form10-q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­                  

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
T
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

  OR

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from___________ to ____________.

  Commission File Number: 1-644

  COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
13-1815595
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

300 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10022
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

  (212) 310-2000
  (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

  NO CHANGES
  (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x   No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
 
Class
 
Shares Outstanding
 
Date
Common stock, $1.00 par value
   497,191,128  
September 30, 2009
 


 
 

 

PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 


   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
                         
   
2009
      2008(A)       2009       2008(A)  
                               
Net sales
  $ 3,998     $ 3,988     $ 11,246     $ 11,666  
Cost of sales
    1,631       1,752       4,665       5,090  
Gross profit
    2,367       2,236       6,581       6,576  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    1,403       1,415       3,885       4,187  
Other (income) expense, net
    38       30       72       65  
Operating profit
    926       791       2,624       2,324  
Interest expense, net
    17       23       59       82  
Income before income taxes
    909       768       2,565       2,242  
Provision for income taxes
    292       246       824       717  
Net income including noncontrolling interests
    617       522       1,741       1,525  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    27       22       81       65  
Net income
  $ 590     $ 500     $ 1,660     $ 1,460  
                                 
Earnings per common share, basic
  $ 1.17     $ 0.98     $ 3.27     $ 2.84  
                                 
Earnings per common share, diluted
  $ 1.12     $ 0.94     $ 3.16     $ 2.72  
                                 
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.44     $ 0.40     $ 1.28     $ 1.16  
 
(A)
Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation required by the Consolidation Topic of the FASB Codification. See Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
 
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
2

 
 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Millions)
(Unaudited)
 

 
   
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008(A)
 
Assets
           
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 847     $ 555  
Receivables (net of allowances of $51 and $47, respectively)
    1,780       1,592  
Inventories
    1,241       1,197  
Other current assets
    336       366  
Total current assets
    4,204       3,710  
Property, plant and equipment:
               
Cost
    6,466       5,937  
Less:  Accumulated depreciation
    (3,115 )     (2,818 )
      3,351       3,119  
Goodwill, net
    2,296       2,152  
Other intangible assets, net
    826       834  
Other assets
    390       164  
Total assets
  $ 11,067     $ 9,979  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Current Liabilities
               
Notes and loans payable
  $ 62     $ 107  
Current portion of long-term debt
    318       91  
Accounts payable
    1,084       1,061  
Accrued income taxes
    289       272  
Other accruals
    1,838       1,421  
Total current liabilities
    3,591       2,952  
                 
Long-term debt
    2,883       3,585  
Deferred income taxes
    125       82  
Other liabilities
    1,357       1,316  
                 
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Preference stock
    171       181  
Common stock
    733       733  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,694       1,610  
Retained earnings
    12,761       11,760  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (2,125 )     (2,477 )
      13,234       11,807  
Unearned compensation
    (139 )     (187 )
Treasury stock, at cost
    (10,143 )     (9,697 )
Total Colgate-Palmolive Company shareholders’ equity
    2,952       1,923  
Noncontrolling interests
    159       121  
Total shareholders’ equity
    3,111       2,044  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 11,067     $ 9,979  
 
(A)
Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation required by the Consolidation Topic of the FASB Codification. See Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
 
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
3

 
 
  COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Millions)
(Unaudited)
 

 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
             
   
2009
      2008(A)  
Operating Activities
             
Net income
  $ 1,660     $ 1,460  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
               
Restructuring, net of cash
    (14 )     (36 )
Depreciation and amortization
    262       261  
Stock-based compensation expense
    97       82  
Deferred income taxes
    16       38  
Cash effects of changes in:
               
Receivables
    (104 )     (132 )
Inventories
    10       (176 )
Accounts payable and other accruals
    355       162  
Other non-current assets and liabilities
    93       118  
Net cash provided by operations
    2,375       1,777  
                 
Investing Activities
               
Capital expenditures
    (347 )     (392 )
Sales (purchases) of marketable securities and investments
    (147 )     1  
Other
    10       50  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (484 )     (341 )
                 
Financing Activities
               
Principal payments on debt
    (3,011 )     (1,424 )
Proceeds from issuance of debt
    2,561       1,447  
Dividends paid
    (702 )     (627 )
Purchases of treasury shares
    (664 )     (833 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and excess tax benefits
    196       224  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (1,620 )     (1,213 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents
    21       (17 )
Net increase in Cash and cash equivalents
    292       206  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    555       429  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 847     $ 635  
                 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
               
Income taxes paid
  $ 853     $ 662  
 
(A)
Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation required by the Consolidation Topic of the FASB Codification. See Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
 
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
4

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
1.
Basis of Presentation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments which, in management’s opinion, are necessary for a fair statement of the results for interim periods.  Results of operations for interim periods may not be representative of results to be expected for a full year.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. To conform to the current year presentation required by the Consolidation Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Codification, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in less-than-wholly owned subsidiaries has been reclassified from Other (income) expense, net to a new line below Operating profit called Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.  The reclassification had no effect on Net income or Earnings per common share. Additionally, prior period balances of accumulated undistributed earnings relating to noncontrolling interests in less-than-wholly owned subsidiaries have been reclassified from Other liabilities to a component of Shareholders’ Equity.  For further information regarding the impact of these reclassifications on segments, refer to Note 10.

For a complete set of financial notes including the significant accounting policies of Colgate-Palmolive Company (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “Colgate”), refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2.
Use of Estimates

Provision for certain expenses, including income taxes, media advertising and consumer promotion, are based on full year assumptions and are included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in proportion with estimated annual tax rates, the passage of time or estimated annual sales.  There have been no material events subsequent to the balance sheet date through October 29, 2009, the filing date of this report, that would have affected these estimates.

3.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In December 2008, the Retirement Benefits Topic of the FASB Codification was updated to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The updated guidance requires an employer to disclose information on the investment policies and strategies as well as on the significant concentrations of risk in plan assets. An employer must also disclose the fair value of each major category of plan assets as of each annual reporting date together with the information on the inputs and valuation techniques used to develop such fair value measurements. The new disclosure requirements will be effective for the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2009 and will have no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 
5

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
4.
Inventories

Inventories by major class are as follows:

   
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
Raw materials and supplies
  $ 308     $ 297  
Work-in-process
    53       41  
Finished goods
    880       859  
Total Inventories
  $ 1,241     $ 1,197  
 
5.
Shareholders’ Equity

Major changes in the components of Shareholders’ Equity since the beginning of 2009 are as follows:

   
Colgate-Palmolive Company shareholders’ equity
   
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
                                       
Accumulated
       
   
Preference
   
Common
   
Additional Paid-in
   
Unearned
   
Treasury
   
Retained
   
Other
Comprehensive
       
   
Stock
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Compensation
   
Stock
   
Earnings
   
Income (Loss)
       
Balance, December 31, 2008
  $ 181     $ 733     $ 1,610     $ (187 )   $ (9,697 )   $ 11,760     $ (2,477 )   $ 121  
Net income
                                            1,660               81  
Other comprehensive income
                                                    352          
Dividends declared:
                                                               
Series B Convertible Preference stock, net of taxes
                                            (22 )                
Common stock
                                            (637 )                
Noncontrolling interests in Company’s subsidiaries
                                                            (43 )
Stock-based compensation expense
                    97                                          
Shares issued for stock options
                    66               123                          
Treasury stock acquired
                                    (664 )                        
Preference stock conversion
    (10 )              (41              51                          
Other
                    (38 )     48       44                          
Balance, September 30, 2009
  $ 171     $ 733     $ 1,694     $ (139 )   $ (10,143 )   $ 12,761     $ (2,125 )   $ 159  

 
6

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), as reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, primarily consists of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments and unrecognized pension and other retiree benefit costs.

