Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We manufacture, market and sell beauty products including those in the skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care categories, which are distributed in approximately 150 countries and territories. The following table is a comparative summary of operating results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and reflects the basis of presentation described in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for all periods presented. Products and services that do not meet our definition of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care have been included in the “other” category.
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
(In millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
NET SALES
By Product Category:
Skin Care $ 1,921 $ 2,173 $ 3,450 $ 3,813
Makeup 1,150 1,167 2,188 2,229
Fragrance 744 737 1,374 1,373
Hair Care 159 173 298 321
Other 30 30 55 62
4,004 4,280 7,365 7,798
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities — (1) — (1)
Net sales $ 4,004 $ 4,279 $ 7,365 $ 7,797
By Region (1) :
The Americas $ 1,223 $ 1,242 $ 2,410 $ 2,450
Europe, the Middle East & Africa 1,494 1,589 2,724 2,841
Asia/Pacific 1,287 1,449 2,231 2,507
4,004 4,280 7,365 7,798
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities — (1) — (1)
Net sales $ 4,004 $ 4,279 $ 7,365 $ 7,797
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
By Product Category:
Skin Care $ 306 $ 415 $ 423 $ 452
Makeup (211) 30 (396) (10)
Fragrance (446) 131 (386) 238
Hair Care (3) (3) (21) (25)
Other (45) 9 (34) 27
(399) 582 (414) 682
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities (181) (8) (287) (10)
Operating income (loss)
$ (580) $ 574 $ (701) $ 672
By Region (1) :
The Americas $ (823) $ (55) $ (991) $ (237)
Europe, the Middle East & Africa 316 379 406 523
Asia/Pacific 108 258 171 396
(399) 582 (414) 682
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities (181) (8) (287) (10)
Operating income (loss)
$ (580) $ 574 $ (701) $ 672
(1) The net sales from the Company's travel retail business are included in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa region, and operating income attributable to these net sales are included in that region and in The Americas. The exception is for net sales and operating income of Dr.Jart+ in the travel retail channel in Korea that are reflected in Korea in the Asia/Pacific region. During the fiscal 2025 second quarter, the Company exited Dr.Jart+ from the travel retail channel in Korea.
37
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
The following table presents certain consolidated earnings (loss) data as a percentage of net sales:
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Net sales 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Cost of sales 23.9 27.0 25.6 28.5
Gross profit 76.1 73.0 74.4 71.5
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 64.6 59.5 66.3 62.8
Restructuring and other charges 4.5 0.2 3.8 0.1
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
21.5 — 11.7 —
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
— — 2.2 —
Total operating expenses 90.6 59.6 83.9 62.9
Operating income (loss)
(14.5) 13.4 (9.5) 8.6
Interest expense 2.2 2.3 2.5 2.5
Interest income and investment income, net 0.6 0.9 0.8 1.0
Other components of net periodic benefit cost 0.1 (0.1) 0.1 (0.1)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
(16.2) 12.1 (11.3) 7.2
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(1.5) 4.6 (1.1) 2.6
Net earnings (loss)
(14.7) 7.6 (10.1) 4.6
Net earnings attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
— (0.3) — (0.2)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
(14.7) % 7.3 % (10.1) % 4.4 %
Not adjusted for differences caused by rounding
Period-over-period changes in our net sales are generally attributable to the impacts from (i) pricing on our base portfolio, including changes in mix and those due to strategic pricing actions, (ii) volume, including changes driven by the impact of new product innovation, (iii) acquisitions and/or divestitures, and/or (iv) foreign currency translation. The percentages disclosed for these impacts are calculated on an individual basis.
The net sales impact from pricing consists of changes in list prices, due to strategic pricing actions, and mix shifts within and among product categories, geographic regions, brands and distribution channels. The prices at which we sell our products vary by brand, distribution channel (e.g., wholesale or direct-to-consumer) and may also vary by country. Our brands and products cover a broad array of pricing tiers. Prices of skin care and fragrance products are typically higher than makeup and hair care products.
38
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
New product innovation includes the introduction of new products, as well as changes related to existing products or where they are sold, including reformulations, regional expansion, repackaging and sets. A product is considered "new innovation" for the twelve-month period following the initial shipment date. Our innovation is launched at different price points than existing products and value derived from innovation may vary from year-to-year. We continually introduce new products, support new and established products through advertising, merchandising and sampling and phase out existing products that no longer meet the needs of our consumers or our objectives. The economics of developing, producing, launching, supporting and discontinuing products impact our sales and operating performance each period. The introduction of new products often has some cannibalizing effect on sales of existing products, which we take into account in our business planning. The impact of new product introductions, including timing compared to introductions in prior periods, also affects our results.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use certain non-GAAP financial measures, among other financial measures, to evaluate our operating performance, which represent the manner in which we conduct and view our business. Management believes that excluding certain items that are not comparable from period-to-period helps investors and others compare operating performance between periods. While we consider the non-GAAP measures useful in analyzing our results, they are not intended to replace, or act as a substitute for, any presentation included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. See Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
We operate on a global basis, with the majority of our net sales generated outside the United States. Accordingly, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates affect our results of operations. Therefore, we present certain net sales, operating results and diluted net earnings per common share information excluding the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations to provide a framework for assessing the performance of our underlying business outside the United States. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. We calculate constant currency information by translating current-period results using monthly average foreign currency exchange rates and adjusting for the period-over-period impact of foreign currency cash flow hedging activities.
Overview
We are a leader in prestige beauty, which combines the repeat purchase and relative affordability of consumer goods with high quality products and services. Within prestige beauty, we are diversified by product category, geography, brand, product sub-category, channel, consumer segment and price point. We also leverage consumer analytics and insights by deploying our brands to grow sales and pursue profitable opportunities. These analytics and insights, combined with our creativity, inform our innovation to provide a broad, locally-relevant and inclusive range of prestige products with the aim of competing effectively for a greater share of a consumer's beauty routine. Elements of our strategy are described below, as well as in the Overview on page 31 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024.
• Our skin care net sales decreased 12% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower net sales from Estée Lauder and La Mer. The decrease in net sales from Estée Lauder for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by declines in mainland China, as well as, to a lesser extent, declines in net sales in our Asia travel retail business and in Hong Kong SAR, reflecting the overall challenging retail environments, including ongoing pressure from subdued sentiment from Chinese consumers. Net sales from La Mer decreased, primarily driven by the aforementioned overall challenging retail environment within our Asia travel retail business.
• Our makeup net sales decreased 1% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting lower net sales from M·A·C, TOM FORD, Smashbox and Bobbi Brown. The decrease in net sales from M·A·C was primarily driven by lower net sales in the eye and face subcategories. Net sales from TOM FORD decreased, primarily driven by lower net sales in mainland China and our Asia travel retail business, reflecting the overall challenging retail environments, including ongoing pressure from subdued sentiment from Chinese consumers, as well as lower net sales in Hong Kong SAR, driven by the eye subcategory. Net sales from Smashbox decreased, primarily driven by North America, reflecting lower net sales in the face subcategory. The decrease in net sales from Bobbi Brown was driven by lower net sales in the lip subcategory. Partially offsetting the decrease in makeup net sales were higher net sales from Clinique in all geographic regions, led by North America, reflecting the launch in Amazon's U.S. Premium Beauty store, as well as the success of hero products, and higher net sales from Estée Lauder, driven by growth in the face subcategory.
39
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
• Our fragrance net sales increased 1% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, reflecting higher net sales from Le Labo, and to a lesser extent, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle. Net sales from Le Labo increased, primarily reflecting growth of hero products, targeted expanded consumer reach and new product launches. The increase in net sales from Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle reflected growth across the product portfolio as well as targeted expanded consumer reach. Offsetting the reported fragrance net sales increase were lower net sales from Estée Lauder, Clinique and TOM FORD. Net sales from Estée Lauder decreased, primarily driven by lower net sales across its fragrance portfolio. The decrease in net sales from Clinique was primarily due to lower net sales from the Clinique Happy franchise line of products. Net sales from TOM FORD decreased, primarily driven by lower net sales in North America, reflecting softness in the brand's retail sales, resulting in lower replenishment orders, as well as the overall challenging retail environments in mainland China and Hong Kong SAR, including ongoing pressure from subdued sentiment from Chinese consumers.
