Unassociated Document


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

FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934
 
     
 For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2006
 
     
 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: 001-14669

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda
 
74-2692550
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
     
Clarenden House
Church Street
Hamilton, Bermuda
 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
   
     
1 Helen of Troy Plaza
   
El Paso, Texas
 
79912
(Registrant’s United States Mailing Address )
 
(Zip Code)

(915) 225-8000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

[Not Applicable]
(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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):  
 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
 
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
 
Outstanding at January 5, 2007
Common Shares, $0.10 par value per share
 
30,258,943 shares
 




HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX - FORM 10-Q

       
Page
   
     
     
3
     
4
     
5
     
6
     
7
   
25
   
41
   
44
   
   
45
   
47
   
50
   
51
   
52
 
- 2 -

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
   
   
(in thousands, except shares and par value)
   
                    
   
November 30,
 
February 28,
 
     
2006
  
2006
 
   
(unaudited)
     
Assets
             
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
59,017
 
$
18,320
 
Trading securities, at market value
   
221
   
97
 
Foreign currency forward contracts
   
   
584
 
Receivables - principally trade, less allowance of $1,157 and $850
   
168,445
   
107,289
 
Inventories
   
146,155
   
168,401
 
Prepaid expenses
   
6,613
   
5,793
 
Deferred income tax benefits
   
13,360
    
10,690
 
Total current assets
   
393,811
   
311,174
 
               
Property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation of $32,827 and $27,039
   
98,369
   
100,703
 
Goodwill
   
201,003
   
201,003
 
Trademarks, net of accumulated amortization of $229 and $225
   
158,061
   
157,711
 
License agreements, net of accumulated amortization of $15,593 and $14,514
   
26,722
   
27,801
 
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $4,177 and $3,044
   
15,019
   
15,757
 
Tax certificates
   
25,144
   
28,425
 
Other assets
   
13,846
    
15,170
 
   
$
931,975
  
$
857,744
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
             
Current liabilities:
             
Current portion of long-term debt
 
$
10,000
 
$
10,000
 
Accounts payable, principally trade
   
42,607
   
30,175
 
Accrued expenses
   
76,304
   
54,145
 
Income taxes payable
   
27,848
    
31,286
 
Total current liabilities
   
156,759
   
125,606
 
               
Long-term compensation liability
   
1,735
   
1,706
 
Deferred income tax liability
   
164
   
81
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
   
257,660
    
254,974
 
Total liabilities
   
416,318
     
382,367
 
               
Commitments and contingencies (See Notes 3, 11 and 13)
             
               
Stockholders' equity
             
Cumulative preferred shares, non-voting, $1.00 par. Authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued
   
   
 
Common shares, $.10 par. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; 30,255,243 and 30,013,172 shares issued and outstanding
   
3,025
   
3,001
 
Additional paid-in-capital
   
94,417
   
90,300
 
Retained earnings
   
421,282
   
380,916
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(3,067
)
 
1,160
 
Total stockholders' equity
   
515,657
    
475,377
 
   
$
931,975
  
$
857,744
 
               
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
     

 
- 3 -

 

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
       
         
(in thousands, except per share data)
         
   
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
Nine Months Ended November 30,
 
        
2006
2005
2006
2005
 
                   
Net sales
 
$
213,437
 
$
197,458
 
$
491,050
 
$
455,239
 
Cost of sales
   
121,960
    
111,414
   
274,964
    
250,285
 
Gross profit
   
91,477
   
86,044
   
216,086
   
204,954
 
                           
Selling, general, and administrative expense
   
62,375
    
57,396
   
159,428
    
146,878
 
Operating income
   
29,102
    
28,648
   
56,658
    
58,076
 
                           
Other income (expense):
                         
Interest expense
   
(4,487
)
 
(4,259
)
 
(13,689
)
 
(11,317
)
Other income (expense), net
   
863
    
(623
)
 
1,940
    
(277
)
Total other income (expense)
   
(3,624
)
 
(4,882
)
 
(11,749
)
 
(11,594
)
                           
Earnings before income taxes
   
25,478
   
23,766
   
44,909
   
46,482
 
                           
Income tax expense (benefit):
                         
Current
   
3,938
   
1,287
   
5,710
   
2,393
 
Deferred
   
(1,273
)
 
(187
)
 
(1,167
)
 
1,423
 
Net earnings
 
$
22,813
  
$
22,666
 
$
40,366
  
$
42,666
 
                           
Earnings per share:
                         
Basic
 
$
0.76
 
$
0.76
 
$
1.34
 
$
1.43
 
Diluted
 
$
0.72
 
$
0.72
 
$
1.28
 
$
1.34
 
                           
Weighted average common shares used in
                         
computing net earnings per share
                         
Basic
   
30,160
   
29,935
   
30,074
   
29,895
 
Diluted
   
31,769
   
31,272
   
31,578
   
31,767
 
                           
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
         

- 4 -

 
 
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
     
(in thousands)
     
  
 
Nine Months Ended November 30,
 
        
2006
    
2005
 
           
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
Net earnings
 
$
40,366
 
$
42,666
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided / (used) by operating activities
             
Depreciation and amortization
   
10,756
   
8,738
 
Provision for doubtful receivables
   
(307
)
 
(1,086
)
Stock-based compensation expense
   
499
   
 
Unrealized (gain) / loss - trading securities
   
(34
)
 
30
 
Deferred taxes, net
   
(1,288
)
 
309
 
Gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment
   
(419
)
 
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
             
Accounts receivable
   
(60,849
)
 
(52,816
)
Forward contracts
   
5,429
   
(3,312
)
Inventories
   
22,246
   
(47,266
)
Prepaid expenses
   
198
   
3,105
 
Other assets
   
2,582
   
(276
)
Accounts payable
   
12,432
   
22,711
 
Accrued expenses
   
11,687
   
7,226
 
Income taxes payable
   
(3,478
)
 
307
 
Net cash provided / (used) by operating activities
   
39,860 
     
(19,664
)
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Capital, license, trademark, and other intangible expenditures
   
(6,287
)
 
(48,302
)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
   
666
   
150
 
Net cash used by investing activities
   
(5,621
)
 
(48,152
)
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Proceeds from debt
   
7,660
   
4,974
 
Repayment of debt
   
(4,974
)
 
 
Net borrowings on revolving line of credit
   
   
60,000
 
Payment of financing costs
   
   
(91
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchases
   
3,642
   
1,135
 
Share-based compensation tax benefit
   
130
    
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
6,458
    
66,018
 
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
40,697
   
(1,798
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
18,320
    
21,752
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
59,017
  
$
19,954
 
               
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
             
Interest paid
 
$
12,771
 
$
10,587
 
Income taxes paid (net of refunds)
 
$
8,562
 
$
3,015
 
               
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
             

- 5 -

 
 
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
 
(in thousands)
         
     
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
Nine Months Ended November 30,
  
           
2006
  
2005
  
2006
  
2005
  
                   
Net earnings, as reported
 
$
22,813
 
$
22,666
 
$
40,366
 
$
42,666
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                         
Cash flow hedges - Interest Rate Swaps
   
(1,793
)
 
   
(1,793
)
 
 
Cash flow hedges - Foreign Currency
   
(956
)
 
1,561
   
(2,434
)
 
4,252
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
20,064
  
$
24,227
 
$
36,139
  
$
46,918
  
                           
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
         

- 6 -

 
 
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
November 30, 2006

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position as of November 30, 2006 and February 28, 2006, and the results of our consolidated operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 and 2005. The same accounting policies are followed in preparing quarterly financial data as are followed in preparing annual data.

Due to the seasonal nature of our business, quarterly revenues, expenses, earnings and cash flows are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. While we believe that the disclosures presented are adequate and the consolidated condensed financial statements are not misleading, these statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K, and our other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

We have reclassified certain prior-period amounts, and in some cases provided additional information in our consolidated condensed financial statements and accompanying footnotes to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications have no impact on previously reported net earnings.

In these consolidated condensed financial statements, accompanying footnotes, and elsewhere in this report, amounts shown are in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except as otherwise indicated.

Note 2 - Adoption of New Accounting Standard for Share-Based Payments

The Company has equity awards outstanding under four share-based compensation plans. The plans consist of two employee stock option and restricted stock plans, a non-employee director stock option plan, and an employee stock purchase plan. These plans are described below. The plans are generally administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, consisting of non-employee directors.

Effective March 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), ‘‘Share-Based Payment’’ (‘‘SFAS 123R’’), utilizing the modified prospective method whereby prior periods will not be restated for comparability. SFAS 123R requires recognition of share-based compensation expense in the statements of income over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award at the grant date. Previously, the Company used the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, ‘‘Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees’’ (‘‘APB 25’’), as amended by related interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Under APB 25, no compensation cost was recognized for stock options because the quoted market price of the stock at the grant date was equal to the amount per share the employee had to pay to acquire the stock after fulfilling the vesting period. SFAS 123R supersedes APB 25 as well as Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", which permitted pro forma footnote disclosures to report the difference between the fair value method and the intrinsic value method.

Under stock option and restricted stock plans adopted in 1994 and 1998, as amended (the "1994 Plan" and the "1998 Plan," respectively), we have reserved a total of 14,750,000 common shares for issuance to key officers and employees. Under these plans, we grant options to purchase our common shares at a price equal to or greater than the fair market value on the grant date. Both plans contain provisions for incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and restricted share grants. Generally, options granted under the 1994 Plan and the 1998 Plan become exercisable immediately or over one, four, or five-year vesting periods and expire on dates ranging from seven to ten years from the date of grant. As of November 30, 2006, 569,086 shares remained available for issue and 6,418,858 options were outstanding under these plans.
- 7 -

 

Under a stock option plan for non-employee directors (the "Directors’ Plan") adopted in fiscal 1996, we reserved a total of 980,000 of our common shares for issuance to non-employee members of the Board of Directors. We granted options under the Directors' Plan at a price equal to the fair market value of our common shares at the date of grant. Options granted under the Directors' Plan vest one year from the date of issuance and expire ten years after issuance. The Directors’ Plan expired by its terms on June 6, 2005. On that date, the remaining 284,000 shares available for issue expired. As of November 30, 2006, 260,000 options were outstanding under this plan.

Under an employee stock purchase plan (the "Stock Purchase Plan"), we have reserved a total of 500,000 common shares for issuance to our employees, nearly all of whom are eligible to participate. Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Plan, employees authorize the withholding of from 1 percent to 15 percent of their wages or salaries to purchase our common shares. The purchase price for shares acquired under the Stock Purchase Plan is equal to the lower of 85 percent of the share’s fair market value on either the first day of each option period or the last day of each period. During the second quarter of fiscal 2007, plan participants acquired 12,485 shares at a price of $15.21 per share under the Stock Purchase Plan. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, no shares were issued under the Stock Purchase Plan. At November 30, 2006, 319,231 shares remained available for future issue under this plan.

For the three-month and nine-month periods ending November 30, 2006, the Company expensed $130 and $500 pre-tax, respectively, for stock options issued and employee share purchases under the above plans. These amounts were classified in selling, general, and administrative expense in the consolidated condensed statements of income for the fiscal periods then ended. The following table highlights the impact of share based compensation expense:

SHARE BASED PAYMENT EXPENSE
             
(in thousands, except per share data)
             
  
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
Nine Months Ended November 30,
 
          
2006
  
2005 (1)
  
2006
  
2005 (1)
 
                   
Stock options
 
$
130
 
$
 
$
450
 
$
 
Employee stock purchase plan
   
    
   
50
    
 
Share-based payment expense
 
$
130
  
$
 
$
500
  
$
 
                           
Share-based payment expense, net of income tax benefits of $36 and $130 for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2006.
 
$
94
  
$
 
$
370
  
$
 
                           
Earnings per share impact of share based payment expense:
                         
Basic
 
$
0.00
 
$
 
$
0.01
 
$
 
Diluted
 
$
0.00
 
$
 
$
0.01
 
$
 
 
(1) Prior year amounts are before adoption of SFAS 123R under the modified prospective method. Under this method, periods prior to adoption are not restated.

- 8 -

 

The following table provides the pro forma effect on net earnings and earnings per share as if the fair-value-based measurement method had been applied to all stock-based compensation for the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005:

PRO FORMA NET INCOME AND PRO FORMA EARNINGS PER SHARE
     
(in thousands, except per share data)
     
     
 
November 30, 2005
 
        
(Three Months)
   
(Nine Months)
 
           
Net income:
             
As reported
 
$
22,666
 
$
42,666
 
Share-based payment expense, net of income tax benefit of $170 and $408, respectively
   
299
   
1,049
 
Pro forma
 
$
22,367
 
$
41,617
 
               
Basic earnings per share:
             
As reported
 
$
0.76
 
$
1.43
 
Pro forma
   
0.75
   
1.39
 
               
Diluted earnings per share:
             
As reported
 
$
0.72
 
$
1.34
 
Pro forma
   
0.72
   
1.31
 
 
The fair value of all share-based payment awards are estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions and weighted-average fair values for the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 and 2005:

FAIR VALUE OF AWARDS AND ASSUMPTIONS USED
     
    
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
Nine Months Ended November 30,
   
  
  
2006 [1]
  
2005
  
2006
  
2005
   
                   
Weighted-average fair value of grants (in dollars)
   
N/A
 
$
6.78
 
$
7.26
 
$
7.25
 
Risk-free interest rate
   
N/A
   
4.33
%
 
4.95
%
 
4.20
%
Dividend yield
   
N/A
   
0.00
%
 
0.00
%
 
0.00
%
Expected volatility
   
N/A
   
41.45
%
 
39.90
%
 
41.66
%
Expected life (in years)
   
N/A
   
3.86
   
4.11
   
3.69
 
                           
[1] No stock options were granted during the quarter.
                         
 
The following describes how certain assumptions affecting the estimated fair value of options or discounted employee share purchases (“share based payments”) are determined. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury securities with maturities equal to the expected life of the share based payments. The dividend yield is computed as zero because the Company has not historically paid dividends nor does it expect to at this time. Expected volatility is based on a weighted average of the market implied volatility and historical volatility over the expected life of the underlying share based payments. The Company uses its historic experience to estimate the expected life of each stock-option grant and also to estimate the impact of exercise, forfeitures, termination and holding period behavior for fair value expensing purposes.

Employee share purchases vest immediately at the time of purchase. Accordingly, the fair value award associated with their discounted purchase price is expensed at the time of purchase.

