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YoY shift: Lean -
Year-over-year tone shift - average net-tone change across Risk Factors and MD&A vs the prior 10-K. This filing is -0.32pp more bearish than last year's.
Why YoY instead of absolute: the LM lexicon has ~6.6× more negative words than positive (legal/risk-disclosure language is heavy on hedging), so every 10-K reads bearish on raw tone. Year-over-year change strips that bias and surfaces the actual shift in management's framing.
Tone shift by section
The two components the gauge averages: how Risk Factors and MD&A each shifted in net tone versus last year's 10-K. The headline above is their average, so a green needle over a soft section just means the other section carried it.
Risk Factors
+0.11pp
Flat
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
MD&A
-0.76pp
Lean -
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
Per-snippet highlights
Sentence-level sentiment highlighting with category and subcategory filters is coming once the snippet-scoring pipeline lands. For now, dig into the actual section text on the Sections tab.
Language change vs prior 10-K
Risk Factors (Item 1A) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
adverse+2
adversely+1
incidents+1
failure+1
negatively+1
Positive rising
efficient+2
opportunities+1
successfully+1
successful+1
benefit+1
Risk Factors (Item 1A)
5,706 words
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There are risks associated with an investment in our securities. Please consider the following risks and all of the other information in this annual report on Form 10-K and in our subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our business may also be adversely affected by risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be not material. If any of the events contemplated by the following discussion of risks should occur or other risks arise or develop, our business, which includes (a) our prospects, (b) our financial condition, (c) our results of operations, (d) our reputation, and (e) the trading prices of our securities, may be adversely affected.
Risks related to our Business and our Industry
The beauty business is highly competitive, and if we are unable to compete effectively our business will suffer.
We face vigorous competition from companies throughout the world, including multinational consumer product companies. Some competitors have greater resources than we do, others are newer companies (such as Indie Brands, some of which are backed by private-equity investors), and some are competing in distribution channels where we are less represented. The beauty business can change rapidly due to consumer preferences and industry trends. In some cases, we may not be to respond to changing business and economic conditions as quickly as our competitors. Competition in the beauty business is based on a variety of factors including pricing of products, , perceived value, service to the consumer, promotional activities, advertising, special events, new product introductions, and e-commerce initiatives, including the ability to effectively leverage existing and emerging digital technologies, such as AI and data analytics, to more commercial insights and develop relevant marketing concepts and advertising to reach consumers. It is for us to predict the timing and scale of our competitors’ actions in these areas.
Language change vs prior 10-K
MD&A (Item 7) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
impairment+33
loss+26
litigation+21
restructuring+15
impairments+5
Positive rising
efficiencies+3
effective+2
profitable+2
profitability+2
improve+2
MD&A (Item 7)
15,013 words
Item 7. 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.
Our ability to compete also depends on the continued strength of our brands, our ability to attract and retain key talent and other personnel, the efficiency of our manufacturing facilities and distribution network, and our ability to maintain and protect our intellectual property and those other rights used in our business.
Our Company has a well-recognized and strong reputation and our ability to maintain our reputation is critical to our business. Our reputation could be negatively impacted by social media and many other factors, including, given the legal, regulatory and ethical landscape around the use of AI, our ability to adapt and use the emerging technology in an effective and ethical manner.
If our reputation is adversely affected, our ability to attract and retain customers, consumers and employees could be impacted. In addition, certain of our key retailers around the world market and sell competing brands or are owned or otherwise affiliated with companies that market and sell competing brands. Our inability to continue to compete effectively in key countries around the world (e.g., China or the United States) could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our inability to anticipate and respond to market trends and changes in consumer preferences could adversely affect our business.
Our success depends on our ability to anticipate, gauge and react in a timely and cost-effective manner to changes in consumer preferences for skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products, attitudes toward our industry and brands, as well as to where and how consumers shop. We must continually work to develop, manufacture and market new products, maintain and adapt our selling, advertising, promotional and other consumer engagement activities to existing and emerging distribution channels, maintain and enhance the recognition of our brands, achieve a favorable mix of products, successfully manage our inventories, and modernize and refine our approach as to how and where we market and sell our products. We recognize consumer preferences cannot be predicted with certainty and can change rapidly, driven by the use of digital and social media by consumers and the speed by which information and opinions are shared. If we are unable to anticipate and respond to challenges that we may face in the marketplace, trends in the market for our products and changing consumer demands and sentiment, our business will suffer. In addition, from time to time, sales growth or profitability may be concentrated in a relatively small number of our brands, channels and/or countries. If such a situation persists or one or more brands, channels or countries fails to perform as expected, there could be a material adverse effect on our business.
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In certain key markets, such as the United States, we have seen a longer-term decline in retail traffic in our department store customers. Consolidation or liquidation in the retail trade, from these or other factors, may result in us becoming increasingly dependent on key retailers and could result in an increased risk related to the concentration of our customers. A severe, adverse impact on the business operations of our customers could have a corresponding material adverse effect on us. If one or more of our largest customers change their strategies (including pricing or promotional activities), enter bankruptcy (or similar proceedings) or if our relationship with any large customer is changed or terminated for any reason, there could be a material adverse effect on our business.
Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to achieve our long-term strategy.
Achieving our long-term strategy will require investment in new capabilities, brands, categories, distribution channels, supply chain facilities, technologies and emerging and more mature geographic markets. These investments may result in short-term costs without any current sales and, therefore, may be dilutive to our earnings. In addition, we may dispose of or discontinue select brands or streamline operations and incur costs, inclusive of restructuring and other charges, in doing so. Although we believe our strategy will lead to long-term growth in sales and profitability, we may not realize the anticipated benefits. The failure to realize benefits, which may be due to our inability to execute plans, global or local economic conditions, competition, changes in the beauty industry and the other risks described herein, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic actions may expose us to additional risks.
We continuously review acquisition and strategic opportunities that would expand our current product offerings, our distribution channels, increase the size and geographic scope of our operations or otherwise offer growth and operating efficiencyopportunities. In addition, we periodically review our brand portfolio, and our strategy includes potential divestitures of certain brands as we rationalize product offerings. There can be no assurance we will be able to identify these strategic actions, be the successful bidder, and consummate such transactions on favorable terms, or otherwise realize the full intended benefit of such transactions.
Acquisitions including strategic investments or other activities entail numerous risks, which may include: (i) difficulties in integrating acquired operations or products, including the loss of key employees from, or customers, consumers or suppliers of, acquired businesses; (ii) diversion of management’s attention from our existing businesses; (iii) adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers, customers and consumers of ours or the companies in which we invest; (iv) adverse impacts of margin and product cost structures different from those of our current mix of business; (v) reputational risks associated with the activities of the businesses that we acquire or in which we invest; and (vi) risks of entering distribution channels, categories or markets in which we have limited or no prior experience.
In addition, the assumptions we use to evaluate acquisition opportunities have in the past, and may in the future, prove to be inaccurate, and intended benefits may not be realized. If required, any financing for these transactions would result in an increase in our indebtedness, dilute the interests of our stockholders or both. The purchase price for some acquisitions may include additional amounts to be paid in cash in the future, a portion of which may be contingent on the achievement of certain future operating results of the acquired business. If the performance of any such acquired business exceeds such operating results, then we may incur additional charges and be required to pay additional amounts.
Completed acquisitions typically result in additional goodwill and/or an increase in other intangible assets on our balance sheet. We are required at least annually, or as facts and circumstances exist, to test goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives to determine if impairment has occurred, as well as assess the recoverability of other intangible assets, and have recorded goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges in each of the last few fiscal years. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets. Should the value of goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired, there could be a material adverse effect on our business.
Our failure to achieve the long-term plan for acquired businesses, as well as any other adverse consequences associated with our acquisition, divestiture and strategic activities, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
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Our business could be negatively impacted by social impact and sustainability matters.
There continues to be a focus from certain investors, customers, consumers, regulators, employees, and other stakeholders concerning social impact and sustainability and other ESG matters. From time to time, we announce certain initiatives, including goals and commitments, regarding our focus areas, which include environmental and climate matters; packaging; sourcing; product formulation; social investments; and inclusion. We could fail, or be perceived to fail, in our achievement of such initiatives, or in accurately reporting our progress on such initiatives. Such failures could be due to changes in our business (e.g., shifts in business among distribution channels or acquisitions). Moreover, the standards by which ESG efforts and related matters are measured are developing and evolving, and certain areas are subject to assumptions that could change over time. In addition, we could be criticized for the scope of our initiatives or goals by stakeholders who support these initiatives or those that oppose them. In addition, we could be perceived as not acting responsibly in connection with these matters. Any such matters, or related ESG matters, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We use AI, and challenges with properly managing its use could have an adverse impact on our business.
