,361 
                                                                
        
    Selling, delivery and administration     130,399            116,594 
                                                                        
    Advertising                               91,544             88,974 
                                                                        
    Research and development                  11,606             10,498 
                                                                        
    Interest expense                          15,494             10,497
                                                                 
    Other income                              (1,359)            (1,973)
                                        -------------      -------------
Total costs and expenses                     527,378             481,951
                                        -------------      -------------                                                  
                             
Earnings before Income Taxes                 121,906             108,822
                                                                
               
Income Taxes                                  47,543              43,312
                                        -------------      -------------- 
Net Earnings                            $     74,363         $    65,510
                                        =============       ============= 

Earnings per Common Share               $       0.72         $      0.64 
                                                                
Dividends per Share                     $       0.32         $      0.29 

                                                                
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding          103,217             103,092 

                                                                
                 

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)


                                                      9/30/97             6/30/97 
                                                     --------             ------- 

<S>                                            <C>                  <C>
ASSETS
- ------

  Current Assets                                        
   Cash and short-term investments             $        87,371      $     101,046 
   Accounts receivable, less allowance                 333,568            356,996 
   Inventories                                         186,612            170,340 
   Prepaid expenses                                     16,664             22,534 
   Deferred income taxes                                21,533             22,581 
                                               ---------------      ------------- 
      Total current assets                             645,748            673,497 
                                                                         
   Property, Plant and Equipment - Net                 573,636            570,645 
                                                                         

   Brands, Trademarks, Patents and Other 
    Intangibles                                      1,206,379          1,186,951 
                                                                        
   Investments in Affiliates                            96,635             93,004 
                                                                         
   Other Assets                                        284,778            253,855 
                                               ---------------      ------------- 

   Total                                       $     2,807,176      $   2,777,952 
                                               ===============      ============= 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- ------------------------------------

  Current Liabilities                                                                  
     Accounts payable                          $       140,807      $     143,360 
     Accrued liabilities                               258,749            358,785 
     Short-term debt                                   241,395            369,973 
 
     Income taxes payable                               54,415             17,049 
     Current maturities of long-term debt                   45              3,551 
                                               ---------------      ------------- 

         Total current liabilities                     695,411            892,718 
                                                                         
  Long-term Debt                                       756,299            565,926 
                                                                     
  Other Obligations                                    119,012            112,539 
                                                                         
  Deferred Income Taxes                                161,534            170,723 
                                                                    
  Stockholders' Equity                                                                  
     Common stock                                      110,845            110,844 
     Additional paid-in capital                         67,979             66,803 
     Retained earnings                               1,249,448          1,207,524 
     Treasury shares, at cost                         (288,243)          (289,075) 
     Cumulative translation adjustments and other      (65,109)           (60,050) 
                                               ---------------      ------------- 
        Stockholders' Equity                         1,074,920          1,036,046 
                                               ---------------      -------------
Total                                          $     2,807,176      $   2,777,952 
                                               ===============      =============

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)

                           

                                                               Three Months Ended
                                                        ----------------------------- 
                                                            9/30/97           9/30/96
                                                        -----------       -----------
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>

Operations:
  Net earnings                                           $  74,363         $   65,510 

  Adjustments to reconcile to net cash 
  provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                           36,680            26,744 
     Deferred income taxes                                    2,216               840 
     Other                                                   (9,555)            5,315 
     Effects of changes in:    
        Accounts receivable                                  16,883            42,103 
        Inventories                                         (16,272)           (8,273) 
        Prepaid expenses                                      5,870            (3,084) 
        Accounts payable                                      1,524           (28,635) 
        Accrued liabilities                                 (98,011)           (3,770) 
        Income taxes payable                                 36,007            25,042 
                                                         -----------       ----------- 

        Net cash provided by operations                      49,705           121,792 
                                                                    
Investing Activities:                                                                 
     Property, plant and equipment                          (18,375)          (23,033) 
     Disposal of property, plant and equipment                1,123               515 
     Businesses purchased                                   (37,910)          (22,207) 
     Other                                                  (34,915)          (17,043) 
                                                         -----------       ----------- 

        Net cash used for investment                        (90,077)          (61,768) 
                                                        -----------       ----------- 

Financing Activities:                                                                 
     Short-term borrowing                                    13,407               -       
     Short-term repayments                                 (148,312)              -       
     Long-term borrowings                                   193,287               968 
     Long-term debt and other obligations repayments         (5,434)           (6,942) 
        Commercial paper, net                                 2,821            (5,348) 
        Cash dividends                                      (32,918)          (29,888) 
        Treasury stock purchased                             (4,820)              -       
        Employee stock plans                                  8,666            7,109 
                                                        -----------       ----------- 

     Net cash provided by (used for) financing               26,697          (34,101) 
                                                        -----------       ----------- 

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Short-Term Investments  (13,675)          25,923 
Cash and Short-Term Investments:                                                      
   Beginning of period                                      101,046           90,828 
                                                        -----------       -----------
   End of period                                        $    87,371       $  116,751 
                                                        ===========       ============
                                          
See Notes to Condensed 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 months
        ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 has not been audited, 
        but in the opinion of management, includes 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).  The 
        results of the three months ended September 30, 1997 
        should not be considered as necessarily indicative of 
        the results for the respective year.

(2)     Inventories at September 30, 1997 and at June 30, 1997 
        consisted of (in thousands):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                9/30/97                6/30/97         
                                              -----------            -----------
        <S>                                   <C>                    <C>

        Finished goods and work in process    $  115,783             $ 109,189         
        Raw materials and supplies                70,829                61,151
                                              -----------            -----------
           Total                              $  186,612             $ 170,340

</TABLE>


(3)     Businesses purchased totalling $37,910 and $22,207 during
        the quarters ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, 
        respectively, were funded using a combination of cash and
        long-term borrowings and were accounted for as purchases.

