Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Part I—Item 1, “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies, included in this report .
Item 1A. Ris k Factors
We have updated our existing risk factor on global economic conditions to include information associated with the current events related to COVID-19 that was first detected in China and impacted global markets due to outbreaks occurring in many countries beginning in early calendar year 2020. Except for the updates to this risk factor set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I—Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on October 22, 2019.
Global economic conditions may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
A general weakening or decline in the global economy or a reduction in industrial outputs, business or consumer spending or confidence could delay or significantly decrease purchases of the Company’s products by its customers and end users. Consumer purchases of discretionary items, which could include the Company’s maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products, may decline during periods where disposable income is reduced or there is economic uncertainty, and this may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. During unfavorable or uncertain economic times, end users may also increase purchases of lower-priced or non-branded products and the Company’s competitors may increase their level of promotional activities to maintain sales volumes, both of which may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the Company’s sales and operating results may be affected by uncertain or changing economic and market conditions, including inflation, deflation, prolonged weak consumer demand, political instability, public health crises or other changes that may affect the principal markets, trade channels, and industrial segments in which the Company conducts its business. Public health crises, including epidemics or pandemics, may affect the principal markets, trade channels, and industrial segments in which the Company conducts its business. For example, the Company is monitoring the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, which has already caused a significant disruption to global financial markets and supply chains beginning in early calendar year 2020. The significance of the operational and financial impact to the Company will depend on how long and widespread this disruption proves to be. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company’s results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the outbreak and the international actions that are being taken to contain and treat it. While the Company currently expects this business disruption to be temporary, there is uncertainty around its duration and its broader impact, and therefore the effects it will have on the Company’s financial results and operations. If economic or market conditions in key global markets deteriorate, the Company may experience material adverse effects on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Adverse economic and market conditions could also harm the Company’s business by negatively affecting the parties with whom it does business, including its customers, retailers, distributors and wholesalers, and third-party contract manufacturers and suppliers. These conditions could impair the ability of the Company’s customers to pay for products they have purchased from the Company. As a result, allowances for doubtful accounts and write-offs of accounts receivable from the Company’s customers may increase. In addition, the Company’s third-party contract manufacturers and their suppliers may experience financial difficulties or business disruptions that could negatively affect their operations and their ability to supply the Company with finished goods and the raw materials, packaging, and components required for the Company’s products
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