COORS ADOLPH CO
10-Q, 1998-05-12
MALT BEVERAGES
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                U.S. 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 Quarter ended March 29, 1998

                                       OR

[ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

                          Commission file number 0-8251

                      ADOLPH COORS COMPANY
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            COLORADO                                84-0178360
(State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

             Golden, Colorado                       80401     
(Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)
                                
                             303-279-6565
      (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

    Title of each class             Name of each exchange on which registered
           None                                      None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                  Class B Common Stock (non-voting), no par value
                                (Title of class)

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 [ ]

State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates 
of the registrant:  All voting shares are held by Adolph Coors, Jr. Trust.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's
classes of common stock, as of May 7, 1998:

                     Class A Common Stock -  1,260,000 shares
                     Class B Common Stock - 35,012,308 shares

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
  
Item 1.  Financial Statements

  
                     ADOLPH COORS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
  
                                                Thirteen weeks ended
                                               March 29,    March 30,
                                                   1998         1997
                                     (In thousands, except per share data)
  Sales - domestic and international          $ 501,014    $ 483,161
  Less:  beer excise taxes                      (86,869)     (84,380)
  
  Net sales                                     414,145      398,781
  
  Cost of goods sold                            261,927      256,201
  
    Gross profit                                152,218      142,580
  
  Marketing, general and administrative         137,222      127,231
  Special charge                                     --          998
  
    Operating income                             14,996       14,351
  
  Other (income) expense - net                   (1,047)         715
  
    Income before income taxes                   16,043       13,636
  
  Income tax expense                              6,257        5,591
  
    Net income                                    9,786        8,045
  
  Other comprehensive income-foreign currency
    translation adjustments                      (1,104)      (2,773)
  
    Comprehensive income                      $   8,682     $  5,272
  
  
  Net income per common share - basic         $    0.27      $  0.21
  Net income per common share - diluted       $    0.26      $  0.21
  
  Weighted average number of outstanding
    common shares - basic                        36,418       37,713
  Weighted average number of outstanding
    common shares - diluted                      37,415       38,071
  
  Cash dividends declared and paid per
    common share                              $   0.150     $  0.125
  
 See notes to consolidated financial statements.
  
                         ADOLPH COORS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
  
                                                March 29,   December 28,
                                                    1998           1997
                                                     (In thousands)
  Assets
  
  Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                 $  150,765     $  168,875
    Short-term investments                        47,261         42,163
    Accounts and notes receivable, net           128,983        124,485
  
    Inventories:
      Finished                                    30,167         44,729
      In process                                  28,177         20,119
      Raw materials                               25,998         35,654
      Packaging materials                          7,653          5,977
  
    Total inventories                             91,995        106,479
  
    Other assets                                  72,019         75,192
  
      Total current assets                       491,023        517,194
  
  Properties, at cost and net                    719,906        733,117
  
  Other assets                                   155,707        161,772
  
      Total assets                            $1,366,636     $1,412,083
  
 See notes to consolidated financial statements.
  
  
                         ADOLPH COORS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
  
                                                March 29,   December 28,
                                                    1998           1997
                                                     (In thousands)
  Liabilities and shareholders' equity
  
  Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable                          $  136,582     $  131,936
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities       168,020        199,710
    Current portion of long-term debt             42,500         27,500
  
        Total current liabilities                347,102        359,146
  
  Long-term debt                                 130,000        145,000
  
  Deferred tax liability                          75,090         76,219
  
  Other long-term liabilities                     93,317         95,150
  
        Total liabilities                        645,509        675,515
  
  Shareholders' equity:
    Capital stock:
      Preferred stock, non-voting, $1 par
      value (authorized: 25,000,000 shares;
      issued: none)                                   --             --
  
      Class A common stock, voting, $1 par value
      (authorized and issued: 1,260,000 shares)    1,260          1,260
  
      Class B common stock, non-voting, no par
      value, $0.24 stated value (authorized:
      100,000,000 shares; issued: 35,020,455
      in 1998 and 35,599,356 in 1997)              8,338          8,476
  
        Total capital stock                        9,598          9,736
  
    Retained earnings                            716,429        730,628
    Accumulated other comprehensive income        (4,900)        (3,796)
  
        Total shareholders' equity               721,127        736,568
  
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $1,366,636     $1,412,083
 
 See notes to consolidated financial statements.
  

