Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE

COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 1-3932

LOGO

LOGO

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   38-1490038
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2000 North M-63,

Benton Harbor, Michigan

  49022-2692
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (269) 923-5000

 

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   ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every

Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during

the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or smaller

reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2

of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  x   Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting  company)   Smaller reporting company  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange

  
Act).    Yes  ¨    No   x

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

Class of common stock

 

Shares outstanding at April 21, 2011

Common stock, par value $1 per share

  76,224,566

 

 


Table of Contents

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

INDEX OF INFORMATION INCLUDED IN REPORT

 

          Page  

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  
Item 1.    Financial Statements   
  

Consolidated Statements of Income

     3   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     4   
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     5   
  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     6   

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      17   

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      24   

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures      24   
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings      25   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      25   

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      25   

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities      25   

Item 4.

   (Removed and Reserved)      25   

Item 5.

   Other Information      25   

Item 6.

   Exhibits      25   

Signatures

     26   


Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Certain statements contained in this report, including those within the forward-looking perspective section within the Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and other written and oral statements made from time to time by us or on our behalf do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. As such, they are considered “forward-looking statements” which provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “possible,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecast,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “may impact,” “on track,” and similar words or expressions. Our forward-looking statements generally relate to our growth strategies, financial results, product development, sales efforts and legal contingencies. These forward-looking statements should be considered with the understanding that such statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially.

This document contains forward-looking statements about Whirlpool Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Whirlpool”) that speak only as of this date. Whirlpool disclaims any obligation to update these statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected earnings per share, cash flow, productivity and material and oil-related prices. Many risks, contingencies and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Whirlpool’s forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) intense competition in the home appliance industry reflecting the impact of both new and established global competitors, including Asian and European manufacturers; (2) Whirlpool’s ability to continue its relationship with significant trade customers and the ability of these trade customers to maintain or increase market share; (3) changes in economic conditions which affect demand for our products, including the strength of the building industry and the level of interest rates; (4) product liability and product recall costs; (5) litigation and legal compliance risk and costs, especially costs which may be materially different from the amount we expect to incur or have accrued for; (6) the effects and costs of governmental investigations or related actions by third parties; (7) the ability of Whirlpool to manage foreign currency fluctuations; (8) global, political and/or economic uncertainty and disruptions, especially in Whirlpool’s significant geographic regions, including uncertainty and disruptions arising from natural disasters or terrorist attacks; (9) the ability of Whirlpool to achieve its business plans, productivity improvements, cost control, leveraging of its global operating platform, and acceleration of the rate of innovation; (10) inventory and other asset risk; (11) fluctuations in the cost of key materials (including steel, oil, plastic, resins, copper and aluminum) and components and the ability of Whirlpool to offset cost increases; (12) the ability of suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in a timely and cost-effective manner; (13) health care cost trends, regulatory changes and variations between results and estimates that could increase future funding obligations for pension and post retirement benefit plans; (14) Whirlpool’s ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights; (15) information technology system failures and data security breaches; (16) the impact of labor relations; (17) our ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; and (18) changes in the legal and regulatory environment including environmental and health and safety regulations.

We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, and investors are advised to review disclosures in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. Therefore, investors should not consider the foregoing factors to be an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties, or factors that could potentially cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Whirlpool,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Whirlpool Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

Three months ended March 31

(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

 

     2011     2010  

Net sales

   $ 4,401      $ 4,272   

Expenses

    

Cost of products sold

     3,778        3,633   
                

Gross margin

     623        639   

Selling, general and administrative

     380        371   

Intangible amortization

     7        7   

Restructuring costs

     8        20   
                

Operating profit

     228        241   

Other income (expense)

    

Interest and sundry income (expense)

     (19     (12

Interest expense

     (54     (58
                

Earnings before income taxes and other items

     155        171   

Income tax benefit

     (24     (3
                

Earnings before equity earnings

     179        174   

Equity in loss of affiliated companies

     (1     —     
                

Net earnings

     178        174   

Less: Net earnings available to noncontrolling interests

     (9     (10
                

Net earnings available to Whirlpool

   $ 169      $ 164   
                

Per share of common stock

    

Basic net earnings available to Whirlpool

   $ 2.21      $ 2.17   
                

Diluted net earnings available to Whirlpool

   $ 2.17      $ 2.13   
                

Dividends

   $ 0.43      $ 0.43   
                

Weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions)

    

Basic

     76.7        75.4   

Diluted

     77.9        76.8   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of dollars, except share data)

 

     (Unaudited)
March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Assets

    

Current assets

    

Cash and equivalents

   $ 1,026      $ 1,368   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $70 and $66 in 2011 and 2010

     2,347        2,278   

Inventories

     2,938        2,792   

Deferred income taxes

     219        204   

Prepaid and other current assets

     671        673   
                

Total current assets

     7,201        7,315   
                

Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $6,882 and $6,660 in 2011 and 2010

     3,174        3,134   

Goodwill

     1,732        1,731   

Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $154 and $146 in 2011 and 2010

     1,786        1,789   

Deferred income taxes

     1,393        1,305   

Other noncurrent assets

     323        310   
                

Total assets

   $ 15,609      $ 15,584   
                

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable

   $ 3,572      $ 3,660   

Accrued expenses

     652        671   

Accrued advertising and promotions

     265        426   

Employee compensation

     512        467   

Notes payable

     2        2   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     313        312   

Other current liabilities

     621        611   
                

Total current liabilities

     5,937        6,149   
                

Noncurrent liabilities

    

Long-term debt

     2,193        2,195   

Pension benefits

     1,510        1,519   

Postretirement benefits

     607        610   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     790        791   
                

Total noncurrent liabilities

     5,100        5,115   
                

Stockholders’ equity

    

Common stock, $1 par value, 250 million shares authorized, 106 million shares issued and 76 million shares outstanding in 2011 and 2010

     106        106   

Additional paid-in capital

     2,171        2,156   

Retained earnings

     4,816        4,680   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (803     (893

Treasury stock, 30 million shares in 2011 and 2010

     (1,823     (1,823
                

Total Whirlpool stockholders’ equity

     4,467        4,226   
                

Noncontrolling interests

     105        94   
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     4,572        4,320   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 15,609      $ 15,584   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

Three months ended March 31

(Millions of dollars)

 