The following are components of comprehensive income:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
2009
   
September 30,
2008
   
September 30,
2009
   
September 30, 
2008
 
Net income
  $ 590     $ 500     $ 1,660     $ 1,460  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    165       (341 )     332       (149 )
Unrecognized pension and other retiree benefit cost adjustments
    (12 )     (10 )     10       (2 )
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
    (1 )     (13 )     10       (12 )
Other
    -       10       -       6  
Total comprehensive income
  $ 742     $ 146     $ 2,012     $ 1,303  

6.
Earnings Per Share

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Per Share
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Per Share
 
Net income
  $ 590                 $ 500              
Preferred dividends
    (7 )                 (7 )            
Basic EPS
    583       499.1     $ 1.17       493       505.5     $ 0.98  
                                                 
Stock options and restricted stock
            4.4                       6.2          
Convertible preference stock
    7       21.1               7       22.6          
Diluted EPS
  $ 590       524.6     $ 1.12     $ 500       534.3     $ 0.94  

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Per Share
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Per Share
 
Net income
  $ 1,660                 $ 1,460              
Preferred dividends
    (22 )                 (21 )            
Basic EPS
    1,638       500.2     $ 3.27       1,439       507.2     $ 2.84  
                                                 
Stock options and restricted stock
            3.3                       6.4          
Convertible preference stock
    22       21.5               21       23.1          
Diluted EPS
  $ 1,660       525.0     $ 3.16     $ 1,460       536.7     $ 2.72  
 
 
7

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 


7.
Restructuring and Related Implementation Charges

The Company’s four-year restructuring and business-building program (the 2004 Restructuring Program) to enhance the Company’s global leadership position in its core businesses was finalized as of December 31, 2008 and there were no charges incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The restructuring accrual decreased from $33 at December 31, 2008 to $19 at September 30, 2009 primarily due to cash payments for termination benefits, exit activities and the implementation of new strategies.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 restructuring and implementation-related charges are reflected in the income statement as follows:

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2008
 
Cost of sales
  $ 11     $ 48  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    21       55  
Other (income) expense, net
    14       22  
Total 2004 Restructuring Program charges, pretax
  $ 46     $ 125  
Total 2004 Restructuring Program charges, aftertax
  $ 31     $ 82  

Restructuring and implementation-related charges in the preceding table were recorded in the Corporate segment as these decisions were predominantly centrally directed and controlled and were not included in internal measures of segment operating performance.

Charges for the three months ended September 30, 2008 relate to the 2004 Restructuring Program in North America (27%), Europe/South Pacific (21%), Latin America (1%), Greater Asia/Africa (21%) and Corporate (30%).   Charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 relate to the 2004 Restructuring Program in North America (33%), Europe/South Pacific (19%), Latin America (1%), Greater Asia/Africa (15%), Pet Nutrition (4%) and Corporate (28%).

 
8

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 


8.
Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits

Components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Retiree Benefits
 
   
United States
   
International
               
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Service cost
  $ 10     $ 10     $ 4     $ 5     $ 1     $ 3  
Interest cost
    23       24       10       9       9       9  
Annual ESOP allocation
    -       -       -       -       (1 )     (2 )
Expected return on plan assets
    (21 )     (29 )     (6 )     (7 )     (1 )     (1 )
Amortization of transition & prior service costs (credits)
    1       1       -       -       -       -  
Amortization of actuarial loss
    14       2       2       1       4       2  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 27     $ 8     $ 10     $ 8     $ 12     $ 11  
 
   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Retiree Benefits
 
   
United States
   
International
             
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Service cost
  $ 32     $ 30     $ 12     $ 17     $ 8     $ 8  
Interest cost
    71       71       27       30       27       25  
Annual ESOP allocation
    -       -       -       -       (5 )     (7 )
Expected return on plan assets
    (67 )     (86 )     (17 )     (26 )     (2 )     (2 )
Amortization of transition & prior service costs (credits)
    3       3       1       1       -       -  
Amortization of actuarial loss
    37       5       4       2       10       7  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 76     $ 23     $ 27     $ 24     $ 38     $ 31  
 
 
9

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 


9.
Contingencies

The Company is contingently liable with respect to lawsuits, environmental matters, taxes and other matters arising in the normal course of business.

Management proactively reviews and monitors the Company’s exposure to, and the impact of, environmental matters. The Company is party to various environmental matters and, as such, may be responsible for all or a portion of the cleanup, restoration and post-closure monitoring of several sites. In June 2009, a Consent Decree was entered by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey with respect to a superfund site associated with a prior acquisition.  Substantially all of the Company’s liability with respect to that site was covered by the Company’s insurance carriers, which have made all their required payments.
 
As a matter of course, the Company is regularly audited by the IRS and other tax authorities around the world in countries where it conducts business. In this regard, the IRS has completed its examination of the Company’s federal income tax returns through 2005 and is currently examining those for 2006 and 2007. The amount of additional tax involved as a result of assessments arising from the IRS examination did not have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.  Estimated incremental tax payments related to potential disallowances for subsequent periods are insignificant.
 
In December 2006, a subsidiary of the Company received an income tax assessment from the Mexican tax authorities for the year 1999 totaling approximately $159, at the current exchange rate, including interest and penalties, challenging the transfer pricing on transactions between that subsidiary and another of the Company’s subsidiaries located in the United States. In April 2008, the same subsidiary of the Company received a similar income tax assessment from the Mexican tax authorities for the years 2000 and 2001 totaling approximately $583, at the current exchange rate, including interest and penalties. The Company, through its subsidiary, requested and received in 1999 a written advance ruling from the Mexican tax authorities for income tax matters on which the Company relied in subsequently claiming on its returns the income tax treatment to which these assessments relate. Although the Company believes, based on the advice of outside counsel, that its income tax filings are in full compliance with the written advance ruling and applicable tax law and regulations, in June 2009, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the Mexican tax authorities which resolves the transfer pricing disputes for the years 1999-2001, as well as any potential disputes which could arise for 2002-2007. As part of the settlement, the Mexican tax authorities withdrew the assessments of tax and interest for the years 1999-2001 and the Company made a payment of tax and interest related to the years 2002-2007. The net impact of the settlement was not material and approximated reserves previously taken by the Company for this matter.
 