• Our hair care net sales decreased 8% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily attributable to lower net sales from Aveda, reflecting our softness in the North America and Europe, the Middle East & Africa salon channels, softness in our direct-to-consumer business, as well as the unfavorable impact of timing of shipments compared to the prior-year period.
Our global distribution capability and operations allow us to focus on targeted expanded consumer reach wherever consumer demographics and trends are attractive. Our regional organizations, and the expertise of our people there, enable our brands to be more locally and culturally relevant in both product assortment and communications. We are continually evolving the way we connect with our consumers in stores, online and where they travel, including by expanding our digital and social media presence and the engagement of global and local influencers to amplify brand or product stories. We tailor implementation of our strategy by market to drive consumer engagement, recruitment and loyalty. We strive to strengthen our presence in large, image-building core markets, while broadening our presence in emerging markets.
• Net sales in The Americas decreased 2% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting lower net sales in North America and to Latin America distributors. Net sales in North America decreased, reflecting softness in our retail sales, including challenges with our distribution mix, skewed towards slower-growing channels. These challenges were largely offset by the launch of nine brands to-date in Amazon's U.S. Premium Beauty store. Net sales to Latin America distributors decreased, due in part, to lower net sales in fragrance, driven by Estée Lauder.
• Net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa decreased 6% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower net sales in our Asia travel retail business, reflecting the impacts from an overall challenging retail environment, including ongoing pressure from subdued sentiment from Chinese consumers.
• Net sales in Asia/Pacific decreased 11% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower net sales from mainland China, Korea, and Hong Kong SAR, reflecting the impacts from the overall challenging retail environments, including subdued consumer sentiment. The net sales decline in Korea also reflects the exit of Dr.Jart+ from the travel retail channel in Korea during the fiscal 2025 second quarter.
Outlook
We have experienced challenges within our business, including in our Asia travel retail business, and we expect volatility and uncertainty to continue, given the ongoing, subdued consumer sentiment in China and Korea, as well as pressures from changes in selling policies at several Korean retailers. In North America, we continue to underperform the industry. We are also monitoring evolving global geopolitical risks and tensions, including the imposition of tariffs. These challenges are collectively expected to impact net sales and profitability, including impacts to our effective tax rate from changes to our geographical mix of earnings.
40
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
We continue to believe that the best way to increase long-term stockholder value is to provide superior products and services in the most efficient and effective manner while recognizing shifts in consumers’ behaviors and shopping practices. Accordingly, our long-term strategy has numerous initiatives across geographic regions, product categories, brands, channels of distribution and functions designed to grow our sales, provide cost efficiencies, leverage our strengths, such as our history of outstanding creativity and innovation, high quality products and services, and engaging communications, and make us more productive and profitable. With the transition of leadership announced in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, we have embarked on “Beauty Reimagined,” that aims to accelerate best-in-class consumer coverage, create transformative innovation, boost consumer-facing investments and enable growth through more efficiencies expected through the expansion of the Profit Recovery and Growth Plan ("PRGP"), as discussed below.
We continue to monitor the effects of the global macro environment, including the risk of recession; currency volatility; inflationary pressures; supply chain challenges; social and political issues; competitive pressures; legal and regulatory matters, including the imposition of tariffs and sanctions; geopolitical tensions; and global security issues. For example, any potential tariffs on imports into the United States and/or tariffs on imports into other countries could have a material adverse effect on our business, as could geopolitical tensions between the United States and other countries. We are also mindful of inflationary pressures on our cost base and are monitoring the impact on consumer preferences, and the impact of changes being made in the organization, including those related to the PRGP. We are also mindful of, and monitoring, the potential impact of changes expected to be made as part of the PRGP on suppliers, retailers and others, and challenges relating to successfully outsourcing select services. Declines in net sales and profitability have, and may continue to, adversely impact the goodwill and other intangible assets associated with our brands, as well as long-lived assets, potentially resulting in impairments.
Restructuring Program Component of the Profit Recovery and Growth Plan
As announced on November 1, 2023, we launched the PRGP to help progressively rebuild our profit margins in fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
The PRGP is focused on rebuilding stronger, more sustainable profitability, supporting sales growth acceleration and increasing speed and agility. The plan is designed to improve gross margin, lower the cost base and reduce overhead expenses, while increasing investments in key consumer-facing activities. Upon completion of this plan, we expect to have improved our gross margin and expense base to drive greater operating leverage for the future.
As a component of the PRGP, on February 5, 2024, we announced a two-year restructuring program. The restructuring program’s main focus included the reorganization and rightsizing of certain areas of our business as well as simplification and acceleration of processes. We committed to this course of action on February 1, 2024.
In connection with the restructuring program, we estimated a net reduction in the range of approximately 1,800 to 3,000 positions globally, which was about 3-5% of our positions including temporary and part-time employees as of June 30, 2023. This reduction took into account the elimination of some positions as well as retraining and redeployment of certain employees in select areas.
We planned to substantially complete specific initiatives under the restructuring program through fiscal 2026. We expected that the restructuring program would result in restructuring and other charges totaling between $500 million and $700 million, before taxes, consisting of employee-related costs, contract terminations, asset write-offs and other costs associated with implementing these initiatives.
After reviewing additional potential initiatives and the progress of previously approved initiatives, on February 3, 2025, we committed to the expansion of the PRGP, including an expansion of the restructuring program.
The expansion of the overall PRGP is focused on three key areas. First, we plan to adopt a more competitive approach to procurement, a key pillar of savings, by further consolidating spending and strategically re-evaluating key supplier relationships. Second, we plan to further improve efficiencies within our supply chain network through a zero-waste approach, aiming to improve demand forecasting and innovation planning to minimize excess inventory and product destruction. Third, we are outsourcing select services to proven global partners.
41
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
The expanded component of the restructuring program will begin during our fiscal 2025 third quarter with all initiatives to be approved by the end of fiscal 2026. Specific initiatives under the expanded component of the restructuring program are expected to be substantially completed by the end of fiscal 2027. The focus of the now expanded restructuring program (now, collectively the “Restructuring Program”) includes (i) reorganization and rightsizing of certain areas and (ii) simplification and acceleration of processes, along with the newly added focus on (i) outsourcing of select services and (ii) evolution of go-to-market footprint and selling models.
In connection with the Restructuring Program, we now estimate a net reduction in the range of approximately 5,800 to 7,000 positions globally, which is about 9-11% of our positions including temporary and part-time employees as of June 30, 2023. This net reduction takes into account the elimination of positions after retraining and redeployment of certain employees in select areas.
We now expect that the Restructuring Program will result in restructuring and other charges totaling between $1,200 million and $1,600 million, before taxes, consisting of employee-related costs, contract terminations, asset write-offs and other costs associated with implementing these initiatives, which other than the non-cash charges, are expected to result in future cash expenditures funded from cash provided by operations.
Once fully implemented, we now expect the Restructuring Program to yield annual target gross benefits of between $800 million and $1,000 million, before taxes, a portion of which is expected to be reinvested in consumer-facing activities. The net benefits of the PRGP, which includes the Restructuring Program, are expected to enable a return to a double-digit operating margin over the next few years.
Further information about the Restructuring Program Component of the Profit Recovery and Growth Plan, is described in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 3 – Charges Associated with Restructuring and Other Activities herein.
Talcum Litigation Settlement Agreements
From the end of August 2024 through October 2024, we reached agreements with certain plaintiff law firms (collectively, the “talcum litigation settlement agreements”) for: (i) the resolution of pending cosmetic talcum powder matters handled by those firms as well as (ii) a process for resolving potential future cosmetic talcum powder claims expected to be brought on behalf of plaintiffs by those firms from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029, with annual capped amounts per year for each participating law firm. To account for the talcum litigation settlement agreements, we recorded a charge of $159 million during the fiscal 2025 first quarter for the amount agreed to settle the current claims and an estimated amount for potential future claims. Further information about the talcum litigation settlement agreements, is described in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies herein.
