-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Jlegx1XfOSokeBuiMxroZLCy1wMVApza87EAF3Ad9+xyNtY3MJtAFTYFQks6McXD kpwUFZuEuCZqnWult/hQBQ== 0001193125-09-258576.txt : 20091223 0001193125-09-258576.hdr.sgml : 20091223 20091223073542 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-09-258576 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20091221 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Cost Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities ITEM INFORMATION: Material Impairments ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20091223 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20091223 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000005133 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: GREETING CARDS [2771] IRS NUMBER: 340065325 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OH FISCAL YEAR END: 0228 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-13859 FILM NUMBER: 091256618 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE AMERICAN ROAD CITY: CLEVELAND STATE: OH ZIP: 44144 BUSINESS PHONE: 2162527300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE AMERICAN ROAD CITY: CLEVELAND STATE: OH ZIP: 44144 8-K 1 d8k.htm CURRENT REPORT Current Report

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

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): December 21, 2009

 

 

American Greetings Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Ohio   1-13859   34-0065325

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

One American Road

Cleveland, Ohio

  44144
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (216) 252-7300

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On December 21, 2009, American Greetings Corporation (“American Greetings,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement under which it sold certain assets, equipment and processes used in the manufacture and distribution of party goods to Amscan Holdings, Inc. (“Amscan”) for a purchase price of $24,880,000 (the “Transaction”). Amscan is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of party goods, and owns or franchises party good stores throughout the United States. Amscan and certain of its subsidiaries currently purchase party goods, greeting cards and other social expression products from us. Under the terms of the Transaction, effective on or about March 1, 2010, we will no longer manufacture party goods, but will purchase party goods from Amscan. As a result of the Transaction, on December 22, 2009, American Greetings announced that it will wind down and close its party goods manufacturing and distribution facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan (“Kalamazoo Facility”). See Item 2.05 below for a description of the exit and disposal plan associated with the wind down and closure of the Kalamazoo Facility.

In connection with the Transaction, we entered into various other agreements with Amscan and or its affiliates, including a supply and distribution agreement and a licensing agreement. As a result of entering into the supply and distribution agreement and our agreeing that Amscan will no longer be required to purchase party goods from us, we also received a warrant to purchase approximately 2% of the Common Stock of AAH Holdings Corporation, Amscan’s ultimate parent corporation. Following the Transaction, we will continue to distribute party goods to our retail customers in the mass merchant, grocery, drugstore and other specialty channels; however, effective March 1, 2010, American Greetings will no longer sell party goods to Amscan or other retailers in the party store channel as Amscan will have exclusive rights to distribute party goods into the party store channel as well as various other channels of distribution.

American Greetings issued a press release on December 22, 2009 announcing the Transaction, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On December 23, 2009, American Greetings issued a press release reporting its results for the quarter ended November 27, 2009. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

The information in this Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.2 attached hereto) is being furnished under Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of such section, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 2.05 Cost Associated with Exit of Disposal Activities.

(a) In connection with the Transaction, on December 21, 2009, we made the decision to wind down and close our Kalamazoo Facility. The decision to close the Kalamazoo Facility was the result of a comprehensive review of alternatives designed to improve the efficiency of our party goods business and enhance our product offering, while continuing to serve our customers. We believe that our strategic alliance with Amscan will help us accomplish this goal.

We expect that manufacturing at the Kalamazoo Facility will begin to phase out in early March 2010 and will be completed on or before the end of April 2010. The exact timing of when we will close our distribution activities at the Kalamazoo Facility is currently unknown, but we expect that our distribution operations at the Kalamazoo Facility will be closed by the end of the third quarter of the fiscal year ending February 28, 2011 (“Fiscal 2011”).

(b) We estimate that we will incur approximately $1.5 million in employee termination costs associated with the separation of non-union employees as a result of the closing of the Kalamazoo Facility. We are unable at this time to estimate employee termination costs, if any, associated with the separation of the bargaining unit employees at the Kalamazoo Facility. We also estimate that we will incur approximately $10 million to $15 million in asset impairment costs, primarily relating to the impairment of the facility, in connection with closing the Kalamazoo Facility. The conclusion to impair assets was made as a result of the Transaction on December 21, 2009.