In 2001, the Central Bank of Brazil sought to impose a substantial fine on the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary (approximately $147 at the current exchange rate) based on alleged foreign exchange violations in connection with the financing of the Company’s 1995 acquisition of the Kolynos oral care business from Wyeth (formerly American Home Products) (the Seller), as described in the Company’s Form 8-K dated January 10, 1995. The Company appealed the imposition of the fine to the Brazilian Monetary System Appeals Council (the Council), and on January 30, 2007, the Council decided the appeal in the Company’s favor, dismissing the fine entirely. Certain tax and civil proceedings that began as a result of this Central Bank matter are still outstanding as described below.

 
10

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 


The Brazilian internal revenue authority has disallowed interest deductions and foreign exchange losses taken by the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary for certain years in connection with the financing of the Kolynos acquisition. The tax assessments with interest, at the current exchange rate, approximate $112. The Company has been disputing the disallowances by appealing the assessments within the internal revenue authority’s appellate process with the following results to date:
 
 
·
In June 2005, the First Board of Taxpayers ruled in the Company’s favor and allowed all of the previously claimed deductions for 1996 through 1998. In March 2007, the First Board of Taxpayers ruled in the Company’s favor and allowed all of the previously claimed deductions for 1999 through 2001. The tax authorities appealed these decisions to the next administrative level.

 
·
In August 2009, the First Taxpayers’ Council (the next and final administrative level of appeal) overruled the decisions of the First Board of Taxpayers, upholding the majority of the assessments, disallowing a portion of the assessments and remanding a portion of the assessments for further consideration by the First Board of Taxpayers.
 
Further appeals are available within the Brazilian federal courts and the Company intends to challenge these assessments vigorously. Although there can be no assurances, management believes, based on the opinion of its Brazilian legal counsel and other advisors, that the disallowances are without merit and that the Company should prevail on appeal in the Brazilian federal courts.
 
In 2002, the Brazilian Federal Public Attorney filed a civil action against the federal government of Brazil, Laboratorios Wyeth-Whitehall Ltda. (the Brazilian subsidiary of the Seller) and the Company, as represented by its Brazilian subsidiary, seeking to annul an April 2000 decision by the Brazilian Board of Tax Appeals that found in favor of the Seller’s Brazilian subsidiary on the issue of whether it had incurred taxable capital gains as a result of the divestiture of Kolynos. The action seeks to make the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary jointly and severally liable for any tax due from the Seller’s Brazilian subsidiary. Although there can be no assurances, management believes, based on the opinion of its Brazilian legal counsel, that the Company should ultimately prevail in this action. The Company intends to challenge this action vigorously.
 
In December 2005, the Brazilian internal revenue authority issued to the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary a tax assessment with interest and penalties of approximately $67, at the current exchange rate, based on a claim that certain purchases of U.S. Treasury bills by the subsidiary and their subsequent disposition during the period 2000 to 2001 were subject to a tax on foreign exchange transactions. The Company is disputing the assessment within the internal revenue authority’s administrative appeals process. In October 2007, the Second Board of Taxpayers, which has jurisdiction over these matters, ruled in favor of the internal revenue authority. In January 2008, the Company appealed this decision to the next administrative level. Although there can be no assurances, management believes, based on the advice of its Brazilian legal counsel, that the tax assessment is without merit and that the Company should prevail on appeal either at the administrative level or, if necessary, in the Brazilian federal courts. The Company intends to challenge this assessment vigorously.

 
11

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
During the period from February 2006 to June 2009, the Company learned that investigations relating to potential competition law violations involving the Company’s subsidiaries had been commenced by governmental authorities in the European Union, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In February 2008, the federal competition authority in Germany imposed fines on four of the Company’s competitors, but the Company was not fined due to its cooperation with the German authorities, consistent with the Company’s policy to cooperate with the authorities in such matters as discussed below. The Company understands that many of these investigations also involve other consumer goods companies and/or retail customers. At this time, a statement of objections, or claim of a violation, has been made against the Company in the Swiss, Greek and Spanish matters.  The Company’s policy is to comply with antitrust and competition laws and, if a violation of any such laws is found, to take appropriate remedial action and to cooperate fully with any related governmental inquiry. The Company has undertaken a comprehensive review of its selling practices and related competition law compliance in Europe and elsewhere and, where the Company has identified a lack of compliance, it is undertaking remedial action. Competition and antitrust law investigations often continue for several years and can result in substantial fines for violations that are found. Such fines, depending on the gravity and duration of the infringement as well as the value of the sales involved, have amounted in some cases to hundreds of millions of dollars. While the Company cannot predict the final financial impact of these competition law issues as these matters may change, the Company has taken and will, as necessary, take additional reserves as and when appropriate.

In October 2007, a putative class action claiming that certain aspects of the cash balance portion of the Colgate-Palmolive Company Employees’ Retirement Income Plan (the Plan) do not comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act was filed against the Plan and the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Specifically, Proesel, et al. v. Colgate-Palmolive Company Employees’ Retirement Income Plan, et al. alleges improper calculation of lump sum distributions, age discrimination and failure to satisfy minimum accrual requirements, thereby resulting in the underpayment of benefits to Plan participants. Two other putative class actions filed earlier in 2007, Abelman, et al. v. Colgate-Palmolive Company Employees’ Retirement Income Plan, et al., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and Caufield v. Colgate-Palmolive Company Employees’ Retirement Income Plan, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, both alleging improper calculation of lump sum distributions and, in the case of Abelman, claims for failure to satisfy minimum accrual requirements, were transferred to the Southern District of New York and consolidated with Proesel into one action, In re Colgate-Palmolive ERISA Litigation. The complaint in the consolidated action alleges improper calculation of lump sum distributions and failure to satisfy minimum accrual requirements, but does not include a claim for age discrimination. The relief sought includes recalculation of benefits in unspecified amounts, pre- and post-judgment interest, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. This action has not been certified as a class action as yet. In June 2009, the parties agreed to non-binding mediation in an effort to settle the case.  If this mediation is not successful, the Company and the Plan intend to contest this action vigorously.

 
12

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
While it is possible that the Company’s cash flows and results of operations in a particular quarter or year could be materially affected by the impact of the above-noted contingencies, it is the opinion of management that these matters will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, ongoing results of operations or cash flows.

10.
Segment Information

The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, including Operating profit.  The Company uses Operating profit as a measure of the operating segment performance because it excludes the impact of corporate-driven decisions related to interest expense and income taxes. Corporate operations include stock-based compensation related to stock options and restricted stock awards, research and development costs, Corporate overhead costs, restructuring and related implementation costs and gains and losses on sales of non-core product lines and assets.  The Company reports these items within Corporate operations as they relate to Corporate-based responsibilities and decisions and are not included in the internal measures of segment operating performance used by the Company in order to measure the underlying performance of the business segments.

To conform to the current year presentation required by the Consolidation Topic of the FASB  Codification, the amounts of Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in less-than-wholly owned subsidiaries of $22 and $65 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, which were previously deducted from Greater Asia/Africa Operating profit, have been reclassified to a new line below Operating profit.