42
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Impairment Analysis During the Six Months Ended December 31, 2024
During the fiscal 2025 second quarter, the TOM FORD brand experienced lower-than-expected growth within key geographic regions and channels, including in mainland China, Asia travel retail and Hong Kong SAR. Also during the fiscal 2025 second quarter, the Too Faced reporting unit experienced lower-than-expected results in key geographic regions and channels. As a result, we made revisions to the internal forecasts relating to our TOM FORD brand and Too Faced reporting unit. Additionally, there were increases in the weighted average cost of capital for both the TOM FORD brand and Too Faced reporting unit as compared to the prior-year annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing as of April 1, 2024.
We concluded that the changes in circumstances in the TOM FORD brand and Too Faced reporting unit, along with increases in the weighted average cost of capital, triggered the need for interim impairment reviews of the TOM FORD trademark and the Too Faced trademark and goodwill. These changes in circumstances were also an indicator that the carrying amounts of Too Faced’s long-lived assets, including customer lists, may not be recoverable. Accordingly, we performed interim impairment tests for the TOM FORD and Too Faced trademarks and Too Faced goodwill as well as a recoverability test for the Too Faced long-lived assets as of December 31, 2024. We concluded that the carrying value of the trademark intangible assets exceeded their estimated fair values, which were determined utilizing the relief-from-royalty method, and recorded an impairment charge of $773 million for TOM FORD and $75 million for Too Faced. We concluded that the carrying amounts of the long-lived assets for Too Faced were recoverable. Additionally, as a result of the interim impairment review, the remaining carrying value of Too Faced’s goodwill was not recoverable and we recorded an impairment charge of $13 million, reducing the carrying value to zero. The significant assumptions used in the relief-from-royalty method include revenue growth rates and profit margins, terminal values, weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows and royalty rates. The most significant unobservable input used to estimate the fair value of the TOM FORD and Too Faced trademark intangible assets was the weighted average cost of capital, which was 11.5% and 14%, respectively.
A summary of the impairment charges for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024 and the remaining trademark and goodwill carrying values as of December 31, 2024, for the TOM FORD brand and Too Faced reporting unit, are as follows:
Impairment Charges (1)
Carrying Value
(In millions)
Three and Six Months Ended
December 31, 2024
As of December 31, 2024
Brand/Reporting Unit
Geographic Region
Trademark
Goodwill
Trademark (2)
Goodwill
TOM FORD
The Americas
$ 773 $ — $ 1,805 $ —
Too Faced
The Americas
75 13 112 —
Total $ 848 $ 13 $ 1,917 $ —
(1) The date of the fair value measurement for the TOM FORD and Too Faced trademark intangible assets and Too Faced reporting unit was December 31, 2024.
(2) The carrying values of the trademark intangible assets, subsequent to the impairment charges, are equal to their fair values.
The impairment charge related to the TOM FORD trademark intangible asset for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024 of $773 million was reflected in the fragrance, makeup and other product categories of $549 million, $170 million and $54 million, respectively. The trademark and goodwill impairment charges related to Too Faced were reflected in the makeup product category.
The fair value of the TOM FORD and Too Faced trademarks were equal to their carrying values subsequent to the impairment charges taken as of December 31, 2024. The key assumptions used to determine the estimated fair value of the trademarks are primarily predicated on the success of future new product launches, the ability to secure strategic price increases, the achievement of distribution expansion plans, and the realization of cost reduction and other efficiency efforts. If such plans do not materialize, or if there are further challenges in the business environments in which the TOM FORD brand or Too Faced reporting unit operates, resulting changes in the key assumptions could have negative impacts on the estimated fair value of the trademarks, and it is possible we could recognize additional impairment charges in the future.
43
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
NET SALES
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Net sales $ 4,004 $ 4,279 $ 7,365 $ 7,797
$ Change from prior-year period (275) (432)
% Change from prior-year period (6) % (6) %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change from prior-year period in constant currency
(6) % (6) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported net sales decreased for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by a decrease in skin care and, to a lesser extent, makeup and hair care. The decrease in skin care net sales in both periods was primarily driven by lower net sales from Estée Lauder and La Mer.
By geographic region, reported net sales decreased for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, reflecting lower net sales across all geographic regions, primarily driven by Asia/Pacific and Europe, the Middle East & Africa. The decrease in net sales in Asia/Pacific was primarily driven by lower net sales from mainland China, Korea and Hong Kong SAR. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, the decrease in net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa was primarily driven by lower net sales in our travel retail business.
Reported net sales decreased 6% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 11%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 4% due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions, partially offset by changes in mix.
Reported net sales decreased 6% for the six months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 9%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 4% due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions, partially offset by changes in mix.
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities are not allocated to our product categories or geographic regions because they are centrally directed and controlled, are not included in internal measures of product category or geographic region performance and result from activities that are deemed Company-wide initiatives to redesign, resize and reorganize select areas of the business. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, there were no returns associated with restructuring and other activities, and for each of the three and six months ended December 31, 2023, there were $1 million in returns associated with restructuring and other activities.
44
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Product Categories
Skin Care
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Net sales $ 1,921 $ 2,173 $ 3,450 $ 3,813
$ Change from prior-year period (252) (363)
% Change from prior-year period (12) % (10) %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change from prior-year period in constant currency (12) % (10) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported skin care net sales decreased for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, reflecting lower net sales from Estée Lauder and La Mer, combined, of approximately $201 million and $318 million, respectively.
The decrease in net sales from Estée Lauder for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by declines in mainland China, as well as, to a lesser extent, declines in net sales in our Asia travel retail business and in Hong Kong SAR, reflecting the overall challenging retail environments, including ongoing pressure from subdued sentiment from Chinese consumers.
For the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, net sales from La Mer decreased, primarily driven by the aforementioned overall challenging retail environment within our Asia travel retail business.
Skin care net sales were impacted by approximately $2 million of unfavorable and $11 million of favorable foreign currency translation for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, respectively.
Reported skin care net sales decreased 12% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 15%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 4% due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions, partially offset by changes in mix.
Reported skin care net sales decreased 10% for the six months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 12%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 2% due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions, partially offset by changes in mix.
Makeup
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Net sales $ 1,150 $ 1,167 $ 2,188 $ 2,229
$ Change from prior-year period (17) (41)
% Change from prior-year period (1) % (2) %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change from prior-year period in constant currency (1) % (1) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
45
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Reported makeup net sales decreased slightly for the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower net sales from M·A·C, TOM FORD, Smashbox and Bobbi Brown, combined, of approximately $30 million. The decrease in net sales from M·A·C was primarily driven by lower net sales in the eye and face subcategories. Net sales from TOM FORD decreased, primarily driven by lower net sales in mainland China and our Asia travel retail business, reflecting the overall challenging retail environments, including ongoing pressure from subdued sentiment from Chinese consumers, as well as lower net sales in Hong Kong SAR, driven by the eye subcategory. Net sales from Smashbox decreased, primarily driven by North America, reflecting lower net sales in the face subcategory. The decrease in net sales from Bobbi Brown was driven by lower net sales in the lip subcategory.
Reported makeup net sales decreased for the six months ended December 31, 2024, reflecting lower net sales from M·A·C, and to a lesser extent, Smashbox, Too Faced and TOM FORD, combined, of approximately $84 million. The decrease in net sales from M·A·C was primarily driven by lower net sales in the face and eye subcategories and reflected softness in the brand's retail sales in North America. Net sales from Smashbox decreased, primarily reflecting lower net sales in the face and eye subcategories. The decrease in net sales from Too Faced was primarily driven by North America, reflecting lower net sales in the face and lip subcategories. Net sales from TOM FORD decreased, primarily driven by lower net sales in mainland China, reflecting the overall challenging retail environment, including ongoing pressure from subdued sentiment from Chinese consumers, as well as lower net sales in Hong Kong SAR, driven by the eye subcategory.