                     ADOLPH COORS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
  
                                             For the thirteen weeks ended
                                               March 29,       March 30,
                                                   1998            1997
                                                    (In thousands)
  Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                $   9,786        $  8,045
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to
     net cash provided by operating activities:
       Equity in net earnings of joint ventures  (6,893)         (5,442)
       Depreciation and amortization             28,462          30,281
       Loss on sale or abandonment
         of properties                              792             799
       Deferred income taxes                     (1,014)           (661)
    Change in current assets and current
         liabilities                             (8,778)         11,144
  
        Net cash provided by
          operating activities                   22,355          44,166
  
  Cash flows from investing activities:
    Purchases of investments                    (12,165)        (20,393)
    Sales and maturities of investments          15,134              --
    Additions to properties                     (15,944)        (11,921)
    Proceeds from sale of properties                 60             543
    Distributions from joint ventures               500             750
    Other                                          (166)            224
  
        Net cash used in investing activities   (12,581)        (30,797)
  
  Cash flows from financing activities:
    Issuance of stock under stock plans           1,149             643
    Purchases of stock                          (22,697)        (12,922)
    Dividends paid                               (5,477)         (4,746)
    Other                                          (703)             --
  
        Net cash used in financing activities   (27,728)        (17,025)
  
  Cash and cash equivalents:
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (17,954)         (3,656)
    Effect of exchange rate changes on
      cash and cash equivalents                    (156)         (1,004)
    Balance at beginning of year                168,875         110,905
  
    Balance at end of quarter                 $ 150,765       $ 106,245

  See notes to consolidated financial statements.


              ADOLPH COORS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
            FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29, 1998
                                
1. BUSINESS

Founded in 1873 and incorporated in Colorado in 1913, Adolph
Coors Company (ACC or the Company) is the holding company for
Coors Brewing Company (CBC), the third-largest U.S. brewer.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Unaudited consolidated financial statements - In the opinion of
management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements
reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
accruals, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the
financial position of the Company at March 29, 1998, the results
of its operations and its cash flows for the three months ended
March 29, 1998. The accompanying financial statements include the
accounts of ACC, CBC and the majority-owned and controlled
domestic and foreign subsidiaries of both ACC and CBC. All significant 
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to 
the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 28, 1997.

Statement of cash flows - Cash paid for interest during the first
quarter of 1998 and 1997 was $3.9 million and $4.1 million,
respectively. Cash paid for income taxes during the first quarter
of 1998 and 1997 was $1.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
During the first quarter of 1998 and 1997, ACC issued $2.5
million and $0.7 million, respectively, in restricted common
stock under its management incentive program.

Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made to
the 1997 financial statements to conform with the 1998 presentation.

3. YEAR 2000

As the Year 2000 approaches, ACC recognizes the need to ensure
its operations will not be adversely impacted by Year 2000
software failures. The Company is addressing this issue to ensure
the availability and integrity of its financial systems and the
reliability of its operational systems. ACC has established
processes for evaluating and managing the risks and costs
associated with this problem. The Company has and will continue
to make certain investments in its information systems and
applications to ensure that it is Year 2000 compliant. The
financial impact to ACC is anticipated to be in the range of $10
to $15 million for each of fiscal years 1998 and 1999. In
addition, ACC is working with its suppliers and customers to
ensure their compliance with Year 2000 issues in order to avoid
any interruptions in its business. While ACC does not at this
time anticipate significant problems with suppliers and
customers, it is developing appropriate plans with these third parties.