- 9 -

 

A summary of option activity as of November 30, 2006, and changes during the nine-months then ended is as follows:

SUMMARY OF STOCK OPTION ACTIVITY
     
(in thousands, except contractual term and per share data)
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Weighted
 
Remaining
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
Average
 
Contractual
 
Aggregate
 
 
 
 
 
Exercise
 
Grant Date
 
Term
 
Intrinsic
 
  
  
Options
  
Price
  
Fair Value
  
(in years)
  
Value
 
                       
Outstanding at February 28, 2006
   
6,923
 
$
14.83
 
$
5.52
   
4.83
 
$
39,317
 
Granted
   
21
   
18.82
                   
Exercised
   
(228
)
 
(12.60
)
                 
Forfeited / expired
   
(37
)
 
(19.80
)
                   
Outstanding at November 30, 2006
   
6,679
 
$
14.89
 
$
5.52
   
4.04
 
$
59,482
 
                                 
Exerciseable at November 30, 2006
   
6,427
 
$
14.79
 
$
5.48
   
3.92
 
$
57,915
 
                                 
The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine-month period ended November 30, 2006 was $2,060. A summary of non-vested option activity as of November 30, 2006, and changes during the nine-month period then ended is as follows:


NON-VESTED STOCK OPTION ACTIVITY
         
(in thousands, except per share data)
         
   
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Non-Vested
 
Grant Date
 
  
   
Options
   
Fair Value
 
           
Outstanding at February 28, 2006
   
410
 
$
6.27
 
Granted
   
21
   
7.16
 
Vested or forfeited
   
(179
)
 
(5.96
)
Outstanding at November 30, 2006
   
252
 
$
6.56
 
               
A summary of the Company’s total unrecognized share-based compensation cost as of November 30, 2006 is as follows:

UNRECOGNIZED SHARE BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
     
(in thousands, except weighted average expense period data)
     
    
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
 
 
Remaining
 
 
 
 
 
Period of Expense
 
 
 
Unearned
 
Recognition
 
   
  
Compensation
   
(in months)
 
           
Stock options
 
$
1,216
   
41.1
 

- 10 -

 
 
Note 3 - Litigation

Securities Class Action Litigation - Class action lawsuits have been filed and consolidated into one action against the Company, Gerald J. Rubin, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Thomas J. Benson, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, on behalf of purchasers of publicly traded securities of the Company. The Company understands that the plaintiffs allege violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, on the grounds that the Company and the two officers engaged in a scheme to defraud the Company’s shareholders through the issuance of positive earnings guidance intended to artificially inflate the Company’s share price so that Mr. Rubin could sell almost 400,000 of the Company’s common shares at an inflated price. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages, interest, fees, costs, an accounting of the insider trading proceeds, and injunctive relief, including an accounting of and the imposition of a constructive trust and/or asset freeze on the defendants’ insider trading proceeds. The class period stated in the complaint was October 12, 2004 through October 10, 2005.

The lawsuit was brought in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The Company intends to defend the foregoing lawsuit vigorously, but, because the lawsuit is still in the preliminary stages, the Company cannot predict the outcome and is not currently able to evaluate the likelihood of success or the range of potential loss, if any, that might be incurred in connection with the action. However, if the Company were to lose on any issues connected with the lawsuit or if the lawsuit is not settled on favorable terms, the judgement or settlement may have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. There is a risk that such litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from its business, which could adversely affect the Company's business. The Company carries insurance that provides an aggregate coverage of $20 million after a self-insured retention of $500 thousand for the period during which the claims were filed, but cannot evaluate at this time whether such coverage will be adequate to cover losses, if any, arising out of the lawsuit.

On May 15, 2006, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the aforementioned lawsuit citing numerous deficiencies with the claims asserted in the lawsuit. On June 29, 2006, the plaintiffs filed with the court their opposition to the Company’s motion to dismiss. On July 17, 2006, the Company filed a reply rebutting the plaintiffs’ June 29th opposition. As of the date this report was filed, this matter was before the court for its consideration.

Other Matters - We are involved in various other legal claims and proceedings in the normal course of operations. We believe the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Note 4 - Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effects of dilutive securities. The number of dilutive securities was 1,609,412 and 1,504,504 for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, respectively, and 1,337,269 and 1,872,714 for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005. All dilutive securities during these periods consisted of stock options issued under our stock option plans. There were options to purchase common shares that were outstanding but not included in the computation of earnings per share because the exercise prices of such options were greater than the average market prices of our common shares. These options totaled 536,300 and 946,368 at November 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
- 11 -

 

Note 5 - Segment Information

In the tables that follow, we present two segments: Personal Care and Housewares. The Personal Care segment’s products include hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons, hairsetters, women’s shavers, mirrors, hot air brushes, home hair clippers, paraffin baths, massage cushions, footbaths, body massagers, brushes, combs, hair accessories, liquid hair styling products, men’s fragrances, men’s deodorants, body powder, and skin care products. The Housewares segment’s products include kitchen tools, cutlery, bar and wine accessories, household cleaning tools, tea kettles, trash cans, storage and organization products, hand tools, gardening tools, kitchen mitts and trivets, and barbeque tools. Both segments sell their portfolio of products principally through mass merchants, general retail and specialty retail outlets in the United States and other countries.

The accounting policies of our segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2006 Annual Report in Form10-K, except as discussed below.
 
Operating profit for each operating segment is computed based on net sales, less cost of goods sold and any selling, general, and administrative expenses ("SG&A") associated with the segment. The selling, general, and administrative expenses used to compute each segment's operating profit are comprised of SG&A directly associated with the segment, plus overhead expenses that are allocable to the operating segment. In connection with the acquisition of our Housewares segment, the seller agreed to perform certain operating functions for the segment for a transitional period of time that ended February 28, 2006. The costs of these functions were reflected in SG&A for the Housewares segment’s operating income. During the transitional period, we did not make an allocation of our corporate overhead to Housewares. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, we began making an allocation of corporate overhead and distribution center expenses to Housewares in lieu of transition charges previously recorded. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, we allocated expenses totaling $3,690 and $9,448, respectively, to the Housewares segment, some of which were previously absorbed by the Personal Care segment. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005, transition charges of $3,303 and $8,087, respectively, were used to compute the Housewares segments operating income.

Major expense categories presently allocated to the Housewares segment, in lieu of the transition charges the Housewares segment incurred prior to March 1, 2006, include the following:

 
Customer Service;
 
Credit, Collection and Accounting;
 
Distribution Facility and Equipment Costs;
 
Distribution Labor Charges; and
 
General and Administrative Overhead.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we completed the transition of our Housewares segment’s operations to our internal operating systems and our new distribution facility in Southaven, Mississippi. The process of consolidating our domestic appliance inventories into the same new facility is still underway with major activity planned during the last quarter of fiscal 2007. As a result of these transitions, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, additional expenses that we believe will decline as operations in the new facility stabilize at some point later in fiscal 2008.

We are in the process of re-evaluating our allocation methodology, and plan to change our methodology in fiscal 2008 to better reflect the evolving economics of our operation. At that time, we expect the new methodology to result in some reduction in operating income for the Housewares segment, offset by an increase in the operating income for the Personal Care segment. Until we finalize our approach, the extent of this operating income impact between the segments cannot be determined.

Other items of income and expense, including income taxes, are not allocated to operating segments.
 
- 12 -

 
 
The following tables contain segment information for the periods covered by our consolidated condensed statements of income:

THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2006 AND 2005
   
(in thousands)
             
  
   
Personal
         
November 30, 2006
  
Care
Housewares
Total
 
               
Net sales
 
$
173,741
 
$
39,696
 
$
213,437
 
Operating income
   
20,077
   
9,025
   
29,102
 
Capital, license, trademark and other intangible expenditures
   
1,456
   
1,083
   
2,539
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
2,182
   
1,227
   
3,409
 
 
  
 
Personal
         
November 30, 2005
  
Care
Housewares
Total
 
               
Net sales
 
$
161,007
 
$
36,451
 
$
197,458
 
Operating income
   
19,045
   
9,603
   
28,648
 
Capital, license, trademark and other intangible expenditures
   
28,478
   
10,634
   
39,112
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
2,378
   
742
   
3,120
 
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2006 AND 2005
       
(in thousands)
                   
 
  
   
Personal
         
November 30, 2006
  
Care
   
Housewares
   
Total
 
               
Net sales
 
$
390,041
 
$
101,009
 
$
491,050
 
Operating income
   
35,970
   
20,688
   
56,658
 
Capital, license, trademark and other intangible expenditures
   
4,436
   
1,851
   
6,287
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
7,081
   
3,675
   
10,756
 
 
   
   
Personal
         
November 30, 2005
  
Care
  
Housewares
  
Total
 
               
Net sales
 
$
362,384
 
$
92,855
 
$
455,239
 
Operating income
   
33,396
   
24,680
   
58,076
 
Capital, license, trademark and other intangible expenditures
   
36,795
   
11,507
   
48,302
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
6,443
   
2,295
   
8,738
 
 
The following tables contain net assets allocable to each segment for the periods covered by our consolidated condensed balance sheets:

IDENTIFIABLE NET ASSETS AT NOVEMBER 30, 2006 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2006
(in thousands)
         
   
   
Personal
         
      
Care
Housewares
Total
 
               
November 30, 2006
 
$
582,426
 
$
349,549
 
$
931,975
 
February 28, 2006
   
512,594
   
345,150
   
857,744
 

- 13 -

 
 
Note 6 - Property and Equipment

A summary of property and equipment is as follows:

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
     
(in thousands)
             
   
 
Estimated
         
   
Useful Lives
 
November 30,
 
February 28,
 
      
(Years)
  
2006
  
2006
 
               
Land
   
 
$
9,537
 
$
9,623
 
Building and improvements
   
10 - 40
   
62,577
   
62,374
 
Computer and other equipment
   
3 - 10
   
39,529
   
37,601
 
Molds and tooling
   
1 - 3
   
6,138
   
4,907
 
Transportation equipment
   
3 - 5
   
3,902
   
3,875
 
Furniture and fixtures
   
5 - 15
   
7,722
   
7,865
 
Construction in process
   
   
1,791
   
457
 
Information system under development
   
   
    
1,040
 
           
131,196
   
127,742
 
Less accumulated depreciation
         
(32,827
)
 
(27,039
)
Property and equipment, net
       
$
98,369
  
$
100,703
 
                     
On May 31, 2006, we sold 3.9 acres of raw land adjacent to our El Paso, Texas office and distribution center. The land was sold for $666 and we recorded a gain on the sale of $422.

On July 7, 2006, we acquired a 3,600 square foot office facility in Mexico City for approximately $830. To date we have paid approximately $179 to remodel and furnish this and other facilities and expect to incur approximately $21 of additional capital expenditures to complete the remodeling and furnishing of facilities.

During the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2006, we paid approximately $1,029 against a $1,500 commitment to acquire and install additional storage racking, and associated handling equipment for our new Southaven, Mississippi distribution facility.

We recorded depreciation of $2,531 and $7,499 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, respectively, and $1,962 and $5,227 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005, respectively.

Note 7 - Intangible Assets

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), we do not record amortization expense on goodwill or other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives. Amortization expense is recorded for intangible assets with definite useful lives. SFAS 142 also requires at least an annual impairment review of goodwill and other intangible assets. Any asset deemed to be impaired is to be written down to its fair value. We completed our annual impairment test during the first quarter of fiscal 2007 as required by SFAS 142, and have determined that none of our goodwill or other intangible assets were impaired at that time.

- 14 -

 
 
The following table discloses information regarding the carrying amounts and associated accumulated amortization for all intangible assets and indicates the operating segments to which they belong:

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
           
(in thousands)
             
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 30, 2006
 
February 28, 2006
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
Accumulated
     
Accumulated
   
 
 
   
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Type / Description
 
Segment
  
Estimated
Life
 
Carrying
Amount
  
(if
Applicable)
   
Carrying
Amount
  
Carrying
Amount
  
(if
Applicable)
  
Carrying
Amount
  
                                   
Goodwill:
                                                 
OXO
   
Housewares
   
Indefinite
 
$
165,934
 
$
 
$
165,934
 
$
165,934
 
$
 
$
165,934
 
All other goodwill
   
Personal Care
   
Indefinite
   
35,069
   
   
35,069
   
35,069
    
    
35,069
 
                 
201,003
   
    
201,003
   
201,003
     
     
201,003
 
                                                   
Trademarks:
                                                 
OXO
   
Housewares
   
Indefinite
   
75,554
   
   
75,554
   
75,200
   
   
75,200
 
Brut
   
Personal Care
   
Indefinite
   
51,317
   
   
51,317
   
51,317
   
   
51,317
 
All other - definite lives
   
Personal Care
   
[1]
 
 
338
   
(229
)
 
109
   
338
   
(225
)
 
113
 
All other - indefinite lives
   
Personal Care
   
Indefinite
   
31,081
   
   
31,081
   
31,081
     
     
31,081
 
                 
158,290
   
(229
)
 
158,061
   
157,936
     
(225
)
 
157,711
 
                                                   
Licenses:
                                                 
Seabreeze
   
Personal Care
   
Indefinite
   
18,000
   
   
18,000
   
18,000
   
   
18,000
 
All other licenses
   
Personal Care
   
8 - 25 Years
   
24,315
   
(15,593
)
 
8,722
   
24,315
     
(14,514
)
 
9,801
 
                 
42,315
   
(15,593
)
 
26,722
   
42,315
     
(14,514
)
 
27,801
 
                                                   
Other:
                                                 
Patents, customer lists and non-compete agreements
   
Housewares
   
2 - 13 Years
   
19,196
   
(4,177
)
 
15,019
   
18,801
   
(3,044
)
 
15,757
 
                                                   
Total
             
$
420,804
 
$
(19,999
)
$
400,805
 
$
420,055
 
$
(17,783
)
$
402,272
 
                                                   
[1] Includes one fully amortized trademark and one trademark with an estimated life of 30 years
     
 
The following table summarizes the amortization expense attributable to intangible assets for the three-month and nine-month periods ending November 30, 2006 and 2005, as well as our latest estimate of amortization expense for the fiscal years ending the last day of February 2007 through 2012.

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES
     
(in thousands)
     
Aggregate Amortization Expense
     
For the three months ended
       
       
November 30, 2006
 
$
660
 
November 30, 2005
 
$
791
 
             
Aggregate Amortization Expense
       
For the nine months ended
         
         
November 30, 2006
 
$
2,216
 
November 30, 2005
 
$
2,372
 
               
Estimated Amortization Expense
       
For the fiscal years ended
           
         
February 2007
 
$
2,951
 
February 2008
 
$
2,889
 
February 2009
 
$
2,639
 
February 2010
 
$
2,595
 
February 2011
 
$
2,122
 
February 2012
 
$
2,016
 

- 15 -

 
 
Note 8 - Short Term Debt

On June 1, 2004, we entered into a five year $75,000 Credit Agreement (“Revolving Line of Credit Agreement”), with Bank of America, N.A. and other lenders. Borrowings under the Revolving Line of Credit Agreement accrue interest equal to the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50 percent or Bank of America's prime rate. Alternatively, upon election by the Company, borrowings accrue interest based on the respective 1, 2, 3, or 6-month LIBOR rate plus a margin of 0.75 percent to 1.25 percent based upon the "Leverage Ratio" at the time of the borrowing. The "Leverage Ratio" is defined by the Revolving Line of Credit Agreement as the ratio of total consolidated indebtedness, including the subject funding on such date, to consolidated EBITDA ("Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization") for the period of the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended.

The credit line allows for the issuance of letters of credit up to $10,000. Outstanding letters of credit reduce the $75,000 borrowing limit dollar for dollar. There were no outstanding borrowings or associated interest expense during the fiscal three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006. As of November 30, 2006, there were no open letters of credit outstanding against this facility.