Partially offsetting the makeup net sales decreases for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024 were higher net sales from Clinique and Estée Lauder, combined, of approximately $18 million and $52 million, respectively. Net sales from Clinique increased across all geographic regions, led by North America, reflecting the launch in Amazon's U.S. Premium Beauty store, as well as the success of hero products. Net sales from Estée Lauder increased, primarily driven by growth in the face subcategory.
Makeup net sales were impacted by approximately $11 million and $9 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, respectively.
Reported makeup net sales decreased 1% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 7% and the unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation of 1%. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase from pricing of 6% due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions and changes in mix.
Reported makeup net sales decreased 2% for the six months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 8%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 6% due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions and changes in mix.
Fragrance
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Net sales $ 744 $ 737 $ 1,374 $ 1,373
$ Change from prior-year period 7 1
% Change from prior-year period 1 % — %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change from prior-year period in constant currency 2 % — %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported fragrance net sales increased slightly for the three months ended December 31, 2024, reflecting higher net sales from Le Labo, and to a lesser extent, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, combined, of approximately $26 million. Net sales from Le Labo increased, primarily reflecting growth of hero products, targeted expanded consumer reach and new product launches. The increase in net sales from Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle reflected growth across the product portfolio as well as targeted expanded consumer reach.
46
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Reported fragrance net sales remained virtually flat for the six months ended December 31, 2024, reflecting higher net sales from Le Labo, and to a lesser extent, Kilian Paris, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle and incremental net sales associated with the fiscal 2025 first quarter launch of BALMAIN Beauty, combined, of approximately $50 million. Net sales from Le Labo increased, primarily reflecting targeted expanded consumer reach, growth of hero products and new product launches. The increase in net sales from Kilian Paris reflected the success of new product launches. The increase in net sales from Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle reflected growth across the product portfolio as well as targeted expanded consumer reach.
Offsetting the reported fragrance net sales increase for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024 were lower net sales from Estée Lauder, Clinique and TOM FORD, combined, of approximately $25 million and $54 million, respectively. Net sales from Estée Lauder decreased in both periods, primarily driven by lower net sales across its fragrance portfolio. The decrease in net sales from Clinique in both periods was primarily due to lower net sales from the Clinique Happy franchise line of products. Net sales from TOM FORD decreased in both periods, primarily driven by lower net sales in North America, reflecting softness in the brand's retail sales, resulting in lower replenishment orders, as well as the overall challenging retail environments in mainland China and Hong Kong SAR, including ongoing pressure from subdued sentiment from Chinese consumers.
Fragrance net sales were impacted by approximately $5 million and $2 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, respectively.
Reported fragrance net sales increased 1% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, driven by an increase from pricing of 7%, due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions and changes in mix. Partially offsetting this increase was the decrease from volume of 5% and the unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation of 1%.
Reported fragrance net sales were virtually flat for the six months ended December 31, 2024, driven by an increase from pricing of 6%, due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions and changes in mix, offset by the decrease from volume of 6%.
Hair Care
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Net sales $ 159 $ 173 $ 298 $ 321
$ Change from prior-year period (14) (23)
% Change from prior-year period (8) % (7) %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change from prior-year period in constant currency (8) % (7) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported hair care net sales decreased for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, driven by lower net sales from Aveda, primarily driven by our softness in the North America and Europe, the Middle East & Africa salon channels, softness in our direct-to-consumer business, as well as the unfavorable impact of timing of shipments compared to the prior-year periods.
Reported hair care net sales decreased 8% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 6% and a decrease from pricing of 2%, due to changes in mix, partially offset by the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions.
Reported hair care net sales decreased 7% for the six months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 6% and a decrease from pricing of 2%, due to changes in mix, partially offset by the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions.
47
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Geographic Regions
The Americas
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Net sales $ 1,223 $ 1,242 $ 2,410 $ 2,450
$ Change from prior-year period (19) (40)
% Change from prior-year period (2) % (2) %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change from prior-year period in constant currency — % (1) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported net sales in The Americas decreased for the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting lower net sales in North America, and to Latin America distributors, combined, of approximately $12 million. Net sales in North America decreased, reflecting softness in our retail sales, including challenges with our distribution mix, skewed toward slower-growing channels. These challenges were largely offset by the launch of nine brands to-date in Amazon's U.S. Premium Beauty store. Net sales to Latin America distributors decreased for the three months ended December 31, 2024, due in part, to lower net sales in fragrance, driven by Estée Lauder.
Reported net sales in The Americas decreased for the six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting lower net sales in North America, to Latin America distributors and in Mexico, combined, of approximately $31 million. The decrease in net sales from North America reflected softness in our retail sales, including challenges with our distribution mix, skewed towards slower-growing channels. These challenges were largely offset by the launch of nine brands to-date in Amazon's U.S. Premium Beauty store. Net sales to Latin America distributors decreased, due in part, to lower net sales in fragrance, driven by Estée Lauder. The decrease in net sales in Mexico was primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation.
Net sales in The Americas were impacted by approximately $13 million and $24 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, respectively.
Reported net sales in The Americas decreased 2% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 11% and the unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation of 1%. These decreases were partially offset by an increase from pricing of 11%, due to the favorable impact of strategic pricing actions and changes in mix.
Reported net sales in The Americas decreased 2% for the six months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 9% and the unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation of 1%. These decreases were partially offset by an increase from pricing of 8%, due to the favorable impact of strategic pricing actions and changes in mix.
48
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Net sales $ 1,494 $ 1,589 $ 2,724 $ 2,841
$ Change from prior-year period (95) (117)
% Change from prior-year period (6) % (4) %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change from prior-year period in constant currency (6) % (5) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported net sales decreased in Europe, the Middle East & Africa for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower net sales in our Asia travel retail business, reflecting the impacts from an overall challenging retail environment, including ongoing pressure from subdued sentiment from Chinese consumers.
Partially offsetting the decrease in reported net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa for the six months ended December 31, 2024 were higher net sales from Israel and Turkey, combined, of approximately $21 million. Net sales in Israel increased, reflecting business disruption in the prior-year period, including the closure of stores which have since reopened. Net sales from Turkey increased, primarily driven by growth in makeup, led by higher net sales from M·A·C, and growth in skin care, led by higher net sales from Estée Lauder.
Net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa were impacted by approximately $4 million of unfavorable and $19 million of favorable foreign currency translation for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, respectively.
Reported net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa decreased 6% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 5%. The impact of pricing was flat period-over-period.
Reported net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa decreased 4% for the six months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 5%, partially offset by the favorable impact from foreign currency translation of 1%. The impact of pricing was flat period-over-period.
Asia/Pacific
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Net sales $ 1,287 $ 1,449 $ 2,231 $ 2,507
$ Change from prior-year period (162) (276)
% Change from prior-year period (11) % (11) %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change from prior-year period in constant currency (11) % (11) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
49
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Reported net sales decreased in Asia/Pacific for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower net sales from mainland China, Korea, and Hong Kong SAR, combined, of approximately $166 million and $285 million, respectively, reflecting the impacts from the overall challenging retail environments, including subdued consumer sentiment. The net sales decline in Korea in both periods also reflects the exit of Dr.Jart+ from the travel retail channel in Korea during the fiscal 2025 second quarter.
Net sales in Asia/Pacific were impacted by approximately $1 million of unfavorable and $5 million of favorable foreign currency translation for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, respectively.
Reported net sales in Asia/Pacific decreased 11% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 16%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 4% due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions, partially offset by changes in mix.
Reported net sales in Asia/Pacific decreased 11% for the six months ended December 31, 2024, driven by the decrease from volume of 15%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 4% due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions, partially offset by changes in mix.
GROSS MARGIN
Gross margin increased to 76.1% and 74.4% for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, as compared with 73.0% and 71.5% in the prior-year periods.