We are using AI solutions, including machine learning and generative AI tools, to assist in the development of our products, engage with consumers, and in the use of internal tools that support our business. These applications may become increasingly important in our operations over time. This emerging technology presents risks inherent in its use, including risks related to harmful content, inaccuracies, hallucinations, bias or discrimination, and intellectual property infringement. In addition, the use of AI may increase cybersecurity and data privacy risks, such as intended, unintended, or inadvertent access to, transmission, or leakage of proprietary or sensitive information. These risks may become more pronounced as organizational reliance on AI increases. No assurance can be made that the usage of AI will assist us in being more efficient in all cases. Our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI into their business, services, and products more rapidly or more successfully than us, which could hinder our ability to compete effectively and adversely affect our business. The technologies underlying AI and their use cases are rapidly developing, and it is not possible to predict all the legal, reputational, operational or technological risks related to the use of AI. While new AI initiatives, laws, and regulations are emerging and evolving, uncertainty will remain, and our obligation to comply with the evolving regulatory landscape could entail significant costs, negatively affect our business, or limit our ability to incorporate certain AI capabilities into our business.
A general economic downturn, or disruption in business conditions may adversely affect our business including consumer purchases of discretionary items and/or the financial strength of our customers that are retailers.
The general level of consumer spending is affected by many factors, including general economic conditions, inflation, interest rates, energy costs, and consumer confidence and sentiment generally, all of which are beyond our control. Consumer purchases of discretionary items tend to decline during recessionary periods, when disposable income is lower, and may impact sales of our products. A decline in consumer purchases of discretionary items also tends to impact our customers that are retailers. We generally extend credit to a retailer based on an evaluation of its financial condition, usually without requiring collateral. However, the financial difficulties of a retailer could cause us to curtail or eliminate business with that customer. We may also assume more credit risk relating to the receivables from that retailer. In the event of a retailer liquidation, we may incur additional costs if we choose to purchase the retailer’s inventory of our products to protect brand equity. Our inability to collect receivables from our largest customers or from a group of customers could have a material adverse effect on our business.
In addition, disruptions in local or global business conditions, for example, from events such as a pandemic or other health issues, geopolitical or local conflicts, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, adverse weather conditions, climate changes or seismic events, can have a short-term and, sometimes, long-term impact on consumer spending.
Events that impact consumers’ willingness or ability to travel or purchase our products while traveling may impact our business, including travel retail, a significant contributor to our overall results, and our strategy to market and sell products to international travelers at their destinations.
A downturn in the economies of, or continuing recessions in, the countries where we sell our products or a disruption of business conditions in those countries could adversely affect consumer confidence and sentiment, the financial strength of our retailers and our sales and profitability. We are also cautious of foreign currency movements, including their impact on tourism. Additionally, we continue to monitor the effects of the global macroeconomic environment; social, political and human rights issues; regulatory matters, including the imposition of tariffs or sanctions; geopolitical tensions; and global security issues. For example, tariffs imposed on goods we import into the United States and/or tariffs on goods we import into other countries could have a material adverse effect on our business, as could geopolitical tensions involving countries that are key markets for us, or where we manufacture our products or source ingredients.
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Volatility in the financial markets and a related economic downturn in key markets or markets generally throughout the world could have a material adverse effect on our business. While we typically generate significant cash flows from our ongoing operations and have access to global credit markets through our various financing activities, credit markets may experience significant disruptions. Deterioration in global financial markets or an adverse change in our credit ratings could make future financing difficult or more expensive. If any financial institutions that are parties to our revolving credit facilities or other financing arrangements, such as foreign exchange or interest rate hedging instruments, were to declare bankruptcy or become insolvent, they may be unable to perform under their agreements with us. This could leave us with reduced borrowing capacity or unhedged against certain foreign currency or interest rate exposures which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our success depends, in part, on the quality, efficacy and safety of our products.
Our success depends, in part, on the quality, efficacy and safety of our products. If our products are found to be defective or unsafe, our product claims are found to be deceptive, or our products otherwise fail to meet our consumers’ expectations, our relationships with customers or consumers could suffer, the appeal of our brands could be diminished, and we could lose sales and become subject to liability or claims, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, counterfeit versions of some of our products may be sold by third parties, which may pose safety risks, may fail to meet consumers’ expectations, and may have a negative impact on our business.
Our success depends, in part, on our key personnel.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to retain our key personnel, including our executive officers and senior management team. We have had, and may continue to have, changes to senior management and the composition of our Board of Directors, and we are still in the process of implementing a change in our organizational design, including through Beauty Reimagined and our Profit Recovery and Growth Plan (“PRGP”). Transition periods accompanying changes in leadership and changes due to business reorganization may result in uncertainty, impact business performance and strategies and retention of personnel. As we restructure our workforce from time to time, the risk of potential employment-related claims and disputes may also increase, resulting in potential reputational harm, costs, losses, and other liabilities. The unexpectedloss of, or misconduct by, one or more of our key employees could adversely affect our business. Our success also depends, in part, on our continuing ability to identify, hire, train and retain personnel across all levels of our business. We may not be able to attract, assimilate or retain necessary personnel in the future, and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. These risks may be exacerbated by the stresses associated with the implementation of our strategic plan and other initiatives, as well as by market conditions.
Competition for employees can be intense, and although many of our key personnel have signed non-compete agreements, it is possible that these agreements would be unenforceable, in whole or in part, in some jurisdictions, permitting employees in those jurisdictions to work for our competitors.
We are subject to risks related to the global scope of our operations.
We operate on a global basis, with a substantial majority of our net sales and operating income generated outside the United States. We maintain offices in over 50 countries and have key operational facilities located inside and outside the United States that manufacture, warehouse or distribute goods for sale throughout the world. Our global operations are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including: (i) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and the relative costs of operating in different places, which can affect our business, the value of our foreign assets, the relative prices at which we and competitors sell products in the same markets, the cost of certain inventory and non-inventory items required in our operations, and the relative prices at which we sell our products in different markets; (ii) foreign or U.S. laws, regulations and policies, including restrictions on trade, immigration and travel, operations, and investments; currency exchange controls; restrictions on imports and exports, including license requirements; tariffs; sanctions; and taxes; (iii) lack of well-established or reliable legal and administrative systems in certain countries in which we operate; (iv) adverse weather conditions and natural disasters; (v) concentration of sales growth or profitability in one or more countries; and (vi) social, economic and geopolitical conditions, such as a pandemic, terrorist attack, war or other military action. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business.
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A disruption in our operations, including supply chain, could adversely affect our business.
As a company engaged in manufacturing and distribution on a global scale, we are subject to the risks inherent in such activities. Such risks include industrial accidents, environmental events, strikes and other labor disputes, capacity constraints, disruptions in ingredient, material or packaging supply or availability of natural resources (e.g., water), as well as global shortages, disruptions in supply chain or information technology, loss or impairment of key manufacturing or distribution sites or suppliers, product quality control, safety, increase in commodity prices and energy costs, licensing requirements and other regulatory issues, as well as natural disasters, outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins and other events or external factors over which we have no control. If such an event were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We use a wide variety of direct and indirect suppliers of goods and services from around the world. Some of our products rely on a single or a limited number of suppliers. Changes in the financial or business condition of our suppliers could subject us to losses or adversely affect our ability to bring products to market. Further, the failure of our suppliers to deliver goods and services in sufficient quantities, in compliance with applicable standards, and in a timely manner could adversely affect our customer service levels and overall business. In addition, any increases in the costs of goods and services for our business may adversely affect our profit margins if we are unable to pass along any higher costs in the form of price increases or otherwise achieve cost efficiencies in our operations.
As we outsource functions, we become more dependent on the entities performing those functions.