 
13

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
Net sales and Operating profit by segment were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net sales
                       
Oral, Personal and Home Care
                       
North America
  $ 740     $ 718     $ 2,204     $ 2,142  
Latin America
    1,136       1,081       3,097       3,092  
Europe/South Pacific
    896       948       2,406       2,815  
Greater Asia/Africa
    695       717       1,972       2,043  
Total Oral, Personal and Home Care
    3,467       3,464       9,679       10,092  
Pet Nutrition
    531       524       1,567       1,574  
Total Net sales
  $ 3,998     $ 3,988     $ 11,246     $ 11,666  
                                 
Operating profit
                               
Oral, Personal and Home Care
                               
North America
  $ 217     $ 164     $ 608     $ 497  
Latin America
    346       312       987       887  
Europe/South Pacific
    219       206       539       600  
Greater Asia/Africa
    161       138       457       392  
Total Oral, Personal and Home Care
    943       820       2,591       2,376  
Pet Nutrition
    136       133       407       391  
Corporate
    (153 )     (162 )     (374 )     (443 )
Total Operating profit
  $ 926     $ 791     $ 2,624     $ 2,324  

 
14

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
11.
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments
 
The Company uses available market information and other valuation methodologies in assessing the fair value of financial instruments. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value and accordingly, changes in assumptions or the estimation methodologies may affect the fair value estimates.  The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial instrument contracts; however, nonperformance is considered unlikely as it is the Company’s policy to contract with highly rated diverse counterparties.

Derivative Instruments

The Company’s derivative instruments include interest rate swap contracts, foreign currency contracts and commodity contracts.  The Company utilizes interest rate swap contracts to manage its targeted mix of fixed and floating rate debt, and these swaps are valued using observable benchmark rates (Level 2 valuation). Foreign currency contracts consist of forward and swap contracts utilized to hedge a portion of the Company’s foreign currency purchases, assets and liabilities created in the normal course of business as well as the net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries. These contracts are valued using observable forward rates (Level 2 valuation). Commodity contracts are utilized to hedge the purchases of raw materials used in the Company’s operations. These contracts are measured using quoted commodity exchange prices (Level 1 valuation). The duration of foreign currency and commodity contracts generally does not exceed 18 months.

It is the Company’s policy to enter into derivative instrument contracts with terms that match the underlying exposure being hedged. As such, the Company’s derivative instruments are considered highly effective. Hedge ineffectiveness, if any, is not material for any period presented.

Financial Statement Classification
 
The Company holds derivative instruments that are designated as hedging instruments as well as certain instruments not so designated.  The following table discloses the fair value as of September 30, 2009 for both types of derivative instruments:

 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Account
 
Fair Value
 
Account
 
Fair Value
 
Designated derivative instruments
               
Interest rate swap contracts
Other assets
  $ 20  
Other liabilities
  $ -  
Foreign currency contracts
Other current assets
    3  
Other accruals
    23  
Commodity contracts
Other current assets
    -  
Other accruals
    1  
Total designated
    $ 23       $ 24  
                     
Derivatives not designated
                   
Foreign currency contracts
Other current assets
  $ 4  
Other accruals
  $ -  
Total not designated
    $ 4       $ -  
                     
Total
    $ 27       $ 24  

 
15

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist of a cross-currency swap which serves as an economic hedge of a foreign currency deposit.  The cross-currency swap replaced a previous swap with similar terms that settled in June 2009, resulting in a realized gain of $21. For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009, $3 of net gains and $7 of net losses, respectively, were recognized in Other (income) expense, net related to the swaps, offset by $3 of net losses and $7 of net gains recognized in Other (income) expense, net on the underlying deposit.  The notional value of the new swap was $99 at September 30, 2009.

Cash flow hedges
 
As of September 30, 2009, all of the Company’s commodity contracts, with a notional value of $14 and certain foreign currency forward contracts with a notional value of $184, have been designated as cash flow hedges. The effective portion of the gain or loss is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.

Activity related to cash flow hedges recorded during the three-month period ended September 30, 2009 was as follows:
 
   
Gain (Loss)
   
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Recognized in
OCI*
   
Reclassified into
Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into Income
               
Foreign currency contracts
  $ (10 )   $ (10 )
Cost of sales
Commodity contracts
    (1 )     -  
Cost of sales
    $ (11 )   $ (10 )  

*The net gain (loss) recognized in Other comprehensive income (OCI) is expected to be recognized in earnings within the next twelve months.

Activity related to cash flow hedges recorded during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 was as follows:

   
Gain (Loss)
   
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Recognized in
OCI*
   
Reclassified into
Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into Income
               
Foreign currency contracts
  $ (11 )   $ (13 )
Cost of sales
Commodity contracts
    -       (8 )
Cost of sales
    $ (11 )   $ (21 )  
 
        ________
*The net gain (loss) recognized in OCI is expected to be recognized in earnings within the next twelve months.

 
16

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
Fair value hedges
 
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company entered into interest rate swaps to effectively convert a portion of the Company’s fixed rate debt to a variable rate.  These swaps, with a stated maturity of April 2012 and a notional value of $330, are designated as fair value hedges.
 
As of September 30, 2009, the Company has designated all interest rate swap contracts, with a total notional value of $600, and certain foreign currency forward contracts, with a notional value of $955, as fair value hedges, for which the gain or loss on the derivative and the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item are recognized in current earnings.

Activity related to fair value hedges recorded during the three-month period ended September 30, 2009 was as follows:

   
Gain (Loss) on
   
Fair Value Hedges
 
Derivatives
   
Hedged Item
 
Location in Income Statement
Foreign currency contracts
  $ (3 )   $ 3  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Interest rate swap contracts
    6       (6 )
Interest expense, net
    $ 3     $ (3 )  
 
Activity related to fair value hedges recorded during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 was as follows:

   
Gain (Loss) on
   
Fair Value Hedges
 
Derivatives
   
Hedged Item
 
Location in Income Statement
Foreign currency contracts
  $ 7     $ (7 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Interest rate swap contracts
    (4 )     4  
Interest expense, net
    $ 3     $ (3 )  

Net investment hedges
 
As of September 30, 2009, the Company has designated certain foreign currency forward contracts with a notional value of $37 and certain foreign currency-denominated debt with a notional value of $406, as net investment hedges. For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009, $20 and $25 of net gains, respectively, were recorded in OCI to offset the changes in the values of the net investments being hedged.

 
17

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 

 
Other Financial Instruments

As of September 30, 2009, marketable securities of $38 are included within Other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and generally consist of bank deposits with original maturities greater than 90 days (Level 1 valuation).  The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and short-term debt approximated fair value as of September 30, 2009. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current portion, as of September 30, 2009 was $3,454 and the related carrying value was $3,201.