Favorable (Unfavorable) Basis Points
December 31, 2024
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
As Reported:
Mix of business 55 35
Obsolescence charges 155 170
Manufacturing costs and other 110 105
Foreign exchange transactions (10) (10)
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
— (10)
As Reported Gross Margin Basis Point Variance
310 290
Non-GAAP Financial Measure Adjustments
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
— 10
Non-GAAP Gross Margin Basis Point Variance
310 300
The increase in gross margin for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024 was driven by lower obsolescence charges, due to a reduction in excess inventory. Also contributing to the increase in gross margin was the favorable impact from manufacturing costs and other, reflecting favorability in cost efficiencies within our global supply chain network, the impact in both periods of the recognition of manufacturing variances associated with reduced manufacturing volumes on our standard cost within cost of sales in the second half of fiscal 2024, partially offset by the impact of inflation on our costs. Additionally, there was a favorable impact from our mix of business, reflecting the benefit of net strategic pricing actions, partially offset by the impact of lower net sales.
50
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales were 90.6% and 83.9% for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, as compared with 59.6% and 62.9% in the prior-year periods.
Favorable (Unfavorable) Basis Points
December 31, 2024
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
As Reported:
General and administrative expenses (200) (140)
Advertising, merchandising, sampling and product development (210) (120)
Selling (130) (120)
Shipping 30 20
Store operating costs (20) (20)
Stock-based compensation (10) 10
Foreign exchange transactions 30 20
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities (430) (370)
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
(2,150) (1,170)
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
— (220)
Changes in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options
(10) 10
As Reported Operating Expense Margin Basis Point Variance
(3,100) (2,100)
Non-GAAP Financial Measure Adjustments:
Impact of restructuring and other activities
440 360
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
2,150 1,170
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
— 220
Changes in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options
10 (10)
Non-GAAP Operating Expense Margin Basis Point Variance
(500) (360)
The unfavorable change in operating expense margin for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024 reflects the impact of the decrease in net sales, as well as higher general and administrative and selling expenses, and for the three months ended December 31, 2024, also reflects higher advertising, merchandising, sampling and product development expenses. The increase in general and administrative expenses in both periods primarily reflected the year-over-year unfavorable impact of a change in policy related to local government subsidies in China. Selling expenses increased in both periods as we continue to invest in our business, reflecting higher staffing costs to support sales, targeted expanded consumer reach and key campaigns.
The increase in advertising, merchandising, sampling and product development expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2024 reflected investments to support sales, including through key campaigns and launches, as well as the year-over-year timing of expenses.
51
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Operating income (loss)
$ (580) $ 574 $ (701) $ 672
$ Change from prior-year period (1,154) (1,373)
% Change from prior-year period (100+)% (100+)%
Operating margin (14.5) % 13.4 % (9.5) % 8.6 %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change in operating income from the prior-year period adjusting for the impact of charges associated with restructuring and other activities, the impact of goodwill and other intangible asset impairments, talcum litigation settlement agreements and the change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options (20) % (12) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
The decrease in reported operating margin for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024 primarily reflects an increase in operating expense margin, driven by goodwill and other intangible asset impairments relating to TOM FORD and Too Faced, combined, of $861 million, included in the makeup, fragrance and other product categories, and a decrease in net sales, partially offset by an increase in gross margin, as discussed above.
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities are not allocated to our product categories or geographic regions because they are centrally directed and controlled, are not included in internal measures of product category or geographic region performance and result from activities that are deemed Company-wide initiatives to redesign, resize and reorganize select areas of the business. Accordingly, the following discussions of Operating income (loss) by Product Categories and Geographic Regions exclude the impact of charges associated with restructuring and other activities for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 of $181 million and $8 million, respectively, and for the six months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 of $287 million and $10 million, respectively.
52
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Product Categories
Skin Care
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Operating income $ 306 $ 415 $ 423 $ 452
$ Change from prior-year period (109) (29)
% Change from prior-year period (26) % (6) %
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change in operating income from the prior-year period adjusting for the change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options
(25) % (7) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported skin care operating income decreased for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower operating results from La Mer, and to a lesser extent, The Ordinary and Estée Lauder, combined, of approximately $132 million and $192 million, respectively. Operating results from La Mer decreased in both periods, primarily driven by a decrease in net sales and an increase in advertising and promotional activities to support key shopping moments and new product launches, partially offset by lower cost of sales. The decrease in operating results from The Ordinary in both periods was primarily driven by higher advertising and promotional expenses due to the timing of advertising and promotional activities compared to the prior-year period and higher cost of sales due to changes in product mix. Operating results from Estée Lauder decreased in both periods, primarily driven by a decrease in net sales, partially offset by lower cost of sales and reflecting disciplined advertising and promotional expense management. Partially offsetting the decline in skin care operating income for the product category overall was lower cost of sales.
Makeup
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Operating income (loss)
$ (211) $ 30 $ (396) $ (10)
$ Change from prior-year period (241) (386)
% Change from prior-year period (100+)% (100+)%
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change in operating income (loss) from the prior-year period adjusting for the the impact of goodwill and other intangible asset impairments and talcum litigation settlement agreements
57 % 100+%
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
53
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Reported makeup operating results decreased for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by the unfavorable year-over-year impacts of other intangible asset impairment charges relating to TOM FORD and Too Faced, combined, of $245 million and a goodwill impairment charge relating to Too Faced of $13 million, as well as lower net sales, partially offset by lower cost of sales. Also contributing to the decrease in makeup operating results for the six months ended December 31, 2024 was the charge in the fiscal 2025 first quarter associated with the talcum litigation settlement agreements of $159 million.
Fragrance
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Operating income (loss)
$ (446) $ 131 $ (386) $ 238
$ Change from prior-year period (577) (624)
% Change from prior-year period (100+)% (100+)%
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change in operating income from the prior-year period adjusting for the impact of other intangible asset impairments
(21) % (32) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported fragrance operating income decreased for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower operating results from TOM FORD, and to a lesser extent, Jo Malone London, combined, of approximately $571 million and $603 million, respectively. The decrease in operating results from TOM FORD in both periods was primarily driven by an unfavorable year-over-year impact of the other intangible asset impairment charge of $549 million. Also contributing to the decrease in operating results from TOM FORD for the six months ended December 31, 2024 was a decline in net sales, an increase in selling expenses to support the growth of the business and an increase in advertising and promotional activities to support new product launches. The decrease in operating results from Jo Malone London in both periods was due to higher advertising and promotional activities and selling expenses to support key campaigns, partially offset by lower cost of sales. Also contributing to the decrease in operating results from Jo Malone London for the six months ended December 31, 2024 was higher store operating costs to support targeted expanded consumer reach.
Hair Care
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Operating loss $ (3) $ (3) $ (21) $ (25)
$ Change from prior-year period — 4
% Change from prior-year period — % 16 %
Reported hair care operating results were flat for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and increased slightly for the six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting a decrease in operating expenses and lower cost of sales, partially offset by a decrease in net sales.
54
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Geographic Regions
The Americas
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Operating loss $ (823) $ (55) $ (991) $ (237)
$ Change from prior-year period (768) (754)
% Change from prior-year period (100+)% (100+)%
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change in operating loss from the prior-year period adjusting for the impact of goodwill and other intangible asset impairments, talcum litigation settlement agreements and change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options 100+% 100+%
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 57 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported operating loss in The Americas increased for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting lower operating results in North America of approximately $764 million and $744 million, respectively. The lower operating results were primarily driven by the unfavorable year-over-year impacts of other intangible asset impairment charges relating to TOM FORD and Too Faced of $848 million and a goodwill impairment charge relating to Too Faced of $13 million, partially offset by lower cost of sales, including lower obsolescence charges compared to the prior-year period due to a reduction in excess inventory, and the favorable year-over-year impact relating to net intercompany activity. Also contributing to the decrease in operating results in North America for the six months ended December 31, 2024 was the charge in the fiscal 2025 first quarter associated with the talcum litigation settlement agreements of $159 million.
Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Operating income $ 316 $ 379 $ 406 $ 523
$ Change from prior-year period (63) (117)
% Change from prior-year period (17) % (22) %
Reported operating income decreased in Europe, the Middle East & Africa for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower results from our travel retail business, reflecting a decrease in net sales and the unfavorable year-over-year impact of net intercompany activity, partially offset by lower cost of sales and disciplined advertising and promotional expense management.