As part of our long-term strategy, we are continually looking for opportunities to improve our essential business services, which includes finding ways to be more cost-effective and efficient. In some cases, this requires the outsourcing of functions or parts of functions that we believe can be performed more effectively by external service providers. The failure of one or more such providers to deliver the expected services, provide them on a timely basis or to provide them at the prices or service levels that we expect, the failure of one or more of such providers to meet our performance standards and expectations, including with respect to data security, compliance with laws, disruptions arising from the transition of functions to an outsourcing provider, or the costs incurred in returning these outsourced functions to being performed under our management and direct control, could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, when we transition to, from or between external service providers, we may experience challenges that could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Risks related to Legal and Regulatory Matters
Changes in laws, regulations and policies could adversely affect our business.
Our business is subject to numerous laws, regulations and policies around the world. Changes in these laws, regulations and policies, including the interpretation or enforcement thereof, that affect our business could adversely affect our business. These changes include accounting standards, as well as laws and regulations relating to tax matters, trade (including sanctions), data privacy (e.g., General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)), cybersecurity, anti-corruption, advertising, marketing, manufacturing, distribution, customs matters, product registration, ingredients, chemicals, packaging, selective distribution, and environmental or climate change matters.
Disputes and other legal or regulatory proceedings could adversely affect our business.
We are, and may in the future become, party to litigation, other disputes or regulatory proceedings across a wide range of matters, including ones relating to product liability matters (including asbestos-related claims), advertising, regulatory, employment, intellectual property, real estate, environmental, trade relations, securities, tax and privacy. In general, claims made by us or against us in litigation, disputes or other proceedings can be expensive and time consuming and could result in settlements, injunctions or damages that could significantly affect our business. It is not possible to predict the final resolution of the litigation, disputes or proceedings to which we currently are or may in the future become party to, and the impact of certain of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business .
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Government reviews, inquiries, investigations and actions could harm our business.
As we operate in various locations around the world, our operations are subject to governmental scrutiny and may be adversely impacted by the results of such scrutiny. The regulatory environment with regard to our business is evolving, and officials often exercise broad discretion in deciding how to interpret and apply applicable regulations. From time to time, we may receive formal and informal inquiries from various government regulatory authorities, as well as self-regulatory organizations, about our business and compliance with local laws, regulations or standards. Any determination that our operations or activities, or the activities of our employees, are not in compliance with existing laws, regulations or standards could negatively impact us in a number of ways, including the imposition of substantial fines, interruptions of business, loss of supplier, vendor or other third-party relationships, termination of necessary licenses and permits, or similar results, all of which could potentially harm our business. Regardless of the outcomes, these reviews, inquiries, investigations and actions could create negative publicity which could harm our business.
Risks related to Technology and Cybersecurity Matters
The compromise or interruption of, or damage to, our information technology (including our operational technology and websites) by cybersecurity incidents, data security breaches, other security problems, design defects or system failures could have a material negative impact on our business.
We rely on information technology that supports our business processes, including research and development, product development, production, distribution, marketing, sales, order processing, consumer experiences, human resource management, finance and internal and external communications throughout the world. We have e-commerce and other Internet websites in the United States and many other countries. If our information technology does not function properly, or is not adequately supported or updated, it could adversely affect the Company’s business and operations.
We experience cybersecurity incidents of varying degrees on our information technology and, as a result, unauthorized parties have obtained in the past, and may obtain in the future, access to our systems and data (including unauthorized acquisition of such data). Such incidents have also caused, and may in the future cause, disruption to parts of our business operations and result in various expenses for investigation, remediation and other related matters.
Cybersecurity incidents at our Company have in the past resulted from, and may in the future result from, social engineering or impersonation of authorized users, and may also result from efforts to discover and exploit design flaws, bugs, security vulnerabilities or security weaknesses, intentional or unintentional acts by employees or other insiders with access privileges, intentional acts of vandalism or fraud by third parties and sabotage. In some instances, efforts to correct vulnerabilities or prevent incidents have in the past and may in the future reduce the functionality or performance of our information technology, which could negatively impact our business. Cybersecurity incidents can be caused by ransomware, distributed denial-of-service attacks, worms, and other malicious software programs or other attacks, including the covert introduction of malware to our information technology, and the use of techniques or processes that change frequently, may be disguised or difficult to detect, or are designed to remain dormant until a triggering event, and may continue undetected for an extended period of time. In addition, some of our suppliers, vendors, service providers, cloud solution providers and customers have in the past experienced, and may in the future experience, such incidents, which could in turn disrupt our business. The evolution and adoption of emerging technologies, such as AI, may intensify cybersecurity risks as techniques used in cyberattacks and cybersecurity incidents continue to evolve and develop. Insurance policies that may provide coverage with regard to such events may not cover any or all of the resulting financial losses.
As part of our normal business activities, we collect, maintain, transmit, store and otherwise process certain information that is confidential, proprietary or otherwise sensitive, including personal information of consumers, customers, suppliers, service providers and employees. We share some of this information with certain third parties who assist us with business matters. Moreover, the success of our operations depends upon the secure transmission of confidential, proprietary or otherwise sensitive data, including personal information, over networks. Any unauthorized access or data acquisition, despite security measures in place to protect such data, or other failure on the part of us or third parties to maintain the security of such data could result in business disruption, damage to our reputation, financial obligations to third parties, legal obligations, fines, penalties, regulatory proceedings and private litigation with potentially large costs, and also could result in deterioration in confidence in our Company and other competitive disadvantages, and thus could have a material adverse effect on our business.
In addition, a cybersecurity incident could require that we expend significant additional resources on remediation, restoration and enhancement of our information technology.
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Risks related to our Securities and our Ownership Structure
The trading prices of our securities periodically may rise or fall based on the accuracy of predictions of our financial performance.
Our business planning process is designed to maximize our long-term strength, growth and profitability, not to achieve an earnings target in any particular fiscal quarter. We believe this longer-term focus is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. At the same time, however, we recognize it may be helpful to provide investors with guidance as to our expectations regarding certain aspects of our business. This could include forecasts of net sales, earnings per share and other financial metrics or projections. We assume no responsibility to provide or update guidance, and any longer-term guidance we may provide is based on goals we believe, at the time guidance is given, are reasonably attainable for growth and performance over a number of years. We historically have paid dividends on our common stock and repurchased shares of our Class A Common Stock; however, at times we have suspended the declaration of dividends and/or the repurchase of our Class A Common Stock. Going forward, at any time, we could stop, suspend or change the amounts of dividends or stop or suspend our stock repurchase program, and any such action could cause the market price of our stock to decline.
In all of our public statements when we make, or update, a forward-looking statement about our business, whether it be about net sales or earnings expectations or expectations regarding restructuring or other initiatives, or otherwise, we accompany such statements directly, or by reference to a public document, with a list of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those we expect. Such a list is included, among other places, in our earnings press release and in our periodic filings with the SEC (e.g., in our reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q). These and other factors may make it difficult for us and for outside observers, such as research analysts, to predict what our earnings or other financial metrics, or business outcomes, will be in any given fiscal quarter or year.
Outside analysts and investors have the right to make their own predictions of our business for any future period. Outside analysts, however, have access to no more material information about our results or plans than any other public investor, and we do not endorse their predictions as to our future performance. Nor do we assume any responsibility to correct the predictions of outside analysts or others when they differ from our own internal expectations. If our actual results differ from those that outside analysts or others have been predicting, the market price of our securities could be affected. Investors who rely on the predictions of outside analysts or others when making investment decisions with respect to our securities do so at their own risk. We take no responsibility for any lossessuffered as a result of such changes in the prices of our securities.
We are controlled by the Lauder family. As a result, the Lauder family has the ability to prevent or cause a change in control or approve, prevent or influence certain actions by us.
As of August 13, 2025, members of the Lauder family beneficially own, directly or indirectly, shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock (with one vote per share) and Class B Common Stock (with 10 votes per share) having approximately 84% of the outstanding voting power of the Common Stock. In addition, four members of the Lauder family are on our Board of Directors. One other member of the Lauder family is an executive officer.
As a result of their stock ownership and positions at the Company, as well as our dual-class structure, the Lauder family has the ability to exercise significant control and influence over our business, including all matters requiring stockholder approval (e.g., the election of directors, amendments to the certificate of incorporation, and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our Company or its assets) for the foreseeable future. In addition, if significant stock indices decide to prohibit the inclusion of companies with dual-class stock structures, the price of our Class A Common Stock could be negatively impacted and could become more volatile.
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We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange rules and, as a result, are relying on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that are designed to provide protection to stockholders of companies that are not “controlled companies.”
