SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): April 7, 1999.
THE GILLETTE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
DELAWARE 1-922 04-1366970
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission file
number) (I.R.S. employer identification number)
Prudential Tower Building, Boston, Massachusetts 02199
(Address of
principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number including area code: (617) 421-7000.
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Item 5. Other events.
On April 5, 1999, The Gillette Company announced that its expected first
quarter results would be about one cent below Wall Street's expectations.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
99.1 Press release issued by The Gillette Company on April 5, 1999.
SIGNATURE
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 hereunto duly authorized.
THE GILLETTE COMPANY
By: CHARLES W. CRAMB
Charles W. Cramb
GILLETTE ANNOUNCES EXPECTED FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
BOSTON, MA - The Gillette Company expects to report a mid-single digit
increase in first quarter earnings per share, which is about one cent below
Wall Street's estimate.
Sales growth in the low-single digits is expected after adjusting for
divested businesses, including Jafra International (3%) and rechargeable
batteries (1%), and for the negative effect of exchange (2%-3%). The
Company's largest business, blades and razors, is expected to generate
double-digit sales advances, driven by outstanding gains in North America
and the rebounding Asia-Pacific region. Greater than anticipated softness
in the Braun business and in Latin America is likely to affect reported
results.
Gillette remains confident that sales throughout international markets will
strengthen by the third quarter, compared with the prior year. This
acceleration, together with more normalized trade buying practices and
continued market share gains, should put the Company on track to return to
its historical 15%-20% earnings-per-share growth rate during the second
half of 1999.
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This report contains "forward-looking statements" about the Company's
future performance. There are, however, a number of factors that can affect
the Company's future prospects and progress. These include, among other
things, finalizing quarterly results, the acceptance of new products,
economic conditions and the competitive market environment, all of which
contain elements of uncertainty. Please refer to the Cautionary Statements
contained in the Company's 10-K and 10-Q filings for a more detailed
explanation of the inherent limitations in such forward-looking statements.