 

2


(c) We estimate that we will incur a total of approximately $11.5 million to $16.5 million in costs (as itemized above, but excluding employee termination costs, if any, associated with the separation of the bargaining unit employees at the Kalamazoo Facility, which we are unable to estimate at this time) in connection with closing the Kalamazoo Facility. We expect to incur the impairment costs and employee termination costs associated with the separation of the non-union employees during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010. Employee termination costs, if any, associated with the separation of the bargaining unit employees at the Kalamazoo Facility would likely be incurred by the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2011.

(d) We estimate that approximately $1.5 million of the estimated total costs will result in future cash expenditures (excluding employee termination costs, if any, associated with the separation of the bargaining unit employees at the Kalamazoo Facility), none of which is expected to be the result of the asset impairment.

 

Item 2.06 Material Impairments.

The information included in Item 2.05 of this Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.06.

This Form 8-K contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They use such words as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, but are subject to a variety of uncertainties, unknown risks and other factors concerning our operations and business environment, which are difficult to predict and may be beyond our control. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect actual results and performance related to forward-looking statements can be found in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of the our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit   

Description

Exhibit 99.1    Press Release – American Greetings Announces Strategic Alliance with Amscan, Inc.
Exhibit 99.2    Press Release – reporting results for the quarter ended November 27, 2009.

 

3


SIGNATURES

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.

 

    American Greetings Corporation
    (Registrant)
    By:  

/s/    Joseph B. Cipollone        

      Joseph B. Cipollone, Vice President,
      Corporate Controller and
      Chief Accounting Officer
Date: December 23, 2009      

 

4

EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE - AMERICAN GREETINGS ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH AMSCAM, INC Press Release - American Greetings Announces Strategic Alliance with Amscam, Inc

Exhibt 99.1

AMERICAN GREETINGS ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH AMSCAN, INC.

CLEVELAND (December 22, 2009) – American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) today announced a strategic alliance with Amscan, Inc (Amscan), a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of party goods based in Elmsford, NY.

As part of this transaction, American Greetings will sell to Amscan inventory, equipment and processes used in the manufacture and distribution of party goods. American Greetings will now source its party goods from Amscan, and will continue to distribute party goods to various channels, including to its mass, drug, grocery and specialty retail partners. Amscan will have exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute products into various channels, including the party store channel. As a result of the strategic alliance, American Greetings will be able to offer a broader assortment of licensed and non-licensed party goods products to its retail partners.

American Greetings expects to receive cash of approximately $25 million and a warrant to purchase approximately 2% of the Class A Common Stock of AAH Holdings Corporation, Amscan’s ultimate parent corporation.

As a result of this transaction, American Greetings will wind down its manufacturing of party goods products. American Greetings expects to incur non-cash asset impairment costs of approximately $10 million to $15 million. In addition, American Greetings expects to incur facility related cash closure costs, primarily severance, in an amount that is still being quantified.

Management Comments

Chief Executive Officer Zev Weiss said, “The transaction with Amscan allows us to provide our retail customers with a broader assortment of party goods products. We will be certain to make this a seamless transition to ensure that our retail partners and consumers benefit from the alliance. The decision to change our business model in no way reflects on the hard work or commitment of the affected employees. I would like to thank them for their effort and dedication over the years.”

About American Greetings Corporation

For more than 100 years, American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a manufacturer and retailer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships. The Company’s major greeting card brands are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods and American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards. American Greetings also has the largest collection of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com through AG Interactive, Inc. (the Company’s online division). AG Interactive also offers digital photo sharing and personal publishing at PhotoWorks.com and Webshots.com and provides a one-stop source for online graphics and animations at Kiwee.com. In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the American


Greetings Properties group. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.7 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets worldwide. For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.

