UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of
earliest event reported): October 30, 2008 (October 31, 2008)
Brown-Forman Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 002-26821 61-0143150
(State or other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40210
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (502) 585-1100
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On October 30, 2008, Brown-Forman Corporation issued a press release, a copy of
which is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release, dated October 30, 2008.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
Brown-Forman Corporation
(Registrant)
Date: October 31, 2008 By: /s/ Nelea A. Absher
Nelea A. Absher
Vice President, Associate
General Counsel and Assistant
Corporate Secretary
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number Description
99.1 Press Release, dated October 30, 2008, issued by Brown-Forman
Corporation.
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BROWN-FORMAN COMPLETES STOCK DISTRIBUTION
Louisville, KY, October 30, 2008 (NYSE: BFA & BFB) - On October 27, 2008
Brown-Forman completed its stock distribution of one share of Class B common
stock for every four shares of either Class A or Class B common stock held, with
fractional shares paid in cash. The distribution was previously announced on
September 29, 2008. Upon completion of the distribution, outstanding shares of
Class A totaled 56,609,413 and outstanding Class B shares totaled 94,278,363.
Brown-Forman Class A and Class B shares began trading on the NYSE on a
price-adjusted basis on October 28, 2008. As of the close of the NYSE today, the
Company's total market capitalization was approximately $6.9 billion on an
aggregate of 150,887,776 shares outstanding.
According to Brown-Forman's corporate charter, each share of Class A common
stock and Class B common stock is entitled to the same rights as every other
share of common stock in distributions of earnings, including cash dividends.
Accordingly, any future cash dividends declared will reflect the greater number
of total shares outstanding after the stock distribution. In addition, all
per-share amounts in the company's subsequent financial statements will reflect
the stock distribution. For example, for the three months ended July 31, 2008,
with an additional 25% more common shares outstanding, earnings per share for
that quarter on each class of stock will be adjusted from $0.73 to approximately
$0.58 and cash dividends per share will be adjusted from $0.34 to approximately
$0.27.
Brown-Forman Corporation is a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage
alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka,
Tequila Herradura, el Jimador Tequila, Canadian Mist, Fetzer and Bolla Wines,
and Korbel California Champagnes.