The Revolving Line of Credit Agreement requires the maintenance of certain Debt/EBITDA, fixed charge coverage ratios, and other customary covenants. Certain covenants, as of the latest balance sheet date, limit our total outstanding indebtedness from all sources to no more than 3.5 times the latest twelve months trailing EBITDA. These covenants effectively limited our ability to incur no more than $40,333 of additional debt from all sources, including draws on our Revolving Line of Credit Agreement. The agreement is guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by the parent company, Helen of Troy Limited, and certain subsidiaries. Any amounts outstanding under the Revolving Line of Credit Agreement will mature on June 1, 2009. As of November 30, 2006, we were in compliance with the terms of this agreement.

Note 9 - Accrued Expenses

A summary of accrued expenses was as follows:

ACCRUED EXPENSES
         
(in thousands)
         
                       
   
November 30,
 
February 28,
 
   
  
2006
  
2006
  
           
Accrued sales returns, discounts and allowances
 
$
32,791
 
$
24,176
 
Accrued compensation
   
7,231
   
7,603
 
Accrued advertising
   
12,024
   
7,617
 
Accrued interest
   
3,002
   
2,671
 
Accrued royalties
   
3,747
   
2,577
 
Accrued professional fees
   
1,247
   
1,502
 
Accrued benefits and payroll taxes
   
2,011
   
1,495
 
Accrued freight
   
1,250
   
858
 
Accrued property, sales and other taxes
   
1,856
   
593
 
Foreign currency forward contracts
   
2,129
   
 
Interest rate swaps
   
2,716
   
 
Other
   
6,300
    
5,053
 
Total Accrued Expenses
 
$
76,304
  
$
54,145
 

- 16 -

 

Note 10 - Product Warranties

The Company's products are under warranty against defects in material and workmanship for a maximum of two years. We have established accruals to cover future warranty costs of approximately $8,401 and $7,373 as of November 30, 2006 and February 28, 2006, respectively. We estimate our warranty accrual using historical trends. We believe that these trends are the most reliable method by which we can estimate our warranty liability.

The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's accrual for the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 and fiscal year ended February 28, 2006:

ACCRUAL FOR WARRANTY RETURNS
         
(in thousands)
         
 
    
   
November 30, 2006
 
February 28,
 
        
(Three Months)
  
(Nine Months)
  
2006 (Year)
 
               
Balance at the beginning of the period
 
$
6,148
 
$
7,373
 
$
5,767
 
Additions to the accrual
   
6,764
   
15,245
   
22,901
 
Reductions of the accrual - payments and credits issued
   
(4,511
)
 
(14,217
)
 
(21,295
)
Balance at the end of the period
 
$
8,401
  
$
8,401
  
$
7,373
 
                     
Note 11 - Income Taxes

Hong Kong Income Taxes - On May 10, 2006, the Inland Revenue Department (the “IRD”) and the Company reached a settlement regarding tax liabilities for the fiscal years 1995 through 1997. This agreement was subsequently approved by the IRD’s Board of Review. For those tax years, we agreed to an assessment of approximately $4,019 including estimated penalties and interest. Our consolidated financial statements at May 31, 2006 and February 28, 2006 included adequate provisions for this liability. As a result of this tax settlement, in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we reversed $192 of tax provision previously established and recorded $279 of associated interest. During the second fiscal quarter of 2007, the liability was paid with $3,282 of tax reserve certificates and the balance in cash.

For the fiscal years 1998 through 2003, the IRD has assessed a total of $25,461 (U.S.) in tax on certain profits of our foreign subsidiaries. Hong Kong levies taxes on income earned from certain activities previously conducted in Hong Kong. Negotiations with the IRD regarding these issues are ongoing, and it is unclear at this time when they will be resolved.

In connection with the IRD's tax assessment for the fiscal years 1998 through 2003, we have purchased tax reserve certificates in Hong Kong totaling $25,144. Tax reserve certificates represent the prepayment by a taxpayer of potential tax liabilities. The amounts paid for tax reserve certificates are refundable in the event that the value of the tax reserve certificates exceeds the related tax liability. These certificates are denominated in Hong Kong dollars and are subject to the risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations.

If the IRD were to successfully assert the same position for fiscal years after fiscal year 2003, the resulting assessment could total $18,673 (U.S.) in taxes for fiscal years 2004 and 2005. We would vigorously disagree with any such proposed adjustments and would aggressively contest this matter through the applicable taxing authority and judicial process, as appropriate.

Although the final resolution of the proposed adjustments is uncertain and involves unsettled areas of the law, based on currently available information, we have provided for our best estimate of the probable tax liability for this matter. While the resolution of the issue may result in tax liabilities that are significantly higher or lower than the reserves established for this matter, management currently believes that the resolution will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or liquidity. However, an unfavorable resolution could have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows in the quarter in which an adjustment is recorded or the tax is due or paid.
- 17 -

 

Effective March 2005, we had concluded the conduct of all operating activities in Hong Kong that we believe were the basis of the IRD’s assessments. In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company established a Macao offshore company (“MOC”) and began operating from Macao. As a MOC, we have been granted an indefinite tax holiday and currently pay no taxes. Accordingly, no additional accruals for Hong Kong contingent tax liabilities beyond fiscal 2005 have been provided.  

United States Income Taxes - The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has completed its audits of the U.S. consolidated federal tax returns for fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002. We previously disclosed that the IRS provided notice of proposed adjustments to taxes of $13,424 for the three years under audit. We have resolved the various tax issues and reached an agreement on additional tax in the amount of $3,568. The resulting tax liability had already been provided for in our tax reserves and prior to the current fiscal year we had decreased our tax accruals related to the IRS audits for fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002, accordingly. This additional tax liability and associated interest of $914 were settled in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

The IRS is auditing our U.S. consolidated federal tax returns for fiscal years 2003 and 2004 and has provided notice of proposed adjustments of $5,953 to taxes for the years under audit. The Company is vigorously contesting these adjustments. Although the ultimate outcome of the dispute with the IRS cannot be predicted with certainty, management is of the opinion that adequate provisions for taxes in those years have been made in the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements.

Repatriation of Foreign Earnings - On February 22, 2006, the Board of Directors of a subsidiary of the Company approved the repatriation, pursuant to The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “AJCA”), of $48,554 in foreign earnings. As a result, we incurred a one-time tax charge of $2,792 in the fourth fiscal quarter ending February 28, 2006.

Income Tax Provisions - We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments must be used in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities because of differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. We must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, we must increase our provision for taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that we estimate will not ultimately be recoverable. As changes occur in our assessments regarding our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, our tax provision is increased in any period in which we determine that the recovery is not probable.

In 1994, we engaged in a corporate restructuring that, among other things, resulted in a greater portion of our income not being subject to taxation in the United States. If such income were subject to U.S. federal income taxes, our effective income tax rate would increase materially. The AJCA included an anti-inversion provision that denies certain tax benefits to companies that have reincorporated outside the United States after March 4, 2003. We completed our reincorporation in 1994; therefore, our inverted corporate structure is grandfathered by the AJCA.

In addition to future changes in tax laws, our position on various tax matters may be challenged. Our ability to maintain our position that the parent company is not a Controlled Foreign Corporation (as defined under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code) is critical to the tax treatment of our non-U.S. earnings. A Controlled Foreign Corporation is a non-U.S. corporation whose largest U.S. shareholders (i.e., those owning 10 percent or more of its shares) together own more than 50 percent of the shares in such corporation. If a change of ownership were to occur such that the parent company became a Controlled Foreign Corporation, such a change could have a material negative effect on the largest U.S. shareholders and, in turn, on our business.
- 18 -

 
 
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of other complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the United States and other tax jurisdictions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. If we ultimately determine that payment of these amounts are not probable, we reverse the liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which we determine that the liability is no longer probable. We record an additional charge in our provision for taxes in the period in which we determine that the recorded tax liability is less than we expect the ultimate assessment to be.

Note 12 - Long Term-Debt

A summary of long-term debt was as follows:

LONG-TERM DEBT
                           
(in thousands)
                           
   
 
 
 
Range of Interest Rates
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original
Date
 
Quarter
Ended
November 30,
 
Fiscal
 
Latest
Rate
 
 
 
November 30,
 
February 28,
 
      
Borrowed
2006
2006
Payable
Matures
2006
2006
   
                             
$40,000 unsecured Senior Note Payable at a
                                         
fixed interest rate of 7.01%. Interest payable
                                         
quarterly, principal of $10,000 payable
                                         
annually beginning on January 2005.
 
01/96
   
7.01
%
 
7.01
%
 
7.01
%
 
01/08
 
$
20,000
 
$
20,000
 
                                           
$15,000 unsecured Senior Note Payable at a
                                         
fixed interest rate of 7.24%. Interest payable
                                         
quarterly, principal of $3,000 payable
                                         
annually beginning on July 2008.
 
07/97
   
7.24
%
 
7.24
%
 
7.24
%
 
07/12
   
15,000
   
15,000
 
                                           
$100,000 unsecured floating interest rate 5
                                         
Year Senior Notes. Interest set and payable
                                         
quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 85 basis
       
5.89
%
 
3.41
%
                       
points. Principal is due at maturity. Notes
       
to
   
to
                         
can be prepaid without penalty. *
 
06/04
   
6.35
%
 
5.371
%
 
5.89
%
 
06/09
   
100,000
   
100,000
 
                                           
$50,000 unsecured floating interest rate 7
                                         
Year Senior Notes. Interest set and payable
                                         
quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 85 basis
       
5.89
%
 
3.41
%
                       
points. Principal is due at maturity. Notes can
       
to
   
to
                         
be prepaid without penalty. *
 
06/04
   
6.35
%
 
5.371
%
 
5.89
%
 
06/11
   
50,000
   
50,000
 
                                           
$75,000 unsecured floating interest rate 10
                                         
Year Senior Notes. Interest set and payable
                                         
quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 90 basis
       
6.01
%
 
3.46
%
                       
points. Principal is due at maturity. Notes can
       
to
   
to
                         
be prepaid without penalty. *
 
06/04
   
6.40
%
 
5.421
%
 
6.01
%
 
06/14
   
75,000
   
75,000
 
                                           
$12,634 unsecured Industrial Development
                                         
Revenue Bond. Interest is set and payable
                                         
quarterly at Company's election at either Bank
                                         
prime or applicable LIBOR plus 75 to 125
                                         
basis points as determined by loan agreement
                                         
formula. Principal converted to five-year
             
5.295
%
                       
bonds in May 2006, balance due
             
to
                         
May, 2011. **
 
08/05
   
6.65
%
 
5.42
%
 
6.65
%
 
05/11
   
7,660
   
4,974
 
                                 
267,660
   
264,974
 
Less current portion of long-term debt
                               
(10,000
)
 
(10,000
)
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
                             
$
257,660
 
$
254,974
 
 
*
Floating interest rates have been hedged with interest rate swaps to effectively fix interest rates as discussed later in this note.
 
**
On September 15, 2006, the Company prepaid without penalty $4,974 of the Industrial Development Revenue Bond as discussed later in this note.

- 19 -

 
 
The following table contains a summary of the components of our interest expense for the periods covered by our consolidated condensed statements of income:

INTEREST EXPENSE
                 
(in thousands)
                 
       
   
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
Nine Months Ended November 30,
 
       
2006
   
2005
  
2006
    
2005
 
                   
Interest and Commitment Fees
 
$
4,392
 
$
4,073
 
$
13,220
 
$
10,730
 
Deferred Finance Costs
   
213
   
186
   
587
   
587
 
Interest Rate Swap Settlements
   
(118
)
 
   
(118
)
 
 
Total Interest Expense
 
$
4,487
 
$
4,259
 
$
13,689
 
$
11,317
  
                           
All of our long-term debt is guaranteed by either the parent company, Helen of Troy Limited, and/or certain subsidiaries on a joint and several basis and has customary covenants covering Debt/EBITDA ratios, fixed charge coverage ratios, consolidated net worth levels, and other financial requirements. Certain covenants as of the latest balance sheet date, limit our total outstanding indebtedness from all sources to no more than 3.5 times the latest twelve months trailing EBITDA. These covenants effectively limited our ability to incur no more than $40,333 of additional debt from all sources, including draws on our Revolving Line of Credit Agreement. Additionally, our debt agreements restrict us from incurring liens on any of our properties, except under certain conditions. As of November 30, 2006, we are in compliance with all the terms of these agreements.

On September 15, 2006, the Company prepaid without penalty $4,974 of the Industrial Development Revenue Bond and agreed with its holder that the remaining balance would be due at maturity in May 2011. Management continues to be able, at its discretion, to prepay any or all of the remaining balance due on the bond without penalty.

On September 28, 2006, the Company entered into interest rate hedge agreements in conjunction with its outstanding unsecured floating interest rate $100,000, 5 Year; $50,000, 7 Year; and $75,000, 10 Year Senior Notes (the “swaps”). The swaps are a hedge of the variable LIBOR rates used to reset the floating rates on the Senior Notes. The swaps effectively fix the interest rates on the 5, 7 and 10 Year Senior Notes at 5.89, 5.89 and 6.01 percent, respectively, beginning September 29, 2006. The swaps settle quarterly and terminate upon maturity of the related debt. The swaps are considered cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133 because they are intended to hedge, and are effective as a hedge, against variable cash flows.
- 20 -

 

Note 13 - Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, as of November 30, 2006 were:

PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD - TWELVE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30:
   
(in thousands)
             
   
 
 
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
After
 
  
  
Total
  
1 year
  
2 years
  
3 years
  
4 years
  
5 years
  
5 years
 
                               
Term debt - floating rate
 
$
232,660
 
$
 
$
 
$
100,000
 
$
 
$
57,660
 
$
75,000
 
Term debt - fixed rate
   
35,000
   
10,000
   
13,000
   
3,000
   
3,000
   
3,000
   
3,000
 
Long-term incentive plan payouts
   
3,110
   
1,498
   
1,612
   
   
   
   
 
Interest on floating rate debt *
   
66,252
   
13,815
   
13,815
   
11,852
   
7,925
   
6,825
   
12,020
 
Interest on fixed rate debt
   
4,813
   
1,846
   
1,121
   
787
   
570
   
353
   
136
 
Open purchase orders
   
67,979
   
67,979
   
   
   
   
   
 
Minimum royalty payments
   
59,068
   
2,911
   
2,832
   
2,752
   
5,104
   
6,241
   
39,228
 
Advertising and promotional
   
22,205
   
10,696
   
6,398
   
1,934
   
1,377
   
800
   
1,000
 
Operating leases
   
2,726
   
1,744
   
572
   
314
   
96
   
   
 
Capital spending commitments
   
492
   
492
   
   
   
   
   
 
Other
   
468
   
418
   
50
   
   
   
   
 
Total contractual obligations
 
$
494,773
 
$
111,399
 
$
39,400
 
$
120,639
 
$
18,072
 
$
74,879
 
$
130,384
 
                                             
*
The future obligation for interest on our variable rate debt has historically been estimated assuming the rates in effect as of the end of the latest fiscal quarter on which we are reporting. As mentioned above in Note 12, on September 28, 2006, the Company entered into interest rate hedge agreements in conjunction with its outstanding unsecured floating interest rate $100,000, 5 Year; $50,000, 7 Year; and $75,000, 10 Year Senior Notes (the “swaps”). The swaps are a hedge of the variable LIBOR rates used to reset the floating rates on the Senior Notes. The swaps effectively fix the interest rates on the 5, 7 and 10 Year Senior Notes at 5.89, 5.89 and 6.01 percent, respectively, beginning September 29, 2006. Accordingly, the future interest obligations related to this debt has been estimated using these rates. We also have an unsecured Industrial Development Revenue Bond, whose rate is subject to periodic adjustment. The bond’s interest rate has not been hedged. Accordingly, we estimated our future obligation for interest on it using the rates in effect as of November 30, 2006. This is only an estimate, actual rates on the bond may vary over time. For instance, a one percent increase in interest rates could add approximately $77 per year to floating rate interest expense over the bond’s remaining maturity.