The Lauder family and their related entities own more than 50% of the total voting power of our common shares and, as a result, we are a “controlled company” under the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards. As a controlled company, we are exempt under the New York Stock Exchange standards from the obligation to comply with certain New York Stock Exchange corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that (1) a majority of our board of directors consists of independent directors; (2) we have a nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and (3) we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities.
While we have voluntarily caused our Board of Directors to have a majority of independent directors and the written charters of our Nominating and ESG Committee and Compensation Committee to have the required provisions, we are not requiring our Nominating and ESG Committee and Compensation Committee to be comprised solely of independent directors. As a result of our use of the “controlled company” exemptions, investors will not have the same protection afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance requirements.
Loss
Provision for income taxes
Net (loss) earnings
Net earnings attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
Net (loss) earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Percentages not adjusted for differences caused by rounding
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The following table is a comparative summary of operating results for fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, for our product categories and geographic regions and reflects the basis of presentation described in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 24 – Segment Data and Related Information , for our product categories that meet the definition of reportable segments, for all periods presented. Royalty revenue from license arrangements, and products and services that do not fit within our definitions of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care have been included in the “other” category.
Year Ended June 30,
(In millions)
NET SALES
By Product Category:
Skin Care
Makeup
Fragrance
Hair Care
Other
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities
Net sales
By Geographic Region (1) :
The Americas
Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Asia/Pacific
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities
Net sales
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME
By Product Category:
Skin Care
Makeup
Fragrance
Hair Care
Other
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Operating (loss) income
By Geographic Region (1) :
The Americas
Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Asia/Pacific
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Operating (loss) income
(1) The net sales from the Company’s travel retail business are included in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa region, with the exception of net sales of Dr.Jart+ in the travel retail channel that are reflected in Korea in the Asia/Pacific region. Operating income attributable to the travel retail sales included in Europe, the Middle East & Africa is included in that region and in The Americas. This is primarily due to certain capabilities related to the travel retail business that are centralized in The Americas region and, as such, a component of the operating income generated by this business is transferred to The Americas through an intercompany royalty.
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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.
New product innovation includes the introduction of new products, as well as changes related to existing products or markets 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 often 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 47 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 can affect our results of operations. Therefore, we present certain net sales, operating results, provision for income taxes and diluted net (loss) 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 prior year 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 across our brand portfolio to grow sales and pursue profitableopportunities. These analytics and insights, combined with our creativity, also 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.
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.
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We approach distribution strategically by product category and location and seek to optimize distribution by matching our brands with appropriate opportunities while seeking to maintain high productivity per door. We are expanding our brands' locations as we continue to seek high-growth opportunities to reach new consumers in online, freestanding stores, specialty-multi and travel retail, which we believe will be higher growth channels in the long term. We also focus on brand-building retail activities, technology-driven activations and omnichannel capabilities that enhance the shopping experience for consumers.
Outlook
We have experienced challenges within our business and we expect volatility and uncertainty to continue. Although there are early signs of stabilization in mainland China, travel retail continues to be weak and challengespersist in the West, including subdued sentiment in the U.S. and Western Europe. 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.
We are continuing to monitor and assess the potential effects of new and existing tariffs in the United States as well as in other markets in which we operate. These tariffs have led to significant volatility and uncertainty in global markets and difficulty in forecasting demand. We have implemented and are continuing to implement and consider additional mitigation measures. The impact was not material to fiscal 2025 profitability and cash flows, however, even if we can minimize some of these impacts, we anticipate higher tariff rates to have an adverse effect on fiscal 2026 profitability and cash flows, and depending on actual rates and countries imposing tariffs such adverse impacts could be material.
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 product categories, brands, geographic regions, 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 in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2025, we have embarked on "Beauty Reimagined," a strategic vision which focuses on accelerating best-in-class consumer coverage, creating transformative innovation, boosting consumer-facing investments, fueling sustainable growth through bold efficiencies and reimagining the way we work, including 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. We are also mindful of inflationary pressures (including those caused by tariffs) on our cost base and are monitoring the impact on consumer preferences, the impact of changes being made in the organization, including those related to Beauty Reimagined and the PRGP, as well as 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. In our outlook, we have made assumptions relating to these and other internal and external factors and challenges. 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.
In December 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development issued "Pillar Two" Global Anti-Base Erosion model rules for countries to enact into domestic law that would establish a 15% global minimum tax applied on a country-by-country basis for multinational companies. In certain countries that have enacted legislation incorporating the global minimum tax, it became effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2025. The estimated tax impact of such legislation has been included in the provision for income taxes for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 and was not material. We are continuing to monitor and evaluate the potential impact of newly enacted legislation incorporating the global minimum tax in additional countries.
On July 4, 2025, new U.S tax legislation was enacted. Known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, this legislation includes significant provisions, such as the permanent extension of certain expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, modifications to the international tax framework and the restoration of certain business tax provisions. The legislation has multiple effective dates, with certain provisions becoming effective in fiscal 2026. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new legislation.
We are also monitoring certain provisions in global tax regulations that may expire during fiscal 2026, which, if not extended, could increase our effective tax rate.
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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 improveefficiencies 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.
The expanded component of the restructuring program began 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, as of June 30, 2025 we 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 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, asset-related costs, contract terminations 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 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 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 8 – Charges Associated with Restructuring and Other Activities .
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Impairment Analysis
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.
Based on our annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing as of April 1, 2025, we determined that the carrying value of the Dr.Jart+ and Too Faced trademarks exceeded their estimated fair values. As it relates to Dr.Jart+, a decision was made in the prior year in the reporting unit’s operating plan to exit the travel retail channel. A revised strategy was implemented that included increased direct investment in other areas of the business, including in mainland China, to support the brand’s future growth. However, given the lower-than-expected growth within key geographic regions in fiscal 2025, specifically within mainland China and Korea, it was determined that revisions to the internal forecasts were necessary which were finalized and approved in the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter in connection with the brand’s annual planning process, and reflected in the goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing as of April 1, 2025. The Too Faced reporting unit continued to experience lower-than-expected results in key geographic regions and channels and, as such, it was determined that revisions to the internal forecasts were necessary. These changes in circumstances were also indicators that the carrying amounts of their respective long-lived assets, including customer lists, may not be recoverable.
For purposes of calculating the estimated fair values of the trademark intangible assets, we utilized the relief-from-royalty method, and recorded an impairment charge of $83 million for Dr.Jart+ and $50 million for Too Faced. We then performed a recoverability analysis of the Dr.Jart+ and Too Faced long-lived asset groups and, based on the estimated undiscounted cash flows of the asset groups, concluded that the carrying amount of the long-lived assets for Dr.Jart+ were not recoverable, whereas for Too Faced were recoverable. For purposes of calculating the impairment charge for the long-lived assets of Dr.Jart+, the asset group was determined to be the reporting unit. The estimated fair value of the asset group was based upon an equal weighting of the income and market approaches, utilizing estimated cash flows and a terminal value, discounted at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows, as well as valuation multiples derived from comparable publicly traded companies that are applied to operating performance of the asset group. As a result, the calculated impairment charge to be allocated to the long-lived assets of Dr.Jart+ was $292 million. We concluded that the carrying value of the Dr.Jart+ customer list intangible asset exceeded its estimated fair value, which was determined utilizing the multi-period excess earnings income approach by discounting the incremental after-tax cash flows over multiple periods. The estimated fair value of all other long-lived assets of Dr. Jart+ exceeded their carrying values. As a result, the $292 million impairment charge was allocated entirely to the Dr.Jart+ customer list intangible asset.
The significant assumptions used in the calculations of the Dr.Jart+ and Too Faced trademark and Dr.Jart+ customer list impairments include revenue growth rates and profit margins, terminal values, weighted average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows and royalty rates for trademarks. The most significant unobservable input used to estimate the impairments was the weighted average cost of capital, which was 10.5% for Dr.Jart+ for both the trademark and customer list impairments, and 13.5% for Too Faced.