     2011     2010  

Operating activities

    

Net earnings

   $     178      $     174   

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     141        134   

Curtailment gain

     —          (29

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (21     24   

Inventories

     (94     (271

Accounts payable

     (163     66   

Accrued advertising and promotions

     (166     (164

Product recall

     (11     73   

Taxes deferred and payable, net

     (65     (7

Accrued pension

     (11     (3

Employee compensation

     41        85   

Other

     (53     (11
                

Cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (224     71   
                

Investing activities

    

Capital expenditures

     (115     (146

Investment in related businesses

     (7     (5

Proceeds from sale of assets

     3        1   
                

Cash used in investing activities

     (119     (150
                

Financing activities

    

Dividends paid

     (33     (33

Common stock issued

     8        7   

Repayments of long-term debt

     (3     (46

Net repayments of short-term borrowings

     (1     (6

Purchase of noncontrolling interest shares

     —          (12
                

Cash used in financing activities

     (29     (90
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents

     30        (20
                

Decrease in cash and equivalents

     (342     (189

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

     1,368        1,380   
                

Cash and equivalents at end of period

   $ 1,026      $ 1,191   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

General Information

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all information or footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. As a result, this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes in the Financial Supplement of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

We have eliminated all material intercompany transactions in our Consolidated Financial Statements. We do not consolidate the financial statements of any company in which we have an ownership interest of 50% or less unless we control that company. We did not control any company in which we had an ownership interest of 50% or less for any period presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management believes that the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods.

Certain prior year amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

Issued but Not Yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements

Issued but not yet effective accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is measured based on an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tiered fair value hierarchy is established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable, either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of three valuation techniques. The three valuation techniques are identified in the table below and are as follows:

 

  (a) Market approach—prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities

 

  (b) Cost approach—amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost)

 

  (c) Income approach—techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models)

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

Millions of dollars

   Total      Quoted Prices In
Active  Markets for
Identical Assets

(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable  Inputs

(Level 3)
     Valuation
Technique
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010      2011      2010      2011      2010         

Money market funds(1)

   $ 127       $ 414       $ 127       $ 414       $       $       $       $         (a

Net derivative contracts

     116         125                         116         125                         (a

Available for sale investments

     33         25         33         25                                         (a

 

(1) 

Money market funds are primarily comprised of United States government obligations.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (CONTINUED)

 

Other Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of long-term debt (including current maturities) was $2,731 million and $2,716 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and was estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

(3) INVENTORIES

 

Millions of dollars

   March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Finished products

   $ 2,425      $ 2,314   

Raw materials and work in process

     661        627   
                
     3,086        2,941   

Less excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost

     (148     (149
                

Total inventories

   $ 2,938      $ 2,792   
                

LIFO inventories represented 40% and 43% of total inventories at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

(4) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Embraco Antitrust Matters

Government authorities in various jurisdictions are conducting antitrust investigations of the global compressor industry, including our compressor business headquartered in Brazil (“Embraco”). In 2010, Embraco sales represented approximately 8% of our global net sales.

In February 2009, competition authorities in Brazil, the United States and Europe began to seek documents from us in connection with their investigations. A grand jury subpoena from the United States Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) requested documents for the time period from 2003 to 2009. Competition authorities in other jurisdictions have sought similar information.

In September 2009, the Brazilian competition commission (CADE) agreed to terminate the administrative investigation of our compressor business. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Whirlpool affiliates and certain executives located in Brazil acknowledged a violation of Brazilian antitrust law in the Brazilian compressor market by some Embraco employees. The settlement agreement provides for the affiliates to make contributions totaling 100 million Brazilian reais to a Brazilian government fund. The contributions translated to approximately $56 million, all of which was recorded within interest and sundry income (expense) in 2009. The payments are to be made in twelve equal semiannual installments of $5 million through 2015. As of March 31, 2011 approximately $15 million has been paid.

In September 2010, the DOJ and Embraco entered into a plea agreement related to the DOJ’s investigation which was approved by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in December 2010. Under the plea agreement, the DOJ recognized Embraco’s substantial assistance in the investigation and agreed not to bring further charges against Embraco or any related entities for any conspiracy involving compressor pricing during the investigation period. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Embraco (1) acknowledged that it violated United States antitrust law with respect to the sale of certain compressors from October 2004 through December 2007 and (2) agreed to pay a fine totaling $91.8 million to the United States government. The full amount of the fine was recorded within interest and sundry income (expense) in the third quarter of 2010. Embraco made the first payment of $16.8 million in January 2011. The five remaining annual payments of $15 million plus interest will be made during each fourth quarter through 2015.

Since the government investigations became public in February 2009, we have been named as a defendant in related antitrust lawsuits in various jurisdictions seeking damages in connection with the pricing of compressors from 1996 to 2009. Several other compressor manufacturers who are the subject of the government investigations have also been named as defendants in the litigation. United States federal lawsuits instituted on behalf of purported purchasers and containing class action allegations have been combined in one proceeding in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. We continue to cooperate with ongoing government investigations in other jurisdictions, to defend the related antitrust lawsuits and to take other actions to minimize our potential exposure.

The final outcome and impact of these matters, and related claims and investigations that may be brought in the future are subject to many variables, and cannot be predicted. We establish accruals only for those matters where we determine that a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. As a result, we have not accrued for any liability with respect to the

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (CONTINUED)

 

investigation by the European Commission or for any other matters related to these investigations, other than the amounts disclosed below. As of March 31, 2011, we have incurred, in the aggregate, charges of approximately $217 million related to the Brazilian, United States and other government actions, defense costs and other expenses. At March 31, 2011, $129 million remains accrued related to government actions. While it is currently not possible to reasonably estimate the aggregate amount of costs which we may incur in connection with these matters, such costs could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

Brazilian Collection Dispute

In 1989, a Brazilian affiliate (now a subsidiary) brought an action against a financial institution in Brazil seeking a “Declaration of Non-Enforceability of Obligations” relating to documentation of a $25 million loan entered into without authority by a senior officer of the affiliate. In September 2000, an adverse decision in the declaratory action became final. In 2001, the financial institution began a collection action and we responded with a counterclaim. The lower court dismissed the counterclaim in 2002 and the Superior Court confirmed the lower court decision in 2005, and dismissed our counterclaim in 2007. The Federal Supreme Court denied any further appeal on our counterclaim in 2008. In late 2008, the lower court issued a decision in the collection action in favor of the financial institution in the amount of 283 million Brazilian reais (approximately $174 million based on the exchange rate as of March 31, 2011), plus judicial adjustments as discussed below, which could be significant and materially increase the potential exposure. We appealed this decision in 2008 given the strength of our legal arguments; however, we can have no assurance of a favorable outcome of the appeal due to the uncertainty of many variables, including whether or not our legal arguments will prevail on the application of the judicial adjustments. We have accrued an aggregate liability of $164 million as of March 31, 2011, based on outside counsel’s assessment of the expected outcome of the matter with the proper application of Brazilian law (which includes an additional $5 million of charges accrued and $3 million of foreign currency translation during the March 2011 quarter).