We lease certain facilities, equipment and vehicles under operating leases, which expire at various dates through fiscal 2011. Certain of the leases contain escalation clauses and renewal or purchase options.

On February 2, 2006, we sold a 619,000 square foot distribution facility in Southaven, Mississippi for $16,850 recording a gain on the sale of $1,304. We entered into an initial lease agreement with the new owners through April 2006 calling for monthly rentals of $141 per month including insurance and property tax payments.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we obtained an extension on the lease of our formerly owned distribution facility. As a result we will now be making monthly lease payments of $175 including insurance and property tax payments through the end of the new lease term, which expires on February 28, 2007. The distribution facility is primarily used for appliances inventory, which we are in the process of moving from this facility to our new 1,200,000 square foot distribution facility, also located in Southaven, Mississippi. This extension of the agreement was made in order to provide us additional flexibility in the timing of the transition of our remaining operations between facilities.

Capital spending commitments include $21 for remodeling and furnishing office facilities and approximately $471 due on a project to install additional warehouse racking and forklifts, which will allow us to improve space utilization in our new Southaven, Mississippi distribution facility.
- 21 -

 
 
Rent expense related to our operating leases was $1,132 and $3,374 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, respectively, and $853 and $2,077 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005, respectively.

Note 14 - Forward Contracts

Our functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. By operating internationally, we are subject to foreign currency risk from transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar ("foreign currencies"). Such transactions include sales, certain inventory purchases and operating expenses. As a result of such transactions, portions of our cash, trade accounts receivable, and trade accounts payable are denominated in foreign currencies. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, we transacted approximately 17 and 16 percent, respectively of our net sales in foreign currencies. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005, we transacted approximately 18 and 15 percent, respectively of our net sales in foreign currencies. These sales were primarily denominated in the British Pound, the Euro, the Canadian Dollar, the Brazilian Real and the Mexican Peso. We make most of our inventory purchases from the Far East and use the U.S. Dollar for such purchases.

We identify foreign currency risk by regularly monitoring our foreign currency-denominated transactions and balances. Where operating conditions permit, we reduce foreign currency risk by purchasing most of our inventory with U.S. Dollars and by converting cash balances denominated in foreign currencies to U.S. Dollars.

We also hedge against foreign currency exchange rate-risk by using a series of forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges to protect against the foreign currency exchange risk inherent in our forecasted transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. In these transactions, we execute a forward currency contract that will settle at the end of a forecasted period. During the forecasted period, a hedging relationship is created because the size and terms of the forward contract are designed so that its fair market value will move in the opposite direction and approximate magnitude of the underlying foreign currency’s forecasted exchange gain or loss. To the extent we forecast the expected foreign currency cash flows from the period the forward contract is entered into until the date it will settle with reasonable accuracy, we significantly lower or materially eliminate a particular currency’s exchange risk exposure over the life of the related forward contract.

For transactions designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in the fair value (arising from the change in the spot rates from period to period) is deferred in other comprehensive income. These amounts are subsequently recognized in "Selling, general, and administrative expense" in the consolidated condensed statements of income in the same period as the forecasted transactions close out over the remaining balance of their terms. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value (arising from the change in the difference between the spot rate and the forward rate) is recognized in the period it occurred. These amounts are also recognized in "Selling, general, and administrative expense" in the consolidated condensed statements of income. We do not enter into any forward exchange contracts or similar instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company decided to actively manage most of its floating rate debt using interest rate swaps. The Company entered into three interest rate swaps that convert an aggregate notional principal of $225,000 from floating interest rate payments under its 5, 7 and 10 Year Senior Notes to fixed interest rate payments ranging from 5.89 to 6.01 percent. In these transactions, we executed three contracts to pay fixed rates of interest on an aggregate notional principal amount of $225,000 at rates currently ranging from 5.04 to 5.11 percent while simultaneously receiving floating rate interest payments currently set at 5.37 percent on the same notional amount. The fixed rate side of the swap will not change over the life of the swap. The floating rate payments are reset quarterly based on three month LIBOR. The resets are concurrent with the interest payments made on the underlying debt. These swaps are used to reduce the Company’s risk of the possibility of increased interest costs; however, should interest rates drop significantly, we could also lose the benefit that floating rate debt can provide in a declining interest rate environment.
- 22 -

 

The swaps are considered 100 percent effective. Gains and losses related to the swaps, net of related tax effects are reported as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income” and will not be reclassified into earnings until the conclusion of the hedge. A partial net settlement occurs quarterly concurrent with interest payments made on the underlying debt. The settlement is the net difference between the fixed rates payable and the floating rates receivable over the quarter under the swap contracts. The settlement is recognized as a component of "Interest expense" in the consolidated condensed statements of income.

The following table summarizes the various forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts we designated as cash flow hedges that were open at November 30, 2006 and February 28, 2006:

CASH FLOW HEDGES
             
November 30, 2006
     
Contract
 
Currency to 
 
Notional
 
Contract
 
Range of Maturities
 
Spot Rate at Contract
 
Spot Rate at November 30,
 
Weighted Average Forward Rate at
 
Weighted Average Forward Rate at November 30,
 
Market Value of the Contract in U.S. Dollars
 
Type
 
Deliver
 
Amount
 
Date
 
From
 
To
 
Date
 
 2006
 
Inception
 
2006
 
(Thousands)
 
                                           
Foreign Currency Contracts
                                       
Sell
   
Pounds
   
£10,000,000
   
1/26/2005
   
12/11/2006
   
2/9/2007
   
1.8700
   
1.9661
   
1.8228
   
1.9657
   
($1,428
)
Sell
   
Pounds
   
£10,000,000
   
5/12/2006
   
12/14/2007
   
2/14/2008
   
1.8940
   
1.9661
   
1.9010
   
1.9590
   
($580
)
Sell
   
Pounds
   
£5,000,000
   
11/28/2006
   
12/11/2008
   
1/15/2009
   
1.9385
   
1.9661
   
1.9242
   
1.9482
   
($120
)
Subtotal
                                                         
($2,129
)
                                                               
Interest Rate Swap Contracts             
                                     
Swap
   
Dollars
 
$
100,000,000
   
9/28/2006
   
6/29/2009
         
(Pay fixed rate at 5.04%, receive floating rate at 5.37%)
   
($598
)
Swap
   
Dollars
 
$
50,000,000
   
9/28/2006
   
6/29/2011
         
(Pay fixed rate at 5.04%, receive floating rate at 5.37%)
   
($597
)
Swap
   
Dollars
 
$
75,000,000
   
9/28/2006
   
6/29/2014
         
(Pay fixed rate at 5.11%, receive floating rate at 5.37%)
   
($1,521
)
Subtotal
                                                         
($2,716
)
                                                               
Fair Value of Cash Flow Hedges             
                               
($4,845
)
 
      
February 28, 2006                    
 
Contract
 
 Currency to
 
 Notional
 
 Contract
 
 Range of Maturities  
 
 Spot Rate at Contract
 
 Spot Rate at Feb. 28,
 
 Weighted Average Forward Rate at
 
 Weighted Average Forward Rate at Feb. 28,
 
 Market Value of the Contract in U.S. Dollars
 
Type
 
Deliver  
 
Amount  
 
Date  
 
From  
 
 To
 
Date  
 
2006  
 
Inception 
 
2006  
 
(Thousands)  
 
                                                     
Sell
   
Pounds
   
£10,000,000
   
 1/26/2005
   
12/11/2006
   
 2/9/2007
   
1.8700
   
1.7540
   
1.8228
   
1.7644
 
$
584
 
 
The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the other party (a large financial institution) to its current existing forward and swap contracts. However, the Company does not anticipate non-performance by the other party.

Note 15 - Repurchase of Helen of Troy Shares

During the quarter ended August 31, 2003, our Board of Directors approved a resolution authorizing the purchase, in open market or through private transactions, of up to 3,000,000 common shares over an initial period extending through May 31, 2006. On April 25, 2006, our Board of Directors approved a resolution to extend the existing plan for three more years through May 31, 2009. During the fiscal quarters ended November 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, we did not repurchase any common shares. From September 1, 2003 through November 30, 2006, we have repurchased 1,563,836 shares at a total cost of $45,612, or an average price per share of $29.17. An additional 1,436,164 shares remain authorized for purchase under this plan.
- 23 -

 

Note 16 - Customer and Supplier Concentrations

Customers - Sales to our largest customer and its affiliate accounted for approximately 22 percent and 25 percent of our net sales in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. Sales to our second largest customer accounted for approximately 10 percent and 8 percent of our net sales in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. No other customers accounted for ten percent or more of net sales during those fiscal years. Sales to our top five customers accounted for approximately 46 percent and 44 percent in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Suppliers - We use third party manufacturers to fulfill our manufacturing needs. Most of these manufacturers are in the Far East, primarily in the Peoples' Republic of China. Most of our grooming, skin care and hair care products are currently manufactured in North America. We have found that contract manufacturing maximizes our flexibility and responsiveness to industry and consumer trends while minimizing the need for capital expenditures and the risk embedded in such expenditures. Manufacturers who produce our products use formulas, molds, and certain other tooling, some of which we own, in manufacturing those products. Both our business segments employ numerous technical and quality control persons to assure high product quality.

We have relationships with over 200 third-party manufacturers. Of those, the top two manufacturers currently fulfill approximately 24 percent of our product requirements. Our top five suppliers currently fulfill approximately 43 percent of our product requirements.

We do not have long-term contracts with our manufacturers. We rely on our longstanding relationships with these suppliers to assure adequate sources of supply. Should one or more of our manufacturers stop producing product on our behalf, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results from operations.

Note 17 - Acquisition of Trademarks, Rights Under License Agreements and Other Property

On September 25, 2006, the Company acquired all rights to trademarks, certain patents, formulas, tooling and production processes to Vessel, Inc.’s rechargeable lighting products under various brand names, including Candela® and Candeloo(TM). The products will be sold by the Company’s Housewares segment. We believe the acquired trademarks have indefinite economic lives. The following schedule presents the assets acquired at closing and management’s preliminary purchase price allocation:

Assets Acquired from Vessel, Inc.
     
(in thousands)
     
          
Trademarks
 
$
354
 
Patents
   
120
 
Fixed Assets
   
26
 
Total assets acquired
 
$
500
 
         
On December 6, 2006, we entered into a licensing arrangement with MBL/Tigi Products, L.P. and MBL/Toni & Guy Products L.P. for the use of the BED HEAD® by TIGI and TONI&GUY® trademarks for personal care products in the Western Hemisphere. The Company will introduce a complete line of hair care appliance products under the BED HEAD® by TIGI and TONI&GUY® brand names that eventually will include hair dryers, hair styling irons and straighteners, hot air brushes, hair setters, combs, brushes and hair care accessories, as well as a variety of other personal care products. Initial marketing will commence in the United States, followed by the remainder of the Western Hemisphere, with product shipments to begin during the next fiscal year.

- 24 -

 

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

This discussion contains a number of forward-looking statements, all of which are based on current expectations. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including those discussed in Part I, Item 3. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk", "Information Regarding Forward Looking Statements", Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated condensed financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2006.

OVERVIEW OF THE QUARTER'S AND YEAR-TO-DATE ACTIVITIES:

The third fiscal quarter’s net sales traditionally average approximately 34 percent of the fiscal year's total net sales on a historical basis, and is our highest volume quarter each fiscal year.

During the quarter, we continued to refine and improve our abilities to operate our new 1,200,000 square foot Southaven, Mississippi distribution facility. We have completed a project to add approximately $1,500 of storage racking, and associated handling equipment to the facility to better utilize its space. Starting in December 2006, we commenced the consolidation of our domestic Personal Care appliance inventory into the new distribution facility. The lease on the previously owned distribution facility that housed the inventory will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Our current intent is to have the appliance move completed by the end of this fiscal year. The current need to operate out of two facilities continues to result in some duplication of costs. We do not expect to achieve the complete anticipated cost savings relating to our distribution facility consolidation until some point later in fiscal 2008.

During the quarter, our Housewares segment acquired intellectual property rights, including trademarks and patents to market rechargeable lighting products under various brand names, including Candela® and Candeloo(TM) from Vessel, Inc. This provides us a new category of products that are a good strategic fit with our existing business. Under the acquisition agreement, we will allow Vessel, Inc. to continue to sell its product inventories through May 2007 in exchange for a commission on the sales. Meanwhile, we are in the process of designing new packaging and products and expect to have these available for shipment in June 2007.

In the Personal Care segment, on December 6, 2006, we concluded negotiations for a licensing arrangement with MBL/Tigi Products, L.P. and MBL/Toni & Guy Products L.P. for the use of the BED HEAD® by TIGI and TONI&GUY® trademarks for personal care appliances in the Western Hemisphere. The Company will introduce a complete line of hair care appliance products under the BED HEAD® by TIGI and TONI&GUY® brand names that eventually will include hair dryers, hair styling irons and straighteners, hot air brushes, hair setters, combs, brushes and hair care accessories, as well as a variety of other personal care products. Initial marketing will commence in the United States, followed by the remainder of the Western Hemisphere, with product shipments to begin during the next fiscal year.

Highlights of the three- and nine-months ended November 30, 2006 follow:

·  
Consolidated net sales for the fiscal quarter just ended increased 8.1 percent to $213,437 compared to $197,458 for the same period last year. Consolidated net sales for the nine month period ending November 30, 2006 increased 7.9 percent to $491,050 compared to $455,239 for the same period last year. The quarter just ended produced the highest recorded quarterly sales in the Company’s history. Both the quarter and year to date periods produced sales increases across all major product lines, when compared to the same fiscal periods last year.
 
- 25 -

 
·  
Consolidated gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal quarter just ended decreased 0.7 percentage points to 42.9 percent compared to 43.6 percent for the same period last year. Consolidated gross profit margin for the nine-month period ending November 30, 2006 decreased 1.0 percentage point to 44.0 percent compared to 45.0 percent for the same period last year.

·  
Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal quarter just ended increased 0.1 percentage points to 29.2 percent compared to 29.1 percent for the same period last year. Selling, general and administrative expense for the the nine-month period ending November 30, 2006 increased 0.2 percentage points to 32.5 percent compared to 32.3 percent for the same period last year. The marginal percentage point increases for the three- and nine-months ended November 30, 2006 is mostly due to the impact of increases in depreciation and higher facility related costs from the operational transition of our domestic distribution system, increased personnel costs, and compliance charges paid to vendors for claims associated with our Housewares segment’s order processing and shipping issues that occurred earlier during the fiscal year.

