FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


(Mark One)

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2005

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 001-08495


CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

Delaware
 
16-0716709
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)


370 Woodcliff Drive, Suite 300, Fairport, New York
14450
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(585) 218-3600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
(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 an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No o

The number of shares outstanding with respect to each of the classes of common stock of Constellation Brands, Inc., as of June 30, 2005, is set forth below:
 
Class
 
Number of Shares Outstanding
Class A Common Stock, Par Value $.01 Per Share
 
 196,310,284
Class B Common Stock, Par Value $.01 Per Share
 
 23,891,138
 

 
           
Item 1.      Financial Statements
         
           
CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
(unaudited)
 
           
   
May 31,
 
February 28,
 
   
2005
 
2005
 
ASSETS
         
CURRENT ASSETS:
         
Cash and cash investments
 
$
19,184
 
$
17,635
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
822,223
   
849,642
 
Inventories
   
1,666,159
   
1,607,735
 
Prepaid expenses and other
   
211,572
   
259,023
 
Total current assets
   
2,719,138
   
2,734,035
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net
   
1,449,512
   
1,596,367
 
GOODWILL
   
2,118,576
   
2,182,669
 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
   
929,150
   
945,650
 
OTHER ASSETS, net
   
285,068
   
345,451
 
Total assets
 
$
7,501,444
 
$
7,804,172
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
             
Notes payable to banks
 
$
62,607
 
$
16,475
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
   
67,888
   
68,094
 
Accounts payable
   
387,177
   
345,254
 
Accrued excise taxes
   
58,997
   
74,356
 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities
   
557,161
   
633,908
 
Total current liabilities
   
1,133,830
   
1,138,087
 
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current maturities
   
2,968,792
   
3,204,707
 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
   
382,055
   
389,886
 
OTHER LIABILITIES
   
274,557
   
291,579
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
             
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value-
   Authorized, 1,000,000 shares;
   Issued, 170,500 shares at May 31, 2005, and
   February 28, 2005 (Aggregate liquidation preference
   of $172,951 at May 31, 2005)
   
2
   
2
 
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-
   Authorized, 275,000,000 shares;
   Issued, 200,766,612 shares at May 31, 2005,
   and 199,885,616 shares at February 28, 2005
   
2,008
   
1,999
 
Class B Convertible Common Stock, $.01 par value-
   Authorized, 30,000,000 shares;
   Issued, 28,957,060 shares at May 31, 2005,
   and 28,966,060 shares at February 28, 2005
   
289
   
289
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
1,110,328
   
1,097,177
 
Retained earnings
   
1,350,101
   
1,276,853
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
307,681
   
431,843
 
     
2,770,409
   
2,808,163
 
Less-Treasury stock-
             
Class A Common Stock, 4,818,822 shares at
   May 31, 2005, and 4,823,650 shares at
   February 28, 2005, at cost
   
(25,958
)
 
(25,984
)
Class B Convertible Common Stock, 5,005,800 shares
   at May 31, 2005, and February 28, 2005, at cost
   
(2,207
)
 
(2,207
)
     
(28,165
)
 
(28,191
)
Less-Unearned compensation-restricted stock awards
   
(34
)
 
(59
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
2,742,210
   
2,779,913
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
7,501,444
 
$
7,804,172
 
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
(unaudited)
 
           
   
For the Three Months Ended May 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
SALES
 
$
1,366,309
 
$
1,174,315
 
Less - Excise taxes
   
(269,774
)
 
(247,010
)
Net sales
   
1,096,535
   
927,305
 
COST OF PRODUCT SOLD
   
(790,529
)
 
(676,843
)
Gross profit
   
306,006
   
250,462
 
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
       EXPENSES
   
(157,864
)
 
(138,428
)
ACQUISITION-RELATED INTEGRATION COSTS
   
(6,439
)
 
-
 
RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES
   
(1,880
)
 
(1,613
)
Operating income
   
139,823
   
110,421
 
EQUITY IN (LOSS) EARNINGS OF EQUITY
       METHOD INVESTEES
   
(542
)
 
62
 
INTEREST EXPENSE, net
   
(47,295
)
 
(30,281
)
Income before income taxes
   
91,986
   
80,202
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
   
(16,287
)
 
(28,873
)
NET INCOME
   
75,699
   
51,329
 
Dividends on preferred stock
   
(2,451
)
 
(2,451
)
INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON
       STOCKHOLDERS
 
$
73,248
 
$
48,878
 
               
               
SHARE DATA:
             
Earnings per common share:
             
Basic - Class A Common Stock
 
$
0.34
 
$
0.23
 
Basic - Class B Common Stock
 
$
0.31
 
$
0.21
 
Diluted
 
$
0.32
 
$
0.22
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
             
Basic - Class A Common Stock
   
195,567
   
189,440
 
Basic - Class B Common Stock
   
23,955
   
24,117
 
Diluted
   
238,154
   
230,123
 
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 

CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
           
   
For the Three Months Ended May 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
         
      Net income
 
$
75,699
 
$
51,329
 
               
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
         (used in) operating activities:
             
Proceeds from settlement of interest rate swap contracts
   
30,269
   
-
 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
   
27,506
   
21,194
 
Deferred tax provision
   
13,456
   
6,259
 
Amortization of intangible and other assets
   
1,773
   
3,061
 
Loss on disposal of assets
   
1,401
   
693
 
Equity in loss (earnings) of equity method investees
   
542
   
(62
)
Stock-based compensation expense
   
25
   
25
 
Amortization of discount on long-term debt
   
20
   
13
 
Noncash portion of loss on extinguishment of debt
   
-
   
1,799
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
from purchases and sales of businesses:
             
Accounts receivable, net
   
8,531
   
(85,132
)
Inventories
   
(112,969
)
 
(113,885
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
(3,651
)
 
12,566
 
Accounts payable
   
70,089
   
112,745
 
Accrued excise taxes
   
(14,033
)
 
7,449
 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities
   
(35,655
)
 
(56,971
)
Other, net
   
(2,977
)
 
(7,541
)
Total adjustments
   
(15,673
)
 
(97,787
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
60,026
   
(46,458
)
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
             
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
   
(31,840
)
 
(22,113
)
Investment in equity method investee
   
(2,286
)
 
-
 
Payment of accrued earn-out amount
   
(1,648
)
 
(1,338
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
   
92,776
   
445
 
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment
   
35,171
   
-
 
Proceeds from sale of businesses
   
17,861
   
-
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
110,034
   
(23,006
)
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
             
Principal payments of long-term debt
   
(219,540
)
 
(217,204
)
Payment of preferred stock dividends
   
(2,451
)
 
(2,451
)
Net proceeds from notes payable
   
46,320
   
265,891
 
Exercise of employee stock options
   
8,674
   
5,814
 
Proceeds from employee stock purchases
   
31
   
1
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
   
(166,966
)
 
52,051
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash investments
   
(1,545
)
 
(8,280
)
               
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS
   
1,549
   
(25,693
)
CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS, beginning of period
   
17,635
   
37,136
 
CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS, end of period
 
$
19,184
 
$
11,443
 
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MAY 31, 2005

1)
MANAGEMENT’S REPRESENTATIONS:

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Constellation Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to quarterly reporting on Form 10-Q and reflect, in the opinion of the Company, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial information for the Company. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations. These consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2005. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results.
 
During April 2005, the Board of Directors approved two-for-one stock splits of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Convertible Common Stock, which were distributed in the form of stock dividends on May 13, 2005, to stockholders of record on April 29, 2005. Share and per share amounts are adjusted to give effect to these common stock splits.

2)     ACQUISITIONS:

On December 22, 2004, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of The Robert Mondavi Corporation (“Robert Mondavi”), a leading premium wine producer based in Napa, California. In connection with the production of its products, Robert Mondavi owns, operates and has an interest in certain wineries and controls certain vineyards. Robert Mondavi produces, markets and sells premium, super premium and fine California wines under the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Robert Mondavi Private Selection and Robert Mondavi Winery brand names.

The acquisition of Robert Mondavi supports the Company’s strategy of strengthening the breadth of its portfolio across price segments to capitalize on the overall growth in the premium, super-premium and fine wine categories. The Company believes that the acquired Robert Mondavi brand names have strong brand recognition globally. The vast majority of Robert Mondavi’s sales are generated in the United States. The Company intends to leverage the Robert Mondavi brands in the United States through its selling, marketing and distribution infrastructure. The Company also intends to further expand distribution for the Robert Mondavi brands in Europe through its Constellation Europe infrastructure.

The Company and Robert Mondavi have complementary businesses that share a common growth orientation and operating philosophy. The Robert Mondavi acquisition provides the Company with a greater presence in the fine wine sector within the United States and the ability to capitalize on the broader geographic distribution in strategic international markets. The Robert Mondavi acquisition supports the Company’s strategy of growth and breadth across categories and geographies, and strengthens its competitive position in its core markets. In particular, the Company believes there are growth opportunities for premium, super-premium and fine wines in the United Kingdom, United States and other wine markets. Total consideration paid in cash to the Robert Mondavi shareholders was $1,030.7 million. Additionally, the Company expects to incur direct acquisition costs of $11.2 million. The purchase price was financed with borrowings under the Company’s 2004 Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 6). In accordance with the purchase method of accounting, the acquired net assets are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. The purchase price was based primarily on the estimated future operating results of Robert Mondavi, including the factors described above, as well as an estimated benefit from operating cost synergies.


The results of operations of the Robert Mondavi business are reported in the Constellation Wines segment and have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Income since the acquisition date.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Robert Mondavi acquisition at the date of acquisition. The Company is in the process of obtaining third-party valuations of certain assets and liabilities, and refining its restructuring plan which is under development and will be finalized during the Company’s year ending February 28, 2006 (see Note 13). Accordingly, the allocation of the purchase price is subject to refinement. Estimated fair values at December 22, 2004, are as follows:

(in thousands)
     
Current assets
 
$
506,190
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
438,865
 
Other assets
   
179,881
 
Trademarks
   
186,000
 
Goodwill
   
571,903
 
Total assets acquired
   
1,882,839
 
         
Current liabilities
   
304,330
 
Long-term liabilities
   
536,648
 
Total liabilities assumed
   
840,978
 
         
Net assets acquired
 
$
1,041,861
 

The trademarks are not subject to amortization. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

In connection with the Robert Mondavi acquisition and Robert Mondavi’s previously disclosed intention to sell certain of its winery properties and related assets, and other vineyard properties, the Company has classified certain assets as held for sale as of May 31, 2005. The Company realized net proceeds of $145.4 million from the sale of certain of these assets during the three months ended May 31, 2005. In total, the Company expects to receive net proceeds of approximately $150 million to $175 million from the sale of these assets during the year ending February 28, 2006. No gain or loss is expected to be recognized upon the sale of these assets.
 