During the third quarter of 2009 the Company purchased $72 of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued by a Venezuelan state-owned corporation with a stated maturity of two years and $50 of U.S. dollar-linked, devaluation-protected bonds issued by the Venezuelan government with stated maturities ranging from six to eight years. Each investment is classified as available-for-sale and included within Other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. These investments are considered Level 1 and, as of September 30, 2009, the fair value of these investments approximated their carrying value.

 
18

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
 

 
 Executive Overview
 
Colgate-Palmolive Company seeks to deliver strong, consistent business results and superior shareholder returns by providing consumers on a global basis with products that make their lives healthier and more enjoyable.
 
To this end, the Company is tightly focused on two product segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. Within these segments, the Company follows a closely defined business strategy to develop and increase market leadership positions in key product categories. These product categories are prioritized based on their capacity to maximize the use of the organization’s core competencies and strong global equities and to deliver sustainable long-term growth.
 
Operationally, the Company is organized along geographic lines with specific regional management teams having responsibility for the business and financial results in each region. The Company competes in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide with established businesses in all regions contributing to the Company’s sales and profitability. This geographic diversity and balance help to reduce the Company’s exposure to business and other risks in any one country or part of the world.
 
The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment is operated through four reportable operating segments: North America, Latin America, Europe/South Pacific and Greater Asia/Africa, all of which sell to a variety of retail and wholesale customers and distributors. The Company, through Hill’s Pet Nutrition, also competes on a worldwide basis in the pet nutrition market, selling its products principally through the veterinary profession and specialty pet retailers.
 
On an ongoing basis, management focuses on a variety of key indicators to monitor business health and performance. These indicators include market share, sales (including volume, pricing and foreign exchange components), organic sales growth, gross profit margin, operating profit, net income and earnings per share, as well as measures used to optimize the management of working capital, capital expenditures, cash flow and return on capital. The monitoring of these indicators, as well as the Company’s corporate governance practices (including the Company’s Code of Conduct), are used to ensure that business health and strong internal controls are maintained.
 
To achieve its business and financial objectives, the Company focuses the organization on initiatives to drive and fund growth. The Company seeks to capture significant opportunities for growth by identifying and meeting consumer needs within its core categories, through its focus on innovation and the deployment of valuable consumer and shopper insights in the development of successful new products regionally, which are then rolled out on a global basis. To enhance these efforts, the Company has developed key initiatives to build strong relationships with consumers, dental and veterinary professionals and retail customers. Growth opportunities are greater in those areas of the world in which economic development and rising consumer incomes expand the size and number of markets for the Company’s products.
 
The investments needed to fund this growth are developed through continuous, Company-wide initiatives to lower costs and increase effective asset utilization through which the Company seeks to become even more effective and efficient throughout its businesses. The Company also continues to prioritize its investments toward its higher margin businesses, specifically Oral Care, Personal Care and Pet Nutrition.

 
19

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
 

 
The Company operates in a highly competitive global marketplace and looking forward, expects global macroeconomic and market conditions to remain highly challenging.  As previously disclosed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, with approximately 75% of its Net sales generated outside of the United States, the Company is exposed to changes in economic conditions, movements in commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates, as well as political uncertainty in some countries, all of which could impact future operating results.  Exchange control limitations or a significant currency devaluation in Venezuela (6% of the Company’s Net sales) could have a material adverse impact on operating results in a particular quarter or year.

Lower commodity and oil prices as compared with 2008 have had a favorable impact on the Company’s results for the first nine months of 2009 and should have a similar impact for the remainder of the year.  The Company believes that this effect should continue and, coupled with ongoing aggressive savings programs and a weakening dollar, should offset the impact of any pressures on selling prices or the costs of any consumption building programs to drive volume that may be required given the current economic environment.  However, difficult macroeconomic conditions and uncertainties in the global credit markets could negatively impact the Company’s suppliers, customers and consumers which could, in turn, have an adverse impact on the Company’s business.

The finalization of the 2004 Restructuring Program should enhance the Company’s ability to compete successfully in the current environment. As a result of the 2004 Restructuring Program, the Company streamlined its global supply chain, reallocated resources to enhance its sales, marketing and new product organizations in high-potential developing countries and other key markets and consolidated these organizations in certain mature markets.  Savings are estimated to be in the range of $475 to $500 pretax ($350 to $375 aftertax) annually, substantially all of which will increase future cash flows.  The savings and benefits from the 2004 Restructuring Program, along with the Company’s other ongoing cost-savings and growth initiatives, are anticipated to provide additional funds for investment in support of key categories and markets and new product development, while also supporting an increased level of profitability.
 
Accordingly, the Company believes it is well prepared to meet the challenges ahead due to its strong financial condition, experience operating in challenging environments and continued focus on the Company’s strategic initiatives: getting closer to the consumer, the profession and customers; effectiveness and efficiency in everything; innovation everywhere; and leadership. This focus, together with the strength of the Company’s global brand names and its broad international presence in both mature and developing markets, should position the Company well to increase shareholder value over the long-term.

Results of Operations

Worldwide Net sales were $3,998 in the third quarter of 2009, level with the third quarter of 2008 as volume growth of 1.5% and net selling price increases of 5.0% were offset by a negative foreign exchange impact of 6.5%. The 2008 divestment of a non-core brand in Germany impacted sales growth for the third quarter of 2009 by 0.5% versus the comparable period of 2008. Excluding the impact of this divestment, Net sales increased 0.5% on volume growth of 2.0%. Worldwide organic sales (Net sales excluding the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestments) grew 7.0% in the third quarter of 2009.

 
20

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
 

 

Net sales in the Oral, Personal and Home Care segment were $3,467 in the third quarter of 2009, level with the third quarter of 2008, as volume growth of 2.0% and net selling price increases of 5.5% were offset by a negative foreign exchange impact of 7.5%. The 2008 divestment of a non-core brand in Germany impacted sales growth for the third quarter of 2009 by 0.5% versus the comparable period of 2008. Excluding the impact of this divestment, Net sales increased 0.5% on volume growth of 2.5%. Organic sales in the Oral, Personal and Home Care segment grew 8.0% in the third quarter of 2009.

Net sales in North America increased 3.0% in the third quarter of 2009 to $740 as a result of volume growth of 5.0%, partially offset by net selling price decreases of 1.5% and a negative foreign exchange impact of 0.5%. Organic sales in North America grew 3.5% in the third quarter of 2009. Products contributing to the growth in oral care included Colgate Total Enamel Strength, Colgate Sensitive Enamel Protect, Colgate Max Fresh with Mouthwash Beads and Colgate Max White with Mini Bright Strips toothpastes, Colgate 360° ActiFlex, Colgate Max Fresh and Colgate Max White manual toothbrushes and the new Colgate Wisp mini-brush. Successful new products in other categories contributing to growth included Softsoap Nutri Serums, Softsoap Body Butter Apricot Scrub and Irish Spring Hair and Body and Cool Relief body washes and Ajax Lime with Bleach Alternative dish liquid. Operating profit in North America increased 32% in the third quarter of 2009 to $217, as increased advertising was more than offset by higher sales driven by new products, lower raw and packaging material costs and a continued focus on cost-savings programs.