55
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Asia/Pacific
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Operating income $ 108 $ 258 $ 171 $ 396
$ Change from prior-year period (150) (225)
% Change from prior-year period (58) % (57) %
Reported operating income decreased in Asia/Pacific for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily driven by lower results in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Korea, combined, of approximately $131 million and $189 million, respectively. The decrease in operating results from mainland China in both periods was primarily driven by a decrease in net sales and the year-over-year unfavorable impact of a change in policy related to local government subsidies in China, partially offset by disciplined advertising and promotional expense management and lower cost of sales. Hong Kong SAR operating results decreased in both periods, primarily driven by a decrease in net sales. Operating results in Korea decreased in both periods, primarily driven by a decrease in net sales, partially offset by lower store operating costs relating to the exit of Dr.Jart+ from the travel retail channel during the fiscal 2025 second quarter as well as lower cost of sales.
INTEREST AND INVESTMENT INCOME
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
(In millions) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Interest expense $ 90 $ 98 $ 182 $ 193
Interest income and investment income, net $ 23 $ 40 $ 58 $ 81
Interest expense decreased for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting a lower average debt balance compared to the prior-year periods. Interest income and investment income, net decreased for the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflecting a lower average cash balance and lower interest rates compared to the prior-year period. For the six months ended December 31, 2024, interest income and investment income decreased, primarily reflecting a lower average cash balance compared to the prior-year period, partially offset by higher interest rates compared to the prior-year period.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The provision or benefit for income taxes represents U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. The effective rate differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state and local income taxes, the tax impact of stock-based compensation, the taxation of foreign income and income tax reserve adjustments, which represent changes in our net liability for unrecognized tax benefits including tax settlements and lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations. Our effective tax rate will change from quarter-to-quarter based on recurring and non-recurring factors including the geographical mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state and local income taxes, tax reserve adjustments, the tax impact of stock-based compensation, the interaction of various global tax strategies and the impact from certain acquisitions. In addition, changes in judgment from the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of change.
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Effective rate for income taxes 9.2 % 37.6 % 10.1 % 36.3 %
Basis-point change from the prior-year period (2,840) (2,620)
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, the decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to the impact of the discrete treatment of charges associated with restructuring and other activities, the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, as well as an unfavorable impact associated with previously issued stock-based compensation.
56
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
For the six months ended December 31, 2024, the decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to the impact of the discrete treatment of charges associated with restructuring and other activities, the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, the charge associated with the talcum litigation settlement agreements (See Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies for further discussion) and an unfavorable impact associated with previously issued stock-based compensation.
NET EARNINGS (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Three Months Ended
December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions, except per share data) 2024 2023 2024 2023
As Reported:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
$ (590) $ 313 $ (746) $ 344
$ Change from prior-year period (903) (1,090)
% Change from prior-year period (100+)% (100+)%
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share
$ (1.64) $ .87 $ (2.07) $ .95
% Change from prior-year period (100+)% (100+)%
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change in diluted net earnings per common share from the prior-year period adjusting for the impact of charges associated with restructuring and other activities, goodwill and other intangible asset impairments, talcum litigation settlement agreements and the change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options (29) % (22) %
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We use certain non-GAAP financial measures, among other financial measures, to evaluate our operating performance, which represent the manner in which we conduct and view our business. Management believes that excluding certain items that are not comparable from period-to-period, or do not reflect the Company’s underlying ongoing business, provides transparency for such items and helps investors and others compare and analyze our operating performance from period-to-period. In the future, we expect to incur charges or adjustments similar in nature to those presented below; however, the impact to the Company’s results in a given period may be highly variable and difficult to predict. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by, or determined in a manner consistent with, other companies. While we consider the non-GAAP measures useful in analyzing our results, they are not intended to replace, or act as a substitute for, any presentation included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The following tables present Net sales, Operating income and Diluted net earnings per common share adjusted to exclude the impact of charges associated with restructuring and other activities; goodwill and other intangible asset impairments; talcum litigation settlement agreements; the change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options; and the effects of foreign currency translation.
The following tables provide reconciliations between these non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
57
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
($ in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended
December 31,
Variance % Change
% Change
in
constant currency
2024 2023
Net sales, as reported $ 4,004 $ 4,279 $ (275) (6) % (6) %
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities — 1 (1)
Net sales, as adjusted $ 4,004 $ 4,280 $ (276) (6) % (6) %
Operating income (loss), as reported
$ (580) $ 574 $ (1,154) (100+)% (100+)%
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities 181 8 173
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
861 — 861
Change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options
— (5) 5
Operating income, as adjusted $ 462 $ 577 $ (115) (20) % (19) %
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share, as reported
$ (1.64) $ .87 $ (2.51) (100+)% (100+)%
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities .39 .02 .37
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
1.87 — 1.87
Change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options (less portion attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest)
— (.01) .01
Diluted net earnings per common share, as adjusted $ .62 $ .88 $ (.26) (29) % (27) %
58
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
($ in millions, except per share data) Six Months Ended
December 31,
Variance % Change
% Change
in
constant currency
2024 2023
Net sales, as reported $ 7,365 $ 7,797 $ (432) (6) % (6) %
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities — 1 (1)
Net sales, as adjusted $ 7,365 $ 7,798 $ (433) (6) % (6) %
Operating income (loss), as reported
$ (701) $ 672 $ (1,373) (100+)% (100+)%
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities 287 10 277
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
861 — 861
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
159 — 159
Change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options
— 3 (3)
Operating income, as adjusted $ 606 $ 685 $ (79) (12) % (12) %
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share, as reported
$ (2.07) $ .95 $ (3.02) (100+)% (100+)%
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities .63 .02 .61
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
1.87 — 1.87
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
.34 — .34
Change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options (less portion attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest)
— .01 (.01)
Diluted net earnings per common share, as adjusted $ .77 $ .98 $ (.21) (22) % (23) %
As diluted net earnings per common share, as adjusted, is used as a measure of the Company’s performance, we consider the impact of current and deferred income taxes when calculating the per-share impact of each of the reconciling items.