The following table sets forth the unaudited historical and unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three months ended May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, respectively. The unaudited pro forma results of operations for the three months ended May 31, 2004, give effect to the Robert Mondavi acquisition as if it occurred on March 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma results of operations are presented after giving effect to certain adjustments for depreciation, amortization of deferred financing costs, interest expense on the acquisition financing, interest expense associated with adverse grape contracts, and related income tax effects. The unaudited pro forma results of operations are based upon currently available information and certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited pro forma results of operations for the three months ended May 31, 2004, do not reflect total pretax nonrecurring charges of $21.9 million ($0.07 per share on a diluted basis) related to transaction costs, primarily for the acceleration of vesting of stock options, legal fees and investment banker fees, all of which were incurred by Robert Mondavi prior to the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma results of operations do not purport to present what the Company’s results of operations would actually have been if the aforementioned transactions had in fact occurred on such date or at the beginning of the period indicated, nor do they project the Company’s financial position or results of operations at any future date or for any future period.


 
   
For the Three Months
Ended May 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
         
Net sales
 
$
1,096,535
 
$
1,042,918
 
Income before income taxes
 
$
91,986
 
$
93,502
 
Net income
 
$
75,699
 
$
59,958
 
Income available to common stockholders
 
$
73,248
 
$
57,507
 
               
Earnings per common share - basic:
             
Class A Common Stock
 
$
0.34
 
$
0.27
 
Class B Common Stock
 
$
0.31
 
$
0.25
 
Earnings per common share - diluted
 
$
0.32
 
$
0.26
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic:
             
Class A Common Stock
   
195,567
   
189,440
 
Class B Common Stock
   
23,955
   
24,117
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted:
   
238,154
   
230,123
 

3)
INVENTORIES:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (computed in accordance with the first-in, first-out method) or market. Elements of cost include materials, labor and overhead and consist of the following:

   
May 31,
2005
 
February 28,
2005
 
(in thousands)
         
Raw materials and supplies
 
$
61,360
 
$
71,562
 
In-process inventories
   
1,000,849
   
957,567
 
Finished case goods
   
603,950
   
578,606
 
   
$
1,666,159
 
$
1,607,735
 

4)
GOODWILL:

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended May 31, 2005, are as follows:

   
Constellation
Wines
 
Constellation
Beers and
Spirits
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
             
Balance, February 28, 2005
 
$
2,031,244
 
$
151,425
 
$
2,182,669
 
Purchase accounting allocations
   
(18,556
)
 
-
   
(18,556
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
   
(45,932
)
 
(236
)
 
(46,168
)
Purchase price earn-out
   
631
   
-
   
631
 
Balance, May 31, 2005
 
$
1,967,387
 
$
151,189
 
$
2,118,576
 




5)
INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

The major components of intangible assets are:

   
May 31, 2005
 
February 28, 2005
 
   
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
(in thousands)
                 
Amortizable intangible assets:
                 
Distributor relationships
 
$
3,700
 
$
3,649
 
$
3,700
 
$
3,679
 
Distribution agreements
   
11,844
   
1,344
   
12,884
   
1,666
 
Other
   
5,214
   
1,192
   
5,230
   
1,229
 
Total
 
$
20,758
   
6,185
 
$
21,814
   
6,574
 
                           
Nonamortizable intangible assets:
                         
Trademarks
         
904,553
         
920,664
 
Agency relationships
         
18,412
         
18,412
 
Total
         
922,965
         
939,076
 
Total intangible assets
       
$
929,150
       
$
945,650
 

The difference between the gross carrying amount and net carrying amount for each item presented is attributable to accumulated amortization. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the remaining nine months of fiscal 2006 and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

(in thousands)
     
2006
 
$
1,306
 
2007
 
$
703
 
2008
 
$
387
 
2009
 
$
374
 
2010
 
$
352
 
2011
 
$
123
 
Thereafter
 
$
2,940
 

 
6)
BORROWINGS:

Senior credit facility -
In connection with the acquisition of Robert Mondavi, on December 22, 2004, the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries (excluding certain inactive subsidiaries), together with certain of its subsidiaries organized in foreign jurisdictions, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as a lender and administrative agent, and certain other agents, lenders, and financial institutions entered into a new credit agreement (the “2004 Credit Agreement”). The 2004 Credit Agreement provides for aggregate credit facilities of $2.9 billion, consisting of a $600.0 million tranche A term loan facility due in November 2010, a $1.8 billion tranche B term loan facility due in November 2011, and a $500.0 million revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility for letters of credit of up to $60.0 million) which terminates in December 2010. Proceeds of the 2004 Credit Agreement were used to pay off the Company’s obligations under its prior senior credit facility, to fund the cash consideration payable in connection with its acquisition of Robert Mondavi, and to pay certain obligations of Robert Mondavi, including indebtedness outstanding under its bank facility and unsecured notes of $355.4 million. The Company uses the remaining availability under the 2004 Credit Agreement to fund its working capital needs on an as needed basis.


The tranche A term loan facility and the tranche B term loan facility were fully drawn on December 22, 2004. As of May 31, 2005, the required principal repayments of the tranche A term loan and the tranche B term loan are as follows:

   
Tranche A
Term Loan
 
Tranche B
Term Loan
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
             
2006
 
$
45,000
 
$
-
 
$
45,000
 
2007
   
67,500
   
-
   
67,500
 
2008
   
97,500
   
15,299
   
112,799
 
2009
   
120,000
   
15,299
   
135,299
 
2010
   
127,500
   
15,299
   
142,799
 
Thereafter
   
112,500
   
1,449,603
   
1,562,103
 
   
$
570,000
 
$
1,495,500
 
$
2,065,500
 

The rate of interest payable, at the Company’s option, is a function of LIBOR plus a margin, the federal funds rate plus a margin, or the prime rate plus a margin. The margin is adjustable based upon the Company’s debt ratio (as defined in the 2004 Credit Agreement) and, with respect to LIBOR borrowings, ranges between 1.00% and 1.75%. As of May 31, 2005, the LIBOR margin for the revolving credit facility and the tranche A term loan facility is 1.50%, while the LIBOR margin on the tranche B term loan facility is 1.75%.

The Company’s obligations are guaranteed by substantially all of  its U.S. subsidiaries and by certain of its foreign subsidiaries. These obligations are also secured by a pledge of (i) 100% of the ownership interests in most of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and (ii) 65% of the voting capital stock of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to customary lending covenants including those restricting additional liens, the incurrence of additional indebtedness (including guarantees of indebtedness), the sale of assets, the payment of dividends, transactions with affiliates, the disposition and acquisition of property and the making of certain investments, in each case subject to numerous baskets, exceptions and thresholds. The financial covenants are limited to maximum total debt and senior debt coverage ratios and minimum fixed charges and interest coverage ratios. As of May 31, 2005, the Company is in compliance with all of its covenants under its 2004 Credit Agreement.

As of May 31, 2005, under the 2004 Credit Agreement, the Company had outstanding tranche A term loans of $570.0 million bearing a weighted average interest rate of 4.3%, tranche B term loans of $1,495.5 million bearing a weighted average interest rate of 5.0%, revolving loans of $54.0 million bearing a weighted average interest rate of 4.4%, undrawn revolving letters of credit of $36.2 million, and $409.8 million in revolving loans available to be drawn.

At February 28, 2005, the Company had outstanding five year interest rate swap agreements to minimize interest rate volatility. The swap agreements fixed LIBOR interest rates on $1,200.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt at an average rate of 4.1% over the five-year term. In March 2005, the Company monetized the value of the interest rate swaps by replacing them with new five year delayed start interest rate swap agreements effective March 1, 2006, which extended the hedged period through fiscal 2010. The Company received $30.3 million in proceeds from the unwinding of the original swaps. This amount will be reclassified from AOCI (as defined in Note 11) ratably into earnings in the same period in which the original hedged item is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The effective interest rate remains the same under the new swap structure at 4.1%.



Foreign subsidiary facilities -
The Company has additional credit arrangements available totaling $177.2 million as of May 31, 2005. These arrangements support the financing needs of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiary operations. Interest rates and other terms of these borrowings vary from country to country, depending on local market conditions. As of May 31, 2005, amounts outstanding under the foreign subsidiary credit arrangements were $38.0 million.

7)
INCOME TAXES:

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, was 17.7% and 36.0%, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2005, was primarily due to adjustments to income tax accruals of $16.2 million in connection with the completion of various income tax examinations.
 
8)
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS:

Net periodic benefit costs reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans include the following components:

   
For the Three Months
Ended May 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
(in thousands)
         
Service cost
 
$
540
 
$
543
 
Interest cost
   
4,582
   
3,975
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(4,407
)
 
(4,201
)
Amortization of prior service cost
   
48
   
2
 
Recognized net actuarial loss
   
746
   
621
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
1,509
 
$
940
 

Net periodic benefit costs reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the Company’s unfunded postretirement benefit plans include the following components:

   
For the Three Months
Ended May 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
(in thousands)
         
Service cost
 
$
53
 
$
52
 
Interest cost
   
76
   
83
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
(14
)
 
2
 
Recognized net actuarial loss
   
6
   
5
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
121
 
$
142
 

Contributions of $2.1 million have been made by the Company to fund its defined benefit pension plans for the three months ended May 31, 2005. The Company presently anticipates contributing an additional $6.2 million to fund its defined benefit pension plans during the year ending February 28, 2006, resulting in total employer contributions of $8.3 million for the year ending February 28, 2006.


9)
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

Basic earnings per common share excludes the effect of common stock equivalents and is computed using the two-class computation method. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the potential dilution that could result if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. Diluted earnings per common share assumes the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method and the conversion of Class B Convertible Common Stock and Preferred Stock using the “if converted” method.
 
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:

   
For the Three Months
Ended May 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
         
Net income
 
$
75,699
 
$
51,329
 
Dividends on preferred stock
   
(2,451
)
 
(2,451
)
Income available to common stockholders
 
$
73,248
 
$
48,878
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic:
             
Class A Common Stock
   
195,567
   
189,440
 
Class B Convertible Common Stock
   
23,955
   
24,117
 
Total weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
   
219,522
   
213,557
 
Stock options
   
8,649
   
6,583
 
Preferred stock
   
9,983
   
9,983
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
   
238,154
   
230,123
 
               
Earnings per common share - basic:
             
Class A Common Stock
 
$
0.34
 
$
0.23
 
Class B Convertible Common Stock
 
$
0.31
 
$
0.21
 
Earnings per common share - diluted
 
$
0.32
 
$
0.22
 

Stock options to purchase 3.7 million and 4.9 million shares of Class A Common Stock at a weighted average price per share of $27.24 and $16.63 were outstanding during the three months ended May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, respectively, but were not included in the computation of the diluted earnings per common share because the stock options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the Class A Common Stock for the period.

10)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:

The Company applies the intrinsic value method described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB No. 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based employee compensation plans. In accordance with APB No. 25, the compensation cost for stock options is recognized in income based on the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at the grant date of the award or other measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. The Company utilizes the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended. (See Note 16 for additional discussion regarding Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), “Share-Based Payment,” which will become effective for the Company beginning March 1, 2006). Options granted under the Company’s stock option plans have an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant; therefore, no incremental compensation expense has been recognized for grants made to employees under the Company’s stock option plans. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation.