###

CONTACT:

Gregory M. Steinberg

Treasurer and Director of Investor Relations

American Greetings Corporation

216-252-4864

investor.relations@amgreetings.com

or

Patrice Sadd

Corporate Communications Manager

American Greetings Corporation

216-252-7300 ext. 2584

patrice.sadd@amgreetings.com

Factors That May Affect Future Results

Certain statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They use such words as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, but are subject to a variety of uncertainties, unknown risks and other factors concerning the Company’s operations and business environment, which are difficult to predict and may be beyond the control of the Company. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements, and that could adversely affect the Company’s future financial performance, include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

a weak retail environment and general economic conditions;

 

   

the ability to achieve both the desired benefits from the strategic alliance with Amscan as well as ensuring a seamless transition for affected retail customers and consumers;

 

   

the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, including the recent acquisitions of Recycled Paper Greetings and the Papyrus brand;

 

   

the Company’s ability to successfully complete the sale of the Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears properties;

 

   

the Company’s successful transition of the Retail Operations segment to its buyer, Schurman Fine Papers, and the ability to achieve the desired benefits associated with this and other dispositions;

 

2


   

retail consolidations, acquisitions and bankruptcies, including the possibility of resulting adverse changes to retail contract terms;

 

   

the ability to achieve the desired benefits associated with its cost reduction efforts;

 

   

competitive terms of sale offered to customers;

 

   

the Company’s ability to comply with its debt covenants;

 

   

the timing and impact of investments in new retail or product strategies as well as new product introductions and achieving the desired benefits from those investments;

 

   

consumer acceptance of products as priced and marketed;

 

   

the impact of technology on core product sales;

 

   

the timing and impact of converting customers to a scan-based trading model;

 

   

escalation in the cost of providing employee health care;

 

   

the ability to successfully implement, or achieve the desired benefits associated with, any information systems refresh the Company may implement;

 

   

the Company’s ability to achieve the desired accretive effect from any share repurchase programs;

 

   

fluctuations in the value of currencies in major areas where the Company operates, including the U.S. Dollar, Euro, U.K. Pound Sterling, and Canadian Dollar; and

 

   

the outcome of any legal claims known or unknown.

Risks pertaining specifically to AG Interactive include the viability of online advertising, subscriptions as revenue generators, the ability to adapt to rapidly changing social media, and the ability to gain a leadership position in the digital photo sharing space.

In addition, this release contains time-sensitive information that reflects management’s best analysis as of the date of this release. American Greetings does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements can be found in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

3

EX-99.2 3 dex992.htm PRESS RELEASE - REPORTING RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 27, 2009 Press Release - reporting results for the quarter ended November 27, 2009

Exhibit 99.2

AMERICAN GREETINGS ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS

CLEVELAND (December 23, 2009) – American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) today announced its third quarter results for the quarter ended November 27, 2009.

Third Quarter Results

For the third quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company reported total revenue of $440.2 million, pre-tax income of $38.1 million, and net income of $29.7 million or 75 cents per share (all per-share amounts assume dilution). The Company recorded, within the North American Social Expression Products segment, pre-tax employee termination and estimated asset impairment costs related to the previously announced wind down of the Mexican operations of $5.9 million (after-tax of approximately $5.7 million) that reduced earnings per share by approximately 14 cents during the quarter. The Company also recorded, due to better than expected performance, incremental variable compensation expense of approximately $12.1 million (after-tax of approximately $7.4 million) that reduced earnings per share by approximately 19 cents during the quarter.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company reported total revenue of $454.1 million, a pre-tax loss of $228.7 million, and a net loss of $193.3 million or $4.25 per share. Included in the prior period’s results are several charges recorded by the Company. Within the International Social Expression Products and AG Interactive segments, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax goodwill and other asset impairment charges of $242.9 million (after-tax of approximately $202.6 million) that reduced earnings per share by approximately $4.46 during the quarter. Within the Retail Operations segment, the Company recorded a non-cash pre-tax asset impairment charge of $3.9 million (after-tax of approximately $2.7 million) that reduced earnings per share by approximately 6 cents during the quarter. The Company also recorded a pre-tax severance charge of $7.0 million (after-tax of approximately $4.7 million) that reduced earnings per share by approximately 10 cents. Partially offsetting these charges was a reduction of variable compensation expense of $11.1 million (after-tax of approximately $7.5 million), which increased the Company’s earnings per share by approximately 17 cents.