The amount of the final liability in any outcome of this matter may be materially different from the amount we have accrued based on: (A) the application of the following judicial adjustments that are the subject of our pending appeal (1) whether default interest is payable beginning from the date of the loan (1989) or the date of the collection action (2001) and whether or not default interest is capitalized annually, (2) the applicable percentage of default interest (1%/month, or 0.5%/month until 2003 and 1%/month thereafter due to a change in Brazilian law), (3) the percentage of any penalty under the loan documentation (2% vs. 10%) and what amounts, if any, are the subject of such penalty, and (4) the percentage of attorney fees that may be awarded to either party (an additional 3-20% of final judgment); and (B) a wide range of other factors, including (1) the length of the appeal process, (2) the uncertain legal and judicial environment, (3) monetary correction to adjust for inflation of approximately 5% per year, and (4) the continued volatility in the foreign currency exchange market. While we believe we have strong arguments on each of the disputed adjustments, if our appeal is unsuccessful and the court’s decision on the application of some or all of the judicial adjustments is unfavorable to us, our ultimate liability could be two to seven times greater than the amount we have accrued and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

The timing of the appeals court decision is uncertain, and if any appeals of the appeals court’s decision are allowed, final resolution of the matter may take an estimated additional 18 to 36 months. We continue to aggressively defend the matter and seek to take other actions to minimize our potential exposure.

Operating Tax Matter

The Brazilian Constitution provides a general basis for recognizing tax credits on the purchase of raw materials used in production (“IPI tax credit”). Certain raw materials that are exempt or have a zero tax basis in the production process qualify for these IPI tax credits. Based on legal precedent, in 2003 and 2004, we recognized tax credits in an aggregate amount of $26 million adjusted for currency. The Brazilian tax authority subsequently challenged the recording of IPI tax credits. No credits were recognized in 2005 through 2009. In 2009, we entered into an agreement under a special Brazilian government program providing for extended payment terms and reductions in penalties and interest to encourage taxpayers to resolve disputed IPI tax credit amounts. Charges recorded related to this program for the year ended December 31, 2009 include $27 million in tax that was recorded in cost of products sold, $16 million in interest expense and $4 million in penalties recorded in interest and sundry income (expense) in our Consolidated Statements of Income. During the December 2009 quarter, based on newly issued regulations, we settled with the Brazilian tax authority to resolve these and other disputed tax amounts. As a result of this settlement agreement, we recorded an increase in value added taxes owed of approximately $4 million in cost of goods sold, a reduction in interest expense totaling $18 million related to interest abatement, a reduction in interest and sundry income (expense) of $4 million related to penalty abatement and related income tax expense of $5 million under this special program. The settlement is in the process of being ratified by the Brazilian tax authority.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (CONTINUED)

 

Other Litigation

We are currently defending a number of class action suits in federal and state courts related to the manufacturing and sale of our products and alleging claims which include breach of warranty, fraud, violation of state consumer protection acts and negligence. We believe these suits are without merit. We intend to vigorously defend these actions.

We are also involved in various other legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management, after taking into consideration legal counsel’s evaluation of such actions and the class action suits discussed in the previous paragraph, is of the opinion that the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect, if any, on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Product Warranty and Recall Reserves

Product warranty reserves are generally established in the same period that revenue from the sale of the related products is recognized. The amounts of those reserves are based on established terms and our best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date.

The following table summarizes the changes in product warranty and recall reserves for the periods presented:

 

     Product Warranty     Product Recall     Total  

Millions of dollars

   2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Balance at January 1

   $       202      $       187      $       15      $       2      $       217      $       189   

Issuances/accruals during the period

     84        88               77        84        165   

Settlements made during the period

     (87     (92     (4     (4     (91     (96

Other changes

            7        (7            (7     7   
                                                

Balance at March 31

   $ 199      $ 190      $ 4      $ 75      $ 203      $ 265   
                                                

Current portion

   $ 156      $ 152      $ 4      $ 75      $ 160      $ 227   

Non-current portion

     43        38                      43        38   
                                                

Total

   $ 199      $ 190      $ 4      $ 75      $ 203      $ 265   
                                                

Product warranty and recall reserves are included in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities.

During the March 2010 quarter we accrued $75 million related to a recall of 1.8 million dishwashers sold in the United States and Canada between 2006 and 2010. The recall is due to an electrical failure in the dishwasher’s heating element. During the March 2011 quarter, we revised the total cost of this recall from $75 million to $68 million as a result of lower than expected costs. These amounts were recorded in cost of products sold.

Our actual costs related to this recall will depend on several factors, including the number of consumers who respond to the recall, the costs of repair and administration and whether costs will be recovered from the supplier.

We regularly engage in investigations of potential quality and safety issues as part of our ongoing effort to deliver quality products to customers. We are currently investigating a limited number of potential quality and safety issues. As necessary, we undertake to effect repair or replacement of appliances in the event that an investigation leads to the conclusion that such action is warranted.

Guarantees

We have guarantee arrangements in a Brazilian subsidiary. As a standard business practice in Brazil, the subsidiary guarantees customer lines of credit at commercial banks to support purchases following its normal credit policies. If a customer were to default on its line of credit with the bank, our subsidiary would be required to satisfy the obligation with the bank and the receivable would revert back to the subsidiary. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the guaranteed amounts totaled $407 million and $386 million, respectively. Our only recourse with respect to these arrangements would be legal or administrative collection efforts directed against the customer.