   
For the Three Months
Ended May 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
         
Net income, as reported
 
$
75,699
 
$
51,329
 
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included
in reported net income, net of related tax effects
   
7
   
15
 
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense
determined under fair value based method for all awards,
net of related tax effects
   
(3,328
)
 
(2,634
)
Pro forma net income
 
$
72,378
 
$
48,710
 
               
Earnings per common share - basic:
             
Class A Common Stock, as reported
 
$
0.34
 
$
0.23
 
Class B Convertible Common Stock, as reported
 
$
0.31
 
$
0.21
 
               
Class A Common Stock, pro forma
 
$
0.32
 
$
0.22
 
Class B Convertible Common Stock, pro forma
 
$
0.29
 
$
0.20
 
               
Earnings per common share - diluted, as reported
 
$
0.32
 
$
0.22
 
Earnings per common share - diluted, pro forma
 
$
0.30
 
$
0.21
 

11)
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME:

Comprehensive (loss) income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, net unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments, net unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale marketable equity securities and minimum pension liability adjustments. The reconciliation of net income to comprehensive (loss) income is as follows:

   
For the Three Months
Ended May 31,
 
   
2005 
 
2004 
 
(in thousands)
         
Net income
 
$
75,699
 
$
51,329
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
             
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
benefit of $23,458 and $16,498, respectively
   
(113,424
)
 
(104,745
)
Cash flow hedges:
             
Net derivative losses, net of tax benefit of $7,327
and $9,464, respectively
   
(12,661
)
 
(21,896
)
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax benefit
(expense) of $1,086 and ($1,503), respectively
   
(2,252
)
 
3,411
 
Net cash flow hedges
   
(14,913
)
 
(18,485
)
Unrealized gains on marketable equity securities, net of
tax expense of $78
   
-
   
182
 
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax expense
of ($1,792) and ($498), respectively
   
4,175
   
1,131
 
Total comprehensive (loss) income
 
$
(48,463
)
$
(70,588
)




Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), net of tax effects, includes the following components:

   
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains on
Derivatives
 
Unrealized
(Loss) Gain
on Marketable
Equity
Securities
 
Minimum
Pension
Liability
Adjustment
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
(in thousands)
                     
Balance, February 28, 2005
 
$
473,949
 
$
37,316
 
$
-
 
$
(79,422
)
$
431,843
 
Current period change
   
(113,424
)
 
(14,913
)
 
-
   
4,175
   
(124,162
)
Balance, May 31, 2005
 
$
360,525
 
$
22,403
 
$
-
 
$
(75,247
)
$
307,681
 

12)    ACQUISITION-RELATED INTEGRATION COSTS:

For the three months ended May 31, 2005, the Company recorded $6.4 million of acquisition-related integration costs associated with the Company’s decision to restructure and integrate the operations of Robert Mondavi (the “Robert Mondavi Plan”). Acquisition-related integration costs included $1.4 million of employee-related costs and $5.0 million of facilities and other one-time costs.

13)
RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES:

For the three months ended May 31, 2005, the Company recorded $1.9 million of restructuring and related charges associated primarily with the Robert Mondavi Plan which included $1.2 million of employee termination benefit costs and $0.7 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs. For the three months ended May 31, 2004, the Company recorded $1.6 million of restructuring and related charges associated with the realignment of business operations within the Constellation Wines segment.

The Company is in the process of refining the Robert Mondavi Plan which will be finalized during the Company's year ending February 28, 2006.  Subject to the finalization of the Robert Mondavi Plan, which could result in additional restructuring charges, the Company estimates that the restructuring plans will include (i) a total of $14.1 million of employee termination benefit costs through February 28, 2006, of which $11.7 million has been incurred through May 31, 2005, (ii) a total of $19.2 million of contract termination costs, all of which were incurred through February 28, 2005, and (iii) a total of $4.2 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs through February 28, 2006, of which $3.6 million has been incurred through May 31, 2005.
 
The following table illustrates the changes in the restructuring liability balance since February 28, 2005:

 
   
Employee
Termination
Benefit
Costs
 
Contract
Termination
Costs
 
Facility
Consolidation/
Relocation
Costs
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
                 
Balance, February 28, 2005
 
$
15,270
 
$
23,204
 
$
743
 
$
39,217
 
Robert Mondavi acquisition
   
635
   
658
   
459
   
1,752
 
Restructuring charges
   
1,176
   
-
   
704
   
1,880
 
Cash expenditures
   
(9,506
)
 
(5,016
)
 
(161
)
 
(14,683
)
Foreign currency adjustments
   
(36
)
 
(115
)
 
(42
)
 
(193
)
Balance, May 31, 2005
 
$
7,539
 
$
18,731
 
$
1,703
 
$
27,973
 





14)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

The following information sets forth the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of May 31, 2005, and February 28, 2005, the condensed consolidating statements of income for the three months ended May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, and the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, for the Company, the parent company, the combined subsidiaries of the Company which guarantee the Company’s senior notes and senior subordinated notes (“Subsidiary Guarantors”) and the combined subsidiaries of the Company which are not Subsidiary Guarantors, primarily Matthew Clark and Hardy and their subsidiaries, which are included in the Constellation Wines segment (“Subsidiary Nonguarantors”). The Subsidiary Guarantors are wholly owned and the guarantees are full, unconditional, joint and several obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Separate financial statements for the Subsidiary Guarantors of the Company are not presented because the Company has determined that such financial statements would not be material to investors. The accounting policies of the parent company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Subsidiary Nonguarantors are the same as those described for the Company in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2005. There are no restrictions on the ability of the Subsidiary Guarantors to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.
 
   
Parent
Company
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Subsidiary
Nonguarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
                     
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at May 31, 2005
 
Current assets:
                     
Cash and cash investments
 
$
3,962
 
$
8,866
 
$
6,356
 
$
-
 
$
19,184
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
150,115
   
228,219
   
443,889
   
-
   
822,223
 
Inventories
   
39,214
   
920,102
   
717,248
   
(10,405
)
 
1,666,159
 
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets
   
1,490
   
146,688
   
63,394
   
-
   
211,572
 
Intercompany receivable (payable)
   
284,899
   
(888,656
)
 
603,757
   
-
   
-
 
Total current assets
   
479,680
   
415,219
   
1,834,644
   
(10,405
)
 
2,719,138
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
37,622
   
761,984
   
649,906
   
-
   
1,449,512
 
Investments in subsidiaries
   
4,997,506
   
1,865,933
   
-
   
(6,863,439
)
 
-
 
Goodwill
   
-
   
1,224,222
   
894,354
   
-
   
2,118,576
 
Intangible assets, net
   
-
   
586,686
   
342,464
   
-
   
929,150
 
Other assets, net
   
28,639
   
182,469
   
73,960
   
-
   
285,068
 
Total assets
 
$
5,543,447
 
$
5,036,513
 
$
3,795,328
 
$
(6,873,844
)
$
7,501,444
 
                                 
Current liabilities:
                               
Notes payable to banks
 
$
54,000
 
$
-
 
$
8,607
 
$
-
 
$
62,607
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
   
60,069
   
4,104
   
3,715
   
-
   
67,888
 
Accounts payable
   
4,058
   
114,953
   
268,166
   
-
   
387,177
 
Accrued excise taxes
   
8,453
   
24,305
   
26,239
   
-
   
58,997
 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities
   
92,789
   
180,888
   
286,780
   
(3,296
)
 
557,161
 
Total current liabilities
   
219,369
   
324,250
   
593,507
   
(3,296
)
 
1,133,830
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
   
2,936,774
   
6,302
   
25,716
   
-
   
2,968,792
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(5,543
)
 
357,970
   
29,628
   
-
   
382,055
 
Other liabilities
   
1,215
   
139,689
   
133,653
   
-
   
274,557
 





   
Parent
Company
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Subsidiary
Nonguarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
                     
Stockholders’ equity:
                     
Preferred stock
   
2
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2
 
Class A and Class B common stock
   
2,298
   
6,443
   
141,583
   
(148,026
)
 
2,298
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
1,110,327
   
2,301,961
   
2,498,737
   
(4,800,698
)
 
1,110,327
 
Retained earnings
   
1,359,284
   
1,753,673
   
161,042
   
(1,923,898
)
 
1,350,101
 
Accumulated other comprehensive
(loss) income
   
(52,080
)
 
146,225
   
211,462
   
2,074
   
307,681
 
Treasury stock and other
   
(28,199
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(28,199
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
2,391,632
   
4,208,302
   
3,012,824
   
(6,870,548
)
 
2,742,210
 
Total liabilities and
stockholders’ equity
 
$
5,543,447
 
$
5,036,513
 
$
3,795,328
 
$
(6,873,844
)
$
7,501,444
 
                                 
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at February 28, 2005
Current assets:
                               
Cash and cash investments
 
$
-
 
$
10,095
 
$
7,540
 
$
-
 
$
17,635
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
132,997
   
293,588
   
423,057
   
-
   
849,642
 
Inventories
   
35,719
   
943,711
   
637,556
   
(9,251
)
 
1,607,735
 
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets
   
41,515
   
163,910
   
53,598
   
-
   
259,023
 
Intercompany receivable (payable)
   
450,781
   
(1,111,951
)
 
661,170
   
-
   
-
 
Total current assets
   
661,012
   
299,353
   
1,782,921
   
(9,251
)
 
2,734,035
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
37,476
   
884,690
   
674,201
   
-
   
1,596,367
 
Investments in subsidiaries
   
4,961,521
   
1,844,354
   
-
   
(6,805,875
)
 
-
 
Goodwill
   
-
   
1,242,132
   
940,537
   
-
   
2,182,669
 
Intangible assets, net
   
-
   
587,075
   
358,575
   
-
   
945,650
 
Other assets, net
   
28,559
   
221,642
   
95,250
   
-
   
345,451
 
Total assets
 
$
5,688,568
 
$
5,079,246
 
$
3,851,484
 
$
(6,815,126
)
$
7,804,172
 
                                 
Current liabilities:
                               
Notes payable to banks
 
$
14,000
 
$
-
 
$
2,475
 
$
-
 
$
16,475
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
   
60,068
   
4,307
   
3,719
   
-
   
68,094
 
Accounts payable
   
4,237
   
146,116
   
194,901
   
-
   
345,254
 
Accrued excise taxes
   
13,633
   
41,070
   
19,653
   
-
   
74,356
 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities
   
146,837
   
191,438
   
298,529
   
(2,896
)
 
633,908
 
Total current liabilities
   
238,775
   
382,931
   
519,277
   
(2,896
)
 
1,138,087
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
   
3,167,852
   
9,089
   
27,766
   
-
   
3,204,707
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(17,255
)
 
377,423
   
29,718
   
-
   
389,886
 
Other liabilities
   
1,101
   
126,173
   
164,305
   
-
   
291,579
 
Stockholders’ equity:
                               
Preferred stock
   
2
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2
 
Class A and Class B common stock
   
2,288
   
6,443
   
141,583
   
(148,026
)
 
2,288
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
1,097,177
   
2,301,961
   
2,498,737
   
(4,800,698
)
 
1,097,177
 
Retained earnings
   
1,285,762
   
1,715,182
   
141,969
   
(1,866,060
)
 
1,276,853
 
Accumulated other comprehensive
(loss) income
   
(58,884
)
 
160,044
   
328,129
   
2,554
   
431,843
 
Treasury stock and other
   
(28,250
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(28,250
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
2,298,095
   