Net sales in Latin America increased 5.0% in the third quarter of 2009 to $1,136 as volume growth of 3.0% and net selling price increases of 13.0% were partially offset by a negative foreign exchange impact of 11.0%. Organic sales in Latin America grew 16.0% in the third quarter of 2009. Volume gains were achieved in most countries, led by a significant increase in Venezuela. Products contributing to the growth in oral care included Colgate Total Professional Sensitive, Colgate Total Professional Whitening and Colgate Max Fresh Night toothpastes, Colgate 360° Deep Clean and Colgate Max White manual toothbrushes, and Colgate Plax Complete Care mouthwash. Products contributing to growth in other categories included Fabuloso Oxy liquid cleaner, Lady Speed Stick Depil Control and Speed Stick Waterproof deodorants, and Suavitel GoodBye Ironing and Suavitel Magic Moments fabric conditioners. Operating profit in Latin America increased 11% to $346, reflecting higher pricing, a continued focus on cost-savings programs and lower advertising costs, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign exchange.

 
21

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
 

 
Net sales in Europe/South Pacific decreased 5.5% in the third quarter of 2009 to $896 as volume growth of 2.5% and level net selling prices were more than offset by an 8.0% negative impact of foreign exchange. The 2008 divestment of a non-core brand in Germany impacted sales growth for the third quarter of 2009 by 0.5% versus the comparable period of 2008.  Excluding the impact of this divestment, Net sales decreased 5.0% on volume growth of 3.0%. Organic sales in Europe/South Pacific increased 3.0% in the third quarter of 2009. Volume gains were led by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Greece, Portugal and the GABA business. Successful products in oral care included Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief, Colgate Total Advanced Sensitive and Colgate Max Fresh with Mouthwash Beads toothpastes, Colgate 360° ActiFlex, Colgate Max White and Colgate Zig Zag toothbrushes, and Colgate Plax Alcohol Free and Colgate Plax Ice mouth rinses. Successful products in other categories included Palmolive Aromatherapy Morning Tonic and Palmolive Thermal Spa Beauty Soft shower gels, Ajax Professional bucket dilutable and Ajax Professional glass cleaners, Lady Speed Stick Aloe spray deodorant and Soupline Magic Moments and Soupline Aroma Tranquility fabric conditioners. Operating profit in Europe/South Pacific increased 6% to $219, reflecting a continued focus on cost-savings programs, lower advertising costs and lower raw and packaging material costs, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign exchange.

Net sales in Greater Asia/Africa decreased 3.0% in the third quarter of 2009 to $695 as net selling price increases of 7.0% were more than offset by 2.5% volume declines and a 7.5% negative impact of foreign exchange. Organic sales in Greater Asia/Africa increased 4.5% in the third quarter of 2009. Volume gains in India, Thailand and Turkey were more than offset by volume declines in Russia, Philippines, South Africa and Ukraine. Successful new products driving oral care growth included Colgate Total Professional Clean and Colgate Sensitive Enamel Protect toothpastes, Colgate 360° ActiFlex, Colgate Max Fresh and Colgate Extra Clean Gum Care manual toothbrushes, and Colgate Plax Ice mouthwash. New products contributing to growth in other categories included Protex hand sanitizer, Protex Clean and Pure shower cream and bar soap and Lady Speed Stick Cloud Freshness deodorant. Operating profit in Greater Asia/Africa increased 17% to $161, reflecting higher pricing and lower raw and packaging material costs, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign exchange.

Net sales in Hill’s Pet Nutrition increased 1.5% in the third quarter of 2009 to $531 as net selling price increases of 4.5% were partially offset by 2.5% volume declines and a negative foreign exchange impact of 0.5%. Organic sales in Hill’s Pet Nutrition grew 2.0% in the third quarter of 2009. Volume growth achieved in France, Mexico and Australia was more than offset by volume declines in the U.S. Successful products within the U.S. specialty pet channel included Science Diet Culinary Creations Feline and a significantly expanded line of Science Diet Simple Essentials Treats Canine. Successful new products contributing to international sales included Science Plan Simple Essentials Snacks Canine and Science Plan Healthy Mobility Canine. Operating profit in Hill’s Pet Nutrition increased 2% to $136, reflecting a continued focus on cost-savings programs, higher pricing and lower raw and packaging material costs, partially offset by higher advertising.

Worldwide Net sales were $11,246 in the first nine months of 2009, down 3.5% from the first nine months of 2008 as net selling price increases of 7.0% and level volume were more than offset by a negative foreign exchange impact of 10.5%.

 
22

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
 

 
Net sales in the Oral, Personal and Home Care segment were $9,679 in the first nine months of 2009, down 4.0% from 2008 as volume growth of 1.0% and net selling price increases of 6.5% were more than offset by a negative foreign exchange impact of 11.5%.

Within this segment, North America sales increased 3.0% in the first nine months of 2009, driven by volume growth of 3.0% and net selling price increases of 1.0%, partially offset by a negative foreign exchange impact of 1.0%. Latin America sales were level with volume growth of 2.5% and net selling price increases of 14.0%, offset by a negative foreign exchange impact of 16.5%. Europe/South Pacific sales decreased 14.5% on volume declines of 1.5%, net selling price increases of 1.0%, and a negative foreign exchange impact of 14.0%. Excluding the impact of the 2008 divestment of a non-core brand in Germany, Europe/South Pacific sales decreased 14.0% on volume declines of 1.0%. Greater Asia/Africa sales decreased 3.5% on level volume, net selling price increases of 7.5%, and a negative foreign exchange impact of 11.0%. Excluding the impact of the 2008 divestment of a laundry detergent brand in Turkey, Greater Asia/Africa sales decreased 3.0% on volume growth of 0.5%.

Net sales for the Hill’s Pet Nutrition segment decreased 0.5% in the first nine months of 2009 to $1,567 as net selling price increases of 10.0% were more than offset by volume declines of 7.0% and a negative foreign exchange impact of 3.5%.

Operating profit (loss) related to Corporate decreased to ($153) in the third quarter of 2009 from ($162) in the comparable 2008 period. Operating profit (loss) related to Corporate decreased to ($374) in the first nine months of 2009 from ($443) in the comparable period of 2008. There were no charges related to the 2004 Restructuring Program in the first nine months of 2009. Restructuring charges amounted to $46 and $125 in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2008, respectively.    

For a table summarizing segment Net sales and Operating profit, refer to Note 10, “Segment Information,” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

For additional information regarding the Company’s 2004 Restructuring Program, refer to Note 7, “Restructuring and Related Implementation Charges,” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Worldwide gross profit margin increased to 59.2% in the third quarter of 2009 from 56.1% in the third quarter of 2008 and increased to 58.5% in the first nine months of 2009 from 56.4% in the first nine months of 2008. Restructuring and implementation-related charges lowered the reported gross profit margin by 30 basis points (bps) and 40 bps in the third quarter and in the first nine months of 2008, respectively. Excluding the impact of the 2004 Restructuring Program, gross profit margin was 56.4% and 56.8% in the third quarter and in the first nine months of 2008, respectively. For both periods presented, increases in gross profit margin were driven by higher pricing and a continued focus on cost-savings programs, partially offset by a negative foreign exchange impact and costs related to the remeasurement of liabilities related to inventory purchases in Venezuela.