We provide guarantees of indebtedness and lines of credit for various consolidated subsidiaries. The maximum amount of credit facilities available under these lines for consolidated subsidiaries totaled $1.2 billion at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Our total outstanding bank indebtedness under guarantees totaled $2 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

On May 16, 2008, we guaranteed a $50 million five year revolving credit facility between certain financial institutions and a not-for-profit entity in connection with a community and economic development project (“Harbor Shores”). The fair value of the

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (CONTINUED)

 

guarantee is nominal. The purpose of Harbor Shores is to stimulate employment and growth in the areas of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Michigan. In the event of default, we must satisfy the guarantee of the credit facility up to the amount borrowed at the date of default.

(5) HEDGES AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Derivative instruments are accounted for at fair value based on market rates. Derivatives where we elect hedge accounting are designated as either cash flow or fair value hedges. Derivatives that are not accounted for based on hedge accounting are marked to market through earnings. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use and designation of the derivative instrument. For a derivative instrument designated as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized in earnings in the period of change in fair value together with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item. For a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) and is subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings. Hedging ineffectiveness and a net earnings impact occur when the change in the fair value of the hedge does not offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss is recognized in earnings.

Using derivative instruments means assuming counterparty credit risk. Counterparty credit risk relates to the loss we could incur if a counterparty were to default on a derivative contract. We generally deal with investment grade counterparties and monitor the overall credit risk and exposure to individual counterparties. We do not anticipate nonperformance by any counterparties. The amount of counterparty credit exposure is limited to the unrealized gains, if any, on such derivative contracts. We do not require, nor do we post, collateral or security on such contracts.

Hedging Strategy

In the normal course of business, we manage risks relating to our ongoing business operations including those arising from changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. Fluctuations in these rates and prices can affect our operating results and financial condition. We use a variety of strategies, including the use of derivative instruments. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Foreign currency exchange rate risk

We incur expenses associated with the procurement and production of products in a limited number of countries, while we sell in the local currencies of a large number of countries. Our primary foreign currency exchange exposures result from cross-currency sales of products. As a result, we enter into foreign exchange contracts to hedge certain firm commitments and forecasted transactions to acquire products and services that are denominated in foreign currencies.

We enter into certain undesignated non-functional currency asset and liability hedges that relate primarily to short-term payables, receivables, inventory and intercompany loans. These forecasted cross-currency cash flows relate primarily to foreign currency denominated expenditures and intercompany financing agreements, royalty agreements and dividends. When we hedge a foreign currency denominated payable or receivable with a derivative, the effect of changes in the foreign exchange rates are reflected currently in earnings for both the payable/receivable and the derivative. Therefore, as a result of the economic hedge, we do not elect hedge accounting.

Commodity price risk

We enter into forward contracts on various commodities to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of materials used in our manufacturing process. The objective of these hedges is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase of commodities.

Interest rate risk

We may enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage interest rate risk exposure. Our interest rate swap agreements, if any, effectively modify our exposure to interest rate risk, primarily through converting certain of our floating rate debt to a fixed rate basis, and certain fixed rate debt to a floating rate basis. These agreements involve either the receipt or payment of floating rate amounts in exchange for fixed rate interest payments or receipts, respectively, over the life of the agreements without an exchange of the underlying principal amounts. We also may utilize a cross-currency interest rate swap agreement to manage our exposure relating to certain intercompany debt denominated in one foreign currency that will be repaid in another foreign currency. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 there were no outstanding swap agreements.

 

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The following table summarizes our outstanding derivative contracts and their effects on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

            Fair Value of      Type of
Hedge  (1)
      

Millions of dollars

   Notional Amount      Hedge Assets      Hedge Liabilities        

Maximum Term (Months)

     2011      2010      2011      2010      2011      2010            

2011

  

2010

Derivatives accounted for as hedges

                          

Foreign exchange forwards/options

   $   1,143       $      909       $ 17       $ 13       $ 35       $ 31         (CF)/(FV)       24    15

Commodity swaps/options

     477         539         115         129         2         2         (CF)/(FV)       21    24
                                                  

Total derivatives accounted for as hedges

         $      132       $      142       $        37       $       33            
                                                  

Derivatives not accounted for as hedges

                          

Foreign exchange forwards/options

   $ 1,397       $ 990       $ 22       $ 11       $ 5       $ 3          10    10

Commodity swaps/options

     9         13         6         11         2         3          9    12
                                                  

Total derivatives not accounted for as hedges

           28         22         7         6            
                                                  

Total derivatives

         $ 160       $ 164       $ 44       $ 39            
                                                  

 

(1) Derivatives accounted for as hedges are either considered cash flow (CF) or fair value (FV) hedges.

The following table summarizes the classification of derivative assets and liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

     Hedge Assets      Hedge Liabilities  
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Current

   $       134       $       135       $         42       $         39   

Noncurrent

     26         29         2           
                                   

Total derivatives

   $ 160       $ 164       $ 44       $ 39   
                                   

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (CONTINUED)

 

The effects of derivative instruments on our Consolidated Statements of Income for the March 2011 and 2010 quarters are as follows:

 

Cash Flow Hedges - Millions of dollars

   Gain (Loss )
Recognized in OCI
(Effective Portion)
    Gain (Loss )
Reclassified from
OCI into  Income
(Effective Portion) (1)
           Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
(Ineffective Portion) (2)
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010            2011      2010  

Foreign exchange forwards/options

   $ (6   $ (24   $ (6   $ (10     (a)(b)       $       $ 2   

Commodity swaps/options

     16        42        34        18        (b)                 3   
                                                    
   $ 10      $ 18      $ 28      $ 8         $       $ 5   
                                                    

 

(1) Gains and losses reclassified from accumulated OCI and recognized in income are recorded in (a) interest and sundry income (expense) or (b) cost of products sold.
(2) Gains and losses recognized in income related to the ineffective portion of hedges are recorded in interest and sundry income (expense).

 

Fair Value Hedges - Millions of dollars

   Gain (Loss) Recognized
on Derivatives(3)
    Gain (Loss) Recognized
on Related

Hedged Items (3)
     Hedged Item
     2011      2010     2011      2010       

Foreign exchange forwards/options

   $       $ (6   $       $ 6       Non-functional

currency assets and

liabilities

 

(3) Gains and losses recognized in income are recorded in interest and sundry income (expense).