4,183,630
   
3,110,418
   
(6,812,230
)
 
2,779,913
 
Total liabilities and
stockholders’ equity
 
$
5,688,568
 
$
5,079,246
 
$
3,851,484
 
$
(6,815,126
)
$
7,804,172
 


   
Parent
Company
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Subsidiary
Nonguarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
                     
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the Three Months Ended May 31, 2005
 
Gross sales
 
$
247,953
 
$
701,840
 
$
670,689
 
$
(254,173
)
$
1,366,309
 
Less - excise taxes
   
(33,400
)
 
(110,094
)
 
(126,280
)
 
-
   
(269,774
)
Net sales
   
214,553
   
591,746
   
544,409
   
(254,173
)
 
1,096,535
 
Cost of product sold
   
(176,656
)
 
(419,515
)
 
(448,179
)
 
253,821
   
(790,529
)
Gross profit
   
37,897
   
172,231
   
96,230
   
(352
)
 
306,006
 
Selling, general and administrative
expenses
   
(37,947
)
 
(62,114
)
 
(57,803
)
 
-
   
(157,864
)
Acquisition-related integration costs
   
-
   
(6,428
)
 
(11
)
 
-
   
(6,439
)
Restructuring and related charges
   
-
   
(1,191
)
 
(689
)
 
-
   
(1,880
)
Operating (loss) income
   
(50
)
 
102,498
   
37,727
   
(352
)
 
139,823
 
Equity in earnings (loss) of equity
method investees and subsidiaries
   
35,985
   
22,107
   
(1,071
)
 
(57,563
)
 
(542
)
Interest income (expense), net
   
36,840
   
(75,416
)
 
(8,719
)
 
-
   
(47,295
)
Income before income taxes
   
72,775
   
49,189
   
27,937
   
(57,915
)
 
91,986
 
Benefit from (provision for)
income taxes
   
3,198
   
(10,698
)
 
(8,864
)
 
77
   
(16,287
)
Net income
   
75,973
   
38,491
   
19,073
   
(57,838
)
 
75,699
 
Dividends on preferred stock
   
(2,451
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(2,451
)
Income available to common
stockholders
 
$
73,522
 
$
38,491
 
$
19,073
 
$
(57,838
)
$
73,248
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the Three Months Ended May 31, 2004
Gross sales
 
$
170,540
 
$
488,748
 
$
585,638
 
$
(70,611
)
$
1,174,315
 
Less - excise taxes
   
(31,855
)
 
(109,219
)
 
(105,936
)
 
-
   
(247,010
)
Net sales
   
138,685
   
379,529
   
479,702
   
(70,611
)
 
927,305
 
Cost of product sold
   
(131,112
)
 
(223,744
)
 
(391,766
)
 
69,779
   
(676,843
)
Gross profit
   
7,573
   
155,785
   
87,936
   
(832
)
 
250,462
 
Selling, general and administrative
expenses
   
(38,844
)
 
(52,067
)
 
(47,517
)
 
-
   
(138,428
)
Acquisition-related integration costs
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Restructuring charges
   
-
   
(1,301
)
 
(312
)
 
-
   
(1,613
)
Operating (loss) income
   
(31,271
)
 
102,417
   
40,107
   
(832
)
 
110,421
 
Equity in earnings of equity
method investees and subsidiaries
   
68,378
   
21,012
   
62
   
(89,390
)
 
62
 
Interest income (expense), net
   
5,499
   
(28,408
)
 
(7,372
)
 
-
   
(30,281
)
Income before income taxes
   
42,606
   
95,021
   
32,797
   
(90,222
)
 
80,202
 
Benefit from (provision for)
income taxes
   
9,555
   
(26,643
)
 
(11,785
)
 
-
   
(28,873
)
Net income
   
52,161
   
68,378
   
21,012
   
(90,222
)
 
51,329
 
Dividends on preferred stock
   
(2,451
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(2,451
)
Income available to common
stockholders
 
$
49,710
 
$
68,378
 
$
21,012
 
$
(90,222
)
$
48,878
 






   
Parent
Company
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Subsidiary
Nonguarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
                     
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended May 31, 2005
 
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities
 
$
(9,726
)
$
110,001
 
$
(40,249
)
$
-
 
$
60,026
 
                                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
Purchases of property, plant and
equipment
   
(1,183
)
 
(10,897
)
 
(19,760
)
 
-
   
(31,840
)
Investment in equity method investee
   
-
   
-
   
(2,286
)
 
-
   
(2,286
)
Payment of accrued earn-out amount
   
-
   
(1,648
)
 
-
   
-
   
(1,648
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
   
-
   
92,449
   
327
   
-
   
92,776
 
Proceeds from sale of equity
method investment
   
-
   
35,171
   
-
   
-
   
35,171
 
Proceeds from sale of businesses
   
-
   
17,861
   
-
   
-
   
17,861
 
Net cash (used in) provided by
investing activities
   
(1,183
)
 
132,936
   
(21,719
)
 
-
   
110,034
 
                                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
Intercompany financings, net
   
183,633
   
(240,288
)
 
56,655
   
-
   
-
 
Net proceeds of notes payable
   
40,000
   
-
   
6,320
   
-
   
46,320
 
Exercise of employee stock options
   
8,674
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
8,674
 
Proceeds from employee stock
purchases
   
31
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
31
 
Principal payments of long-term debt
   
(215,016
)
 
(3,582
)
 
(942
)
 
-
   
(219,540
)
Payment of preferred stock dividends
   
(2,451
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(2,451
)
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities
   
14,871
   
(243,870
)
 
62,033
   
-
   
(166,966
)
                                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash and cash investments
   
-
   
(296
)
 
(1,249
)
 
-
   
(1,545
)
                                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash investments
   
3,962
   
(1,229
)
 
(1,184
)
 
-
   
1,549
 
Cash and cash investments, beginning
of period
   
-
   
10,095
   
7,540
   
-
   
17,635
 
Cash and cash investments, end of
   period
 
$
3,962
 
$
8,866
 
$
6,356
 
$
-
 
$
19,184
 
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended May 31, 2004
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities
 
$
(41,380
)
$
28,259
 
$
(33,337
)
$
-
 
$
(46,458
)
                                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
Purchases of property, plant and
equipment
   
(2,006
)
 
(6,842
)
 
(13,265
)
 
-
   
(22,113
)
Investment in equity method investee
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Payment of accrued earn-out amount
   
-
   
(1,338
)
 
-
   
-
   
(1,338
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
   
5
   
3
   
437
   
-
   
445
 
Proceeds from sale of equity
method investment
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
Proceeds from sale of businesses
   
-
   
-
    -    
-
   
-
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(2,001
)
 
(8,177
)
 
(12,828
)
 
-
   
(23,006
)
 


   
Parent
Company
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Subsidiary
Nonguarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
                     
Cash flows from financing activities:
                     
Intercompany financing activities, net
   
22,000
   
(22,000
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
 
Net proceeds from notes payable
   
235,000
   
48
   
30,843
   
-
   
265,891
 
Exercise of employee stock options
   
5,814
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
5,814
 
Proceeds from employee stock
purchases
   
1
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
1
 
Principal payments of long-term debt
   
(215,014
)
 
(1,430
)
 
(760
)
 
-
   
(217,204
)
Proceeds from equity offerings
   
(2,451
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(2,451
)
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities
   
45,350
   
(23,382
)
 
30,083
   
-
   
52,051
 
                                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash and cash investments
   
27
   
619
   
(8,926
)
 
-
   
(8,280
)
                                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash investments
   
1,996
   
(2,681
)
 
(25,008
)
 
-
   
(25,693
)
Cash and cash investments, beginning
of period
   
1,048
   
4,664
   
31,424
   
-
   
37,136
 
Cash and cash investments, end of
   period
 
$
3,044
 
$
1,983
 
$
6,416
 
$
-
 
$
11,443
 
 
 
15)
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION:

The Company reports its operating results in three segments: Constellation Wines (branded wine, and U.K. wholesale and other), Constellation Beers and Spirits (imported beers and distilled spirits) and Corporate Operations and Other. Amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment consist of general corporate administration and finance expenses. These amounts include costs of executive management, corporate development, corporate finance, human resources, internal audit, investor relations, legal and public relations. Any costs incurred at the corporate office that are applicable to the segments are allocated to the appropriate segment. The amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment are general costs that are applicable to the consolidated group and are therefore not allocated to the other reportable segments. All costs reported within the Corporate Operations and Other segment are not included in the chief operating decision maker’s evaluation of the operating income performance of the other operating segments.

The business segments reflect how the Company’s operations are being managed, how operating performance within the Company is being evaluated by senior management and the structure of its internal financial reporting. In addition, the Company excludes acquisition-related integration costs, restructuring and related charges and unusual items that affect comparability from its definition of operating income for segment purposes.

For the three months ended May 31, 2005, acquisition-related integration costs, restructuring and related charges and unusual costs consist of the flow through of adverse grape cost (as described below), acquisition-related integration costs, the flow through of inventory step-up, and restructuring and related charges associated with the Robert Mondavi acquisition of $7.5 million, $6.4 million, $2.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively. For the three months ended May 31, 2004, acquisition-related integration costs, restructuring and related charges and unusual costs consist of financing costs associated with the redemption of the Company’s senior subordinated notes of $10.3 million, restructuring and related charges of $1.6 million, and the flow through of inventory step-up associated with the Hardy Acquisition of $1.3 million. Adverse grape cost represents the amount of historical inventory cost on Robert Mondavi’s balance sheet that exceeds the Company’s estimated ongoing grape cost and is primarily due to the purchase of grapes by Robert Mondavi prior to the acquisition date at above-market prices as required under the terms of their then existing grape purchase contracts.


The Company evaluates performance based on operating income of the respective business units. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described for the Company in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2005. Transactions between segments consist mainly of sales of products and are accounted for at cost plus an applicable margin.