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A summary of the impairment charges for the three and twelve months ended June 30, 2025 and the remaining trademark, customer list and goodwill carrying values as of June 30, 2025, for the TOM FORD brand and the Too Faced and Dr.Jart+ reporting units, are as follows:
Impairment Charges (1)
Carrying Value
(In millions)
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2025
Twelve Months Ended
June 30, 2025
As of June 30, 2025
Brand/Reporting Unit
Geographic Region
Trademark
Customer List
Goodwill
Trademark
Customer List
Goodwill
Trademark (2)
Customer List
Goodwill
TOM FORD
The Americas
Too Faced
The Americas
Dr.Jart+ (3)
Asia/Pacific
Total
(1) The date of the fair value measurement for the TOM FORD trademark intangible asset was December 31, 2024. The dates of the fair value measurement for the Too Faced trademark intangible asset and Too Faced reporting unit were December 31, 2024 and April 1, 2025. The date of the fair value measurement for the Dr. Jart+ trademark intangible asset and asset group was April 1, 2025.
(2) The carrying values of the trademark intangible assets, immediately subsequent to the impairment charges, are equal to their estimated fair values.
(3) The carrying value of the Dr.Jart+ asset group, immediately subsequent to the customer list impairment charge, was equal to its estimated fair value.
The impairment charge related to the TOM FORD trademark intangible asset 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 trademark and customer list impairment charges related to Dr.Jart+ were reflected in the skin care product category. The aggregate trademark and customer list impairments are recorded in the Impairment of other intangible assets line item in the accompanying consolidated statements of (loss) earnings.
Based on our annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing as of April 1, 2025, the estimated fair value of the Too Faced and Dr.Jart+ trademarks were equal to their carrying value, immediately subsequent to the impairment charges taken in the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter. Additionally, the carrying value of the Dr.Jart+ asset group was equal to its estimated fair value immediately subsequent to the impairment charges that were allocated to the customer list intangible asset.
For the TOM FORD trademark, immediately subsequent to the impairment charges taken in the fiscal 2025 second quarter the estimated fair value of the trademark was equal to its carrying value. Based on our annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing as of April 1, 2025, the estimated fair value of the TOM FORD trademark exceeded its carrying value of $1,805 million by 22%. This was primarily driven by a decrease of 150 basis points in the weighted average cost of capital as of April 1, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024. Using the December 31, 2024 weighted average cost of capital in the April 1, 2025 annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing would have caused the carrying value of the trademark to approximate its estimated fair value.
Based on our annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing as of April 1, 2025, the estimated fair values of the DECIEM trademarks exceeded their carrying values of $1,069 million by 3%. If all other assumptions are held constant, a decrease of 3% in the estimated future net sales, inclusive of the terminal value, or an increase of 20 basis points in the weighted average cost of capital, would have caused the carrying values of the trademarks to approximate their estimated fair values.
The key assumptions used to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting units and their respective trademarks and long-lived assets 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 where the reporting units operate, resulting changes in the key assumptions could negatively impact the estimated fair value of the reporting units and their respective trademarks and long-lived assets. This could potentially lead to recognizing additional impairment charges in the future.
For additional information, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 6 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
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U.S. Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
During fiscal 2025, we established a U.S. valuation allowance of $172 million against general foreign tax credit and research and development tax credit carryforwards as it was determined more-likely-than-not that these deferred tax assets would not be realized. This determination was driven by our weighing of relevant evidence including lower U.S. taxable income in fiscal 2025 as compared to recent years, reflecting reduced income from our travel retail business, and the resulting uncertainty about the ability to realize the carryforwards prior to expiration. Our ability to recognize deferred tax assets, inclusive of utilizing net operating loss carryforwards, tax credits, and other carryforwards is dependent on the generation of sufficient taxable income in future periods. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that additional valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets will not be required should our financial performance be negatively impacted in the future. Such valuation allowance could be material.
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 $159 million during the fiscal 2025 first quarter for the amount agreed to settle the current claims and an estimated amount for potential future claims. Further information about the talcum litigation settlement agreements, is described in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 17 – Commitments and Contingencies .
Fiscal 2024 as Compared with Fiscal 2023
See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 for the fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2023 comparative discussion.
Fiscal 2025 as Compared with Fiscal 2024
NET SALES
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
As Reported:
Net sales
$ Change from prior year
% Change from prior year
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change from prior year in constant currency
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 47 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Reported net sales decreased in fiscal 2025, primarily reflecting a decrease in skin care, and to a lesser extent, decreases in makeup and hair care. The decrease in skin care net sales was primarily driven by lower net sales from Estée Lauder and La Mer.
By geographic region, reported net sales decreased across all geographic regions in fiscal 2025, primarily reflecting lower net sales in our travel retail business, and to a lesser extent, in mainland China, North America and Korea.
The fiscal 2025 reported net sales decrease was impacted by approximately $28 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation.
Reported net sales decreased 8% in fiscal 2025, driven by the decrease from volume of 10%. 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.
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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 a Company-wide initiative to redesign, resize and reorganize select areas of the business. Accordingly, the following discussions of Net sales by Product Categories and Geographic Regions exclude the fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 impacts of returns/(return adjustments) associated with restructuring and other activities of approximately $(3) million and $1 million, respectively.
Product Categories
Reported net sales for our product categories for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
$ Change
% Change
% Change in Constant Currency (1)
Skin Care
Makeup
Fragrance
Hair Care
Other
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities
Net sales
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 47 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Skin Care
Reported skin care net sales decreased $946 million, or 12%, in fiscal 2025, reflecting lower net sales from Estée Lauder and La Mer, combined, of approximately $829 million, primarily driven by declines in our Asia travel retail business.
The decrease in net sales from our Asia travel retail business reflected ongoing subdued sentiment and lower conversion from Chinese consumers, the difficult comparison to the prior year due to our resumption of replenishment orders in the fiscal 2024 third quarter and our strategic decision to reduce our exposure to reseller activity, as well as retailer shifts in strategies toward more profitable duty free business models in both Korea and mainland China, which led to lower replenishment orders.
Also contributing to the decrease in net sales from Estée Lauder was lower net sales in mainland China, reflecting the overall challenging retail environment, including subdued consumer sentiment.
Skin care net sales were impacted by approximately $2 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation.
Reported skin care net sales decreased 12% in fiscal 2025, driven by the decrease from volume of 13%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 1%, due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions, partially offset by changes in mix.
Makeup
Reported makeup net sales decreased $265 million, or 6%, in fiscal 2025, reflecting lower net sales primarily from M·A·C, and to a lesser extent, Estée Lauder, Too Faced and Bobbi Brown, combined, of approximately $241 million. The decrease in net sales from M·A·C was primarily driven by lower net sales in the face subcategory and retail softness for the brand, which led to elevated levels of inventory and retailer destocking. Net sales from Estée Lauder decreased, primarily driven by lower net sales in the face subcategory, reflecting the aforementioned challenges in our Asia travel retail business. Net sales from Too Faced decreased, driven by North America, primarily reflecting lower net sales in the lip and eye subcategories. Bobbi Brown net sales decreased, primarily driven by lower net sales in the face subcategory.
Partially offsetting the reported makeup net sales decrease were higher net sales from Clinique across all geographic regions, led by North America, reflecting higher net sales associated with the fiscal 2024 third quarter launch in Amazon's U.S. Premium Beauty store, as well as the success of hero product franchises, including new product launches.
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Makeup net sales were impacted by approximately $20 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation.
Reported makeup net sales decreased 6% in fiscal 2025, driven by the decrease from volume of 9%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 3%, due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions, partially offset by changes in mix.
Fragrance
Reported fragrance net sales increased slightly in fiscal 2025, reflecting higher net sales from Le Labo and to a lesser extent, KILIAN PARIS combined, of approximately $87 million, largely offset by lower net sales from Estée Lauder, Clinique, and TOM FORD, combined, of approximately $82 million.
Net sales from Le Labo increased, reflecting growth from hero products, including growth through targeted expanded consumer reach, and new product launches. The increase in net sales from KILIAN PARIS primarily reflected the success of new product launches.
The decrease in net sales from Estée Lauder was primarily driven by lower net sales from the Estée Lauder Beautiful and Estée Lauder Pleasures franchises. Net sales from Clinique decreased, primarily driven by lower net sales from the Clinique Happy franchise line of products. The decrease in net sales from TOM FORD was primarily driven by lower net sales in North America, reflecting softness in the brand's retail sales which led to elevated levels of inventory, resulting in retailer destocking, as well as an unfavorable year-over-year impact of prior-year launches.
Fragrance net sales were impacted by approximately $4 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation.
Reported fragrance net sales increased slightly in fiscal 2025, driven by an increase from pricing of 6%, due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions and changes in mix, largely offset by the decrease from volume of 6%.