·  
Our financial position continues to strengthen when compared to our financial position as of November 30, 2005. While total assets decreased 2.0 percent, or $19,162, to $931,975 at November 30, 2006 when compared with November 30, 2005, most of the decrease was attributable to reductions in inventory levels over those held at November 30, 2005. Total current and long-term debt outstanding at November 30, 2006 was $267,660 compared to $334,974 outstanding at November 30, 2005. Total stockholders’ equity was $515,657 at November 30, 2006 compared to $468,896 at November 30, 2005.

We will be transitioning Mexico and other Latin American operations to our global information system late in fiscal 2007 and in fiscal 2008. In addition, our Housewares segment recently expanded the scope of its operations in Japan and the United Kingdom, including opening a new sales office in Japan, with efforts to install and implement appropriate software systems for these operations underway. Due to the complexities of these efforts, we expect to continue to experience a period of significant change.

Personal Care Segment

Net sales in the segment for the third fiscal quarter increased 7.9 percent to $173,741 compared with $161,007 for the same period last year. Net sales for the nine month period ending November 30, 2006 increased 7.6 percent to $390,041 compared with $362,384 for the same period last year. All major product lines in this segment showed increases in the third quarter when compared with the same period last year.

Domestically, we operate in mature markets where we compete on product innovation, price, quality and customer service. We continuously adjust our product mix, pricing and marketing programs to try to maintain, and in some cases, acquire more retail shelf space. Changes in product mix are generally allowing us to realize higher average unit prices, which offset in some categories, unit volume decreases. Over the last year, the prices of raw materials such as copper, steel, plastics and alcohol have experienced significant increases and have only just begun to moderate. We continue to discuss the need to raise prices with our customers and have already put certain increases into effect. In some cases, we have been successful raising prices to our customers, or passing cost increases on by moving customers to newer product models with enhancements that justify a higher price. In other cases, we have not been successful. Sales price increases and product enhancements can have long lead times before their impact is realized. The extent to which we will be able to continue with price increases, the timing, and the ultimate impact of such increases on net sales is uncertain. Accordingly we have experienced margin pressure in this segment.

·  
Appliances. Products in this line include electronic curling irons, thermal brushes, hair straighteners, hair crimpers, hair dryers, massagers, spa products, foot baths, electric clippers and trimmers. Net sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 increased approximately 7.9 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively, over the same periods in the prior year. We have succeeded in moving our business to higher unit prices with increased unit volumes. For the quarter and year-to-date, increases in our average unit selling price contributed approximately 3.6 and 4.0 percent, respectively, to net sales growth while increases in our unit volumes contributed approximately 4.3 and 3.2 percent, respectively to net sales growth.
 
For the quarter and year-to-date, North American operations contributed approximately 4.5 and 3.9 percent, respectively, and European and Latin American operations contributed approximately 3.4 and 3.3 percent, respectively, to net sales growth. Revlon®, Vidal Sassoon®, Hot Tools®, Dr. Scholl's®, Wigo®, Sunbeam®, and Health o Meter® were key selling brands in this line.

- 26 -

 

In March 2006, we secured the rights in certain European and Asian Markets to introduce a line of hair care appliances under the Toni & Guy brand name. Toni & Guy is an international chain of hair salons throughout Europe that has expanded operations into certain key urban markets in the United States. We believe our association with Toni & Guy will create new sales opportunities for our products in Europe. During the second fiscal quarter 2006, we began shipment of products under the Toni & Guy brand.

In August, we began shipping our new Fusion Tools® line of professional appliances designed to compete at the higher end of the professional market.

On December 6, 2006, we entered into a licensing arrangement with MBL/Tigi Products, L.P. and MBL/Toni & Guy Products L.P. for the use of the BED HEAD® by TIGI and TONI&GUY® trademarks for personal care appliances in the Western Hemisphere. The Company will introduce a complete line of hair care appliance products under the BED HEAD® by TIGI and TONI&GUY® brand names that eventually will include hair dryers, hair styling irons and straighteners, hot air brushes, hair setters, combs, brushes and hair care accessories, as well as a variety of other personal care products. Initial marketing will commence in the United States, followed by the remainder of the Western Hemisphere, with product shipments scheduled to begin during the next fiscal year.

Grooming, Skin Care, and Hair Products. Products in this line include liquid hair styling products, men’s fragrances, men’s deodorants, body powder, and skin care products. Our grooming, skin care, and hair care portfolio includes the Brut®, Sea Breeze®, Vitalis®, Condition® 3-in-1, Ammens®, and Skin Milk® brand names. Net sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 increased approximately 6.7 and 3.8 percent, respectively, when compared against the same periods in the prior year.

Most of the sales increase in this line for the third fiscal quarter came from our Latin American region. Growth resulted from the performance of Brut® in the Mexican market, new distribution and continued expansion of our product lines across the Latin American region. Our domestic net sales for the quarter were bolstered by the introduction of Brut Revolution®, a newly formulated, glass bottled, higher-end men’s cologne that sells at higher price points than the brand’s traditional plastic bottled line.

·  
Brushes, Combs, and Accessories. Net sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 increased approximately 12.0 percent and 23.5 percent, respectively over the same periods in the prior year. This was due to new customers and product development and positioning changes made over the last year. Our new lines and mix of Vidal Sassoon® and Revlon® accessories, high end private label products, and other product initiatives are achieving higher unit prices along with new distribution. Vidal Sassoon®, Revlon® and Karina® were the key selling brands in this line. As mentioned above, BED HEAD® by TIGI and the TONI&GUY® brand names will provide opportunities for additional sales in this line of business.

- 27 -

 
 
Housewares Segment

Our Housewares segment includes the operations of OXO International, acquired in fiscal 2005. OXO Good Grips®, OXO Steel™ and OXO SoftWorks® are our key brands in this segment. Our Housewares segment’s products include kitchen tools, cutlery, bar and wine accessories, household cleaning tools, tea kettles, trash cans, storage and organization products, hand tools, gardening tools, kitchen mitts and trivets, and barbeque tools.

During the quarter, our Housewares segment acquired intellectual property rights, including trademarks and patents to market rechargeable lighting products under various brand names, including Candela® and Candeloo(TM) from Vessel, Inc. We do not expect to see sales from new product rollouts of this line until mid to late fiscal 2008.

Net sales in the segment for the third fiscal quarter increased 8.9 percent to $39,696 compared with $36,451 for the same period last year. Net sales for the nine month period ending November 30, 2006 increased 8.8 percent to $101,009 compared with $92,855 for the same period last year.

For the third fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2006, higher average unit prices and a modest increase in unit volumes favorably impacted net sales by approximately 8.5 and 0.4 percent, respectively when compared to the same period last year. Unit prices are increasing because the Houseware segment’s business has been expanding its product mix into higher priced goods such as trash cans, tea kettles, and hand tools. Unit volumes increased primarily through growth with existing accounts as well as new distribution in the grocery channel.

For the nine-months ended November 30, 2006, higher average unit prices favorably impacted net sales by approximately 11.5 percent. As mentioned above, unit prices increased because the Houseware segment’s business has been expanding its product mix into higher price point goods such as trash cans, tea kettles, and hand tools. This was partially offset by first fiscal quarter declines in unit volumes due to issues associated with our transition to our new distribution center. The first quarter declines had a year to date negative 2.7 percent impact on sales.

We have begun to expand our Housewares segment’s sales operations in the United Kingdom and Japan. In the second quarter, we terminated certain existing distribution agreements we had in these countries and are establishing our own selling offices, leveraging certain existing facilities, infrastructure and sales contacts, where possible. We believe that with relatively modest additional infrastructure investments, we can enhance our presence in those markets. This is a long range initiative and we do not expect any meaningful sales impact from these efforts through the end of the current fiscal year.
- 28 -

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of fiscal quarter and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 to the same periods ended November 30, 2005.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our selected operating data, in U.S. dollars, as a percentage of net sales, and as a year-over-year percentage change.

SELECTED OPERATING DATA
                 
(dollars in thousands)
                 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
  
Quarter ended November 30,
  
2006
  
2005
  
$ Change
  
% Change
  
2006
  
2005
   
                           
Net sales
                                     
Personal Care Segment
 
$
173,741
 
$
161,007
 
$
12,734
   
7.9
%
 
81.4
%
 
81.5
%
Housewares Segment
   
39,696
   
36,451
   
3,245
   
8.9
%
 
18.6
%
 
18.5
%
Total net sales
   
213,437
   
197,458
   
15,979
   
8.1
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Cost of sales
   
121,960
   
111,414
   
10,546
   
9.5
%
 
57.1
%
 
56.4
%
Gross profit
   
91,477
   
86,044
   
5,433
   
6.3
%
 
42.9
%
 
43.6
%
                                       
Selling, general, and administrative expense
   
62,375
   
57,396
   
4,979
   
8.7
%
 
29.2
%
 
29.1
%
Operating income
   
29,102
   
28,648
   
454
   
1.6
%
 
13.6
%
 
14.5
%
                                       
Other income (expense):
                                     
Interest expense
   
(4,487
)
 
(4,259
)
 
(228
)
 
5.4
%
 
-2.1
%
 
-2.2
%
Other income (expense), net
   
863
   
(623
)
 
1,486
   
*
   
0.4
%
 
-0.3
%
Total other expense, net
   
(3,624
)
 
(4,882
)
 
1,258
   
-25.8
%
 
-1.7
%
 
-2.5
%
Earnings before income taxes
   
25,478
   
23,766
   
1,712
   
7.2
%
 
11.9
%
 
12.0
%
Income tax expense
   
2,665
   
1,100
   
1,565
   
*
   
1.2
%
 
0.6
%
Net earnings
 
$
22,813
 
$
22,666
 
$
147
   
0.6
%
 
10.7
%
 
11.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
  
Nine Months ended November 30,
  
2006
  
2005
   
$ Change
   
% Change
  
2006
  
2005
  
                           
Net sales
                                     
Personal Care Segment
 
$
390,041
 
$
362,384
 
$
27,657
   
7.6
%
 
79.4
%
 
79.6
%
Housewares Segment
   
101,009
    
92,855
   
8,154
     
8.8
%
 
20.6
%
  
20.4
%
Total net sales
   
491,050
   
455,239
   
35,811
   
7.9
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Cost of sales
   
274,964
     
250,285
   
24,679
    
9.9
%
 
56.0
%
  
55.0
%
Gross profit
   
216,086
   
204,954
   
11,132
   
5.4
%
 
44.0
%
 
45.0
%
                                       
Selling, general, and administrative expense
   
159,428
     
146,878
   
12,550
     
8.5
%
 
32.5
%
  
32.3
%
Operating income
   
56,658
     
58,076
   
(1,418
)
  
-2.4
%
 
11.5
%
  
12.8
%
                                       
Other income (expense):
                                     
Interest expense
   
(13,689
)
 
(11,317
)
 
(2,372
)
 
21.0
%
 
-2.8
%
  
-2.5
%
Other income (expense), net
   
1,940
     
(277
)
 
2,217
    
*
   
0.4
%
  
-0.1
%
Total other expense, net
   
(11,749
)
  
(11,594
)
 
(155
)
  
1.3
%
 
-2.4
%
  
-2.5
%
Earnings before income taxes
   
44,909
   
46,482
   
(1,573
)
 
-3.4
%
 
9.1
%
 
10.2
%
Income tax expense
   
4,543
     
3,816
   
727
    
19.1
%
 
0.9
%
  
0.8
%
Net earnings
 
$
40,366
 
$
42,666
 
$
(2,300
)
  
-5.4
%
 
8.2
%
 
9.4
%
                                       
* Calculation is Not Meaningful
- 29 -

 

Consolidated Sales and Gross Profit Margins

Consolidated net sales for the third fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2006 increased 8.1 percent to $213,437 compared with $197,458 for the same period last year. Consolidated net sales for the nine-month period ending November 30, 2006 increased 7.9 percent to $491,050 compared with $455,239 for the same period last year. Lighting products provided $18 of commission revenue from new product acquisitions for the three- and nine months ending November 30, 2006. Regarding lighting products, we are in the process of designing new packaging and products and expect to have these available for shipment in June 2007.

Substantially all growth during the quarter came from our core business (business we operated during the same fiscal period last year). For the fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2005, new product acquisitions included one month’s net sales of Skin Milk® and Time Block® lines of skin care products, acquired in September 2004. For the nine-month period ending November 30, 2005, new product acquisitions included OXO Housewares products until May 31, 2005 and the Skin Milk® and Time Block® lines of skin care products until September 30, 2005. The following table sets forth the impact acquisitions had on our net sales:

IMPACT OF ACQUISITIONS ON NET SALES
         
(in thousands)
         
                    
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
  
     
2006
2005
 
           
Prior year's net sales for the same period
 
$
197,458
 
$
205,682
 
               
Components of net sales change:
             
Core business net sales change
   
15,961
   
(8,519
)
Net sales from acquisitions (non-core business net sales)
   
18
     
295
 
Change in net sales
   
15,979
     
(8,224
)
Net sales
 
$
213,437
    
$
197,458
 
               
Total net sales growth
   
8.1
%
 
-4.0
%
Core business net sales change
   
8.1
%
 
-4.1
%
Net sales change from acquisitions (non-core business net sales change)
   
0.0
%
 
0.1
%
  
                  
 
Nine Months Ended November 30,
  
      
2006
    
2005
  
           
Prior year's net sales for the same period
 
$
455,239
 
$
453,932
 
               
Components of net sales change:
             
Core business net sales change
   
35,793
   
(28,168
)
Net sales from acquisitions (non-core business net sales)
   
18
    
29,475
 
Change in net sales
   
35,811
    
1,307
 
Net sales
 
$
491,050
  
$
455,239
 
               
Total net sales growth
   
7.9
%
 
0.3
%
Core business net sales change
   
7.9
%
 
-6.2
%
Net sales change from acquisitions (non-core business net sales change)
   
0.0
%
 
6.5
%

- 30 -

 
 
For the three-months ended November 30, 2006, our Personal Care segment contributed $12,734, or 6.4 percent to our consolidated net sales growth and our Housewares segment contributed $3,245, or 1.7 percent to our consolidated net sales growth for a combined growth rate of 8.1 percent.

For the nine-months ended November 30, 2006, our Personal Care segment contributed $27,657, or 6.1 percent to our consolidated net sales growth and our Housewares segment contributed $8,154, or 1.8 percent to our consolidated net sales growth for a combined growth rate of 7.9 percent.

In our Personal Care segment, overall product mix changes allowed us to realize higher average unit prices for the three- and nine month periods ended November 30, 2006. During those periods, average unit price increases contributed 3.6 and 4.0 percent, respectively, to sales growth while average unit volumes contributed 4.3 and 3.2 percent, respectively, to sales growth over the same periods in the prior year.

In our Housewares segment, product mix changes also allowed us to realize higher average unit prices.
For the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, average unit prices increases contributed 8.5 and 11.5 percent, respectively, to sales growth over the same periods in the prior year. For the three-months ended November 30, 2006, unit volume increases contributed a 0.4 percent to our sales growth over the same period in the prior year. For the nine-month period ended November 30, 2006, we experienced an overall unit volume decline of 2.7 percent over the same period in the prior year. The decline in unit volumes was due to issues associated with our transition to our new distribution center during the first fiscal quarter.