Segment information is as follows:

   
For the Three Months
Ended May 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
(in thousands)
         
Constellation Wines:
         
Net sales:
         
Branded wine
 
$
495,356
 
$
363,883
 
Wholesale and other
   
255,227
   
247,235
 
Net sales
 
$
750,583
 
$
611,118
 
Segment operating income
 
$
95,993
 
$
67,659
 
Equity in (loss) earnings of equity method investees
 
$
(542
)
$
62
 
Long-lived assets
 
$
1,352,787
 
$
969,046
 
Investment in equity method investees
 
$
212,918
 
$
7,686
 
Total assets
 
$
6,613,599
 
$
4,697,738
 
Capital expenditures
 
$
30,350
 
$
19,529
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
24,940
 
$
18,932
 
               
Constellation Beers and Spirits:
             
Net sales:
             
Imported beers
 
$
260,433
 
$
236,896
 
Spirits
   
85,519
   
79,291
 
Net sales
 
$
345,952
 
$
316,187
 
Segment operating income
 
$
75,990
 
$
67,852
 
Long-lived assets
 
$
81,665
 
$
79,186
 
Total assets
 
$
828,491
 
$
778,492
 
Capital expenditures
 
$
754
 
$
1,826
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
2,569
 
$
2,760
 
               
Corporate Operations and Other:
             
Net sales
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
Segment operating loss
 
$
(14,293
)
$
(11,869
)
Long-lived assets
 
$
15,060
 
$
12,474
 
Total assets
 
$
59,354
 
$
72,844
 
Capital expenditures
 
$
736
 
$
758
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
1,770
 
$
2,563
 
               
Acquisition-Related Integration
Costs, Restructuring and Related
Charges and Unusual Costs:
             
Operating loss
 
$
(17,867
)
$
(13,221
)
 


   
For the Three Months
Ended May 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
(in thousands)
Consolidated:
         
Net sales
 
$
1,096,535
 
$
927,305
 
Operating income
 
$
139,823
 
$
110,421
 
Equity in (loss) earnings of equity method investees
 
$
(542
)
$
62
 
Long-lived assets
 
$
1,449,512
 
$
1,060,706
 
Investment in equity method investees
 
$
212,918
 
$
7,686
 
Total assets
 
$
7,501,444
 
$
5,549,074
 
Capital expenditures
 
$
31,840
 
$
22,113
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
29,279
 
$
24,255
 
 
16)
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED:

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151 (“SFAS No. 151”), “Inventory Costs - an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4.” SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43 (“ARB No. 43”), “Restatement and Revision of Accounting Research Bulletins,” Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). SFAS No. 151 requires that those items be recognized as current period charges. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 151 for fiscal years beginning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 151 on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS No. 123(R) replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB Opinion No. 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” SFAS No. 123(R) requires the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all entities to apply a grant date fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123(R) also amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 95 (“SFAS No. 95”), “Statement of Cash Flows,” to require that excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. SFAS No. 123(R) applies to all awards granted, modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the required effective date (see below). In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) requires entities that used the fair-value-based method for either recognition or disclosure under SFAS No. 123 to apply SFAS No. 123(R) using a modified version of prospective application. This application requires compensation cost to be recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered based on the grant date fair value of those awards as calculated under SFAS No. 123 for either recognition or pro forma disclosures. For periods before the required effective date, those entities may elect to apply a modified version of retrospective application under which financial statements for prior periods are adjusted on a basis consistent with the pro forma disclosures required for those periods by SFAS No. 123. In March 2005, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB No. 107”), “Share Based Payment”, to express the views of the staff regarding the interaction between SFAS No. 123(R) and certain SEC rules and regulations and to provide the staff’s views regarding the valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public companies. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) for interim periods beginning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 123(R) on its consolidated financial statements and will take into consideration the additional guidance provided by SAB No. 107 in connection with the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).


In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153 (“SFAS No. 153”), “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets - an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29.” SFAS No. 153 amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29 (“APB No. 29”), “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions,” to eliminate the exception from fair value measurement for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replace it with a general exception from fair value measurement for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. SFAS No. 153 specifies that a nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 153 for fiscal years beginning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 153 on its consolidated financial statements.

On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act (“AJCA”) was signed into law. The AJCA includes a special one-time 85 percent dividends received deduction for certain foreign earnings that are repatriated. In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 109-2 (“FSP FAS 109-2”), “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.” FSP FAS 109-2 provides accounting and disclosure guidance for this repatriation provision. Although FSP FAS 109-2 is effective immediately, the Company is currently assessing the impact of guidance issued by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service on May 10, 2005, as well as the relevance of additional guidance expected to be issued. The Company expects to complete its evaluation of the effects of the repatriation provision during the second half of fiscal 2006.

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN No. 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143.” FIN No. 47 clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” A conditional asset retirement obligation is an unconditional legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. Therefore, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. FIN No. 47 is effective for the Company no later than the end of the year ending February 28, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of FIN No. 47 on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154 (“SFAS No. 154”), “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections - a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3.” SFAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 requires that a change in depreciation, amortization, or depletion method for long-lived, nonfinancial assets be accounted for as a change of estimate effected by a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 also carries forward without change the guidance in APB Opinion No. 20 with respect to accounting for changes in accounting estimates, changes in the reporting unit and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 154 for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 154 on its consolidated financial statements.





Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

The Company is a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol brands with a broad portfolio across the wine, imported beer and spirits categories. The Company has the largest wine business in the world and is the largest multi-category supplier of beverage alcohol in the United States; a leading producer and exporter of wine from Australia and New Zealand; and both a major producer and independent drinks wholesaler in the United Kingdom.

The Company reports its operating results in three segments: Constellation Wines (branded wines, and U.K. wholesale and other), Constellation Beers and Spirits (imported beers and distilled spirits) and Corporate Operations and Other. Amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment consist of general corporate administration and finance expenses. These amounts include costs of executive management, corporate development, corporate finance, human resources, internal audit, investor relations, legal and public relations. Any costs incurred at the corporate office that are applicable to the segments are allocated to the appropriate segment. The amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment are general costs that are applicable to the consolidated group and are therefore not allocated to the other reportable segments. All costs reported within the Corporate Operations and Other segment are not included in the chief operating decision maker’s evaluation of the operating income performance of the other operating segments. The business segments reflect how the Company’s operations are being managed, how operating performance within the Company is being evaluated by senior management and the structure of its internal financial reporting. In addition, the Company excludes acquisition-related integration costs, restructuring and related charges and unusual items that affect comparability from its definition of operating income for segment purposes.

The Company’s business strategy is to remain focused across the beverage alcohol industry by offering a broad range of products in each of the Company’s three major categories: wine, imported beer and spirits. The Company intends to keep its portfolio positioned for superior top-line growth while maximizing the profitability of its brands. In addition, the Company seeks to increase its relative importance to key customers in major markets by increasing its share of their overall purchasing, which is increasingly important in a consolidating industry. The Company’s strategy of breadth across categories and geographies is designed to deliver long-term profitable growth. This strategy allows the Company more investment choices, provides flexibility to address changing market conditions and creates stronger routes-to-market.

Marketing, sales and distribution of the Company’s products, particularly the Constellation Wines segment’s products, are managed on a geographic basis in order to fully leverage leading market positions within each geographic market. Market dynamics and consumer trends vary significantly across the Company’s three core geographic markets - North America (primarily the U.S.), Europe (primarily the U.K.) and Australasia (primarily Australia and New Zealand). Within the U.S. market, the Company offers a wide range of beverage alcohol products across the Constellation Wines segment and the Constellation Beers and Spirits segment. In Europe, the Company leverages its position as the largest wine supplier in the U.K. In addition, the Company leverages its U.K. wholesale business as a strategic route-to-market for its imported wine portfolio and as a key supplier of a full range of beverage alcohol products primarily to large national on-premise accounts. Within Australasia, where consumer trends favor domestic wine products, the Company leverages its position as one of the largest wine producers in Australia.

The Company remains committed to its long-term financial model of growing sales (both through acquisitions and organically), expanding margins and increasing cash flow to achieve superior earnings per share growth and improve return on invested capital.


The environment for the Company’s products is fairly competitive in each of the Company’s key geographic markets, due, in part, to industry and retail consolidation. Competition in the U.S. beers and spirits markets is normally intense, with domestic beer producers increasing brand spending in an effort to gain market share.

Additionally, the supply of certain raw materials, particularly grapes, as well as consumer demand, can affect the overall competitive environment. Two years of lighter than expected California grape harvests, combined with a reduction in wine grape acreage in California, has brought the U.S. grape supply more into balance with demand. This has led to an overall firming of the pricing of wine grape varietals from California. Two years of record Australian grape harvests have contributed to an oversupply of certain red grape varietals. This has led to an overall reduction in grape costs for these varietals, which may affect markets for Australian red wines around the world.
 
In First Quarter 2006 (as defined below), the Company’s results of operations benefited from the inclusion of a full quarter of operations of Robert Mondavi (as defined below). The Company’s net sales increased 18% over First Quarter 2005 (as defined below) primarily from increases in branded wine net sales and imported beer net sales and a favorable foreign currency impact. Operating income increased 27% over the comparable prior year period primarily due to the favorable sales mix shift to higher margin wine brands acquired in the Robert Mondavi acquisition. Lastly, as a result of the above factors and a lower income tax provision due to the benefit from a reversal of an income tax accrual related to the completion of various income tax examinations, slightly offset by increased interest expense for First Quarter 2006, net income increased 47% over the comparable prior year period.

The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting (i) consolidated results of operations of the Company for the three months ended May 31, 2005 (“First Quarter 2006”), compared to the three months ended May 31, 2004 (“First Quarter 2005”), and (ii) financial liquidity and capital resources for First Quarter 2006. This discussion and analysis also identifies certain acquisition-related integration costs, restructuring and related charges and unusual items expected to affect consolidated results of operations of the Company for the year ending February 28, 2006 (“Fiscal 2006”). This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2005 (“Fiscal 2005”).

Common Stock Splits

During April 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company approved two-for-one stock splits of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, which were distributed in the form of stock dividends on May 13, 2005, to stockholders of record on April 29, 2005. Share and per share amounts in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are adjusted to give effect to these common stock splits.

Acquisition in Fiscal 2005 and Equity Method Investment

Acquisition of Robert Mondavi

On December 22, 2004, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of The Robert Mondavi Corporation (“Robert Mondavi”), a leading premium wine producer based in Napa, California. In connection with the production of its products, Robert Mondavi owns, operates and has an interest in certain wineries and controls certain vineyards. Robert Mondavi produces, markets and sells premium, super premium and fine California wines under the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Robert Mondavi Private Selection and Robert Mondavi Winery brand names. In the United States, Woodbridge is the leading domestic premium wine brand and Robert Mondavi Private Selection is the leading super-premium wine brand.


The acquisition of Robert Mondavi supports the Company’s strategy of strengthening the breadth of its portfolio across price segments to capitalize on the overall growth in the premium, super-premium and fine wine categories. The Company believes that the acquired Robert Mondavi brand names have strong brand recognition globally. The vast majority of Robert Mondavi’s sales are generated in the United States. The Company intends to leverage the Robert Mondavi brands in the United States through its selling, marketing and distribution infrastructure. The Company also intends to further expand distribution for the Robert Mondavi brands in Europe through its Constellation Europe infrastructure. Distribution of the Robert Mondavi brands in certain European markets is in progress and the brands are expected to be available to consumers in late summer / early fall of 2005.

The Company and Robert Mondavi have complementary businesses that share a common growth orientation and operating philosophy. The Robert Mondavi acquisition provides the Company with a greater presence in the fine wine sector within the United States and the ability to capitalize on the broader geographic distribution in strategic international markets. The Robert Mondavi acquisition supports the Company’s strategy of growth and breadth across categories and geographies, and strengthens its competitive position in its core markets. In particular, the Company believes there are growth opportunities for premium, super-premium and fine wines in the United Kingdom, United States and other wine markets. Total consideration paid in cash to the Robert Mondavi shareholders was $1,030.7 million. Additionally, the Company expects to incur direct acquisition costs of $11.2 million. The purchase price was financed with borrowings under the Company’s 2004 Credit Agreement (as defined below). In accordance with the purchase method of accounting, the acquired net assets are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. The purchase price was based primarily on the estimated future operating results of Robert Mondavi, including the factors described above, as well as an estimated benefit from operating cost synergies.