Hair Care
Reported hair care net sales decreased $64 million, or 10%, in fiscal 2025, driven by lower net sales from Aveda, and to a lesser extent, Bumble and bumble and The Ordinary, combined of approximately $66 million. Net sales from Aveda decreased, primarily reflecting our softness in brick-and-mortar channels and freestanding store closures, partially offset by the impact from its launch in Amazon's U.S. Premium Beauty store during the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter. Net sales from Bumble and bumble decreased, primarily reflecting our softness in the salon and specialty-multi channels, partially offset by higher net sales associated with its fiscal 2024 fourth quarter launch in Amazon's U.S. Premium Beauty store.
Hair care net sales were impacted by approximately $2 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation.
Reported hair care net sales decreased 10% in fiscal 2025, driven by the decrease from volume of 10%. The impact of pricing was flat year-over-year, due to the favorable impact of strategic pricing actions offset by changes in mix.
Geographic Regions
Reported net sales by geographic region for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
$ Change
% Change
% Change in Constant Currency (1)
The Americas
Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Asia/Pacific
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities
Net sales
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 47 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
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Reported net sales decreased in fiscal 2025 across all geographic regions, primarily driven by lower net sales in our travel retail business, and to a lesser extent, in mainland China, North America and Korea, combined, of approximately $1,150 million.
The decrease in net sales from our travel retail business, which is reported in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa geographic region, was primarily driven by Asia travel retail, reflecting ongoing subdued sentiment and lower conversion from Chinese consumers, the difficult comparison to the prior year due to our resumption of replenishment orders in the second half of fiscal 2024 and our strategic decision to reduce our exposure to reseller activity, as well as retailer shifts in strategies toward more profitable duty free business models in both Korea and mainland China, which led to lower replenishment orders.
The decrease in net sales in mainland China reflected the overall challenging retail environment, including subdued consumer sentiment.
The decrease in net sales in North America reflected ongoing retail softness for some brands, and pressure from subdued consumer confidence and sentiment in the second half of fiscal 2025, which led to elevated inventory levels and destocking at certain retailers, as well as the timing of shipments, which further pressured net sales compared to the prior year. Partially offsetting the net sales decline for North America in fiscal 2025 was the impact from the launch of eleven brands in Amazon's U.S. Premium Beauty store as of June 2025 compared to three brands as of June 2024, as well as the launch of three brands in the Amazon.ca (Canada) Premium Beauty store in fiscal 2025.
The net sales decline in Korea reflects the impact of political and social unrest, which reduced retail traffic and dampened retail sales, as well as the exit of Dr.Jart+ from the travel retail channel in Korea during the fiscal 2025 second quarter.
Reported net sales in The Americas decreased 4% in fiscal 2025, driven by the decrease from volume of 8% and the unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation of 1%. These decreases were partially offset by an increase from pricing of 6%, due to the favorable impact of strategic pricing actions and changes in mix.
Reported net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa decreased 12% in fiscal 2025, driven by the decrease from volume of 10% and a decrease from pricing of 3%. The decrease from pricing is due to changes in mix, partially offset by the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions.
Reported net sales in Asia/Pacific decreased 7% in fiscal 2025, driven by the decrease from volume of 12%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase from pricing of 5%, due to the favorable impact from strategic pricing actions and changes in mix.
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GROSS MARGIN
Gross margin in fiscal 2025 increased to 74.0% as compared with 71.7% in fiscal 2024.
Fiscal 2025 vs. Fiscal 2024
Favorable (Unfavorable) Basis Points
As Reported:
Mix of business
Obsolescence charges
Manufacturing costs and other
Foreign exchange transactions
Returns and charges associated with restructuring and other activities
As Reported Gross Margin Basis Point Variance
Non-GAAP Financial Measure Adjustments:
Returns and charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Non-GAAP Gross Margin Basis Point Variance
The increase in gross margin in fiscal 2025 includes net benefits from the PRGP which drove overall favorability year-over-year, including the favorability within manufacturing costs and other and obsolescence charges. The impact year-over-year from manufacturing costs and other reflects the favorable impact of cost efficiencies within our global supply chain network, partially offset by the impact of inflation on our costs. Obsolescence charges decreased year-over-year, due to a reduction in excess inventory.
Partially offsetting the increase in gross margin was the unfavorable impact from our mix of business, reflecting the impact of lower net sales, partially offset by the benefit from net strategic pricing, including from the PRGP.
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OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales in fiscal 2025 increased to 79.4% as compared with 65.4% in fiscal 2024.
Fiscal 2025 vs. Fiscal 2024
Favorable (Unfavorable) Basis Points
As Reported:
General and administrative expenses
Advertising, marketing, promotion and product development (1)
Selling
Shipping
Store operating costs
Stock-based compensation
Foreign exchange transactions
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
Changes in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options
As Reported Operating Expense Margin Basis Point Variance
Non-GAAP Financial Measure Adjustments:
Impact of restructuring and other activities
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
Changes in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options
Non-GAAP Operating Expense Margin Basis Point Variance
(1) Referred to as "advertising and promotional" within the Product Category and Geographic Region Operating Results disclosures below.
The decrease in net sales year-over-year is the primary driver of the increase in operating expense margin in fiscal 2025. This impact offset the expense reductions realized through our overall disciplined expense management across the business as well as initiatives as part of the PRGP. Partially offsetting these expense reductions were increased investments in consumer facing areas of the business to drive sales, including advertising, selling, promotion and store operating expenses. Additionally, general and administrative expenses declined reflecting benefits from the above noted disciplined expense management, however also reflected the year-over-year unfavorable impact of a change in policy related to local government subsidies in China.
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OPERATING RESULTS
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
As Reported:
Operating (loss) income
$ Change from prior year
% Change from prior year
Operating Margin
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change in operating (loss) income from the prior year 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 inclusive of payroll tax
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 47 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
The reported operating margin for fiscal 2025 decreased from the prior year, driven by the decrease in net sales as well as an increase in our operating expense margin, reflecting the unfavorable year-over-year impact of goodwill and other intangible asset impairments relating to TOM FORD, Dr.Jart+ and Too Faced, combined, of $1,286 million in fiscal 2025 compared with goodwill and other intangible asset impairments relating to Dr.Jart+ of $471 million in fiscal 2024, 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 (loss) income by Product Categories and Geographic Regions exclude the fiscal 2025 and 2024 impact of charges associated with restructuring and other activities of $486 million, or approximately 3% of net sales and $124 million, or approximately 1% of net sales, respectively.
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Product Categories
Reported Operating (loss) income for our product categories for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
$ Change
% Change
(As reported)
% Change
(Non-GAAP) (1)
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1)
Skin Care
Adjusted for the impact of goodwill and other intangible asset impairments and the change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options.
Makeup
Adjusted for the impact of goodwill and other intangible asset impairments and talcum litigation settlement agreements.
Fragrance
Adjusted for the impact of other intangible asset impairments.
Hair Care
Other
Adjusted for the impact of other intangible asset impairments.
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Operating (loss) income
(1) See “ Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 47 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Skin Care
Reported skin care operating income decreased $161 million, or 22% in fiscal 2025, reflecting lower operating income from Estée Lauder and La Mer, combined, of approximately $575 million. Operating income from Estée Lauder decreased, primarily driven by a decrease in net sales, partially offset by lower cost of sales and disciplined advertising and promotional expense management. The decrease in operating income from La Mer was primarily driven by a decrease in net sales, partially offset by lower cost of sales.
Partially offsetting the decrease in reported skin care operating income in fiscal 2025 was lower cost of sales for the product category overall, driven by the aforementioned impacts disclosed in the consolidated gross margin discussion above, as well as the favorable year-over-year impact of goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges related to Dr.Jart+ of $96 million.
Makeup
Reported makeup operating results decreased $534 million, or over 100%, in fiscal 2025, primarily driven by other intangible asset impairment charges in fiscal 2025 relating to TOM FORD and Too Faced, combined, of $295 million and a goodwill impairment charge in fiscal 2025 relating to Too Faced of $13 million, as well as the charge in the fiscal 2025 first quarter associated with the talcum litigation settlement agreements of $159 million. Also contributing to the reported makeup operating results decrease in fiscal 2025 was a decrease in operating income from Estée Lauder and M·A·C, combined, of approximately $124 million. The decrease in operating income from Estée Lauder was primarily driven by lower net sales and an increase in advertising and promotional activities to support new product launches, partially offset by lower cost of sales. Operating income from M·A·C decreased, primarily driven by a decrease in net sales, partially offset by lower cost of sales and disciplined advertising and promotional expense management. Partially offsetting the decrease in reported makeup operating results in fiscal 2025 was lower cost of sales for the product category overall, driven by the aforementioned impacts disclosed in the consolidated gross margin discussion above.