Consolidated gross profit, as a percentage of sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, decreased 0.7 and 1.0 percent to 42.9 and 44.0 percent, respectively, compared to 43.6 and 45.0 percent, respectively, for the same periods in the prior year. The decrease in gross profit is primarily due to:

·  
Price concessions, allowances and accommodations granted to customers for late shipments in our Housewares segment during the first fiscal quarter.

·  
The Housewares segment’s expansion into higher unit price, lower margin product lines.

·  
Margin pressure in our Personal Care segment due to raw materials price increases.

·  
Promotional pricing and close-out selling throughout the fiscal year, primarily in the Personal Care segment, in order to reduce domestic inventory levels.

·  
An increase in the amount of direct import programs we manage for our customers. Under a direct import program, we design and arrange for the shipment of product specifically for a particular customer. The product is shipped with the customer as the importer of record and title to the goods transfers upon departure from our manufacturers. The customer is responsible for all inbound transportation and importation costs which results in us charging a reduced price on the related goods.

In the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2006, margins continued to benefit from an overall favorable impact on net sales of exchange rates. The U.S. Dollar reversed its first fiscal quarter year-over-year trend of strengthening against the British Pound and Euro and began to weaken. The dollar continued its trend of strengthening against the Mexican Peso. The overall net impact of foreign currency changes was to provide approximately $1,535 and $2,249 of additional sales dollars for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 when compared to the same periods in the prior year. For the nine-month period ended November 30, 2006, the British Pound, the Euro, Canadian Dollar and Brazil Real were a source of exchange rate gains, which were partially offset by unfavorable exchange rates for the Mexican Peso and other Latin American currencies.
- 31 -

 
Selling, general, and administrative expense

Selling, general, and administrative expense, expressed as a percentage of net sales, increased slightly for the three- and nine-months ended November 30, 2006 to 29.2 and 32.5 percent, respectively, from 29.1 and 32.3 percent, respectively for the same periods in the prior year. The marginal increases during these periods were due to the impact of increases in depreciation and higher facility related costs from the operational transition of our domestic distribution system, increased personnel costs, and compliance charges for claims associated with our Housewares segment’s order processing and shipping issues that occurred earlier during the fiscal year.

Operating Income by Segment:

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our operating income by segment, as a percentage of net sales, and as a year-over-year percentage change:
 
OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT
(dollars in thousands)
 
    
                 
% of Segment Net Sales
   
Quarter Ended November 30,
     
2006
2005
$ Change
% Change
2006
2005
   
                           
Personal Care
 
$
20,077
 
$
19,045
 
$
1,032
   
5.4
%
 
11.6
%
 
11.8
%
Housewares
   
9,025
    
9,603
   
(578
)
 
-6.0
%
 
22.7
%
  
26.3
%
Total operating income
 
$
29,102
  
$
28,648
 
$
454
    
1.6
%
 
13.6
%
  
14.5
%
 
     
                 
% of Segment Net Sales
   
Nine Months Ended November 30,
  
2006
  
2005
  
$ Change
  
% Change
   
2006
  
2005
  
                           
Personal Care
 
$
35,970
 
$
33,396
 
$
2,574
   
7.7
%
 
9.2
%
 
9.2
%
Housewares
   
20,688
    
24,680
   
(3,992
)
  
-16.2
%
 
20.5
%
  
26.6
%
Total operating income
 
$
56,658
  
$
58,076
 
$
(1,418
)
  
-2.4
%
 
11.5
%
  
12.8
%
 
In addition to the changes in operating income components discussed above, during the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, we began allocating corporate overhead to our Housewares segment. The operating income for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005 does not include this allocation for the reasons discussed below.

Operating profit for each operating segment is computed based on net sales, less cost of goods sold and any selling, general, and administrative expenses associated with the segment. The selling, general, and administrative expenses used to compute each segment's operating profit are comprised of SG&A directly associated with the segment, plus overhead expenses that are allocable to the operating segment. In connection with the acquisition of our Housewares segment, the seller agreed to perform certain operating functions for the segment for a transitional period of time that ended February 28, 2006. The costs of these functions were reflected in SG&A for the Housewares segment’s operating income. During the transitional period, we did not make an allocation of our corporate overhead to Housewares. For the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, we began making allocations of corporate overhead and distribution center expenses to Housewares in lieu of the transition charges recorded in the prior year. These allocations had a negative impact on the operating income from the Housewares segment. For the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, we allocated expenses totaling $3,690 and $9,448, respectively, to the Housewares segment, some of which were previously absorbed by the Personal Care segment. For the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005, transition charges of $3,303 and $8,087, respectively, were used to compute the Housewares segments operating income. For additional discussion of these charges, see Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements.
- 32 -


The recent transition of our Houseware segment’s operations to our internal operating systems and our new distribution facility in Southaven, Mississippi and the pending consolidation of our domestic appliance inventories into the same new distribution facility have caused us to incur, and will continue to cause us to incur, additional expenses that we believe will decline when operations in the new distribution facility stabilize at some point later in fiscal 2008.

We are in the process of re-evaluating our allocation methodology, and plan to change our methodology in fiscal 2008 to better reflect the evolving economics of our operation. At that time, we expect the new methodology to result in some reduction in operating income for the Housewares segment, offset by an increase in the operating income for the Personal Care segment. Until we finalize our approach, the extent of this operating income impact between the segments cannot be determined.

Interest expense and other income / expense

Interest expense for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 increased to $4,487 and $13,689, respectively, compared to $4,259 and $11,317, respectively, for the same periods in the prior year. The overall increase is the result of increased interest rates on our floating rate debt and interest expense recorded in our first fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2006 in connection with a Hong Kong tax settlement.

On September 28, 2006, the Company entered into interest rate hedge agreements in conjunction with its outstanding unsecured floating interest rate $100,000, 5 Year; $50,000, 7 Year; and $75,000, 10 Year Senior Notes (the “swaps”). The swaps are a hedge of the variable LIBOR rates used to reset the floating rates on the Senior Notes. The swaps effectively fixed the interest rates on the 5, 7 and 10 Year Senior Notes at 5.89, 5.89 and 6.01 percent, respectively, beginning September 29, 2006.

Other income, net for the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 was $863 and $1,940, respectively, compared to net expenses of ($623) and ($277), respectively, for the same periods in the prior year. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the key components of other income and expense, as a percentage of net sales, and as a year-over-year percentage change:
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
(dollars in thousands)
     
                 
% of Net Sales
   
Quarter Ended November 30,
    
2006
2005
$ Change
% Change
2006
2005
   
                           
Interest income
 
$
395
 
$
575
 
$
(180
)
 
*
   
0.2
%
 
*
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
   
10
   
(97
)
 
107
   
*
   
*
   
0.1
%
Miscellaneous other income
(expense), net
   
458
    
(1,101
)
 
1,559
   
*
   
*
       
-0.6
%
Total other income (expense), net
 
$
863
  
$
(623
)
$
1,486
    
*
   
0.4
%
 
-0.3
%
 
 
    
                   
% of Net Sales
  
Nine Months Ended November 30,
    
2006
2005
$ Change
% Change
2006
2005
  
                           
Interest income
 
$
1,029
 
$
710
 
$
319
   
*
   
0.2
%
 
0.2
%
Net unrealized gains on securities
   
34
   
(90
)
 
124
   
*
   
*
   
*
 
Miscellaneous other income
(expense), net
   
877
    
(897
)
 
1,774
     
*
   
0.2
%
  
-0.2
%
Total other income (expense), net
 
$
1,940
  
$
(277
)
$
2,217
     
*
   
0.4
%
  
-0.1
%

* Calculation is not meaningful
- 33 -

 
Interest income was lower for the three months ended November 30, 2006, when compared to the same period last year because last year’s balance included $463 of interest income on an income tax receivable. Interest income was higher for the nine months ended November 30, 2006 when compared to the same period last year due to higher levels of temporarily invested cash being held thus far this year and higher interest rates earned.
 
Miscellaneous other income for the three- and nine-month period ended November 30, 2006, includes a $450 gain on a litigation settlement in the third quarter and a $422 first quarter gain from the sale of 3.9 acres of raw land adjacent to our El Paso, Texas office and distribution center. The three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005 included a $1,550 net settlement loss arising from claims under a bankruptcy plan of reorganization for Tactica International, Inc., a former 55 percent owned subsidiary and discontinued segment of the Company offset by $400 of miscellaneous other income due to a favorable legal settlement.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006 was 10.5 and 10.1 percent of earnings before income taxes, respectively, versus 4.6 and 8.2 percent of earnings before income taxes, respectively, for the same periods in the prior year. Our tax expense for the third fiscal quarter continues to increase to more normalized levels on a year-to-date basis over the percentages of earnings recorded for the first half of the current fiscal year. This is due to:

·
In the first fiscal quarter of the current year, we reversed $192 of tax provision previously established in connection with a Hong Kong tax settlement. This had the effect of lowering that quarter’s tax expense by 2.7 percent; and

·
During the second and third quarters of the 2007 fiscal year, more income was recognized in higher tax rate jurisdictions than was recognized in the first fiscal quarter.

The prior year’s quarterly effective tax rate was unusually low as a result of two factors: first, during the third quarter of fiscal 2006 we incurred lower taxable income from operations in the United States and had tax losses in European countries, both of which are higher tax rate jurisdictions, and second, the favorable tax impact of the Tactica net settlement loss (as previously discussed), which was incurred in the United States, a high tax rate jurisdiction.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Selected measures of our liquidity and capital resources as of November 30, 2006 and November 30, 2005 are shown below:

SELECTED MEASURES OF OUR LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
      
 
Nine Months Ended November 30,
   
       
2006
  
2005
   
           
Accounts Receivable Turnover (Days) (1)
   
78.5
   
85.7
 
Inventory Turnover (Times) (1)
   
2.0
   
1.9
 
Working Capital (in thousands)
 
$
237,052
 
$
169,122
 
Current Ratio
   
2.5 : 1
   
1.8 : 1
 
Ending Debt to Ending Equity Ratio (2)
   
51.9
%
 
71.4
%
Return on Average Equity (1)
   
9.7
%
 
12.6
%
 
(1)
Accounts receivable turnover, inventory turnover, and return on average equity computations use 12-month trailing sales, cost of sales, or net income components as required by the particular measure. The current and four prior quarters' ending balances of accounts receivable, inventory, and equity are used for the purposes of computing the average balance component as required by the particular measure.

(2)
Total debt is defined as all debt outstanding at the balance sheet date. This includes the sum of the following lines when they appear on our consolidated condensed balance sheets: "Revolving line of credit", "Current portion of long-term debt", and "Long-term debt, less current portion."
 
- 34 -


Operating Activities

Our cash balance was $59,017 at November 30, 2006, compared to $18,320 at February 28, 2006. Operating activities provided $39,860 of cash during the first nine months of fiscal 2007, compared to $19,664 of cash consumed during the same period in fiscal 2006.

Accounts receivable increased $61,156 to $168,445 as of November 30, 2006, compared to $107,289 at the end of fiscal 2006. Accounts receivable turnover improved to 78.5 days at November 30, 2006 from 85.7 days at November 30, 2005. The improved turnover is due to improving receivables management. Our twelve month trailing sales was $625,558 at November 30, 2006, compared to $582,856 at November 30, 2005, while over the same period, our average receivables were $134,529 and $136,867, respectively.

Inventories decreased $22,246 to $146,155 as of November 30, 2006, compared to $168,401 at the end of fiscal 2006. Inventory turnover improved to 2.0 at the end of November 2006 compared to 1.9 at the end of November 2005. At November 30, 2005, inventory was $184,741. Inventories have decreased significantly as a result of the following factors:

·
Last fiscal year, we built up certain inventories due to new product introductions and to buffer against potential fourth quarter disruptions from the relocation of Housewares inventories in Monee, Illinois and Grooming inventories in El Paso, Texas to a new distribution facility in Southaven, Mississippi. While we expect to commence the relocation of our domestic appliance inventories from an existing facility to the new distribution facility in Southaven, Mississippi, we do not believe we will need the level of buffer stock for our appliance inventories that we built in advance of the previous relocations.

·
Last year, in some product categories we increased our purchases to take advantage of favorable prices, which we expected to increase as a result of increases in fuel prices and the prices of raw materials such as copper, steel and plastics. With prices this year starting to moderate, we did not believe that there was a need for such actions this year.

Working capital increased to $237,052 at November 30, 2006, compared to $169,122 at November 30, 2005. Our current ratio increased to 2.5:1 at November 30, 2006, compared to 1.8:1 at November 30, 2005. The improvements in our working capital and current ratio positions over the past year is the result of the strength of our cash flow and improved receivables and inventory management, which allowed us to pay down $67,314 of debt while increasing our investable cash by $39,063.

Investing Activities

Investing activities used $5,621 of cash during the nine months ended November 30, 2006. Listed below are some significant highlights of our investing activities:

·
We spent $507 on the Housewares segment conversion to our new information systems.

·
We spent $830 to acquire office space in Mexico City and $179 to remodel and furnish this and other facilities.

·
We spent $1,469 on additional storage racking, handling equipment and building improvements in our new Southaven, Mississippi distribution facility.
 
 
- 35 -

 
 
·
We spent $1,194 on molds and tooling, $776 on information technology infrastructure, and $583 for recurring additions and/or replacements of fixed assets in the normal and ordinary course of business.

·
We spent $354 for lighting product trademarks acquired from Vessel, Inc.

·
We spent $395 on patent costs and registrations, including $120 of patents acquired from Vessel, Inc.

·
We sold 3.9 acres of raw land adjacent to our El Paso, Texas office and distribution center. The land was sold for $666 and resulted in a gain on the sale of $422.

Financing Activities

Financing activities provided $6,458 of cash during the nine months ended November 30, 2006. Highlights of those activities follow.

·
We drew $7,660 against our $15,000 industrial revenue bond established to acquire equipment, machinery and related assets for our new Southaven, Mississippi distribution facility. At May 31, 2006, we converted the $12,634 total drawn into a five-year Industrial Development Revenue Bond. We prepaid $4,974 of this debt in September 2006.

·
For the three- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, proceeds from employee option exercises provided $3,150 and $3,452 of cash, respectively.

·
In July 2006, purchases through our employee stock purchase plan provided $190 of cash.

Our ability to access our Revolving Line of Credit facility is subject to our compliance with the terms and conditions of the credit facility and long-term debt agreements, including financial covenants. The financial covenants require us to maintain certain Debt/EBITDA ratios, fixed charge coverage ratios, consolidated net worth levels, and other financial requirements. Certain covenants as of November 30, 2006, limit our total outstanding indebtedness from all sources to no more than 3.5 times the latest twelve months trailing EBITDA. These covenants effectively limited our ability to incur no more than $40,333 of additional debt from all sources, including draws on our Revolving Line of Credit Agreement. Additionally, our debt agreements restrict us from incurring liens on any of our properties, except under certain conditions. In the event we were to default on any of our other debt, it would constitute a default under our credit facilities as well. As of November 30, 2006, we are in compliance with the terms of the various credit agreements.