 

Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedges - Millions of dollars

   Gain (Loss)
Recognized  on
Derivatives not
Accounted for  as
Hedges(4)
 
         2011              2010      

Foreign exchange forwards/options

   $ 17       $ (9

Commodity swaps

             1   
                 
   $ 17       $ (8
                 

 

(4) Mark to market gains and losses recognized in income are recorded in interest and sundry income (expense).

The net amount of unrealized gain or loss on derivative instruments included in accumulated OCI related to contracts maturing and expected to be realized during the next twelve months is a gain of $80 million at March 31, 2011.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (CONTINUED)

 

(6) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Comprehensive Income and Stockholders’ Equity

Comprehensive income primarily includes (1) our reported net earnings, (2) foreign currency translation, (3) changes in the effective portion of our open derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges, (4) changes in our unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefits and (5) changes in fair value of our available for sale securities.

The following table summarizes our comprehensive income for the periods presented:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 

Millions of dollars

       2011             2010      

Net earnings as reported

   $ 178      $ 174   

Currency translation adjustments – net

     106        (79

Cash flow hedges – net

     (12     5   

Pension and other postretirement benefits plans – net

     (1     (49

Available for sale securities

     (1     9   
                

Comprehensive income

     270        60   

Less: Comprehensive income available to noncontrolling interests

     2        8   
                

Comprehensive income available to Whirlpool

   $ 268      $ 52   
                

The following table summarizes the changes in stockholders’ equity for the March 2011 quarter:

 

Millions of dollars

   Total     Whirlpool
Common
Stockholders
    Noncontrolling
Interests
 

Stockholders’ equity, December 31, 2010

   $ 4,320      $ 4,226      $ 94   

Net earnings

     178        169        9   

Other comprehensive income

     92        90        2   
                        

Comprehensive income

     270        259        11   
                        

Common stock

                     

Additional paid-in capital

     15        15          

Dividends declared on common stock

     (33     (33       
                        

Stockholders’ equity, March 31, 2011

   $ 4,572      $ 4,467      $ 105   
                        

Net Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted net earnings per share were calculated as follows:

 

     Three months ended
March  31,
 

Millions of dollars and shares

   2011      2010  

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share – net earnings available to Whirlpool

   $ 169       $ 164   
                 

Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted-average shares

     76.7         75.4   

Effect of dilutive securities – stock-based compensation

     1.2         1.4   
                 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted-average shares

     77.9         76.8   
                 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (CONTINUED)

 

Diluted net earnings per share of common stock include the dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based compensation plans. For the March 2011 and 2010 quarters, approximately 2.2 million and 2.0 million stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise prices rendered them anti-dilutive.

(7) RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

Under our ongoing global operating platform initiatives, we implemented certain restructuring initiatives to strengthen our leadership position in the global appliance industry. We plan to continue a comprehensive worldwide effort to optimize our regional manufacturing facilities, supply base, product platforms and technology resources to support our global brands and customers. We incurred total restructuring charges of $8 million and $20 million during the March 2011 and 2010 quarters, respectively. These charges are included in restructuring costs and consist primarily of charges to shift refrigeration, laundry and cooking capacity within North America and to reorganize the salaried workforce throughout Europe. Significant restructuring initiatives are discussed below.

On October 27, 2008, management committed to a workforce reduction plan. We incurred approximately $96 million in employee termination costs, $14 million in asset impairment costs and $3 million in other associated costs for a total of $113 million as a result of this workforce reduction. We incurred no charges during the March 2011 or 2010 quarters. We do not anticipate any further charges related to this initiative. At March 31, 2011, we anticipate future cash impacts of approximately $3 million in 2011. For additional information about restructuring charges by operating segment, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

On August 28, 2009, we announced changes to our North America manufacturing operations which resulted in the closure of our manufacturing facility in Evansville, Indiana in June 2010. We eliminated approximately 1,100 full-time positions as a result of the closure. We estimate that we will incur approximately $63 million in total costs in connection with the exit of this facility comprised of $18 million in employee termination costs, $13 million in equipment relocation costs, $14 million in asset impairment costs and $18 million in other associated costs. We incurred $4 million and $12 million associated with this closure during the March 2011 and 2010 quarters, respectively. We expect to recognize approximately $4 million of these costs during the remainder of 2011, all of which will result in future cash expenditures. We estimate that approximately $42 million of the estimated $63 million in total cost will result in cash expenditures.

The following table summarizes the changes to our restructuring liability balance for the March 2011 quarter:

 

Millions of dollars

   January 1,
Balance
     Charge to
Earnings
     Cash
Paid
    Non-Cash     Revision  of
Estimate
     Translation      March 31,
Balance
 

Termination costs

   $ 36       $ 3       $ (12   $      $       $ 1       $ 28   

Non-employee exit costs

     14         5         (3     (3                     13   
                                                            

Total

   $ 50       $ 8       $ (15   $ (3   $       $ 1       $ 41   
                                                            

(8) INCOME TAXES

The effective income tax rate for the March 2011 quarter was a benefit of 15.5%, which includes approximately a 35 percentage point reduction from our statutory rate due to energy tax credits earned in the United States. The effective income tax rate for the March 2010 quarter was a benefit of 1.6%, which includes approximately a 17 percentage point reduction from our statutory rate due to energy tax credits earned in the United States. The increase in the benefit from 2010 is primarily due to favorable impacts from increased energy tax credits and audits and settlements.

Over the next twelve months it is reasonably possible that we will settle unrecognized tax benefits totaling approximately $37 million associated with certain tax examinations and other events.

At the end of each interim period, we make our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year and the impact of discrete items, if any, and adjust the quarterly rate as necessary.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (CONTINUED)

 

(9) PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The components of net periodic pension cost and the cost of other postretirement benefits for the March 2011 and 2010 quarters are as follows:

 

     United States
Pension Benefits
    Foreign  Pension
Benefits
    Other  Postretirement
Benefits
 

Millions of dollars

   2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Service cost

   $      $ 1      $ 2      $ 2      $ 2      $ 3   

Interest cost

     48        50        5        5        9        10   

Expected return on plan assets

     (48     (47     (3     (3              

Amortization:

            

Actuarial loss

     8        7        1        1                 

Prior service credit

     (1     (1                   (7     (10

Curtailment gain

                                        (29
                                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 7      $ 10      $ 5      $ 5      $ 4      $ (26
                                                

On August 28, 2009, we announced the closure of our manufacturing facility in Evansville, Indiana, which triggered a curtailment gain in our United States retiree healthcare plan to be recognized as the employees terminate. During the March 2010 quarter we recognized a curtailment gain of $29 million. The curtailment gain was recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Income as a component of cost of products sold with an offset in our Consolidated Balance Sheet to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax.