59
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
The following tables reconcile the change in net sales by product category and geographic region, as reported, to the change in net sales excluding the effects of foreign currency translation:
As Reported Impact of foreign
currency translation Variance,
in constant currency % Change,
as reported % Change,
in constant currency
Three Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 Variance
By Product Category:
Skin Care $ 1,921 $ 2,173 $ (252) $ 2 $ (250) (12) % (12) %
Makeup 1,150 1,167 (17) 11 (6) (1) (1)
Fragrance 744 737 7 5 12 1 2
Hair Care 159 173 (14) — (14) (8) (8)
Other 30 30 — — — — —
4,004 4,280 (276) 18 (258) (6) (6)
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities — (1) 1 — 1
Total $ 4,004 $ 4,279 $ (275) $ 18 $ (257) (6) % (6) %
By Region:
The Americas $ 1,223 $ 1,242 $ (19) $ 13 $ (6) (2) % — %
Europe, the Middle East & Africa 1,494 1,589 (95) 4 (91) (6) (6)
Asia/Pacific 1,287 1,449 (162) 1 (161) (11) (11)
4,004 4,280 (276) 18 (258) (6) (6)
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities — (1) 1 — 1
Total $ 4,004 $ 4,279 $ (275) $ 18 $ (257) (6) % (6) %
60
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
As Reported Impact of foreign
currency translation Variance,
in constant currency % Change,
as reported % Change,
in constant currency
Six Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions) 2024 2023 Variance
By Product Category:
Skin Care $ 3,450 $ 3,813 $ (363) $ (11) $ (374) (10) % (10) %
Makeup 2,188 2,229 (41) 9 (32) (2) (1)
Fragrance 1,374 1,373 1 2 3 — 0
Hair Care 298 321 (23) — (23) (7) (7)
Other 55 62 (7) — (7) (11) (11)
7,365 7,798 (433) — (433) (6) (6)
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities — (1) 1 — 1
Total $ 7,365 $ 7,797 $ (432) $ — $ (432) (6) % (6) %
By Region:
The Americas $ 2,410 $ 2,450 $ (40) $ 24 $ (16) (2) % (1) %
Europe, the Middle East & Africa 2,724 2,841 (117) (19) (136) (4) (5)
Asia/Pacific 2,231 2,507 (276) (5) (281) (11) (11)
7,365 7,798 (433) — (433) (6) (6)
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities — (1) 1 — 1
Total $ 7,365 $ 7,797 $ (432) $ — $ (432) (6) % (6) %
61
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
The following tables reconcile the change in operating results by product category and geographic region, as reported, to the change in operating income excluding the impact of goodwill and other intangible asset impairments and the change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options, as well as the talcum litigation settlement agreements for the six months ended December 31, 2024:
As Reported Add:
Changes in
goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
Add:
Change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options
Variance, as adjusted % Change, as reported % Change, as adjusted
Three Months Ended
December 31
($ in millions) 2024 2023 Variance
By Product Category:
Skin Care $ 306 $ 415 $ (109) $ — $ 5 $ (104) (26) % (25) %
Makeup (211) 30 (241) 258 — 17 (100+) 57
Fragrance (446) 131 (577) 549 — (28) (100+) (21)
Hair Care (3) (3) — — — — — —
Other (45) 9 (54) 54 — — (100+) —
(399) 582 (981) $ 861 $ 5 $ (115) (100+)% (20) %
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities (181) (8) (173)
Total $ (580) $ 574 $ (1,154)
By Region:
The Americas $ (823) $ (55) $ (768) $ 861 $ 5 $ 98 (100+)% 100+%
Europe, the Middle East & Africa 316 379 (63) — — (63) (17) (17)
Asia/Pacific 108 258 (150) — — (150) (58) (58)
(399) 582 (981) $ 861 $ 5 $ (115) (100+)% (20) %
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities (181) (8) (173)
Total $ (580) $ 574 $ (1,154)
62
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
As Reported Add:
Changes in
goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
Add:
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
Add:
Change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options
Variance, as adjusted % Change, as reported % Change, as adjusted
Six Months Ended
December 31
($ in millions) 2024 2023 Variance
By Product Category:
Skin Care $ 423 $ 452 $ (29) $ — $ — $ (3) $ (32) (6) % (7) %
Makeup (396) (10) (386) 258 159 — 31 (100+) 100+%
Fragrance (386) 238 (624) 549 — — (75) (100+) (32)
Hair Care (21) (25) 4 — — — 4 16 16
Other (34) 27 (61) 54 — — (7) (100+) (26)
(414) 682 (1,096) $ 861 $ 159 $ (3) $ (79) (100+)% (12) %
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities (287) (10) (277)
Total $ (701) $ 672 $ (1,373)
By Region:
The Americas $ (991) $ (237) $ (754) $ 861 $ 159 $ (3) $ 263 (100+)% 100+%
Europe, the Middle East & Africa 406 523 (117) — — — (117) (22) (22)
Asia/Pacific 171 396 (225) — — — (225) (57) (57)
(414) 682 (1,096) $ 861 $ 159 $ (3) $ (79) (100+)% (12) %
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities (287) (10) (277)
Total $ (701) $ 672 $ (1,373)
FINANCIAL CONDITION
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
Our principal sources of funds historically have been cash flows from operations, borrowings pursuant to our commercial paper program, borrowings from the issuance of long-term debt and committed and uncommitted credit lines provided by banks and other lenders in the United States and abroad. At December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $2,586 million compared with $3,395 million at June 30, 2024. Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained at a number of financial institutions. To mitigate the risk of uninsured balances, we select financial institutions based on their credit ratings and financial strength, and we perform ongoing evaluations of these institutions to limit our concentration risk exposure.
Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe that cash on hand, cash generated from operations, available credit lines and access to credit markets will be adequate to support seasonal working capital needs, currently planned business operations, information technology enhancements, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, stock repurchases, restructuring initiatives, commitments and other contractual obligations on both a near-term and long-term basis.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act resulted in the Transition Tax on unrepatriated earnings of our foreign subsidiaries and changed the tax law in ways that present opportunities to repatriate cash without additional U.S. federal income tax. We continue to analyze the indefinite reinvestment assertion on our applicable foreign earnings. We do not believe continuing to reinvest these applicable foreign earnings impairs our ability to meet our domestic debt or working capital obligations. If these reinvested earnings were repatriated into the United States as dividends, we would be subject to state income taxes and applicable foreign taxes in certain jurisdictions.
Inflation impacted our overall operating results in the fiscal 2025 second quarter and we expect it to continue. Generally, we have plans to introduce new products at higher prices, increase prices and implement other operating efficiencies which we expect to offset some of these cost increases.
63
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Credit Ratings
Changes in our credit ratings will likely result in changes in our borrowing costs. Our credit ratings also impact the cost of our revolving credit facility. Downgrades in our credit ratings may reduce our ability to issue commercial paper and/or long-term debt and would likely increase the relative costs of borrowing. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities, is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and should be evaluated independently of any other rating. As of January 28, 2025, our long-term debt is rated A with a negative watch by Standard & Poor’s and A2 with a negative outlook by Moody’s.
64
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Debt
At December 31, 2024, our outstanding borrowings were as follows:
($ in millions) Long-term
Debt Current
Debt Total Debt
5.150% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2053 ("2053 Senior Notes") (1), (15)
$ 591 $ — $ 591
3.125% Senior Notes, due December 1, 2049 (“2049 Senior Notes”) (2), (15)
637 — 637
4.150% Senior Notes, due March 15, 2047 (“2047 Senior Notes”) (3), (15)
494 — 494
4.375% Senior Notes, due June 15, 2045 (“2045 Senior Notes”) (4), (15)
454 — 454
3.700% Senior Notes, due August 15, 2042 (“2042 Senior Notes”) (5), (15)
247 — 247
6.000% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2037 (“2037 Senior Notes”) (6), (15)
295 — 295
5.000% Senior Notes, due February 14, 2034 ("2034 Senior Notes) (7), (15)
644 — 644
5.75% Senior Notes, due October 15, 2033 (“October 2033 Senior Notes”) (8), (15)
198 — 198
4.650% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2033 ("May 2033 Senior Notes") (9), (15)
696 — 696
1.950% Senior Notes, due March 15, 2031 ("2031 Senior Notes") (10), (15)
552 — 552
2.600% Senior Notes, due April 15, 2030 ("2030 Senior Notes") (11), (15)
601 — 601
2.375% Senior Notes, due December 1, 2029 (“2029 Senior Notes”) (12), (15)
645 — 645
4.375% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2028 ("2028 Senior Notes") (13), (15)
697 — 697
3.150% Senior Notes, due March 15, 2027 (“2027 Senior Notes”) (14), (15)
499 — 499
Other long-term borrowings 26 — 26
Other current borrowings — 4 4
$ 7,276 $ 4 $ 7,280
(1) Consists of $600 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $3 million and debt issuance costs of $6 million.
(2) Consists of $650 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $7 million and debt issuance costs of $6 million.
(3) Consists of $500 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $1 million and debt issuance costs of $5 million.
(4) Consists of $450 million principal, net unamortized debt premium of $8 million and debt issuance costs of $4 million.
(5) Consists of $250 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $1 million and debt issuance costs of $2 million.
(6) Consists of $300 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $2 million and debt issuance costs of $3 million.
(7) Consists of $650 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $2 million and debt issuance costs of $4 million.
(8) Consists of $200 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $1 million and debt issuance costs of $1 million.
(9) Consists of $700 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $1 million and debt issuance costs of $3 million.
(10) Consists of $600 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $3 million, debt issuance costs of $2 million and a $43 million loss to reflect the fair value of interest rate swaps.
(11) Consists of $700 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $1 million, debt issuance costs of $3 million and a $95 million loss to reflect the fair value of interest rate swaps.
(12) Consists of $650 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $3 million and debt issuance costs of $2 million.
(13) Consists of $700 million principal, debt issuance costs of $3 million.