- 36 -

 
Contractual Obligations:
 
Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, as of November 30, 2006 were:
 
PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD - TWELVE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30:
(in thousands)
  
 
 
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
After
 
      
Total
1 year
   
2 years
  
3 years
4 years
5 years
5 years
  
                               
Term debt - floating rate
 
$
232,660
 
$
 
$
 
$
100,000
 
$
 
$
57,660
 
$
75,000
 
Term debt - fixed rate
   
35,000
   
10,000
   
13,000
   
3,000
   
3,000
   
3,000
   
3,000
 
Long-term incentive plan payouts
   
3,110
   
1,498
   
1,612
   
   
   
   
 
Interest on floating rate debt *
   
66,252
   
13,815
   
13,815
   
11,852
   
7,925
   
6,825
   
12,020
 
Interest on fixed rate debt
   
4,813
   
1,846
   
1,121
   
787
   
570
   
353
   
136
 
Open purchase orders
   
67,979
   
67,979
   
   
   
   
   
 
Minimum royalty payments
   
59,068
   
2,911
   
2,832
   
2,752
   
5,104
   
6,241
   
39,228
 
Advertising and promotional
   
22,205
   
10,696
   
6,398
   
1,934
   
1,377
   
800
   
1,000
 
Operating leases
   
2,726
   
1,744
   
572
   
314
   
96
   
   
 
Capital spending commitments
   
492
   
492
   
   
   
   
   
 
Other
   
468
     
418
     
50
     
     
    
     
  
Total contractual obligations
 
$
494,773
 
$
111,399
 
$
39,400
 
$
120,639
 
$
18,072
 
$
74,879
 
$
130,384
  
 
*
The future obligation for interest on our variable rate debt has historically been estimated assuming the rates in effect as of the end of the latest fiscal quarter on which we are reporting. As mentioned above in Note 12, on September 28, 2006, the Company entered into interest rate hedge agreements in conjunction with its outstanding unsecured floating interest rate $100,000, 5 Year; $50,000, 7 Year; and $75,000, 10 Year Senior Notes (the “swaps”). The swaps are a hedge of the variable LIBOR rates used to reset the floating rates on the Senior Notes. The swaps effectively fix the interest rates on the 5, 7 and 10 Year Senior Notes at 5.89, 5.89 and 6.01 percent, respectively, beginning September 29, 2006. Accordingly, the future interest obligations related to this debt has been estimated using these rates. We also have an unsecured Industrial Development Revenue Bond, whose rate is subject to periodic adjustment. The bond’s interest rate has not been hedged. Accordingly, we estimated our future obligation for interest on it using the rates in effect as of November 30, 2006. This is only an estimate, actual rates on the bond may vary over time. For instance, a one percent increase in interest rates could add approximately $77 per year to floating rate interest expense over the bond’s remaining maturity.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements:

We have no existing activities involving special purpose entities or off-balance sheet financing.

Current and Future Capital Needs:

As of November 30, 2006, we have no outstanding borrowings or open letters of credit against our $75,000 Revolving Line of Credit Facility, nor have we needed to draw on this facility during the current fiscal year. Based on our current financial condition and current operations, we believe that cash flows from operations and available financing sources will continue to provide sufficient capital resources to fund the Company's foreseeable short and long-term liquidity requirements. We expect our capital needs to stem primarily from the need to purchase sufficient levels of inventory, to carry normal levels of accounts receivable on our balance sheet, to fund normal levels of capital expenditure, to continue to enhance our North American distribution and logistics capabilities, and to continue to expand the scope of our operations in selected European, Asian and Latin American markets. Over the longer term, we expect we will have sufficient capability to repay maturities of our fixed and floating rate debt through a combination of cash generated from operations, the issuance of additional common shares, and the proceeds of associated new financings.
- 37 -


The Company may elect to repurchase additional shares of its common stock from time to time based upon its assessment of its liquidity position and market conditions at the time, and subject to limitations contained in its debt agreements.

We continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities on a regular basis and may augment our internal growth with acquisitions of complementary businesses or product lines. We may finance acquisition activity with available cash, the issuance of common shares, or with additional debt, depending upon the size and nature of any such transaction and the status of the capital markets at the time of such acquisition.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The SEC defines critical accounting policies as "those that are both most important to the portrayal of a company's financial condition and results, and require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain." Preparation of our financial statements involves the application of several such policies. These policies include: estimates used in computing share based compensation expense, estimates of our exposure to liability for income taxes, estimates of credits to be issued to customers for sales that have already been recorded, the valuation of inventory on a lower-of-cost-or-market basis, the carrying value of long-lived assets, and the economic useful life of intangible assets.

Stock Options - Effective March 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), ‘‘Share-Based Payment’’ (‘‘SFAS 123R’’), using the modified prospective method and therefore has not restated results for prior periods. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation expense starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 includes compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of March 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”). Share-based compensation expense for all awards granted after February 28, 2006 is based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provision of SFAS 123R. The Company recognizes stock based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the underlying option’s vesting term. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense by applying the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”) regarding the SEC’s interpretation of SFAS 123R as it pertains to public companies. The Company has considered the provisions of SAB 107 in its adoption of SFAS 123R. Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards require the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the awards and stock price volatility. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, we are required to estimate the expected pre-vesting forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. If our actual pre-vesting forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from our estimates. See Note 2 to the consolidated condensed financial statements for a further discussion of stock-based compensation.

Income Taxes - We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments must be used in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities because of differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. We must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, we must increase our provision for taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that we estimate will not ultimately be recoverable. As changes occur in our assessments regarding our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, our tax provision is increased in any period in which we determine that the recovery is not probable.
- 38 -


In addition, the calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the United States and other tax jurisdictions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. If we ultimately determine that payment of these amounts are unnecessary, we reverse the liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which we determine that the liability is no longer necessary. We record an additional charge in our provision for taxes in the period in which we determine that the recorded tax liability is less than we expect the ultimate assessment to be.

Estimates of credits to be issued to customers - We regularly receive requests for credits from retailers for returned products or in connection with sales incentives, such as cooperative advertising and volume rebate agreements. We reduce sales or increase selling, general, and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the credits, for estimated future credits to customers. Our estimates of these amounts are based either on historical information about credits issued, relative to total sales, or on specific knowledge of incentives offered to retailers. This process entails a significant amount of inherent subjectivity and uncertainty.

Valuation of inventory - We account for our inventory using a first-in-first-out system in which we record inventory on our balance sheet at the lower of its average cost or its net realizable value. Determination of net realizable value requires us to estimate the point in time that an item's net realizable value drops below its cost. We regularly review our inventory for slow-moving items and for items that we are unable to sell at prices above their original cost. When we identify such an item, we reduce its book value to the net amount that we expect to realize upon its sale. This process entails a significant amount of inherent subjectivity and uncertainty.

Carrying value of long-lived assets - We apply the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142") and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS 144") in assessing the carrying values of our long-lived assets. SFAS 142 and SFAS 144 both require that we consider whether circumstances or conditions exist which suggest that the carrying value of a long-lived asset might be impaired. If such circumstances or conditions exist, further steps are required in order to determine whether the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair market value. If analyses indicate that the asset's carrying value does exceed its fair market value, the next step is to record a loss equal to the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value. The steps required by SFAS 142 and SFAS 144 entail significant amounts of judgment and subjectivity. We completed our analysis of the carrying value of our goodwill and other intangible assets during the first quarter of fiscal 2007, and accordingly, recorded no impairment.
 
Economic useful life of intangible assets - We apply Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142") in determining the useful economic lives of intangible assets that we acquire and that we report on our consolidated balance sheets. SFAS 142 requires that we amortize intangible assets, such as licenses and trademarks, over their economic useful lives, unless those assets' economic useful lives are indefinite. If an intangible asset's economic useful life is deemed to be indefinite, that asset is not amortized. When we acquire an intangible asset, we consider factors such as the asset's history, our plans for that asset, and the market for products associated with the asset. We consider these same factors when reviewing the economic useful lives of our previously acquired intangible assets as well. We review the economic useful lives of our intangible assets at least annually. The determination of the economic useful life of an intangible asset requires a significant amount of judgment and entails significant subjectivity and uncertainty. We have completed our analysis of the remaining useful economic lives of our intangible assets during the first quarter of fiscal 2007 and determined that the useful lives currently being used to determine amortization of each asset are appropriate.
 
For a more comprehensive list of our accounting policies, we encourage you to read Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, accompanying the consolidated financial statements included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K. Note 1 in the consolidated financial statements included with Form 10-K contains several other policies, including policies governing the timing of revenue recognition, that are important to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, but do not meet the SEC's definition of critical accounting policies because they do not involve subjective or complex judgments.
- 39 -


NEW ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE

Liability Recognition on Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements - In June 2006, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-4 ("EITF 06-4"), "Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements," which requires the application of the provisions of FASB SFAS 106 (“SFAS 106”), “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions” to endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements. SFAS 106 would require the Company to recognize a liability for the discounted future benefit obligation that the Company will have to pay upon the death of the underlying insured employee. An endorsement-type arrangement generally exists when the Company owns and controls all incidents of ownership of the underlying policies. EITF 06-4 is currently effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The Company may have certain policies subject to the provisions of this new pronouncement and is currently determining the effect the adoption of EITF 06-4 will have on its financial statements.

Uncertainty in Income Taxes - In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements, and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently determining the effect, if any, the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements - In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS 157 “Fair Value Measurements.” This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements, but will potentially require additional disclosures regarding existing fair value measurements we currently report. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently determining the effect, if any, this pronouncement will have on its financial statements.

Effects of Misstatements - In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides guidance on how prior year misstatements should be taken into consideration when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements for purposes of determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. SAB 108 permits registrants to record the cumulative effect of initial adoption by recording the necessary “correcting” adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of that year with the offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings only if material under the dual method. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending on or after November 15, 2006. The Company does not believe the adoption of SAB 108 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
- 40 -

 
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates are our primary financial market risks. Fluctuation in interest rates causes variation in the amount of interest that we can earn on our available cash and the amount of interest expense we incur on our short-term and long-term borrowings. Interest on our long-term debt outstanding as of November 30, 2006 is both floating and fixed. Fixed rates are in place on $35,000 of senior notes at rates ranging from 7.01 percent to 7.24 percent.

Floating rates are in place on $232,660 of debt. Interest rates on these notes are reset as described in Note 12 to our consolidated condensed financial statements. Interest rates during the latest fiscal quarter on these notes ranged from 5.89 to 6.65 percent. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company decided to actively manage most of its floating rate debt using interest rate swaps. The Company entered into three interest rate swaps that convert an aggregate notional principal of $225,000 from floating interest rate payments under its 5, 7 and 10 Year Senior notes to fixed interest rate payments ranging from 5.89 to 6.01 percent. In these transactions, we executed three contracts to pay fixed rates of interest on an aggregate notional principal amount of $225,000 at rates currently ranging from 5.04 to 5.11 percent while simultaneously receiving floating rate interest payments currently set at 5.37 percent on the same notional amount. The fixed rate side of the swap will not change over the life of the swap. The floating rate payments are reset quarterly based on three month LIBOR. The resets are concurrent with the interest payments made on the underlying debt. These swaps are used to reduce the Company’s risk of the possibility of increased interest costs; however, should interest rates drop significantly, we could also lose the benefit that floating rate debt can provide in a declining interest rate environment

We also have an unsecured Industrial Development Revenue Bond, whose rate is subject to periodic adjustment. The bond’s interest rate has not been hedged. Accordingly, we estimated our future obligation for interest on it using the rates in effect as of November 30, 2006. This is only an estimate, actual rates on the bond may vary over time. A one percent increase in interest rates could add approximately $77 per year to floating rate interest expense over the bond’s remaining maturity.

These levels of debt, the future impact of any draws against our Revolving Line of Credit Agreement, whose interest rates can vary with the term of each draw, and the uncertainty regarding the level of future interest rates, increases our risk profile.

Because we purchase a majority of our inventory using U.S. Dollars, we are subject to minimal short-term foreign exchange rate risk in purchasing inventory. However, long-term declines in the value of the U.S. Dollar could subject us to higher inventory costs. Such an increase in inventory costs could occur if foreign vendors were to react to such a decline by raising prices. Sales in the United States are transacted in U.S. Dollars. The majority of our sales in the United Kingdom are transacted in British Pounds, in France and Germany is transacted in Euros, in Mexico is transacted in Pesos, in Brazil is transacted in Reals, and in Canada is transacted in Canadian Dollars. When the U.S. Dollar strengthens against other currencies in which we transact sales, we are exposed to foreign exchange losses on those sales because our foreign currency sales prices are not adjusted for currency fluctuations. When the U.S. Dollar weakens against those currencies, we realize foreign currency gains.

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, we transacted approximately 17 and 16 percent, respectively of our net sales in foreign currencies. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2005, we transacted approximately 18 and 15 percent, respectively of our net sales in foreign currencies. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2006, we incurred net foreign exchange gains of $487 and $1,373, respectively. During the same fiscal periods in the prior year, we incurred net foreign exchange losses of $379 and $1,305.
- 41 -

 
We hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risk by entering into a series of forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges to protect against the foreign currency exchange risk inherent in our forecasted transactions denominated in certain currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. In these transactions, we execute a forward currency contract that will settle at the end of a forecasted period. During the forecasted period, a hedging relationship is created because the size and terms of the forward contract are designed so that its fair market value will move in the opposite direction and approximate magnitude of the underlying foreign currency’s forecasted exchange gain or loss. To the extent we forecast the expected foreign currency cash flows from the period the forward contract is entered into until the date it will settle with reasonable accuracy, we significantly lower or materially eliminate a particular currency’s exchange risk exposure over the life of the related forward contract.

For transactions designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in the fair value (arising from the change in the spot rates from period to period) is deferred in Other Comprehensive Income. These amounts are subsequently recognized in "Selling, general, and administrative expense" in the consolidated statements of income in the same period as the forecasted transactions close out over the remaining balance of their terms. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value (arising from the change in the difference between the spot rate and the forward rate) is recognized in the period it occurred. These amounts are also recognized in "Selling, general, and administrative expense" in the consolidated statements of income. Our cash flow hedges, while executed in order to minimize our foreign currency exchange rate risk, do subject us to fair value fluctuations on the underlying contracts. We do not enter into any forward exchange contracts or similar instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

The following table summarizes the various forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts we designated as cash flow hedges that were open at November 30, 2006 and February 28, 2006:
 
CASH FLOW HEDGES
     
November 30, 2006                     
 
Contract
 
Currency to
 
Notional
 
Contract
 
Range of Maturities 
 
Spot Rate at Contract
 
Spot Rate at November 30,
 
Weighted Average Forward Rate at
 
Weighted Average Forward Rate at November 30,
 
Market Value of the Contract in U.S. Dollars
 
Type
 
Deliver
 
Amount
 
Date
 
From
 
To
 
Date
 
2006
 
Inception
 
2006
 
(Thousands)
 
                                           
Foreign Currency Contracts    
                                 
Sell
   
Pounds
  £
10,000,000
   
1/26/2005
   
12/11/2006
   
2/9/2007
   
1.8700
   
1.9661
   
1.8228
   
1.9657
   
($1,428
)
Sell
   
Pounds
  £
10,000,000
   
5/12/2006
   
12/14/2007
   
2/14/2008
   
1.8940
   
1.9661
   
1.9010
   
1.9590
   
($580
)
Sell
   
Pounds
  £
5,000,000
   
11/28/2006
   
12/11/2008
   
1/15/2009
   
1.9385
   
1.9661
   
1.9242
   
1.9482
   
($120
)
Subtotal
                                                         
($2,129
)
                                                               
Interest Rate Swap Contracts      
                                                 
Swap
   
Dollars
 
$
100,000,000
   
9/28/2006
   
6/29/2009
   
(Pay fixed rate at 5.04%, receive floating rate at 5.37%)
   
($598
)
Swap
   
Dollars
 
$
50,000,000
   
9/28/2006
   
6/29/2011
   
(Pay fixed rate at 5.04%, receive floating rate at 5.37%)
   
($597
)
Swap
   
Dollars
 
$
75,000,000
   
9/28/2006
   
6/29/2014
   
(Pay fixed rate at 5.11%, receive floating rate at 5.37%)
   
($1,521
)
Subtotal
                                                         
($2,716
)
                                                   
Fair Value of Cash Flow Hedges      
                                             
($4,845
 
    
February 28, 2006        
 
Contract
 
Currency to
 
Notional
 
Contract
 
Range of Maturities
 
Spot Rate at Contract
 
Spot Rate at Feb. 28,
 
Weighted Average Forward Rate at
 
Weighted Average Forward Rate at Feb. 28,
 
Market Value of the Contract in U.S. Dollars
 
Type
 
Deliver
 
Amount
 
Date
 
From
 
To
 
Date
 
2006
 
Inception
 
2006
 
(Thousands)
 
                                           
Sell
   
Pounds
   
£10,000,000
   
1/26/2005
   
12/11/2006
   
 2/9/2007
   
1.8700
   
1.7540
   
1.8228
   
1.7644
 
$
584
 
 
We expect that as currency market conditions warrant, and our foreign denominated transaction exposure grows, we will continue to execute additional contracts in order to hedge against certain potential foreign exchange losses.