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Fragrance
Reported fragrance operating results decreased $643 million, or over 100%, in fiscal 2025, primarily driven by lower operating results from TOM FORD, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in operating income from Jo Malone London, combined, of approximately $648 million. The decrease in operating results from TOM FORD was primarily driven by the fiscal 2025 other intangible asset impairment charge of $549 million, and to a lesser extent, a decline in net sales, as well as an increase in advertising and promotional activities and an increase in selling expenses to support sales, partially offset by lower cost of sales. The decrease in operating income from Jo Malone London was primarily driven by higher selling expenses, including higher staffing costs to support key campaigns and targeted expanded consumer reach, higher advertising and promotional activities to support key campaigns and higher store operating costs to support targeted expanded consumer reach, partially offset by an increase in net sales. Partially offsetting the decline in fragrance operating results in fiscal 2025 was lower cost of sales for the product category overall, driven by the aforementioned impacts disclosed in the consolidated gross margin discussion above.
Hair Care
Reported hair care operating loss decreased $11 million or 21% in fiscal 2025, driven by lower operating expenses and cost of sales, partially offset by lower net sales.
Geographic Regions
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
$ Change
% Change
(As Reported)
% Change
(Non-GAAP) (1)
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1)
The Americas
Adjusted 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
Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Asia/Pacific
Adjusted for the impact of goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Operating (loss) income
(1) See “Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 47 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
The decrease in reported operating results in fiscal 2025 was primarily driven by lower operating results in North America, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in operating income in mainland China and in our travel retail business, combined, of approximately $1,273 million. Operating income attributable to the travel retail sales included in Europe, the Middle East & Africa is included in that region and in The Americas. This is primarily due to certain capabilities related to the travel retail business that are centralized in The Americas region and, as such, a component of the operating income generated by this business is transferred to The Americas through an intercompany royalty.
The decrease in operating results in North America was primarily driven by other intangible asset impairment charges in fiscal 2025 relating to TOM FORD and Too Faced of $898 million and a goodwill impairment charge in fiscal 2025 relating to Too Faced of $13 million, the unfavorable year-over-year impact relating to net intercompany activity, including $334 million of lower intercompany royalty income due to the decline in income from our global travel retail business, the charge in the fiscal 2025 first quarter associated with the talcum litigation settlement agreements of $159 million, and a decrease in net sales, partially offset by lower cost of sales.
The decrease in operating income in mainland China 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.
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The decrease in operating income from our travel retail business, which is reported in Europe, the Middle East & Africa, was primarily driven by a decrease in net sales, partially offset by a favorable year-over-year impact of net intercompany activity, including $334 million of lower intercompany royalty expense due to the decline in income, lower cost of sales, disciplined advertising and promotional expense management and lower shipping costs reflecting the decrease in net sales.
INTEREST AND INVESTMENT INCOME
Year Ended June 30,
(In millions)
Interest expense
Interest income and investment income, net
Interest expense decreased in fiscal 2025, primarily reflecting a lower average debt balance compared to the prior year. Interest income and investment income, net decreased in fiscal 2025, primarily reflecting a lower average cash balance and lower interest rates compared to the prior year.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes represents U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. The effective rate differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state and local income taxes, the tax impact of stock-based compensation, the taxation of foreign income and income tax reserve adjustments, which represent changes in our net liability for unrecognized tax benefits including tax settlements and lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations, as well as changes to valuation allowance based on our assessment of the realizability of deferred tax assets. Our effective tax rate will change from year to year based on recurring and non-recurring factors including the geographical mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state and local income taxes, tax reserve adjustments, the tax impact of stock-based compensation, changes to valuation allowance, the interaction of various global tax strategies and the impact from certain acquisitions.
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes:
As Reported:
Effective rate for income taxes
Basis-point change from prior year
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
Effective rate for income taxes
(1) Excludes the net impact on the effective tax rates of charges associated with restructuring and other activities, goodwill and other intangible asset impairments, U.S. deferred tax asset valuation allowance adjustment and talcum litigation settlement agreements for fiscal 2025 and charges associated with restructuring and other activities, goodwill and other intangible asset impairments and changes in the fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options inclusive of payroll tax for fiscal 2024. See “Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 47 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
The effective tax rate for fiscal 2025 decreased approximately 5,590 basis points. The decrease was primarily attributable to the higher effective tax rate on income from our foreign operations of approximately 2,630 basis points, due to our geographical mix of earnings for fiscal 2025, establishment of a valuation allowance against general foreign tax credit and research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately 1,651 basis points, the impact of nondeductible goodwill impairment charges associated with the Too Faced reporting unit of approximately 800 basis points and the unfavorable impact associated with previously issued stock-based compensation of approximately 640 basis points. The loss before income taxes due to the goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges, as well as the charges associated with restructuring and other activities and talcum litigation settlement agreements increased the impact of these tax adjustments.
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NET (LOSS) EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions, except per share data)
As Reported:
Net (loss) earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
$ Change from prior year
% Change from prior year
Diluted net (loss) earnings per common share
% Change from prior year
Non-GAAP Financial Measure (1) :
% Change in diluted net (loss) earnings per common share from the prior year adjusting for the impact of charges associated with restructuring and other activities, goodwill and other intangible asset impairments, U.S. deferred tax asset valuation allowance adjustment, talcum litigation settlement agreements and the change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options inclusive of payroll tax.
(1) See “Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 47 for reconciliations between non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
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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 (loss) income, Provision for income taxes and Diluted net (loss) earnings per common share adjusted to exclude the impact of charges associated with restructuring and other activities; goodwill and other intangible asset impairments; U.S. deferred tax asset valuation allowance adjustment; talcum litigation settlement agreements; the change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options inclusive of payroll tax; 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.
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Year Ended June 30,
% Change
% Change in Constant Currency
($ in millions, except per share data)
Variance
Net sales, as reported
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities
Net sales, as adjusted
Operating (loss) income, as reported
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Goodwill impairment
Impairment of other intangible assets
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
Change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options inclusive of payroll tax
Operating income, as adjusted
Provision for income taxes, as reported
Effective rate for income taxes, as reported
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
U.S. deferred tax asset valuation allowance adjustment
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
Provision for income taxes, as adjusted
Effective rate for income taxes, as adjusted
Diluted net (loss) earnings per common share, as reported
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments
U.S. deferred tax asset valuation allowance adjustment
Talcum litigation settlement agreements
Change in fair value of DECIEM acquisition-related stock options inclusive of payroll tax (less portion attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest)
Diluted net earnings per common share, as adjusted
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.
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The following table reconciles 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
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
Variance
Impact of
foreign currency translation
Variance,
in constant currency
% Change, as reported
% Change, in constant currency
By Product Category:
Skin Care
Makeup
Fragrance
Hair Care
Other
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities
Total
By Geographic Region:
The Americas
Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Asia/Pacific
Returns associated with restructuring and other activities
Total
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The following table reconciles the change in operating results by product category and geographic region, as reported, to the change in operating results excluding 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 inclusive of payroll tax:
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 inclusive of payroll tax
Variance, as adjusted
% Change, as reported
% Change, as adjusted
Year Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
Variance
By Product Category:
Skin Care
Makeup
Fragrance
Hair Care
Other
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Total
By Geographic Region:
The Americas
Europe, the Middle East & Africa
Asia/Pacific
Charges associated with restructuring and other activities
Total
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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 June 30, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $2,921 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 remaining applicable foreign earnings. We do not believe that continuing to reinvest these remaining 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 operating results during fiscal 2025 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.
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 facilities. 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 August 13, 2025, our long-term debt is rated A- with a negative outlook by Standard & Poor’s and A3 with a negative outlook by Moody’s.
Debt and Access to Liquidity
Total debt as a percent of total capitalization was 65% and 59% at June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
For further information regarding our current and long-term debt and available financing, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 12 – Debt .
Cash Flows
Year Ended June 30,
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used for investing activities
Net cash used for financing activities
The change in net cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily driven by lower net earnings in fiscal 2025, 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, as compared to the reduction in inventory in the current year.