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

Special Charge

The Company recorded no special items during the first quarter of
1998. During the first quarter of 1997, ACC recorded a special
charge of approximately $1 million for ongoing legal proceedings
with Molson Breweries of Canada Limited. The Company's operating
results including and excluding this special charge are summarized below:

                                              For the quarter ended
                                              March 29,    March 30,
                                                  1998         1997
                                      (In thousands, except per share data)
Operating income:
  As reported                                  $14,996      $14,351
  Excluding special items                          N/A       15,349
Net income:
  As reported                                    9,786        8,045
  Excluding special items                          N/A        8,655
Earnings per share:
  As reported - basic                            $0.27        $0.21
              - diluted                          $0.26        $0.21
  Excluding special charge - basic                 N/A        $0.23
                           - diluted               N/A        $0.23

Consolidated Results of Continuing Operations

Sales and volume - For the first quarter of 1998, ACC reported
net sales of $414.1 million, a 3.9% increase over the first
quarter of 1997. The increase in net sales was due primarily to a
4.5% increase in unit volume; CBC sold 4,691,000 barrels of malt
beverages in the first quarter of 1998, compared to sales of
4,489,000 barrels in the first quarter of 1997. Net sales for the
three months ended March 29, 1998, were also impacted favorably
by proportionally more export sales, which generate greater net
revenue per barrel than domestic volume. These positive factors were offset 
in part by increased price discounting and unfavorable package mix.

Gross profit - Gross profit in the first quarter of 1998 rose
6.8% to $152.2 million from the first quarter of 1997. As a
percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 36.8% in the
first quarter of 1998 from 35.8% a year earlier. This increase
was attributable to a 3.9% increase in net sales, as discussed
above, offset partially by a 2.2% increase in cost of goods sold.
Cost of goods sold increased primarily due to unit volume
increases, but was impacted favorably by improved overhead
productivity and shipping efficiencies.

Operating income - Operating income was $15.0 million for the
three months ended March 29, 1998, compared to $15.3 million,
excluding the special charge, for a year earlier. This decrease
was primarily due to an increase in marketing, general and
administrative expenses that slightly outweighed the increase in
gross profit. Marketing, general and administrative expenses rose
due to greater advertising spending and increased investment in
the Company's domestic and international sales organizations.

Non-operating expenses - Net non-operating income and expenses
for the first quarter of 1998 were favorable to the first quarter
of 1997 primarily because of a $2.9 million change in net
interest from expense to income. The change was attributable to
an increase in interest income due to higher cash and investment
balances and a decrease in interest expense due to lower outstanding 
principal balances on ACC's medium-term notes. Miscellaneous income 
decreased due to foreign exchange gains and losses, lower royalty income 
and increases in other non-operating costs at certain subsidiaries.

Effective tax rate - The consolidated effective tax rate applied
to income excluding special items for the three months ended
March 29, 1998, was 39.0% compared to 40.9% for the same period in 1997.

Net income - Consolidated net income for the first quarter of
1998 was $9.8 million, or $0.27 per basic share ($0.26 per
diluted share), compared to $8.7 million, excluding the special charge, 
or $0.23 per basic and diluted share for the first quarter of 1997.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity -  The Company's primary sources of liquidity are cash
provided by operating activities and external borrowings. As of
March 29, 1998, ACC had working capital of $143.9 million, and
its net cash position was $150.8 million compared to $168.9
million as of December 28, 1997. In addition to its cash
resources, ACC had short-term, highly liquid investments of $47.3
million at March 29, 1998, compared to $42.2 million at December
28, 1997. ACC also had $39.0 million of marketable investments
with maturities exceeding one year at March 29, 1998, compared to
$47.1 million at December 28, 1997. The Company believes that
cash flows from operations and short-term borrowings will be
sufficient to meet its ongoing operating requirements, scheduled
principal and interest payments on indebtedness, dividend
payments, costs to make computer software Year 2000 compliant,
anticipated capital expenditures and potential repurchases of its
common stock under the previously announced stock repurchase plan.