(14) Consists of $500 million principal and debt issuance costs of $1 million.
(15) The Senior Notes contain certain customary covenants, including limitations on indebtedness secured by liens.
In December 2024, the Company repaid the outstanding principal balance of its $500 million, 2.000% Senior Notes at maturity with cash from operations.
Total debt as a percent of total capitalization was 64% and 59% at December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, respectively.
65
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Cash Flows
Six Months Ended
December 31,
(In millions) 2024 2023
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
$ 387 $ 937
Net cash flows used for investing activities $ (294) $ (557)
Net cash flows used for financing activities
$ (878) $ (489)
The change in net cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily driven by lower earnings for the six months ended December 31, 2024, excluding non-cash items, and an unfavorable change in operating assets and liabilities variances, including the impact from the significant reduction in inventory in the prior-year period, as compared to the reduction in inventory in the current-year period.
The change in net cash flows used for investing activities was primarily driven by a favorable year-over-year impact from capital expenditure payments made relating to the manufacturing facility in Japan, near Tokyo, in the prior-year period.
The change in net cash flows used for financing activities primarily reflected an increase in repayments of long-term debt due to the repayment of the outstanding principal balance of our $500 million, 2.000% Senior Notes that matured during the fiscal 2025 second quarter, partially offset by a decrease in dividends paid to stockholders.
Dividends
For a summary of quarterly cash dividends declared per share on our Class A and Class B Common Stock during the six months ended December 31, 2024, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 11 – Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest .
Pension and Post-retirement Plan Funding
There have been no significant changes to our pension and post-retirement funding as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Commitments, Contractual Obligations and Contingencies
There have been no significant changes to our commitments and contractual obligations as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 . For a discussion of contingencies, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies .
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
For a discussion of our derivative financial instruments and hedging activities, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4 – Derivative Financial Instruments .
Foreign Exchange Risk Management
For a discussion of foreign exchange risk management, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4 – Derivative Financial Instruments (Fair Value Hedges, Cash Flow Hedges and Net Investment Hedges) .
Credit Risk
For a discussion of credit risk, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4 – Derivative Financial Instruments (Credit Risk) .
Market Risk
We address certain financial exposures through a controlled program of market risk management that includes the use of foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates and to mitigate the change in fair value of specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. To perform a sensitivity analysis of our foreign currency forward contracts, we assess the change in fair values from the impact of hypothetical changes in foreign currency exchange rates. A hypothetical 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar against the foreign exchange rates for the currencies in our portfolio would have resulted in a net decrease in the fair value of our portfolio of approximately $299 million and $371 million as of December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, respectively. This potential change does not consider our underlying foreign currency exposures.
66
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
We also enter into cross-currency swap contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency changes on certain intercompany foreign currency denominated debt and to hedge a portion of the net investment in certain foreign operations. A hypothetical 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar against the foreign exchange rates for the currencies in our cross-currency swap contracts would have resulted in a net decrease in the fair value of our cross-currency swap contracts of approximately $85 million and $49 million as of December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, respectively.
In addition, we enter into interest rate derivatives to manage the effects of interest rate movements on our aggregate liability portfolio, including future debt issuances. Based on a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates, the estimated fair value of our interest rate derivatives would decrease by approximately $45 million and $48 million as of December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, respectively.
Our sensitivity analysis represents an estimate of reasonably possible net losses that would be recognized on our portfolio of derivative financial instruments assuming hypothetical movements in future market rates and is not necessarily indicative of actual results, which may or may not occur. It does not represent the maximum possible loss or any expected loss that may occur, since actual future gains and losses will differ from those estimated, based upon actual fluctuations in market rates, operating exposures, and the timing thereof, and changes in our portfolio of derivative financial instruments during the year. We believe, however, that any such loss incurred would be offset by the effects of market rate movements on the respective underlying transactions for which the derivative financial instrument was intended.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do not maintain any off-balance sheet arrangements, transactions, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities that would be expected to have a material current or future effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements. These estimates and assumptions can be subjective and complex, and consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates. Our most critical accounting policies relate to goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets - impairment assessment and income taxes. Since June 30, 2024, there have been no significant changes to the assumptions and estimates related to our critical accounting policies, except as disclosed within the Impairment Analysis During the Six Months Ended December 31, 2024 section in Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on page 43.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
For a discussion regarding the impact of accounting standards that were recently issued but not yet effective, on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies .
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
We and our representatives from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements, including in this and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases and in our reports to stockholders, which may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may address our expectations regarding sales, earnings or other future financial performance and liquidity, other performance measures, product introductions, entry into new geographic regions, information technology initiatives, new methods of sale, our long-term strategy, restructuring and other charges and resulting cost savings, and future operations or operating results. These statements may contain words like “expect,” “will,” “will likely result,” “would,” “believe,” “estimate,” “planned,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “projected,” “forecast,” and “forecasted” or similar expressions. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, actual results may differ materially from our expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, without limitation:
67
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
(1) increased competitive activity from companies in the skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care businesses;
(2) our ability to develop, produce and market new products on which future operating results may depend and to successfully address challenges in our business;
(3) consolidations, restructurings, bankruptcies and reorganizations in the retail industry causing a decrease in the number of stores that sell our products, an increase in the ownership concentration within the retail industry, ownership of retailers by our competitors or ownership of competitors by our customers that are retailers and our inability to collect receivables;
(4) destocking and tighter working capital management by retailers;
(5) the success, or changes in timing or scope, of new product launches and the success, or changes in timing or scope, of advertising, sampling and merchandising programs;
(6) shifts in the preferences of consumers as to how they perceive value and where and how they shop;
(7) social, political and economic risks to our foreign or domestic manufacturing, distribution and retail operations, including changes in foreign investment and trade policies and regulations of the host countries and of the United States;
(8) changes in the laws, regulations and policies (including the interpretations and enforcement thereof) that affect, or will affect, our business, including those relating to our products or distribution networks, changes in accounting standards, tax laws and regulations, environmental or climate change laws, regulations or accords, trade rules and customs regulations, and the outcome and expense of legal or regulatory proceedings, and any action we may take as a result;
(9) foreign currency fluctuations affecting our results of operations and the value of our foreign assets, the relative prices at which we and our foreign competitors sell products in the same markets and our operating and manufacturing costs outside of the United States;
(10) changes in global or local conditions, including those due to volatility in the global credit and equity markets, government economic policies, natural or man-made disasters, real or perceived epidemics, supply chain challenges, inflation, or increased energy costs, that could affect consumer purchasing, the willingness or ability of consumers to travel and/or purchase our products while traveling, the financial strength of our customers, suppliers or other contract counterparties, our operations, the cost and availability of capital which we may need for new equipment, facilities or acquisitions, the returns that we are able to generate on our pension assets and the resulting impact on funding obligations, the cost and availability of raw materials and the assumptions underlying our critical accounting estimates;
(11) shipment delays, commodity pricing, depletion of inventory and increased production costs resulting from disruptions of operations at any of the facilities that manufacture our products or at our distribution or inventory centers, including disruptions that may be caused by the implementation of information technology initiatives, or by restructurings;
(12) real estate rates and availability, which may affect our ability to increase or maintain the number of retail locations at which we sell our products and the costs associated with our other facilities;
(13) changes in product mix to products which are less profitable;
(14) our ability to acquire, develop or implement new information technology, including operational technology and websites, on a timely basis and within our cost estimates; to maintain continuous operations of our new and existing information technology; and to secure the data and other information that may be stored in such technologies or other systems or media;
(15) our ability to capitalize on opportunities for improved efficiency, such as publicly-announced strategies and restructuring and cost-savings initiatives, and to integrate acquired businesses and realize value therefrom;
(16) consequences attributable to local or international conflicts around the world, as well as from any terrorist action, retaliation and the threat of further action or retaliation;
68
Table of Contents
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
(17) the timing and impact of acquisitions, investments and divestitures; and
(18) additional factors as described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
We assume no responsibility to update forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The information required by this item is set forth in Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the caption Liquidity and Capital Resources - Market Risk and is incorporated herein by reference.