(10) OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance.

We identify such segments based upon geographical regions of operations because each operating segment manufactures home appliances and related components, but serves strategically different markets. The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance based upon each segment’s operating income, which is defined as income before interest and sundry income (expense), interest expense, income taxes, noncontrolling interests and restructuring costs. Total assets by segment are those assets directly associated with the respective operating activities. The “Other/Eliminations” column primarily includes corporate expenses, assets, eliminations and restructuring expenses. Intersegment sales are eliminated within each region except compressor sales out of Latin America, which are included in Other/Eliminations.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (CONTINUED)

 

The table below summarizes performance by operating segment for the March 2011 and 2010 quarters.

 

     OPERATING SEGMENTS  

Millions of dollars

   North
America
     Latin
America
     Europe, Middle
East and Africa
     Asia      Other/
Eliminations
    Total
Whirlpool
 

Net sales

                

2011

   $ 2,258       $ 1,227       $ 743       $ 208       $ (35   $ 4,401   

2010

     2,251         1,141         739         192         (51     4,272   

Intersegment sales

                

2011

   $ 52       $ 41       $ 50       $ 42       $ (185   $   

2010

     48         60         79         40         (227       

Depreciation and amortization

                

2011

   $ 72       $ 26       $ 26       $ 5       $ 12      $ 141   

2010

     70         23         26         4         11        134   

Restructuring costs

                

2011

   $ 6       $       $ 2       $       $      $ 8   

2010

     12                 7                 1        20   

Operating profit (loss)

                

2011

   $ 59       $ 174       $ 25       $ 11       $ (41   $ 228   

2010

     94         167         27         11         (58     241   

Total assets

                

March 31, 2011

   $ 8,112       $ 3,789       $ 3,175       $ 827       $ (294   $ 15,609   

December 31, 2010

     8,163         3,618         3,144         775         (116     15,584   

Capital expenditures

                

2011

   $ 67       $ 17       $ 12       $ 4       $ 15      $ 115   

2010

     102         16         17         3         8        146   

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ABOUT WHIRLPOOL

Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”) is the world’s leading manufacturer of major home appliances with revenues over $18 billion and net earnings available to Whirlpool of $619 million in 2010. We are a leading producer of major home appliances in North America and Latin America and have a significant presence in markets throughout Europe and India. We have received worldwide recognition for accomplishments in a variety of business and social efforts, including leadership, diversity, innovative product design, business ethics, social responsibility and community involvement. We conduct our business through four reportable segments, which we define based on geography. Our reportable segments consist of North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Our customer base is characterized by large, sophisticated trade customers who have many choices and demand competitive products, services and prices.

We monitor country-specific economic factors such as gross domestic product, unemployment, consumer confidence, retail trends, housing starts and completions, sales of existing homes and mortgage interest rates as key indicators of industry demand. In addition to profitability, we also focus on country, brand, product and channel sales when assessing and forecasting financial results.

Our leading portfolio of brands includes: Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Brastemp and Consul, each of which have annual revenues in excess of $1 billion. Our global branded consumer products strategy is to introduce innovative new products, increase brand customer loyalty, expand our presence in foreign markets, enhance our trade management platform, improve total cost and quality by expanding and leveraging our global operating platform and, where appropriate, make strategic acquisitions and investments.

As we grow revenues in our core products, our strategy is to extend our business by offering products and services that are dependent on and related to our core business and expand into adjacent products through stand-alone businesses that leverage our core competencies and business infrastructure.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the March 2011 quarter, consolidated net sales were $4.4 billion, increasing from $4.3 billion in 2010. Consolidated net earnings available to Whirlpool were $169 million or $2.17 per diluted share, compared to $164 million or $2.13 per diluted share in 2010. These results include significant increases in our raw materials costs, which we expect will continue throughout 2011.

Consolidated Net Sales

Consolidated net sales increased 3.0% for the March 2011 quarter compared to 2010, primarily due to an increase in units sold, favorable foreign currency and higher BEFIEX credits, partially offset by unfavorable product price/mix. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, consolidated net sales increased 1.3% in 2011.

The following table summarizes consolidated net sales by region:

 

     Consolidated Net Sales
Three months ended March 31,
    Units Sold (in thousands)
Three months ended March 31,
 

Millions of dollars

           2011                     2010                     Change                     2011                      2010                      Change          

North America

   $ 2,258      $ 2,251        0.3     6,155         5,900         4.3

Latin America

     1,227        1,141        7.6        2,901         2,905         (0.1

Europe, Middle East and Africa

     743        739        0.6        2,709         2,653         2.1   

Asia

     208        192        8.4        911         881         3.4   

Other/eliminations

     (35     (51                              
                                      

Consolidated

   $ 4,401      $ 4,272        3.0     12,676         12,339         2.7
                                      

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – (CONTINUED)

 

Significant regional trends were as follows:

 

   

North America net sales increased 0.3% compared to 2010, primarily due to a 4.3% increase in units sold, partially offset by unfavorable product price/mix. Foreign currency did not have a significant impact on North America net sales in 2011 compared to 2010.

 

   

Latin America net sales increased 7.6% compared to 2010, primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency and higher BEFIEX credits. We monetized $66 million and $41 million of BEFIEX credits during the March 2011 and 2010 quarters, respectively. We expect to continue recognizing credits as they are monetized. At March 31, 2011, $510 million of these export credits remain. Future actions by the Brazilian government could limit our ability to monetize these export credits. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Latin America net sales increased 1.6% in 2011.

 

   

Europe, Middle East and Africa net sales increased 0.6% compared to 2010, primarily due to a 2.1% increase in units sold, partially offset by unfavorable product price/mix. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Europe, Middle East and Africa net sales increased 0.4% in 2011.