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.
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The change in net cash flows used for financing activities primarily reflected the favorable year-over-year impacts of repayments of commercial paper in the prior year, payments associated with the purchase of the remaining interest in DECIEM during fiscal 2024 and a decrease in dividends paid to stockholders in the current year, partially offset by the unfavorable year-over-year impact of the repayment of long-term debt in the current year and issuance of long-term debt in the prior year.
See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Financial Condition of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 for the fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2023 comparative discussions.
Dividends
For a summary of quarterly cash dividends declared per share on our Class A and Class B Common Stock during the year ended June 30, 2025 and through August 13, 2025, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 18 – Common Stock .
Pension and Post-retirement Plan Funding
Several factors influence the annual funding requirements for our pension plans. For our domestic trust-based noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan (“U.S. Qualified Plan”), we seek to maintain appropriate funded percentages. For any future contributions to the U.S. Qualified Plan, we would seek to contribute an amount or amounts that would not be less than the minimum required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, (“ERISA”) and subsequent pension legislation, and would not be more than the maximum amount deductible for income tax purposes. For each international plan, our funding policies are determined by local laws and regulations. In addition, amounts necessary to fund future obligations under these plans could vary depending on estimated assumptions . The effect of our pension plan funding on future operating results will depend on economic conditions, employee demographics, mortality rates, the number of participants electing to take lump-sum distributions, investment performance and funding decisions.
For the U.S. Qualified Plan, we maintain an investment strategy of matching the duration of a substantial portion of the plan assets with the duration of the underlying plan liabilities. This strategy assists us in maintaining our overall funded ratio. For fiscal 2025 and 2024, we met or exceeded all contribution requirements under ERISA regulations for the U.S. Qualified Plan.
The following table summarizes actual and expected benefit payments and contributions for our other pension and post-retirement plans:
Year Ended June 30,
(In millions)
Expected 2026
Non-qualified domestic noncontributory pension plan benefit payments
International defined benefit pension plan contributions
Post-retirement plan benefit payments
Commitments and Contingencies
For a discussion of our commitments and contingencies, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 17 – Commitments and Contingencies .
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Contractual Obligations
For a discussion of our contractual obligations, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 17 – Commitments and Contingencies (Contractual Obligations) .
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
For a discussion of our derivative financial instruments and hedging activities, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 13 – Derivative Financial Instruments .
Foreign Exchange Risk Management
For a discussion of foreign exchange risk management, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 13 – Derivative Financial Instruments (Fair value hedges, Cash Flow Hedges, Net Investment Hedges) .
Credit Risk
For a discussion of credit risk, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 13 – 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, anticipated transactions and receivables and payables and the net investment in certain foreign operations. 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 $223 million and $371 million as of June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. This potential change does not consider our underlying foreign currency exposures.
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 June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
In addition, we enter into interest rate derivatives to manage the effects of interest rate movements on our funded indebtedness, 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 $43 million and $48 million as of June 30, 2025 and 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.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Refer to Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for discussion regarding the impact of accounting standards that were recently issued but not yet effective, on our consolidated financial statements.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition at June 30, 2025 and our results of operations for the three fiscal years ended June 30, 2025 are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“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. We consider accounting estimates to be critical if the accounting estimate both (i) involves a significant level of estimation uncertainty, and (ii) has had or is reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. Our critical accounting policies relate to Goodwill and Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets – Impairment Assessment, Dr.Jart+ Other Intangible Asset – Impairment and Income Taxes.
Our management has discussed the selection of critical accounting policies and the effect of estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Goodwill and Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets – Impairment Assessment and Dr.Jart+ Other Intangible Asset – Impairment
Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the cost of purchased businesses over the estimated fair value of their underlying net assets. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets principally consist of trademarks. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized.
When testing goodwill for impairment, we have the option of first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. The quantitative impairment test for goodwill encompasses calculating the estimated fair value of a reporting unit and comparing the estimated fair value to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recorded, up to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
When testing other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, we also have the option of first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the other indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative test. The quantitative impairment test for other indefinite-lived intangible assets encompasses calculating the estimated fair value of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset and comparing the estimated fair value to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.
When events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, a recoverability test is performed comparing projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset or asset group to its carrying value. If the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, then an impairment charge would be measured and recorded for the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value.
For fiscal 2025 and 2024, we elected to perform the qualitative assessment for the goodwill in certain of our reporting units and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. This qualitative assessment included the review of certain macroeconomic factors and entity-specific qualitative factors to determine if it was more-likely-than-not that the estimated fair values of the reporting units and other indefinite-lived intangible assets were below their carrying values. We considered macroeconomic factors including global economic growth, general macroeconomic trends for the markets in which the reporting units operate and the intangible assets are employed, and the growth of the global prestige beauty industry. In addition to these macroeconomic factors, among other things, we considered the reporting units’ current results and forecasts, any changes in the nature of the business, any significant legal, regulatory, contractual, political or other business climate factors, changes in the industry/competitive environment, changes in the composition or carrying amount of net assets and the Company's intention to sell or dispose of a reporting unit or cease the use of a trademark.
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For fiscal 2025 and 2024, a quantitative assessment was performed for the goodwill in certain of our reporting units and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We engaged third-party valuation specialists and used industry accepted valuation models and criteria that were reviewed and approved by various levels of management. To determine the estimated fair value of the reporting units, we used an equal weighting of the income and market approaches. Under the income approach, we determined the estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow method, projecting future cash flows of each reporting unit, as well as a terminal value, and discounting such cash flows at a rate of return that reflected the relative risk of the cash flows. Under the market approach, we utilized market multiples from publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting unit. The significant assumptions used in these two approaches include revenue growth rates and profit margins, terminal value, weighted average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows and comparable market multiples for the reporting unit. To determine the estimated fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets, we used an income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes that, in lieu of ownership, a third party would be willing to pay a royalty in order to obtain the rights to use the comparable asset. The significant assumptions used in this approach include revenue growth rates and profit margins, terminal value, weighted average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows and a royalty rate.
For fiscal 2025, changes in circumstances at the Dr.Jart+ reporting unit indicated that the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, including the customer list, were not recoverable. The Company first determines the asset group which is defined as the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. The asset group was determined to be at the reporting unit level. Based on the estimated undiscounted cash flows of the asset group, the carrying amount of the long-lived assets for Dr.Jart+ were not recoverable. To calculate the impairment, the estimated fair value of the asset group was determined in the same manner as the quantitative assessment performed for goodwill described above, using an equal weighting of the income and market approaches. Estimated fair values for each of the assets within the asset group were also determined. The calculated impairmentloss for the asset group only reduces the carrying amounts of the long-lived assets of the group and is allocated on a pro rata basis using the relative carrying amounts of those assets, however, the allocated impairmentloss cannot reduce the carrying amount of a long-lived asset below its estimated fair value. As a result of the estimated fair values, the impairment charge was allocated entirely to the Dr.Jart+ customer list intangible asset.
For further discussion of the methods used and factors considered in our estimates as part of the impairment testing for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets and impairment of the Dr.Jart+ customer list intangible asset, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 6 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets .
Income Taxes
We calculate and provide for income taxes in each tax jurisdiction in which we operate. As the application of various tax laws relevant to our global business is often uncertain, significant judgment is required in determining our annual tax expense and in evaluating our tax positions. The provision for income taxes includes the amounts payable or refundable for the current year, the effect of deferred taxes and impacts from uncertain tax positions.
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, net operating losses, tax credit and other carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates when the assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. We regularly review deferred tax assets for realizability and establish valuation allowances based on available evidence including historical operating losses, projected future taxable income, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences, and appropriate tax planning strategies. If our assessment of the realizability of a deferred tax asset changes, an increase to a valuation allowance will result in a reduction of net earnings at that time, while the reduction of a valuation allowance will result in an increase of net earnings at that time.
We provide tax reserves for U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax exposures relating to periods subject to audit. The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate. We assess our tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates. For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will not be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. We classify applicable interest and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes. Although the outcome relating to these exposures is uncertain, in our opinion adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for estimable potential liabilities emanating from these exposures. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on our consolidated net earnings.
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For further discussion of Income Taxes, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 9 – Income Taxes .
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:
(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;
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(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 improvedefficiency, 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;
(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 this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
We assume no responsibility to update forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise.