Management Comments and Outlook

Chief Executive Officer Zev Weiss said, “For the third consecutive quarter, I am very pleased with our earnings performance and strong cash flow. We continue to develop new products that consumers find unique and fresh. I believe the product content innovation over the last couple of years as well as the portfolio changes and operational improvements we have made this year are clearly contributing to the results of this quarter. In this challenging economic environment, we could not have achieved these results without the hard work of all our associates and I am grateful for their dedication.”

As a result of the strong cash flow performance during the first nine months of the fiscal year, the Company raised its fiscal 2010 cash flow estimate. At the beginning of the fiscal year, the Company expected cash flow from operating activities of approximately $105 million to $115 million and capital expenditures of approximately $35 million to $45 million resulting in cash flow from operating activities minus capital expenditures of approximately $70 million. In September, the Company raised its expectation of cash flow from operating activities to at least $160 million


and capital expenditures of approximately $35 million resulting in cash flow from operating activities minus capital expenditures to be greater than $125 million. The Company now expects cash flow from operating activities of at least $195 million and capital expenditures of approximately $35 million resulting in cash flow from operating activities minus capital expenditures to be greater than $160 million.

Conference Call on the Web

American Greetings will broadcast its conference call live on the Internet at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time today. The conference call will be accessible through the Investor Relations section of the American Greetings Web site at http://investors.americangreetings.com. A replay of the call will be available on the site.

About American Greetings Corporation

For more than 100 years, American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a manufacturer and retailer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships. The Company’s major greeting card brands are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods and American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards. American Greetings also has the largest collection of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com through AG Interactive, Inc. (the Company’s online division). AG Interactive also offers digital photo sharing and personal publishing at PhotoWorks.com and Webshots.com and provides a one-stop source for online graphics and animations at Kiwee.com. In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the American Greetings Properties group. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.7 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets worldwide. For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.

###

CONTACT:

Gregory M. Steinberg

Treasurer and Director of Investor Relations

American Greetings Corporation

216-252-4864

investor.relations@amgreetings.com

Non-GAAP Measures

Certain after-tax and liquidity amounts included in this earnings release may be considered non-GAAP measures under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation G. The after-tax amounts were calculated based on the Company’s statutory tax rate of approximately 38.9% for U.S. based items and the appropriate statutory rates for international jurisdictions. Management believes that after-tax information is useful in analyzing the Company’s results and that cash flow from operating activities minus capital expenditures provides a liquidity measure useful to investors in analyzing the cash generation of the Company.


Factors That May Affect Future Results

Certain statements in this release, including those under Management Comments and Outlook, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They use such words as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, but are subject to a variety of uncertainties, unknown risks and other factors concerning the Company’s operations and business environment, which are difficult to predict and may be beyond the control of the Company. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements, and that could adversely affect the Company’s future financial performance, include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

a weak retail environment and general economic conditions;

 

   

the ability to achieve both the desired benefits from the strategic alliance with Amscan as well as ensuring a seamless transition for affected retail customers and consumers;

 

   

the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, including the recent acquisitions of Recycled Paper Greetings and the Papyrus brand;

 

   

the Company’s ability to successfully complete the sale of the Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears properties;

 

   

the Company’s successful transition of the Retail Operations segment to its buyer, Schurman Fine Papers, and the ability to achieve the desired benefits associated with this and other dispositions;

 

   

retail consolidations, acquisitions and bankruptcies, including the possibility of resulting adverse changes to retail contract terms;

 

   

the ability to achieve the desired benefits associated with its cost reduction efforts;

 

   

competitive terms of sale offered to customers;

 

   

the Company’s ability to comply with its debt covenants;

 

   

the timing and impact of investments in new retail or product strategies as well as new product introductions and achieving the desired benefits from those investments;

 

   

consumer acceptance of products as priced and marketed;

 

   

the impact of technology on core product sales;

 

   

the timing and impact of converting customers to a scan-based trading model;

 

   

escalation in the cost of providing employee health care;

 

   

the ability to successfully implement, or achieve the desired benefits associated with, any information systems refresh the Company may implement;

 

   

the Company’s ability to achieve the desired accretive effect from any share repurchase programs;


   

fluctuations in the value of currencies in major areas where the Company operates, including the U.S. Dollar, Euro, U.K. Pound Sterling, and Canadian Dollar; and

 

   

the outcome of any legal claims known or unknown.