The results of operations of the Robert Mondavi business are reported in the Constellation Wines segment and are included in the consolidated results of operations of the Company from the date of acquisition. The acquisition of Robert Mondavi is significant and the Company expects it to have a material impact on the Company’s future results of operations, financial position and cash flows. In particular, the Company expects its future results of operations to be significantly impacted by, among other things, the flow through of anticipated inventory step-up and adverse grape cost, acquisition-related integration costs, restructuring and related charges, and interest expense associated with the 2004 Credit Agreement (as defined below). Adverse grape cost represents the amount of historical inventory cost on Robert Mondavi’s balance sheet that exceeds the Company’s estimated ongoing grape cost and is primarily due to the purchase of grapes by Robert Mondavi prior to the acquisition date at above-market prices as required under the terms of their then existing grape purchase contracts.

In connection with the Robert Mondavi acquisition and Robert Mondavi’s previously disclosed intention to sell certain of its winery properties and related assets, and other vineyard properties, the Company has realized net proceeds of $145.4 million from the sale of certain of these assets during First Quarter 2006. Total net proceeds from the sale of these assets since the date of acquisition through May 31, 2005, are $155.3 million. The Company expects to receive net proceeds of approximately $150 million to $175 million from the sale of these assets during Fiscal 2006. No gain or loss is expected to be recognized upon the sale of these assets.

Investment in Ruffino

On December 3, 2004, the Company purchased a 40 percent interest in Ruffino S.r.l. (“Ruffino”), the well-known Italian fine wine company, for $89.2 million, including direct acquisition costs of $7.0 million. As of February 1, 2005, the Constellation Wines segment began distributing Ruffino’s products in the United States. The Company accounts for the investment under the equity method; accordingly, the results of operations of Ruffino from December 3, 2004, are included in the equity in (loss) earnings of equity method investees line in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.


 
Results of Operations

First Quarter 2006 Compared to First Quarter 2005

Net Sales

The following table sets forth the net sales (in millions of dollars) by operating segment of the Company for First Quarter 2006 and First Quarter 2005.

   
First Quarter 2006 Compared to First Quarter 2005
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
% Increase
 
Constellation Wines:
             
Branded wine
 
$
495.4
 
$
363.9
   
36
%
Wholesale and other
   
255.2
   
247.2
   
3
%
Constellation Wines net sales
 
$
750.6
 
$
611.1
   
23
%
Constellation Beers and Spirits:
                   
Imported beers
 
$
260.4
 
$
236.9
   
10
%
Spirits
   
85.5
   
79.3
   
8
%
Constellation Beers and Spirits net sales
 
$
345.9
 
$
316.2
   
9
%
Consolidated Net Sales
 
$
1,096.5
 
$
927.3
   
18
%

Net sales for First Quarter 2006 increased to $1,096.5 million from $927.3 million for First Quarter 2005, an increase of $169.2 million, or 18%. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in branded wine net sales of $122.2 million (on a constant currency basis) and imported beer net sales of $23.5 million. The increase in branded wine net sales is due primarily to $89.6 million of net sales of branded wines acquired in the Robert Mondavi acquisition and $13.4 million of net sales of Ruffino brands, which the Company began distributing in the U.S. on February 1, 2005. In addition, net sales benefited from a favorable foreign currency impact of $20.1 million.

Constellation Wines

Net sales for Constellation Wines increased to $750.6 million for First Quarter 2006 from $611.1 million in First Quarter 2005, an increase of $139.5 million, or 23%. Branded wine net sales increased $131.6 million primarily from $89.6 million of net sales of branded wines acquired in the Robert Mondavi acquisition, $13.4 million of net sales of Ruffino brands and a favorable foreign currency impact of $9.4 million. Wholesale and other net sales increased $7.8 million but were down slightly on a constant currency basis as growth in the U.K. wholesale business was more than offset by a decrease in other net sales. Wholesale and other net sales benefited from a favorable foreign currency impact of $10.7 million.

Constellation Beers and Spirits

Net sales for Constellation Beers and Spirits increased to $346.0 million for First Quarter 2006 from $316.2 million for First Quarter 2005, an increase of $29.8 million, or 9%. This increase resulted from increases in imported beers net sales of $23.5 million and spirits net sales of $6.2 million. The growth in imported beers net sales is primarily due to volume growth in the Company’s Mexican beer portfolio. The growth in spirits net sales is attributable to an increase in the Company’s contract production net sales partially offset by a slight decrease in branded spirits net sales.




Gross Profit

The Company’s gross profit increased to $306.0 million for First Quarter 2006 from $250.5 million for First Quarter 2005, an increase of $55.5 million, or 22%. The Constellation Wines segment’s gross profit increased $54.8 million primarily from the additional gross profit of $46.8 million due to the Robert Mondavi acquisition. The Constellation Beers and Spirits segment’s gross profit increased $9.0 million primarily due to volume growth in the Company’s Mexican beer portfolio. In addition, unusual items, which consist of certain costs that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment, were higher by $8.3 million in First Quarter 2006 versus First Quarter 2005. This increase resulted from increased flow through of inventory step-up and adverse grape cost associated with the Robert Mondavi acquisition. Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased to 27.9% for First Quarter 2006 from 27.0% for First Quarter 2005 primarily due to sales of higher-margin wine brands acquired in the Robert Mondavi acquisition partially offset by the higher unusual costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $157.9 million for First Quarter 2006 from $138.4 million for First Quarter 2005, an increase of $19.4 million, or 14%. The Constellation Wines segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased $26.6 million primarily due to increased selling expenses, general and administrative expenses, and advertising expenses to support the growth in the segment’s business, including additional costs related to the brands acquired in the Robert Mondavi acquisition. The Constellation Beers and Spirits segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased slightly, as increased advertising and selling expenses were partially offset by lower general and administrative expenses. The Corporate Operations and Other segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.4 million primarily due to increased general and administrative expenses to support the Company’s growth. Lastly, there was a decrease of $10.3 million of unusual costs which consist of certain items that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment. The First Quarter 2005 costs consisted of financing costs recorded in connection with the Company’s redemption of its $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due March 2009 (the “Senior Subordinated Notes”). There were no unusual costs in First Quarter 2006. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales decreased to 14.4% for First Quarter 2006 as compared to 14.9% for First Quarter 2005 primarily due to no unusual costs in First Quarter 2006 partially offset by the increase in the Constellation Wines segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses growing at a faster rate than the increase in the segment's net sales.  The Constellation Wines segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales was impacted by the inclusion of the Robert Mondavi business, which has a higher percentage of selling, general and administrative expenses to net sales than the segment’s base business.

Acquisition-Related Integration Costs

The Company recorded $6.4 million of acquisition-related integration costs for First Quarter 2006 in connection with the Company’s decision to restructure and integrate the operations of Robert Mondavi (the “Robert Mondavi Plan”). Acquisition-related integration costs included $1.4 million of employee-related costs and $5.0 million of facilities and other one-time costs.  For Fiscal 2006, the Company expects to incur total acquisition-related integration costs of $10.3 million.




Restructuring and Related Charges

The Company recorded $1.9 million of restructuring and related charges for First Quarter 2006 associated primarily with the Robert Mondavi Plan. Restructuring and related charges included $1.2 million of employee termination benefit costs and $0.7 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs. The Company recorded $1.6 million of restructuring and related charges for First Quarter 2005 associated with the realignment of business operations within the Constellation Wines segment (the “Fiscal 2004 Plan”).
 
The Company is in the process of refining the Robert Mondavi Plan which will be finalized during Fiscal 2006. For Fiscal 2006, subject to finalization of the Robert Mondavi Plan, which could result in additional restructuring charges, the Company expects to incur total restructuring and related charges of $4.3 million associated primarily with the Robert Mondavi Plan.

Operating Income

The following table sets forth the operating income (loss) (in millions of dollars) by operating segment of the Company for First Quarter 2006 and First Quarter 2005.

 
 
First Quarter 2006 Compared to First Quarter 2005
 
 
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
% Increase
 
Constellation Wines
 
$
96.0
 
$
67.7
   
42
%
Constellation Beers and Spirits
   
76.0
   
67.8
   
12
%
Corporate Operations and Other
   
(14.3
)
 
(11.9
)
 
20
%
Total Reportable Segments
   
157.7
   
123.6
   
28
%
Acquisition-Related Integration Costs,
Restructuring and Related Charges
and Unusual Costs
   
(17.9
)
 
(13.2
)
 
36
%
Consolidated Operating Income
 
$
139.8
 
$
110.4
   
27
%

As a result of the factors discussed above, consolidated operating income increased to $139.8 million for First Quarter 2006 from $110.4 million for First Quarter 2005, an increase of $29.4 million, or 27%. Acquisition-related integration costs, restructuring and related charges and unusual costs of $17.9 million for First Quarter 2006 consist of certain costs that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment. These costs represent adverse grape cost, acquisition-related integration costs, and the flow through of inventory step-up associated with the Company’s acquisition of Robert Mondavi of $7.5 million, $6.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, and restructuring and related charges of $1.9 million in the Constellation Wines segment associated primarly with the Robert Mondavi Plan. Acquisition-related integration costs, restructuring and related charges and unusual costs of $13.2 million for First Quarter 2005 represent financing costs associated with the redemption of the Company’s Senior Subordinated Notes of $10.3 million, restructuring and related charges associated with the Fiscal 2004 Plan of $1.6 million, and the flow through of inventory step-up associated with the Hardy Acquisition of $1.3 million.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net of interest income of $0.9 million and $0.5 million for First Quarter 2006 and First Quarter 2005, respectively, increased to $47.3 million for First Quarter 2006 from $30.3 million for First Quarter 2005, an increase of $17.0 million, or 56%. The increase resulted from higher average borrowings in First Quarter 2006 primarily due to the Robert Mondavi acquisition and the investment in Ruffino in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.


Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was 17.7% for First Quarter 2006 and 36.0% for First Quarter 2005, a decrease of 18.3%. This decrease is due to a non-cash reduction in the Company’s provision for income taxes of $16.2 million, or 17.6%, as a result of adjustments to income tax accruals in connection with the completion of various income tax examinations. The Company expects the effective tax rate for Fiscal 2006 to more closely approximate its prior year's effective tax rate before giving effect to the $16.2 million adjustment.

Net Income

As a result of the above factors, net income increased to $75.7 million for First Quarter 2006 from $51.3 million for First Quarter 2005, an increase of $24.4 million, or 47%.


Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

The Company’s principal use of cash in its operating activities is for purchasing and carrying inventories and carrying seasonal accounts receivable. The Company’s primary source of liquidity has historically been cash flow from operations, except during annual grape harvests when the Company has relied on short-term borrowings. In the United States, the annual grape crush normally begins in August and runs through October. In Australia, the annual grape crush normally begins in February and runs through May. The Company generally begins taking delivery of grapes at the beginning of the crush season with payments for such grapes beginning to come due one month later. The Company’s short-term borrowings to support such purchases generally reach their highest levels one to two months after the crush season has ended. Historically, the Company has used cash flow from operating activities to repay its short-term borrowings and fund capital expenditures. The Company will continue to use its short-term borrowings to support its working capital requirements. The Company believes that cash provided by operating activities and its financing activities, primarily short-term borrowings, will provide adequate resources to satisfy its working capital, scheduled principal and interest payments on debt, preferred stock dividend payment requirements, and anticipated capital expenditure requirements for both its short-term and long-term capital needs.
 