Operating activities -  Net cash provided by operating activities
was $22.4 million for the first quarter of 1998 compared to $44.2
million for the first quarter of 1997. This decrease in cash
provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to a
decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities. Accrued
expenses and other liabilities decreased because of lower
accruals for management incentives, federal excise taxes and
payroll. Partially offsetting this decrease in operating cash
flows was a decrease in finished goods and raw materials inventories.

Investing activities - During the first quarter of 1998, ACC
spent $12.6 million on investing activities compared to $30.8
million for the first quarter of 1997. Net purchases, sales and
maturities of marketable investments were favorable to 1997 by
$23.4 million. Capital expenditures increased to $15.9 million
for the three months ended March 29, 1998, from $11.9 million a
year earlier. Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 1998
focused on information systems and upgrades and other efficiency-
improvements to Shenandoah and Golden-based facilities.

Financing activities - ACC spent $27.7 million on financing
activities during the first quarter of 1998, of which $20.5
million was used to purchase 647,000 shares of Class B common
stock on the open market under the Company's $40 million stock
repurchase program. Dividend payments were $5.5 million. ACC
spent $17.0 million in the first quarter of 1997 on financing
activities, consisting primarily of $8.9 million in purchases of
Class B stock on the open market and $4.7 million in dividends.

Cautionary Statement Pursuant to Safe Harbor Provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This report contains "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking
statements may include, among others, statements concerning the
Company's outlook for 1998; overall volume trends; pricing trends
and industry forces; cost reduction strategies and their results;
the Company's expectations for funding its 1998 capital
expenditures and operations; the Company's expectations for
funding work on computer software to make it compliant with Year
2000; and other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans
and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar
expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements.

To improve its financial performance, the Company must grow premium 
beverage volume, achieve modest price increases for its products and reduce 
its overall cost structure. The most important factors that could influence 
the achievement of these goals -- and cause actual results to differ 
materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements -- include,
but are not limited to, the following:

- - the inability of the Company and its distributors to develop and 
  execute effective marketing and sales strategies for Coors products;

- - the potential erosion of sales revenues through discounting or
  a higher proportion of sales in value-packs;

- - a potential shift in consumer preferences toward lower-priced
  products in response to price increases;

- - a potential shift in consumer preferences away from the premium
  light beer category, including Coors Light;

- - the intensely competitive, slow-growth nature of the beer industry;

- - demographic trends and social attitudes that can reduce beer sales;

- - the continued growth in the popularity of imports and other specialty beers;

- - increases in the cost of aluminum, paper packaging and other raw materials;

- - the Company's inability to reduce manufacturing, freight and
  overhead costs to more competitive levels;

- - changes in significant laws and government regulations
  affecting environmental compliance and income taxes;

- - the inability to achieve targeted improvements in CBC's distribution system;

- - the imposition of excise or other taxes;

- - the imposition of restrictions on advertising (e.g., media,
  outdoor ads or sponsorships);

- - labor issues, including union activities that could require a
  substantial increase in cost of goods sold or lead to a strike;

- - significant increases in federal, state or local beer or other excise taxes;

- - increases in rail transportation rates or interruptions of rail service;

- - the potential impact of industry consolidation;

- - risks associated with investments and operations in foreign countries, 
  including those related to foreign regulatory requirements; exchange rate 
  fluctuations and local political, social and economic factors; and

- - the risk that computer systems of the Company or its
  significant suppliers and customers may not be Year 2000 compliant.

These and other risks and uncertainties affecting the Company are
discussed in greater detail in the Company's 1997 Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Outlook

The first quarter, with historically lower volume, has not
generally been a good indicator of annual results. The second and
third quarters, which include the peak summer volume months,
traditionally generate the greatest share of the Company's annual
operating income. However, first quarter results were consistent
with a full year outlook predicting volume gains and increased
net sales. However, the pricing environment is expected to be
extremely competitive, restraining expectations of net sales per
barrel. Also, increased value-pack activity may have an
unfavorable impact on top-line performance due to lower margins.