Risks pertaining specifically to AG Interactive include the viability of online advertising, subscriptions as revenue generators, the ability to adapt to rapidly changing social media, and the ability to gain a leadership position in the digital photo sharing space.

In addition, this release contains time-sensitive information that reflects management’s best analysis as of the date of this release. American Greetings does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements can be found in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.


AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION

THIRD QUARTER CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2010

(In thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)

 

     (Unaudited)  
     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     November 27,
2009
    November 28,
2008
    November 27,
2009
    November 28,
2008
 

Net sales

   $ 431,512      $ 444,527      $ 1,189,428      $ 1,242,932   

Other revenue

     8,654        9,557        20,010        25,287   
                                

Total revenue

     440,166        454,084        1,209,438        1,268,219   

Material, labor and other production costs

     204,997        223,214        525,414        586,668   

Selling, distribution and marketing expenses

     124,167        159,819        373,915        465,081   

Administrative and general expenses

     69,233        50,841        180,867        170,564   

Goodwill and other intangible assets impairment

     —          242,889        —          242,889   

Other operating (income) expense - net

     (575     (491     25,801        (1,329
                                

Operating income (loss)

     42,344        (222,188     103,441        (195,654

Interest expense

     6,331        6,634        19,989        16,973   

Interest income

     (299     (947     (1,564     (2,835

Other non-operating (income) expense - net

     (1,827     792        (4,160     (2,726
                                

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

     38,139        (228,667     89,176        (207,066

Income tax expense (benefit)

     8,444        (35,356     26,398        (29,385
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 29,695      $ (193,311   $ 62,778      $ (177,681
                                

Earnings (loss) per share - basic

   $ 0.75      $ (4.25   $ 1.59      $ (3.75

Earnings (loss) per share - assuming dilution

   $ 0.75      $ (4.25   $ 1.59      $ (3.75

Average number of common shares outstanding

     39,391,399        45,460,385        39,469,293        47,343,640   

Average number of common shares outstanding - assuming dilution

     39,755,233        45,460,385        39,495,247        47,343,640   

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.12      $ 0.12      $ 0.24      $ 0.36   


AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION

THIRD QUARTER CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2010

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     (Unaudited)  
     November 27,
2009
    November 28,
2008
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 50,563      $ 55,604   

Trade accounts receivable, net

     193,317        163,049   

Inventories

     176,161        244,918   

Deferred and refundable income taxes

     64,374        62,490   

Assets held for sale

     7,800        9,810   

Prepaid expenses and other

     147,631        179,898   
                

Total current assets

     639,846        715,769   

GOODWILL

     38,177        56,965   

OTHER ASSETS

     345,438        411,582   

DEFERRED AND REFUNDABLE INCOME TAXES

     169,566        166,269   

Property, plant and equipment - at cost

     882,546        951,905   

Less accumulated depreciation

     610,609        664,715   
                

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - NET

     271,937        287,190   
                
   $ 1,464,964      $ 1,637,775   
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Debt due within one year

   $ 1,000      $ 23,445   

Accounts payable

     86,835        135,002   

Accrued liabilities

     75,822        78,607   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     74,770        35,184   

Income taxes payable

     10,479        36,686   

Other current liabilities

     87,221        106,436   
                

Total current liabilities

     336,127        415,360   

LONG-TERM DEBT

     355,974        425,184   

OTHER LIABILITIES

     129,517        148,320   

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND NONCURRENT INCOME TAXES PAYABLE

     31,935        17,229   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Common shares - Class A

     36,111        41,917   

Common shares - Class B

     3,232        3,495   

Capital in excess of par value

     456,478        447,958   

Treasury stock

     (946,569     (918,826

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (35,824     (48,334

Retained earnings

     1,097,983        1,105,472   
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     611,411        631,682   
                