First Quarter 2006 Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for First Quarter 2006 was $60.0 million, which resulted from $77.7 million of net income, plus $44.7 million of net non-cash items charged to the Consolidated Statement of Income and $30.3 million of cash proceeds credited to accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) within the Consolidated Balance Sheet, less $92.7 million representing the net change in the Company’s operating assets and liabilities. The net non-cash items consisted primarily of depreciation of property, plant and equipment and deferred tax provision. The net change in operating assets and liabilities resulted primarily from a seasonal increase in inventories and seasonal decreases in accrued salaries and commissions, accrued excise taxes and income taxes payable, partially offset by seasonal increases in accounts payable.


Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities for First Quarter 2006 was $110.0 million, which resulted primarily from $145.8 million of net proceeds from sales of assets, equity method investment, and businesses, primarily attributable to sales of non-strategic Robert Mondavi assets, partially offset by $31.8 million of capital expenditures.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for First Quarter 2006 was $167.0 million resulting primarily from principal payments of long-term debt of $219.5 million partially offset by net proceeds of $46.3 million from notes payable.

During June 1998, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The repurchase of shares of common stock will be accomplished, from time to time, in management’s discretion and depending upon market conditions, through open market or privately negotiated transactions. The Company may finance such repurchases through cash generated from operations or through the senior credit facility. The repurchased shares will become treasury shares. As of July 11, 2005, the Company had purchased a total of 8,150,688 shares of Class A Common Stock at an aggregate cost of $44.9 million, or at an average cost of $5.51 per share. No shares were repurchased during First Quarter 2006 under the Company’s share repurchase program.

Debt

Total debt outstanding as of May 31, 2005, amounted to $3,099.3 million, a decrease of $190.0 million from February 28, 2005. The ratio of total debt to total capitalization decreased to 53.0% as of May 31, 2005, from 54.2% as of February 28, 2005.

Senior Credit Facilities

2004 Credit Agreement

In connection with the acquisition of Robert Mondavi, on December 22, 2004, the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries (excluding certain inactive subsidiaries), together with certain of its subsidiaries organized in foreign jurisdictions, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as a lender and administrative agent, and certain other agents, lenders, and financial institutions entered into a new credit agreement (the “2004 Credit Agreement”). The 2004 Credit Agreement provides for aggregate credit facilities of $2.9 billion, consisting of a $600.0 million tranche A term loan facility due in November 2010, a $1.8 billion tranche B term loan facility due in November 2011, and a $500.0 million revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility for letters of credit of up to $60.0 million) which terminates in December 2010. Proceeds of the 2004 Credit Agreement were used to pay off the Company’s obligations under its prior senior credit facility, to fund the cash consideration payable in connection with its acquisition of Robert Mondavi, and to pay certain obligations of Robert Mondavi, including indebtedness outstanding under its bank facility and unsecured notes of $355.4 million. The Company uses the remaining availability under the 2004 Credit Agreement to fund its working capital needs on an as needed basis.

The tranche A term loan facility and the tranche B term loan facility were fully drawn on December 22, 2004. As of May 31, 2005, the required principal repayments of the tranche A term loan and the tranche B term loan are as follows:


   
Tranche A
Term Loan
 
Tranche B
Term Loan
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
             
2006
 
$
45,000
 
$
-
 
$
45,000
 
2007
   
67,500
 
 
-
   
67,500
 
2008
   
97,500
   
15,299
   
112,799
 
2009
   
120,000
   
15,299
   
135,299
 
2010
   
127,500
   
15,299
   
142,799
 
Thereafter
   
112,500
   
1,449,603
   
1,562,103
 
   
$
570,000
 
$
1,495,500
 
$
2,065,500
 
 
The rate of interest payable, at the Company’s option, is a function of LIBOR plus a margin, the federal funds rate plus a margin, or the prime rate plus a margin. The margin is adjustable based upon the Company’s debt ratio (as defined in the 2004 Credit Agreement) and, with respect to LIBOR borrowings, ranges between 1.00% and 1.75%. As of May 31, 2005, the LIBOR margin for the revolving credit facility and the tranche A term loan facility is 1.50%, while the LIBOR margin on the tranche B term loan facility is 1.75%.

The Company’s obligations are guaranteed by substantially all of  its U.S. subsidiaries and by certain of its foreign subsidiaries. These obligations are also secured by a pledge of (i) 100% of the ownership interests in most of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and (ii) 65% of the voting capital stock of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to customary lending covenants including those restricting additional liens, the incurrence of additional indebtedness (including guarantees of indebtedness), the sale of assets, the payment of dividends, transactions with affiliates, the disposition and acquisition of property and the making of certain investments, in each case subject to numerous baskets, exceptions and thresholds. The financial covenants are limited to maximum total debt and senior debt coverage ratios and minimum fixed charges and interest coverage ratios. As of May 31, 2005, the Company is in compliance with all of its covenants under its 2004 Credit Agreement.

As of May 31, 2005, under the 2004 Credit Agreement, the Company had outstanding tranche A term loans of $570.0 million bearing a weighted average interest rate of 4.3%, tranche B term loans of $1,495.5 million bearing a weighted average interest rate of 5.0%, revolving loans of $54.0 million bearing a weighted average interest rate of 4.4%, undrawn revolving letters of credit of $36.2 million, and $409.8 million in revolving loans available to be drawn.

At February 28, 2005, the Company had outstanding five year interest rate swap agreements to minimize interest rate volatility. The swap agreements fixed LIBOR interest rates on $1,200.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt at an average rate of 4.1% over the five-year term. In March 2005, the Company monetized the value of the interest rate swaps by replacing them with new five year delayed start interest rate swap agreements effective March 1, 2006, which extended the hedged period through fiscal 2010. The Company received $30.3 million in proceeds from the unwinding of the original swaps. This amount will be reclassified from AOCI ratably into earnings in the same period in which the original hedged item is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The effective interest rate remains the same under the new swap structure at 4.1%.
 

Foreign Subsidiary Facilities

The Company has additional credit arrangements available totaling $177.2 million as of May 31, 2005. These arrangements support the financing needs of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiary operations. Interest rates and other terms of these borrowings vary from country to country, depending on local market conditions. As of May 31, 2005, amounts outstanding under the foreign subsidiary credit arrangements were $38.0 million.

Senior Notes

As of May 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 5/8% Senior Notes due August 2006 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes are currently redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company.

As of May 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding £1.0 million ($1.8 million) aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% Series B Senior Notes due November 2009 (the “Sterling Series B Senior Notes”). In addition, as of May 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding £154.0 million ($279.4 million, net of $0.4 million unamortized discount) aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% Series C Senior Notes due November 2009 (the “Sterling Series C Senior Notes”). The Sterling Series B Senior Notes and Sterling Series C Senior Notes are currently redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company.
 
Also, as of May 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Senior Notes due February 2008 (the “February 2001 Senior Notes”). The February 2001 Senior Notes are currently redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company.

Senior Subordinated Notes

As of May 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due January 2012 (the “January 2002 Senior Subordinated Notes”). The January 2002 Senior Subordinated Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after January 15, 2007.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In November 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151 (“SFAS No. 151”), “Inventory Costs - an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4.” SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43 (“ARB No. 43”), “Restatement and Revision of Accounting Research Bulletins,” Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). SFAS No. 151 requires that those items be recognized as current period charges. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 151 for fiscal years beginning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 151 on its consolidated financial statements.


In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS No. 123(R) replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB Opinion No. 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” SFAS No. 123(R) requires the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all entities to apply a grant date fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123(R) also amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 95 (“SFAS No. 95”), “Statement of Cash Flows,” to require that excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. SFAS No. 123(R) applies to all awards granted, modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the required effective date (see below). In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) requires entities that used the fair-value-based method for either recognition or disclosure under SFAS No. 123 to apply SFAS No. 123(R) using a modified version of prospective application. This application requires compensation cost to be recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered based on the grant date fair value of those awards as calculated under SFAS No. 123 for either recognition or pro forma disclosures. For periods before the required effective date, those entities may elect to apply a modified version of retrospective application under which financial statements for prior periods are adjusted on a basis consistent with the pro forma disclosures required for those periods by SFAS No. 123. In March 2005, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB No. 107”), “Share Based Payment”, to express the views of the staff regarding the interaction between SFAS No. 123(R) and certain SEC rules and regulations and to provide the staff’s views regarding the valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public companies. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) for interim periods beginning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 123(R) on its consolidated financial statements and will take into consideration the additional guidance provided by SAB No. 107 in connection with the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

            In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153 (“SFAS No. 153”), “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets - an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29.” SFAS No. 153 amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29 (“APB No. 29”), “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions,” to eliminate the exception from fair value measurement for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replace it with a general exception from fair value measurement for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. SFAS No. 153 specifies that a nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 153 for fiscal years beginning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 153 on its consolidated financial statements.

On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act (“AJCA”) was signed into law. The AJCA includes a special one-time 85 percent dividends received deduction for certain foreign earnings that are repatriated. In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 109-2 (“FSP FAS 109-2”), “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.” FSP FAS 109-2 provides accounting and disclosure guidance for this repatriation provision. Although FSP FAS 109-2 is effective immediately, the Company is currently assessing the impact of guidance issued by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service on May 10, 2005, as well as the relevance of additional guidance expected to be issued. The Company expects to complete its evaluation of the effects of the repatriation provision during the second half of fiscal 2006.


In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN No. 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143.” FIN No. 47 clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” A conditional asset retirement obligation is an unconditional legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. Therefore, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. FIN No. 47 is effective for the Company no later than the end of the year ending February 28, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of FIN No. 47 on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154 (“SFAS No. 154”), “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections - a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3.” SFAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 requires that a change in depreciation, amortization, or depletion method for long-lived, nonfinancial assets be accounted for as a change of estimate effected by a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 also carries forward without change the guidance in APB Opinion No. 20 with respect to accounting for changes in accounting estimates, changes in the reporting unit and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 154 for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 154 on its consolidated financial statements.

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including statements regarding the Company’s future financial position and prospects, are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition to the risks and uncertainties of ordinary business operations, the forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this Form 10-Q are also subject to the following risks and uncertainties: the successful integration of the Robert Mondavi business into that of the Company; final management determinations and independent appraisals vary materially from current management estimates of (i) the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the Robert Mondavi acquisition and (ii) the fair value of assets and liabilities of Ruffino; the Company achieving certain sales projections and meeting certain cost targets; wholesalers and retailers may give higher priority to products of the Company’s competitors; raw material supply, production or shipment difficulties could adversely affect the Company’s ability to supply its customers; increased competitive activities in the form of pricing, advertising and promotions could adversely impact consumer demand for the Company’s products and/or result in higher than expected selling, general and administrative expenses; a general decline in alcohol consumption; increases in excise and other taxes on beverage alcohol products; and changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. For additional information about risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect the Company’s forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2005.



Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company, as a result of its global operating and financing activities, is exposed to market risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. To manage the volatility relating to these risks, the Company periodically purchases and/or sells derivative instruments including foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreements. The Company uses derivative instruments solely to reduce the financial impact of these risks and does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.

Foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency options are used to hedge existing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, forecasted foreign currency denominated sales both to third parties as well as intercompany sales, and intercompany principal and interest payments. As of May 31, 2005, the Company had exposures to foreign currency risk primarily related to the Australian dollar, British pound sterling, euro, New Zealand dollar, Canadian dollar, Chilean peso and Mexican peso.

As of May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, the Company had outstanding foreign exchange derivative instruments with a notional value of $675.0 million and $727.0 million, respectively. Approximately 77% of the Company’s total exposures were hedged as of May 31, 2005. Using a sensitivity analysis based on estimated fair value of open contracts using forward rates, if the contract base currency had been 10% weaker as of May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, the fair value of open foreign exchange contracts would have been decreased by $69.1 million and $77.0 million, respectively. Losses or gains from the revaluation or settlement of the related underlying positions would substantially offset such gains or losses on the derivative instruments.
 
The fair value of fixed rate debt is subject to interest rate risk, credit risk and foreign currency risk. The estimated fair value of the Company’s total fixed rate debt, including current maturities, was $992.8 million and $1,001.6 million as of May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, respectively. A hypothetical 1% increase from prevailing interest rates as of May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, would have resulted in a decrease in fair value of fixed interest rate long-term debt by $37.9 million and $39.2 million, respectively.

As of May 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding five-year interest rate swap agreements to minimize interest rate volatility. The swap agreements fix LIBOR interest rates on $1,200.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt at an average rate of 4.1% over the five-year term. A hypothetical 1% increase from prevailing interest rates as of May 31, 2005, would have increased the fair value of the interest rate swaps by $43.4 million. As of May 31, 2004, the Company had no interest rate swap agreements outstanding.

In addition to the $992.8 million and $1,001.6 million estimated fair value of fixed rate debt outstanding as of May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, respectively, the Company also had variable rate debt outstanding (primarily LIBOR based) as of May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, of $2,141.1 million and $1,120.6 million, respectively. Using a sensitivity analysis based on a hypothetical 1% increase in prevailing interest rates over a 12-month period, the approximate increase in cash required for interest as of May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2004, is $21.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively.



Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, that the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company’s “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2005, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


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

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Period
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid
Per Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of a
Publicly
Announced
Program
 
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under
the Program (1)
 
March 1 - 31, 2005
   
-
 
$
-
   
-
 
$
55,122,140
 
April 1 - 30, 2005
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
55,122,140
 
May 1 - 31, 2005
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
55,122,140
 
Total
   
-
 
$
-
   
-
 
$
55,122,140
 

(1) In June 1998, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase from time to time of up to $100.0 million of the Company’s Class A and
 Class B Common Stock. The program does not have a specified expiration date. The Company did not repurchase any shares under this program
 during the period March 1, 2005 through and including May 31, 2005.


Item 6.    Exhibits

Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

For the exhibits that are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference, see the Index to Exhibits located on page 36 of this Report.
The Index to Exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.



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.


 
CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC.
     
Dated: July 11, 2005
By:
/s/ Thomas F. Howe
   
Thomas F. Howe, Senior Vice President, Controller
     
Dated: July 11, 2005
By:
/s/ Thomas S. Summer
 
 
Thomas S. Summer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)




 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit No
 
 
 
(2)
 
 
Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or succession.
2.1 
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 3, 2004, by and among Constellation Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation, RMD Acquisition Corp., a California corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Constellation Brands, Inc., and The Robert Mondavi Corporation, a California corporation (filed as Exhibit 2.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
2.2 
 
Support Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2004, by and among Constellation Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation and certain shareholders of The Robert Mondavi Corporation (filed as Exhibit 2.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
(3)
 
 
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.
3.1 
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
3.2 
 
Certificate of Designations of 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 24, 2003, filed July 30, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
3.3 
 
By-Laws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
(4)
 
Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.
 
4.1 
 
Indenture, dated as of February 25, 1999, among the Company, as issuer, certain principal subsidiaries, as Guarantors, and BNY Midwest Trust Company (successor Trustee to Harris Trust and Savings Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference). (1)
 
4.2 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 2, with respect to 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2006, dated as of August 4, 1999, by and among the Company, as Issuer, certain principal subsidiaries, as Guarantors, and BNY Midwest Trust Company (successor Trustee to Harris Trust and Savings Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 28, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference). (1)
 
 


 



4.3 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of August 6, 1999, by and among the Company, Canandaigua B.V., Barton Canada, Ltd., Simi Winery, Inc., Franciscan Vineyards, Inc., Allberry, Inc., M.J. Lewis Corp., Cloud Peak Corporation, Mt. Veeder Corporation, SCV-EPI Vineyards, Inc., and BNY Midwest Trust Company (successor Trustee to Harris Trust and Savings Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.20 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference). (1)
 
4.4 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 4, with respect to 8 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009, dated as of May 15, 2000, by and among the Company, as Issuer, certain principal subsidiaries, as Guarantors, and BNY Midwest Trust Company (successor Trustee to Harris Trust and Savings Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.17 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference). (1)
 
4.5 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of September 14, 2000, by and among the Company, as Issuer, certain principal subsidiaries, as Guarantors, and BNY Midwest Trust Company (successor Trustee to The Bank of New York), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference). (1)
 
4.6 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated as of August 21, 2001, among the Company, Ravenswood Winery, Inc. and BNY Midwest Trust Company (successor trustee to Harris Trust and Savings Bank and The Bank of New York, as applicable), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Pre-effective Amendment No. 1) (Registration No. 333-63480) and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.7 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 7, dated as of January 23, 2002, by and among the Company, as Issuer, certain principal subsidiaries, as Guarantors, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 17, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.8 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 8, dated as of March 27, 2003, by and among the Company, CBI Australia Holdings Pty Limited (ACN 103 359 299), Constellation Australia Pty Limited (ACN 103 362 232) and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.9 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 9, dated as of July 8, 2004, by and among the Company, BRL Hardy Investments (USA) Inc., BRL Hardy (USA) Inc., Pacific Wine Partners LLC, Nobilo Holdings, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.10 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 10, dated as of September 13, 2004, by and among the Company, Constellation Trading, Inc., and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 



4.11 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 11, dated as of December 22, 2004, by and among the Company, The Robert Mondavi Corporation, R.M.E. Inc., Robert Mondavi Winery, Robert Mondavi Investments, Robert Mondavi Affilates d/b/a Vichon Winery and Robert Mondavi Properties, Inc., and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.12 
 
Indenture, with respect to 8 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009, dated as of November 17, 1999, among the Company, as Issuer, certain principal subsidiaries, as Guarantors, and BNY Midwest Trust Company (successor to Harris Trust and Savings Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-94369) and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.13 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of August 21, 2001, among the Company, Ravenswood Winery, Inc. and BNY Midwest Trust Company (successor to Harris Trust and Savings Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.14 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of March 27, 2003, among the Company, CBI Australia Holdings Pty Limited (ACN 103 359 299), Constellation Australia Pty Limited (ACN 103 362 232) and BNY Midwest Trust Company (successor to Harris Trust and Savings Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.15 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of July 8, 2004, by and among the Company, BRL Hardy Investments (USA) Inc., BRL Hardy (USA) Inc., Pacific Wine Partners LLC, Nobilo Holdings, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.15 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.16 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of September 13, 2004, by and among the Company, Constellation Trading, Inc., and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.16 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.17 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of December 22, 2004, by and among the Company, The Robert Mondavi Corporation, R.M.E. Inc., Robert Mondavi Winery, Robert Mondavi Investments, Robert Mondavi Affilates d/b/a Vichon Winery and Robert Mondavi Properties, Inc., and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.18 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.18
 
Indenture, with respect to 8% Senior Notes due 2008, dated as of February 21, 2001, by and among the Company, as Issuer, certain principal subsidiaries, as Guarantors and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement filed on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-60720) and incorporated herein by reference).
 



4.19 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of August 21, 2001, among the Company, Ravenswood Winery, Inc. and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to its Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-63480) and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.20 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of March 27, 2003, among the Company, CBI Australia Holdings Pty Limited (ACN 103 359 299), Constellation Australia Pty Limited (ACN 103 362 232) and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.21 
 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of July 8, 2004, by and among the Company, BRL Hardy Investments (USA) Inc., BRL Hardy (USA) Inc., Pacific Wine Partners LLC, Nobilo Holdings, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.20 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.22 
 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of September 13, 2004, by and among the Company, Constellation Trading, Inc., and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.21 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.23 
 
 
Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of December 22, 2004, by and among the Company, The Robert Mondavi Corporation, R.M.E. Inc., Robert Mondavi Winery, Robert Mondavi Investments, Robert Mondavi Affilates d/b/a Vichon Winery and Robert Mondavi Properties, Inc., and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.24 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.24 
 
 
Credit Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2004, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith, Incorporated, as Syndication Agent, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as Sole Lead Arranger and Bookrunner, and Bank of America, SunTrust Bank and Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Documentation Agents (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 22, 2004, filed December 29, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.25 
 
 
Certificate of Designations of 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 24, 2003, filed July 30, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
4.26 
 
Deposit Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2003, by and among the Company, Mellon Investor Services LLC and all holders from time to time of Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares Representing 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 24, 2003, filed July 30, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
(10)
 
Material contracts. 
 
10.1 
 
2006 Fiscal Year Award Program to the Company’s Annual Management Incentive Plan (filed herewith). (2) (3)
 



10.2 
 
Third Amendment to the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 7, 2005, filed April 13, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference). (2)
 
10.3
 
2005 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of the Company (filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 7, 2005, filed April 13, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference). (2)
 
10.4
 
Description of Compensation Arrangements for Certain Executive Officers (filed as Exhibit 10.50 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference). (2)
 
(11)
 
Statement re computation of per share earnings.
 
   
Not applicable.
 
(15)
 
Letter re unaudited interim financial information.
 
   
Not applicable.
 
(18)
 
Letter re change in accounting principles.
 
   
Not applicable.
 
(19)
 
Report furnished to security holders.
 
   
Not applicable.
 
(22)
 
Published report regarding matters submitted to a vote of security holders.
 
   
Not applicable.
 
(23) 
 
Consents of experts and counsel.
 
   
Not applicable.
 
(24)
 
Power of attorney.
 
   
Not applicable.
 
(31)
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications.
 
31.1 
 
 
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
 
31.2 
 
 
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
 
(32)
 
Section 1350 Certifications.
 
32.1 
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. 1350 (filed herewith).
 

 


32.2 
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. 1350 (filed herewith).
 
(99)
 
Additional Exhibits.
 
99.1 
 
Not applicable.
 
(100)
 
XBRL-Related Documents.
 
   
Not applicable.
 
 

(1) Company’s Commission File No. 001-08495. For filings prior to October 4, 1999, use Commission File No. 000-07570.

(2) Designates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(3) This Exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to an application for confidential treatment. The confidential
 portions of this Exhibit have been omitted and are marked by an asterisk.

 
 

The Company agrees, upon request of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to furnish copies of each instrument that defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company or its subsidiaries that is not filed herewith pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) because the total amount of long-term debt authorized under such instrument does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.