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the other party (a large financial institution) to its current existing forward and swap contracts. However, the Company does not anticipate non-performance by the other party.
- 42 -


INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain written and oral statements made by our Company and subsidiaries of our Company may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes statements made in this report, in other filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in certain other oral and written presentations. Generally, the words "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "plans", "may", "will", "should", "seeks", "estimates", “project”, "predict", "potential", "continue", "intends", and other similar words identify forward-looking statements. All statements that address operating results, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements related to sales, earnings per share results, and statements expressing general expectations about future operating results, are forward-looking statements and are based upon the Company’s current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and assumptions, but there can be no assurance that the Company will realize its expectations or that the Company's assumptions will prove correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks that could cause them to differ materially from actual results. Accordingly, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We believe that these risks include but are not limited to the risks described in this report under Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors", and risks otherwise described from time to time in our SEC reports as filed. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
- 43 -

 
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on these evaluations management believes that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective and ensure that information we are required to disclose in our SEC is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

In the process of our evaluation, among other matters, we considered the existence of any “significant deficiencies” or “material weaknesses” in our internal control over financial reporting, and whether we had identified any acts of fraud involving personnel with a significant role in our internal control over financial reporting. In the professional auditing literature, “significant deficiencies” are referred to as “reportable conditions,” which are deficiencies in the design or operation of controls that could adversely affect our ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data in the financial statements. Auditing literature defines “material weakness” as a particularly serious reportable condition in which the internal control does not reduce to a relatively low level the risk that misstatements caused by error or fraud may occur in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements and the risk that such misstatements would not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

In connection with the evaluation described above, we identified no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2006, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
- 44 -

 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Securities Class Action Litigation - Class action lawsuits have been filed and consolidated into one action against the Company, Gerald J. Rubin, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Thomas J. Benson, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, on behalf of purchasers of publicly traded securities of the Company. The Company understands that the plaintiffs allege violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, on the grounds that the Company and the two officers engaged in a scheme to defraud the Company’s shareholders through the issuance of positive earnings guidance intended to artificially inflate the Company’s share price so that Mr. Rubin could sell almost 400,000 of the Company’s common shares at an inflated price. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages, interest, fees, costs, an accounting of the insider trading proceeds, and injunctive relief, including an accounting of and the imposition of a constructive trust and/or asset freeze on the defendants’ insider trading proceeds. The class period stated in the complaint was October 12, 2004 through October 10, 2005.

The lawsuit was brought in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The Company intends to defend the foregoing lawsuit vigorously, but, because the lawsuit is still in the preliminary stages, the Company cannot predict the outcome and is not currently able to evaluate the likelihood of success or the range of potential loss, if any, that might be incurred in connection with the action. However, if the Company were to lose on any issues connected with the lawsuit or if the lawsuit is not settled on favorable terms, the judgement or settlement may have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. There is a risk that such litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from its business, which could adversely affect the Company's business. The Company carries insurance that provides an aggregate coverage of $20 million after a self-insured retention of $500 thousand for the period during which the claims were filed, but cannot evaluate at this time whether such coverage will be adequate to cover losses, if any, arising out of the lawsuit.

On May 15, 2006, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the aforementioned lawsuit citing numerous deficiencies with the claims asserted in the lawsuit. On June 29, 2006, the plaintiffs filed with the court their opposition to the Company’s motion to dismiss. On July 17, 2006, the Company filed a reply rebutting the plaintiffs’ June 29th opposition. As of the date this report was filed, this matter was before the court for its consideration.

Hong Kong Income Taxes - On May 10, 2006, the IRD and the Company reached a settlement regarding tax liabilities for the fiscal years 1995 through 1997. This agreement was subsequently approved by the IRD’s Board of Review. For those tax years, we agreed to an assessment of approximately $4,019 including estimated penalties and interest. Our consolidated financial statements at May 31, 2006 and February 28, 2006 included adequate provisions for this liability. As a result of this tax settlement, in the first fiscal quarter of 2007, we reversed $192 of tax provision previously established and recorded $279 of associated interest. During the second fiscal quarter, the liability was paid with $3,282 of tax reserve certificates and the balance in cash.

For the fiscal years 1998 through 2003, the IRD has assessed a total of $25,461 (U.S.) in tax on certain profits of our foreign subsidiaries. Hong Kong levies taxes on income earned from certain activities previously conducted in Hong Kong. Negotiations with the IRD regarding these issues are ongoing, and it is unclear at this time when they will be resolved.
- 45 -


In connection with the IRD's tax assessment for the fiscal years 1998 through 2003, we have purchased tax reserve certificates in Hong Kong totaling $25,144. Tax reserve certificates represent the prepayment by a taxpayer of potential tax liabilities. The amounts paid for tax reserve certificates are refundable in the event that the value of the tax reserve certificates exceeds the related tax liability. These certificates are denominated in Hong Kong dollars and are subject to the risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations.

If the IRD were to successfully assert the same position for fiscal years after fiscal year 2003, the resulting assessment could total $18,673 (U.S.) in taxes for fiscal years 2004 and 2005. We would vigorously disagree with any such proposed adjustments and would aggressively contest this matter through the applicable taxing authority and judicial process, as appropriate.
 
Although the final resolution of the proposed adjustments is uncertain and involves unsettled areas of the law, based on currently available information, we have provided for our best estimate of the probable tax liability for this matter. While the resolution of the issue may result in tax liabilities that are significantly higher or lower than the reserves established for this matter, management currently believes that the resolution will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or liquidity. However, an unfavorable resolution could have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows in the quarter in which an adjustment is recorded or the tax is due or paid.
 
United States Income Taxes - The IRS has completed its audits of the U.S. consolidated federal tax returns for fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002. We previously disclosed that the IRS provided notice of proposed adjustments to taxes of $13,424 for the three years under audit. We have resolved the various tax issues and reached an agreement on additional tax in the amount of $3,568. The resulting tax liability had already been provided for in our tax reserves and prior to the current fiscal year we had decreased our tax accruals related to the IRS audits for fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002, accordingly. This additional tax liability and associated interest of $914 were settled in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

The IRS is auditing our U.S. consolidated federal tax returns for fiscal years 2003 and 2004 and has provided notice of proposed adjustments of $5,953 to taxes for the years under audit. The Company is vigorously contesting these adjustments. Although the ultimate outcome of the dispute with the IRS cannot be predicted with certainty, management is of the opinion that adequate provisions for taxes in those years have been made in the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements.

Other Matters - We are involved in various other legal claims and proceedings in the normal course of operations. We believe the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
- 46 -

 
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The ownership of our common shares involves a number of risks and uncertainties. In evaluating us and our business before making an investment decision regarding our securities, potential investors should carefully consider the risk factors and uncertainties described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" to Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2006 as well as the risk factors listed below, which supplement the risk factors contained in our Form 10-K. If any of the events or circumstances described in our 10-K or listed below actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. The risks contained in our 10-K and those listed below are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are not significant may also impact our business operation.

We have experienced delays in implementing the consolidation of our inventories into our new Southaven, Mississippi distribution facility. Additional delays could have a material adverse impact on our operations and profitability.

Our business operations are dependent on our logistical systems, which include our order management system and our computerized warehouse management system. These logistical systems depend on our new Global Enterprise Resource Planning System. On September 7, 2004, we implemented our new Global Enterprise Resource Planning System, along with other new technologies. Following the implementation of this new system, most of our businesses (other than our Housewares segment) ran under one integrated information system. We continue to closely monitor the new system and make normal and expected adjustments to improve its effectiveness. Complications resulting from process adjustments could potentially cause considerable disruptions to our business. The change to the new system continues to involve risk. Application program bugs, system conflict crashes, user error, data integrity issues, customer data conflicts and integration issues with certain remaining legacy systems all pose potential risks. Implementing new data standards and converting existing data to accommodate the new system's requirements have required a significant effort across our entire organization.

During the third fiscal quarter of 2005, we began the implementation and transition of our Housewares segment to the new system. The information system transition was completed late in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2006. We continue to implement several significant functionality enhancements related to both the Housewares segment’s and Personal Care segment’s systems. We expect this process will continue during fiscal 2007.

The Housewares segment’s move to our new 1,200,000 square foot distribution facility in Southaven, Mississippi and conversion to related distribution systems began in December 2005 and is substantially complete. Our Housewares segment distribution and logistics requirements differ significantly from our traditional Personal Care segment business. In our Housewares segment, we were required to improve our ability to deliver larger, more complex assortments in smaller individual item volumes to a much more diverse group of retailers, as compared to our Personal Care segment. Conversions of this nature involve extremely complex processes, characterized by interruptions and the diversion of management's attention for a period of time after the conversion as the organization adapts to the new system and seeks to respond quickly to its day-to-day operations requirements. Initially, we experienced distribution order processing and shipment delays. These delays were the result of software issues, adapting to the new equipment, new employees, and the operation of the new distribution facility. The delays caused a backlog in orders and in some cases, order cancellations. Throughout the first fiscal quarter of 2007 we continued to work to resolve the technical and operational issues that were causing the delays and address the issues with affected customers. By the end of the quarter, we believe we had addressed the most significant issues and the new facility began to attain its originally planned operational throughput. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we also completed the move of our grooming, skin care, and hair products inventories from our El Paso, Texas distribution facility to the new Southaven, Mississippi distribution facility and commenced shipments from that facility. In this move, we experienced transitional issues, but none of the magnitude or impact as those we experienced with the Housewares segment.
- 47 -


We currently plan to move the balance of our domestic Personal Care segment appliance inventory out of an existing leased facility and into our new Southaven, Mississippi distribution facility during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007. This move includes the following key steps:

·
Installation of additional storage racking and handling equipment in the new facility in order to optimize space utilization and distribution handling capacity;

·
The physical transfer of inventory from the leased facility to the new facility; and

·
Configuration and testing of information systems and processes in the new warehouse.

Any problems encountered in connection with executing any of the foregoing steps could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to fill orders for domestic appliances and other products which could adversely affect the Company’s revenues and profitability and/or impair the domestic appliance and other business. While we believe we have the process and appropriate management in place to effectively manage the transition and rapidly respond to mitigate any issues that may arise as a result of the transition, there can be no assurance that additional disruptions will not occur.
 
We rely on our Global Enterprise Resource Planning System for a significant portion of our operations. Certain international operations still need to be transitioned to the new system. Our failure to, or delays in, successfully transitioning all our operations onto this system, could have a material adverse impact on our operations and profitability.

We have begun transitioning Mexico and other Latin American operations to our new system and expect this process to continue throughout most of fiscal 2008. In addition, our Housewares segment recently opened selling offices in Japan and Great Britain and efforts to install and implement appropriate software systems for these operations are underway. Due to the complexities of these efforts, we expect to continue to experience a period of significant change and refining of the system for several months. We expect that the transition to the new system will continue to be challenging for us and will require close monitoring to keep our documentation and application of internal controls current. Also, the transition of these operations to our new system may result in an increased risk of errors which may require more controls than we expect to need once these systems are fully transitioned and stable.

We expect that these and other planned implementations and functional software enhancements will continue to strain our internal resources, could further impact our business, and may result in higher implementation costs and reallocation of human resources. While we believe we have the process and appropriate management in place to effectively manage these changes and rapidly respond to mitigate any issues that may arise as a result of the transition, there can be no assurance that additional disruptions will not occur.

To support these new technologies, we are continuously building and supporting a much larger and more complex information technology infrastructure. Increased computing capacity, power requirements, back-up capacities, broadband network infrastructure and increased security requirements are all potential areas for failure and risk. We continue to rely on outside vendors to assist us with implementation and enhancements and will continue to rely on certain vendors to assist us in maintaining some of our infrastructure. Should they fail to perform due to events outside our control, it could affect our service levels and threaten our ability to conduct business. We continue to transition many of these third party services to our in-house staff. The transition from third party services to in-house staffing of such services poses risks that could cause additional business disruptions. Finally, natural disasters may disrupt our infrastructure and our disaster recovery process may not be sufficient to protect against loss.
- 48 -

 
Any interruption in our logistical systems would impact our ability to procure our products from our factories and suppliers, transport them to our distribution facilities, and store and deliver them to our customers on time and in the correct amounts. These and other factors described above could have a material and adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
- 49 -

 
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

During the quarter ended August 31, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized us to purchase, in the open market or through private transactions, up to 3,000,000 shares of our common stock over a period extending to May 31, 2006. On April 25, 2006, our Board of Directors approved a resolution to extend the existing plan for three more years through May 31, 2009. During the three- and nine-months ended November 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, we did not repurchase any common shares. From September 1, 2003 through November 30, 2006, we have repurchased 1,563,836 shares at a total cost of $45,611,690 or an average share price of $29.17. An additional 1,436,164 shares are authorized for purchase under this plan.
- 50 -

 
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a)
Exhibits

31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


- 51 -

 
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.
 
   
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED

(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: January 9, 2007
  
/s/ Gerald J. Rubin
 
Gerald J. Rubin
 
Chairman of the Board, Chief
 
Executive Officer, President, Director
 
and Principal Executive Officer
 
     
Date: January 9, 2007
  
/s/ Thomas J. Benson
 
Thomas J. Benson
 
Senior Vice-President
 
and Chief Financial Officer
 
     
Date: January 9, 2007
/s/ Richard J. Oppenheim
 
Richard J. Oppenheim
 
Financial Controller
 
and Principal Accounting Officer
 
 
- 52 -

 
Index to Exhibits

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

- 53 -