 
23

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
 

 
In light of ongoing currency exchange control limitations in Venezuela, the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiary (CP Venezuela) has begun to settle certain of its U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities with dollars obtained through securities transactions in the parallel market at an exchange rate less favorable than the official rate. As a result, in the third quarter of 2009, CP Venezuela incurred $47 of higher costs related to the remeasurement of U.S. dollar liabilities to be settled with proceeds from these transactions, $25 of which is included in Gross profit for liabilities related to the purchase of inventory and $22 of which is included in Other (income) expense, net for all other liabilities. Additionally, in order to manage its overall currency exposure, CP Venezuela has purchased $122 of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued by a Venezuelan state-owned corporation and U.S. dollar-linked, devaluation-protected bonds issued by the Venezuelan government.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales decreased to 35.1% in the third quarter of 2009 from 35.5% in the third quarter of 2008 and decreased to 34.5% of Net sales in the first nine months of 2009 from 35.9% in the first nine months of 2008. For both periods presented, the decreases were driven primarily by lower advertising, the finalization of the 2004 Restructuring Program in 2008 and a continued focus on cost-savings programs. In the third quarter of 2009, advertising decreased 2% to $429 as compared with $438 in 2008 and decreased 13% to $1,138 in the first nine months of 2009 as compared with $1,314 in 2008 due to lower media rates in many parts of the world and reduced levels of spending. Restructuring charges included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2008 were $21 and $55, respectively.

Other (income) expense, net amounted to $38 in the third quarter of 2009 as compared with $30 in the third quarter of 2008 and amounted to $72 in the first nine months of 2009 as compared to $65 in the first nine months of 2008. In the third quarter of 2009, Other (income) expense, net included costs of $22 related to the remeasurement of certain U.S. dollar liabilities in Venezuela to be settled with dollars obtained through securities transactions, as noted above. The third quarter and the first nine months of 2008 included expenses related to the Company’s 2004 Restructuring Program in the amounts of $14 and $22, respectively.

Operating profit increased 17% to $926 in the third quarter of 2009 from $791 in 2008, which included $46 of charges related to the 2004 Restructuring Program. Operating profit increased 13% to $2,624 in the first nine months of 2009 from $2,324 in 2008, which included $125 of charges related to the 2004 Restructuring Program. Excluding the restructuring charges in 2008, Operating profit increased 11% and 7% for the third quarter and in the first nine months of 2009, respectively.  The increases were driven by higher gross profit margins and lower advertising, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange.

Interest expense, net decreased to $17 and $59 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, as compared with $23 and $82 in the comparable periods of 2008, primarily due to lower average interest rates.

 
24

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
 

 
The quarterly provision for income taxes is determined based on the Company’s estimated full year effective tax rate adjusted by the amount of tax attributable to infrequent and unusual items that are separately recognized on a discrete basis in the income tax provision in the quarter in which they occur. The Company’s current estimate of its full year effective income tax rate before discrete period items is 32.1%, which is consistent with the estimate in the third quarter of 2008. The tax rate for the third quarter of 2008 of 32.0% includes the impact of the Company’s 2004 Restructuring Program (10 bps).

Net income for the third quarter of 2009 increased 18% to $590 from $500 in the comparable 2008 period, and earnings per common share on a diluted basis increased to $1.12 per share compared with $0.94 per share in the comparable 2008 period. Net income for the third quarter of 2008 includes $31 ($0.05 per share) of charges related to the Company’s 2004 Restructuring Program. Net income for the first nine months of 2009 increased 14% to $1,660 from $1,460 in the comparable 2008 period, and earnings per common share on a diluted basis increased to $3.16 per share compared with $2.72 per share in the comparable 2008 period. Net income for the first nine months of 2008 included $82 ($0.15 per share) of charges related to the Company’s 2004 Restructuring Program.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operations increased 34% to $2,375 in the first nine months of 2009, compared with $1,777 in the comparable period of 2008. The increase is primarily related to improved profitability, lower cash spending in restructuring and decreases in working capital.  The Company defines working capital as the difference between current assets (excluding cash and marketable securities, the latter of which is reported in Other current assets) and current liabilities (excluding short-term debt).  Overall, working capital decreased to 0.7% of Net sales for the first nine months of 2009 as compared with 2.6% of Net sales for the first nine months of 2008.  With the finalization of the 2004 Restructuring Program, pretax restructuring charges decreased $125 and cash spending decreased $147 relative to the comparable period of 2008. Substantially all of the restructuring accrual at September 30, 2009 will be paid out before year-end 2009. It is anticipated that cash requirements for the 2004 Restructuring Program will continue to be funded from operating cash flows.

Investing activities used $484 in the first nine months of 2009, compared with $341 in the comparable period of 2008. Investing activities for the first nine months of 2009 include the purchase of $72 of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued by a Venezuelan state-owned corporation and $50 of U.S. dollar-linked, devaluation-protected bonds issued by the Venezuelan government, as discussed above. Other investing activities for the first nine months of 2008 include $47 of proceeds from the sale of certain assets, primarily related to the 2004 Restructuring Program.

Capital spending decreased in the first nine months of 2009 to $347 from $392 in the comparable period of 2008.  Capital spending continues to focus on projects that yield high aftertax returns. Overall capital expenditures for 2009 are expected to be at an annual rate of approximately 4.9% of Net sales.

Financing activities used $1,620 of cash during the first nine months of 2009 compared with $1,213 in the comparable period of 2008, due primarily to higher net debt payments and an increase in dividends paid, partially offset by fewer purchases of treasury shares.

 
25

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
 

 
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company issued $300 of U.S. dollar-denominated six-year notes at a fixed rate of 3.15% under the shelf registration statement for the Company’s medium-term note program.  Proceeds from the debt issuance were primarily used to reduce commercial paper borrowings. In addition, during the third quarter of 2009, to effectively convert a portion of the Company’s fixed rate debt portfolio to a variable rate, the Company also entered into interest rate swaps, with a total notional value of $330.

In August 2008, the Company increased the borrowing capacity under its domestic revolving credit facility from $1,500 to $1,600 by adding two banks to the syndicate of banks participating in the revolving credit facility.  The facility has an expiration date of November 2012.

In May 2008, the Company issued $250 of U.S. dollar-denominated five-year notes at a fixed rate of 4.2% under the shelf registration statement for the Company’s medium-term note program.  The Company simultaneously entered into interest rate swaps to effectively convert the fixed interest rate of the notes to a variable rate.  In May 2008, the Company also issued approximately $75 of U.S. dollar-denominated forty-year notes at a variable rate, also under the shelf registration statement.  Proceeds from the debt issuances were used to repay $100 of medium-term notes with an original maturity of May 2017 and to reduce commercial paper borrowings.