Income from the Company's Canadian business is expected to be 25%
to 30% lower per barrel in 1998 than in 1997 based on current
sales trends and 1998 plans for marketing investments, although
first quarter results were more favorable than anticipated.
Revenue received under the Company's interim agreement with
Molson Breweries of Canada, Ltd., which expired at year-end 1997,
provided higher earnings per barrel than those expected as a
result of the new partnership with The Molson Companies Ltd. and
Carling O'Keefe Breweries of Canada, Ltd. On the other hand, the
partners of the Coors Canada Partnership see considerable growth
potential for Coors products in Canada in the future.

For fiscal year 1998, raw material costs are expected to be up
slightly, but fixed costs and freight costs are expected to be
down slightly. CBC continues to pursue improvements in its
operations and technology functions to achieve cost reductions over time.

Advertising and other general and administrative costs are expected to 
increase but at a lower rate than in 1997. Management continues to monitor 
CBC's market opportunities and to invest behind its brands and sales 
efforts accordingly. Incremental sales and marketing spending will be 
determined on an opportunity-by-opportunity basis.

See the item titled Year 2000 Contingency below for a discussion
of the expected financial impact of this issue.

Net interest is expected to improve in 1998 based on CBC's more
favorable cash position and its lower outstanding debt relative
to its 1997 financial position. Net interest could be less
favorable than expected if the Company invests a substantial
portion of its cash balances in assets with long-term returns.
Additional outstanding common stock may be repurchased in 1998 as
approved by the ACC board of directors in November 1997.

The effective tax rate for 1998 is not expected to differ
significantly from the 1997 effective tax rate applied to income
excluding special items. The level and mix of pretax income for
1998 could affect the actual rate for the year.

In 1998, CBC has planned capital expenditures (including
contributions to its container joint ventures for capital
improvements, which will be recorded on the books of the joint
ventures) in the range of $75 to $85 million. In addition to
CBC's 1998 planned capital expenditures, incremental strategic
investments will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

CONTINGENCIES

Year 2000 - As the Year 2000 approaches, ACC recognizes the need
to ensure its operations will not be adversely impacted by Year
2000 software failures. The Company is addressing this issue to
ensure the availability and integrity of its financial systems
and the reliability of its operational systems. ACC has
established processes for evaluating and managing the risks and
costs associated with this problem. The Company has and will
continue to make certain investments in its information systems
and applications to ensure that it is Year 2000 compliant. The
financial impact to ACC is anticipated to be in the range of $10
to $15 million for each of fiscal years 1998 and 1999. In
addition, ACC is working with its suppliers and customers to
ensure their compliance with Year 2000 issues in order to avoid
any interruptions in its business. While ACC does not at this
time anticipate significant problems with suppliers and
customers, it is developing appropriate plans with these third parties.

Labor Issues - The United Auto Workers (UAW) are engaged in an effort to 
organize and represent employees at the Golden brewery. Hearings have been 
held with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to determine whether 
the UAW's organizing efforts can take place only in the Company's brewing 
unit or in the Company's larger, integrated unit of brewery, can 
manufacturing, end manufacturing and glass manufacturing. The larger, 
integrated unit is the recognized unit in an existing agreement with the 
AFL-CIO, with whom the UAW is affiliated. A decision from the NLRB regarding
who is eligible to vote in an election is expected in early June 1998. If an 
election occurs, it will likely occur early in the third quarter of 1998.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

         None for the quarter ended March 29, 1998.

Item 5.  Other Information

         None

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

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

         None for the quarter ended March 29, 1998.


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.


                                  ADOLPH COORS COMPANY

                                  By /s/ Timothy V. Wolf

                                  Timothy V. Wolf
                                  Vice President and
                                  Chief Financial Officer
                                  (Principal Financial Officer)
                                  (Principal Accounting Officer)

May 13, 1998


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