(4)     Impact of New  Accounting Standard
     
        In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards 
        Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
        No. 128 ("SFAS 128"), Earnings per Share.  SFAS 128 
        requires dual presentation of basic EPS and diluted EPS 
        on the face of all earnings statements issued after 
        December 15, 1997 for all entities with complex capital 
        structures.  Basic EPS is computed as net earnings 
        divided by the weighted average number of common shares 
        outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the 
        potential dilution that could occur from common shares 
        issuable through stock options, restricted stock, 
        warrants and other convertible securities.  The effect 
        on earnings per share under SFAS No. 128 would not have 
        been significantly different than earnings per share 
        currently reported for the periods.

(5)     Stock Split
    
        On July 15, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors 
        authorized a 2-for-1 split of its common stock effective
        September 2, 1997, in the form of a stock dividend for 
        stockholders of record at the close of business on July 
        28, 1997.  All share and per share amounts in the 
        accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
        restated to give effect to the stock split.

                                                                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 September 30, 1997
            with the Three Months Ended September  30, 1996
            -----------------------------------------------

Earnings per share increased 13% to 72 cents from 64 cents a 
year ago and reflect a 2 for 1 stock split on September 2, 1997.
Net  earnings grew 14% to $74,363,000 from $65,510,000 a year 
ago  based upon a 10% increase in net sales to $649,284,000.  
Growth in earnings and net sales is due to a  10% increase in 
volume versus the year ago period.  One half of the volume 
growth is due to Armor All with the remainder due primarily 
to growth in the base businesses.  Domestic brands having 
record volumes and contributing to the quarterly growth include 
Clorox liquid bleach, Match Light instant-lighting charcoal 
briquets, Fresh Step Scoop brand of cat litter, and K.C. 
Masterpiece barbecue sauces.  The insecticides business 
experienced a first quarter volume decline which was due in 
part to fair weather in key parts of the country and overall 
category softness.

Gross margins as a percent of net sales improved approximately 
half a percentage point versus the year ago period principally 
due to the efficiencies achieved through cost savings 
initiatives such as our household products manufacturing 
strategy, the consolidation of production in our food business, 
and significant improvements in our Latin American businesses 
where economies of scale are being achieved through
acquisitions, and consolidation of production activities. 

Selling, delivery, and administrative expense increased 12% 
versus the year ago period due to both the continued growth and 
investment in International infrastructure, and expenses related 
to integrating Armor All.

Advertising expense increased slightly versus a year ago and is 
anticipated to grow for the year in line with sales.  Last
year's expense was relatively high as a percent of sales in first 
quarter and moderated over the balance of the fiscal year. 

Interest expense increased approximately $5,000,000 versus the 
year ago period principally due prior year's acquisition 
activities. 

Income tax expense as a percent of pretax earnings declined from 
39.8% to 39.0% principally due to an increasing share of
earnings from International operations located in countries with
lower statutory tax rates. 

                                                              7

          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 quarter.  Accounts 
receivable and accounts payable decreased from June 30, 1997 
primarily due to normal seasonality of the charcoal and 
insecticides businesses.  Inventories are higher due to 
international growth, as well as increased Brita volume.  We 
expect inventories to increase during the next two fiscal 
quarters to support the seasonal charcoal and insecticides 
businesses.  The reduction in accrued liabilities is due in 
part to seasonality and higher levels of advertising and sales 
promotion activities in our domestic household products 
businesses recorded at June 30, 1997.

Acquisitions since June 30, 1997 totaled $37,910,000 and were 
financed using a combination of cash provided by operations 
and long-term borrowings. These acquisitions included the 
Clorosul bleach business in Brazil and two smaller acquisitions 
in Southeast Asia and Australia and resulted in the increase 
in Brands, Trademarks, Patents and Other Intangibles. 

In September 1996, the Board of Directors authorized a share 
repurchase program to offset the dilutive effect of employee 
stock option exercises.  The Company expects to issue between 
400,000 and 500,000 shares of stock each year pursuant to its 
stock based compensation plan and intends to repurchase 
approximately the number of shares issued over time subject to 
market conditions and business opportunities which may arise.  
During the three month period ended September 30, 1997, 70,000 
shares at a cost of $4,820,000 were reacquired.  

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.  In 
September 1997, the Company refinanced $192 million in
commercial paper by entering into a Sterling denominated financing 
arrangement with Abbey National Bank.  The Arrangement has a 
final maturity of April 2002 and an effective cost of 5.7%.  
The Company entered into a series of swaps to eliminate foreign 
currency exposure risk generated by this Sterling denominated 
obligation.

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 such risk 
factors, the Company refers readers to the Company's Form 10-K 
Current Report which was filed on September 25, 1997.


                                                         8


                       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                          BY /s/ Henry J. Salvo, Jr.
    ---------------------       --------------------------
                                Henry J. Salvo, Jr.
                                Vice-President Controller



<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 SEPTEMBER 30,
1997, AS PRESENTED IN THE CLOROX COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR SUCH PERIOD, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           48096
<SECURITIES>                                     39275
<RECEIVABLES>                                   335089
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1521
<INVENTORY>                                     186612
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                645748
<PP&E>                                         1066303
<DEPRECIATION>                                  492667
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2807176
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           695411
<BONDS>                                         756299
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        110845
<OTHER-SE>                                      964075
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2807176
<SALES>                                         649284
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                649284
<CGS>                                           279694
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   513243
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1359)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               15494
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 121906
<INCOME-TAX>                                     47543
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              74363
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     74363
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        


</TABLE>


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