 

   

Asia net sales increased 8.4% compared to 2010, primarily due to a 3.4% increase in units sold, favorable product price/mix and the favorable impact of foreign currency. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Asia net sales increased 5.9% in 2011.

Gross Margin

The consolidated gross margin in the March 2011 quarter decreased compared to 2010, primarily due to unfavorable product price/mix and continued increases in raw material and oil-related costs, partially offset by continued productivity improvements and cost reduction initiatives, favorable foreign currency and higher BEFIEX credits recognized. In addition, our year-over-year gross margin comparison benefited from the net impact of certain one time items, including a 2010 dishwasher recall charge and a 2010 curtailment gain associated with a postretirement benefit plan that did not repeat in 2011.

The following table summarizes gross margin by region:

 

     Three months ended March 31,  

Percentage of net sales

       2011             2010             Change      

North America

     10.1     11.2     (1.1 )pts 

Latin America

     21.0        21.7        (0.7

Europe, Middle East and Africa

     13.0        14.0        (1.0

Asia

     18.4        18.2        0.2   

Consolidated

     14.1        15.0        (0.9

Significant regional trends were as follows:

 

   

North America gross margin decreased compared to 2010, primarily due to unfavorable product price/mix and higher raw material and oil-related costs. These items were partially offset by productivity, favorable foreign currency and comparisons to previous year net charges of certain one time items. One time items totaling $53 million, or 2.3 percentage points, included the net impact for the 2010 dishwasher recall charge and a 2010 curtailment gain associated with a postretirement benefit plan.

 

   

Latin America gross margin decreased compared to 2010, primarily due to higher material and oil-related costs, partially offset by an increase in BEFIEX credits recognized and favorable foreign currency.

 

   

Europe, Middle East and Africa gross margin decreased compared to 2010, primarily due to higher raw material and oil-related costs and unfavorable product price/mix, partially offset by continued productivity improvements and cost reduction initiatives.

 

   

Asia gross margin increased compared to 2010, primarily due to favorable product price/mix, partially offset by higher raw materials costs.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – (CONTINUED)

 

Selling, General and Administrative

The following table summarizes selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales by region:

 

     Three months ended March 31,  

Millions of dollars

       2011          As a %
     of Net Sales    
        2010          As a %
     of Net Sales    
 

North America

   $ 162         7.2   $ 152         6.7

Latin America

     84         6.9        80         7.0   

Europe, Middle East and Africa

     72         9.7        77         10.4   

Asia

     28         13.3        24         12.4   

Corporate/other

     34                38           
                                  

Consolidated

   $ 380         8.6   $ 371         8.7
                                  

For the March 2011 quarter, consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percent of consolidated net sales was comparable to 2010. Foreign currency accounted for approximately $8 million of the year-over-year increase.

Restructuring

Restructuring initiatives resulted in charges of $8 million for the March 2011 quarter due to ongoing efforts to optimize our global operating platform. These charges consist primarily of costs to shift refrigeration, laundry and cooking capacity within North America and to reorganize the salaried workforce throughout Europe. For additional information about restructuring activities see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest and Sundry Income (Expense)

Interest and sundry income (expense) increased $7 million for the March 2011 quarter from a net expense of $12 million in 2010 to a net expense of $19 million in 2011, primarily due to lower net foreign currency gains.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $4 million for the March 2011 quarter compared to 2010 primarily due to lower average debt levels.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the March 2011 quarter was a benefit of 15.5%, which includes approximately a 35 percentage point reduction from our statutory rate due to energy tax credits earned in the United States. The effective income tax rate for the March 2010 quarter was a benefit of 1.6%, which includes approximately a 17 percentage point reduction from our statutory rate due to energy tax credits earned in the United States. The increase in the benefit from 2010 is primarily due to favorable impacts from increased energy tax credits and audits and settlements.

Net Earnings Available to Whirlpool

Net earnings available to Whirlpool for the March 2011 quarter were $169 million or $2.17 per diluted share, compared to $164 million or $2.13 per diluted share in 2010 due to the factors described above.

FORWARD-LOOKING PERSPECTIVE

For 2011, we currently estimate earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $12.00 to $13.00, and free cash flow to be in the range of $400 million to $500 million. This outlook includes $200 million, or approximately $2.60 per diluted share, of BEFIEX credits and approximately $300 million to $350 million of United States energy tax credits, that we expect to earn during 2011. Our estimate of free cash flow includes contributions to our United States pension plans of approximately $300 million. The energy tax credits will not be monetized during 2011. In North America we expect industry demand to increase 2-3% and in Latin America we expect industry demand to increase 5-10%. In Europe and Asia we expect industry demand to increase 2-4% and 6-8%, respectively. Inflation is expected to increase material costs by approximately $400 million to $450 million, largely driven by increases in component parts, steel and base metals, such as copper, aluminum, zinc and nickel, plastic resins and oil-related materials. We expect to offset these higher costs with productivity improvements, price increases and new product introductions. Our innovation product pipeline continues to grow, consumer and trade response to our new product offerings has been positive and we continue to accelerate our global branded consumer products strategy of delivering relevant innovation to markets worldwide.

In recent weeks, earthquakes occurred off the northeast coast of Japan. While we do not have a significant operational presence in Japan and do not expect significant disruption to our supply chain, we continue to monitor this situation closely and are taking the necessary steps to minimize the business impact from this natural disaster.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – (CONTINUED)

 

The table below reconciles projected 2011 cash provided by operations determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) to free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure. Management believes that free cash flow provides stockholders with a relevant measure of liquidity and a useful basis for assessing Whirlpool’s ability to fund its activities and obligations. There are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similarly named non-GAAP measures whose calculations may differ from our calculations. We define free cash flow as cash provided by continuing operations after capital expenditures and proceeds from the sale of assets/businesses.

These projections are based on many estimates and are inherently subject to change based on future decisions made by management and the Board of Directors of Whirlpool, and significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies.

 

Millions of dollars

   2011 Outlook  

Cash provided by operating activities

   $ 997              $ 1,100   

Capital expenditures

     (600             (650

Proceeds from sale of assets/businesses

     3                50   
                   

Free cash flow

   $ 400              $ 500   
                   

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

Our objective is to finance our business through operating cash flow and the appropriate mix of long-term and short-term debt. By diversifying the maturity structure, we avoid concentrations of debt, reducing liquidity risk. We have varying needs for short-term working capital financing as a result of the nature of our business. The volume and timing of refrigeration and air conditioning sales impact our cash flows as we increase inventory to meet increased demand in the summer months.