Commercial paper outstanding was $36 and $448 as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The average daily balances outstanding for commercial paper in the first nine months of 2009 and 2008 were $1,266 and $1,313, respectively. The Company regularly classifies commercial paper and certain current maturities of notes payable as long-term debt as it has the intent and ability to refinance such obligations on a long-term basis, including, if needed, by utilizing its lines of credit that expire in 2012.  At September 30, 2009, $36 of such debt was classified as long-term debt.

The long-term notes of the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which were guaranteed by the Company and repaid in July, and certain amounts payable to banks both contain cross-default provisions. Non-compliance with these requirements could ultimately result in the acceleration of amounts owed. The Company is in full compliance with all such requirements and believes the likelihood of non-compliance is remote.
 
In the first quarter of 2009, the Company increased the annualized common stock dividend by 10% to $1.76 per share and the annualized Series B Convertible Preference Stock dividend to $14.08 per share effective in the second quarter of 2009. The Company is authorized to purchase up to 30 million common shares pursuant to a stock repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors on January 30, 2008.

For additional information regarding liquidity and capital resources, refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 
26

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)


 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 
Net sales and volume growth, both worldwide and in relevant geographic divisions, are discussed in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q both on a GAAP basis and excluding divestments (non-GAAP). Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors as they allow comparisons of Net sales and volume growth from ongoing operations.  This quarterly report on Form 10-Q also discusses organic sales growth (Net sales growth excluding the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestments) (non-GAAP).  Management believes this measure provides investors with useful supplemental information regarding the Company’s underlying sales trends by presenting sales growth excluding the external factor of foreign exchange, as well as the impact of acquisitions and divestments.

Worldwide Gross profit margin and Operating profit are discussed in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q both on a GAAP basis and excluding the impact of the 2004 Restructuring Program (non-GAAP). Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the Company’s ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations.

The Company uses the above financial measures internally in its budgeting process and as a factor in determining compensation. While the Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similar measures presented by other companies.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements may relate, for example, to sales or volume growth, profit and profit margin growth, earnings growth, financial goals, cost-reduction plans, estimated savings associated with the 2004 Restructuring Program, tax rates and new product introductions. These statements are made on the basis of the Company’s views and assumptions as of this time and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements. Moreover, the Company does not, nor does any other person, assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of those statements. The Company cautions investors that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual events or results may differ materially from those statements. Actual events or results may differ materially because of factors that affect international businesses, the current global credit crisis and economic downturn, as well as matters specific to us and the markets we serve, including currency rate fluctuations, changes in foreign or domestic laws, availability and cost of raw and packaging materials, changes in the policies of retail trade customers and our ability to successfully implement selling price increases and to continue lowering costs and increasing effective asset utilization. For information about these and other factors that could cause such differences, refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, including the information set forth under the captions “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements.

 
27

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
 

 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There is no material change in the information reported under Part II, Item 7, “Managing Foreign Currency, Interest Rate and Commodity Price Exposure” and “Value at Risk” contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

 
28

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

(Unaudited)
 

 
Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2009 (the Evaluation). Based upon the Evaluation, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

 
For information regarding legal matters, refer to Item 3 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included therein and Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors

 
For information regarding risk factors, refer to Part 1, Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On January 30, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the 2008 Program), which authorizes the repurchase of up to 30 million shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Board’s authorization also provides for share repurchases on an ongoing basis to fulfill certain requirements of the Company’s compensation and benefit programs. The shares will be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion, subject to market conditions, customary blackout periods and other factors.

 
29

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

(Unaudited)
 


The following table shows the stock repurchase activity for each of the three months in the quarter ended September 30, 2009:

Month
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
   
Average Price
Paid per Share
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(2)
   
Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
or Programs
 
July 1 through 31, 2009
    447,986     $ 72.50       315,000       10,553,132  
August 1 through 31, 2009
    1,612,330     $ 72.11       1,565,068       8,988,064  
September 1 through 30, 2009
    1,643,539     $ 74.39       1,575,717       7,412,347  
Total
    3,703,855     $ 73.17       3,455,785          

(1)
Includes share repurchases under the 2008 Program and those associated with certain employee elections under the Company’s compensation and benefit programs.
(2)
The difference between the total number of shares purchased and the total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs is 248,070 shares, all of which relate to shares deemed surrendered to the Company to satisfy certain employee elections under its compensation and benefit programs.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

Item 5.
Other Information

None.

Item 6.
Exhibits

 
Exhibit No.
Description
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends.

 
Certificate of the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 
Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 
Certificate of the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350.

 
101
The following materials from Colgate-Palmolive Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

 
30

 

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
 
(Registrant)
   
   
   
 
Principal Executive Officer:
   
   
   
October 29, 2009
/s/ Ian Cook
 
Ian Cook
 
Chairman of the Board, President and
 
Chief Executive Officer
   
   
   
   
 
Principal Financial Officer:
   
   
   
October 29, 2009
/s/ Stephen C. Patrick
 
Stephen C. Patrick
 
Chief Financial Officer
   
   
   
 
Principal Accounting Officer:
   
   
   
October 29, 2009
/s/ Dennis J. Hickey
 
Dennis J. Hickey
 
Vice President and Corporate Controller
 
 
31

ex12.htm
EXHIBIT 12

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

(Dollars in Millions)
(Unaudited)
 


   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
Earnings:
     
Income before income taxes
  $ 2,565  
         
Add:
       
Interest on indebtedness and amortization of debt expense and discount or premium
    64  
Portion of rents representative of interest factor
    46  
Less:
       
Income from equity investments
    (4 )
         
Income as adjusted
  $ 2,671  
         
Fixed Charges:
       
Interest on indebtedness and amortization of debt expense and discount or premium
    64  
Portion of rents representative of interest factor
    46  
Capitalized interest
    8  
         
Total fixed charges
  $ 118  
         
Preferred Dividends:
       
Dividends on Preference Stock
  $ 27  
         
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
    22.6  
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends
    18.4  
 
 

ex31_a.htm

EXHIBIT 31-A
 
I, Ian Cook, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Colgate-Palmolive Company;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:
October 29, 2009
 
 
/s/ Ian Cook
 
Ian Cook
 
Chairman of the Board, President and
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 

ex31_b.htm
EXHIBIT 31-B


I, Stephen C. Patrick, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Colgate-Palmolive Company;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:
October 29, 2009

 
/s/ Stephen C. Patrick
 
Stephen C. Patrick
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 

ex32.htm

EXHIBIT 32


The undersigned Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company each certify, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. § 1350, that:

 
(1)
the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009 (the “Periodic Report”), which this statement accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

 
(2)
information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Colgate-Palmolive Company.

 

Date:
October 29, 2009


 
/s/ Ian Cook
 
Ian Cook
 
Chairman of the Board, President and
 
Chief Executive Officer
   
   
   
   
 
/s/ Stephen C. Patrick
 
Stephen C. Patrick
 
Chief Financial Officer