   $ 1,464,964      $ 1,637,775   
                


AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION

THIRD QUARTER CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2010

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
 
     November 27,
2009
    November 28,
2008
 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 62,778      $ (177,681

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities:

    

Goodwill and other intangible assets impairment

     —          242,889   

Net loss on dispositions

     27,671        —     

Net loss on disposal of fixed assets

     163        642   

Depreciation and intangible assets amortization

     34,121        37,732   

Deferred income taxes

     20,133        (32,726

Other non-cash charges

     7,096        8,053   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions:

    

Trade accounts receivable

     (124,205     (115,086

Inventories

     17,703        (44,591

Other current assets

     16,948        9,538   

Deferred costs - net

     1,904        6,023   

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     7,309        (17,452

Other - net

     2,579        (1,505
                

Total Cash Flows From Operating Activities

     74,200        (84,164

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Property, plant and equipment additions

     (21,368     (44,320

Cash payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (19,300     (15,625

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

     886        278   

Other - net

     4,713        (44,153
                

Total Cash Flows From Investing Activities

     (35,069     (103,820

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net (decrease) increase in long-term debt

     (34,600     181,891   

Net increase in short-term debt

     —          23,445   

Sale of stock under benefit plans

     3,683        494   

Purchase of treasury shares

     (11,826     (51,190

Dividends to shareholders

     (14,327     (17,116
                

Total Cash Flows From Financing Activities

     (57,070     137,524   

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

     8,286        (17,436
                

DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (9,653     (67,896

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year

     60,216        123,500   
                

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

   $ 50,563      $ 55,604   
                


AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION

THIRD QUARTER CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT DISCLOSURES

FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2010

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     (Unaudited)  
     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     November 27,
2009
    November 28,
2008
    November 27,
2009
    November 28,
2008
 

Total Revenue:

        

North American Social Expression Products

   $ 329,953      $ 317,363      $ 920,771      $ 872,296   

Intersegment items

     —          (17,454     (5,104     (44,480

Exchange rate adjustment

     2,677        1,252        4,971        8,454   
                                

Net

     332,630        301,161        920,638        836,270   

International Social Expression Products

     62,066        61,316        154,826        152,604   

Exchange rate adjustment

     14,642        17,252        31,384        60,248   
                                

Net

     76,708        78,568        186,210        212,852   

Retail Operations

     —          36,766        11,727        109,829   

Exchange rate adjustment

     —          1,333        112        7,917   
                                

Net

     —          38,099        11,839        117,746   

AG Interactive

     19,070        20,332        55,779        60,565   

Exchange rate adjustment

     407        343        1,040        1,643   
                                

Net

     19,477        20,675        56,819        62,208   

Non-reportable segments

     11,185        15,581        33,546        39,143   

Unallocated

     166        —          386        —     
                                
   $ 440,166      $ 454,084      $ 1,209,438      $ 1,268,219   
                                

Segment Earnings (Loss):

        

North American Social Expression Products

   $ 46,204      $ 46,114      $ 166,760      $ 130,545   

Intersegment items

     —          (12,554     (3,511     (32,704

Exchange rate adjustment

     1,717        (7     2,999        1,823   
                                

Net

     47,921        33,553        166,248        99,664   

International Social Expression Products

     7,765        (54,365     9,985        (54,161

Exchange rate adjustment

     1,793        (21,230     2,227        (20,787
                                

Net

     9,558        (75,595     12,212        (74,948

Retail Operations

     —          (9,624     (34,830     (19,563

Exchange rate adjustment

     —          81        (285     (69
                                

Net

     —          (9,543     (35,115     (19,632

AG Interactive

     1,254        (153,985     4,550        (154,864

Exchange rate adjustment

     317        (6,829     666        (6,250
                                

Net

     1,571        (160,814     5,216        (161,114

Non-reportable segments

     1,634        1,614        1,872        2,189   

Unallocated

     (22,522     (19,895     (61,042     (59,005

Exchange rate adjustment

     (23     2,013        (215     5,780   
                                

Net

     (22,545     (17,882     (61,257     (53,225
                                
   $ 38,139      $ (228,667   $ 89,176      $ (207,066
                                
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