We have experienced negative global economic trends in recent quarters. To succeed in this environment we have recently announced price increases and have aggressively taken steps to further reduce all areas of cost, production capacity and working capital. We believe that operating cash flow, together with access to sufficient sources of liquidity, will be adequate to meet our ongoing requirements to fund our operations.

We regularly review our capital structure and liquidity priorities, which include funding the business through capital and engineering spending to support innovation and productivity initiatives, funding our pension plan and term debt liabilities, return to shareholders and potential acquisitions in our core business and/or strategic adjacent business opportunities. These priorities are aligned with our goal to return our credit ratings to pre-recession levels. Short term potential uses of liquidity include pension funding, of which approximately $300 million will be funded in 2011, funding approximately $650 million in term debt maturities over the next 15 months and potential funding of legal contingencies including the Embraco antitrust matters and the collection dispute in Brazil.

At March 31, 2011, there was no balance outstanding under our credit facility and we are in compliance with the financial covenants for all periods presented.

Sources and Uses of Cash

We expect to meet our cash needs for 2011 from cash flows from operations, cash and equivalents and financing arrangements. Our cash and equivalents were $1.0 billion at March 31, 2011 compared to $1.2 billion at March 31, 2010.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

The increase in cash used by operations includes higher international tax payments, timing of accounts receivable collections and changes in accounts payable resulting from production reductions implemented to adjust heightened year-end inventory to better match demand levels following weakening industry trends during the second half of 2010.

The timing of cash flows from operations vary significantly within a quarter primarily due to changes in production levels, sales patterns, promotional programs, funding requirements as well as receivable and payment terms. Dependent on timing of cash flows, the location of cash balances, as well as the liquidity requirements of each country, external sources of funding may be used to support working capital requirements. Due to the variables discussed above, cash flow used in operations during the quarter were in excess of our month-end balance.

During the March 2011 quarter, the European Parliament approved a directive that changes existing laws regarding supplier payment terms. The approved directive generally requires payment terms to be 30 days from the invoice date unless otherwise stated in the contract. An extension of up to 60 days is allowed if both parties agree to the terms. Countries within the European Union are required to adopt this directive within 2 years, however they are encouraged to adopt in 2011. Once adopted, these changes could affect our cash flows to suppliers and from customers. As our payment terms to affected suppliers are generally longer than from affected customers, we are currently analyzing whether this will have an impact to cash flows.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – (CONTINUED)

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities during the March 2011 quarter totaled $119 million compared to $150 million in 2010. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to lower capital spending in our North America segment as 2010 included higher capital spending related to new product launches.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities during the March 2011 quarter totaled $29 million compared to $90 million in 2010. The decrease in cash used during the March 2011 quarter is primarily due to lower repayments of short-term and long-term borrowings and the March 2010 quarter purchase of noncontrolling interest shares in our Latin America segment for $12 million.

Dividends

In April 2011, we announced an increase in our quarterly dividend on our common stock to 50 cents per share from 43 cents per share.

OTHER MATTERS

Embraco Antitrust Matters

Government authorities in various jurisdictions are conducting antitrust investigations of the global compressor industry, including our compressor business headquartered in Brazil (“Embraco”). In 2010, Embraco sales represented approximately 8% of our global net sales.

In February 2009, competition authorities in Brazil, the United States and Europe began to seek documents from us in connection with their investigations. A grand jury subpoena from the United States Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) requested documents for the time period from 2003 to 2009. Competition authorities in other jurisdictions have sought similar information.

In September 2009, the Brazilian competition commission (CADE) agreed to terminate the administrative investigation of our compressor business. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Whirlpool affiliates and certain executives located in Brazil acknowledged a violation of Brazilian antitrust law in the Brazilian compressor market by some Embraco employees. The settlement agreement provides for the affiliates to make contributions totaling 100 million Brazilian reais to a Brazilian government fund. The contributions translated to approximately $56 million, all of which was recorded within interest and sundry income (expense) in 2009. The payments are to be made in twelve equal semiannual installments of $5 million through 2015. As of March 31, 2011 approximately $15 million has been paid.

In September 2010, the DOJ and Embraco entered into a plea agreement related to the DOJ’s investigation which was approved by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in December 2010. Under the plea agreement, the DOJ recognized Embraco’s substantial assistance in the investigation and agreed not to bring further charges against Embraco or any related entities for any conspiracy involving compressor pricing during the investigation period. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Embraco (1) acknowledged that it violated United States antitrust law with respect to the sale of certain compressors from October 2004 through December 2007 and (2) agreed to pay a fine totaling $91.8 million to the United States government. The full amount of the fine was recorded within interest and sundry income (expense) in the third quarter of 2010. Embraco made the first payment of $16.8 million in January 2011. The five remaining annual payments of $15 million plus interest will be made during each fourth quarter through 2015.

Since the government investigations became public in February 2009, we have been named as a defendant in related antitrust lawsuits in various jurisdictions seeking damages in connection with the pricing of compressors from 1996 to 2009. Several other compressor manufacturers who are the subject of the government investigations have also been named as defendants in the litigation. United States federal lawsuits instituted on behalf of purported purchasers and containing class action allegations have been combined in one proceeding in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. We continue to cooperate with ongoing government investigations in other jurisdictions, to defend the related antitrust lawsuits and to take other actions to minimize our potential exposure.

The final outcome and impact of these matters, and related claims and investigations that may be brought in the future are subject to many variables, and cannot be predicted. We establish accruals only for those matters where we determine that a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. As a result, we have not accrued for any liability with respect to the investigation by the European Commission or for any other matters related to these investigations, other than the amounts disclosed below. As of March 31, 2011, we have incurred, in the aggregate, charges of approximately $217 million related to the Brazilian,

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – (CONTINUED)

 

United States and other government actions, defense costs and other expenses. At March 31, 2011, $129 million remains accrued related to government actions. While it is currently not possible to reasonably estimate the aggregate amount of costs which we may incur in connection with these matters, such costs could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

Brazilian Collection Dispute

In 1989, a Brazilian affiliate (now a subsidiary) brought an action against a financial institution in Brazil seeking a “Declaration of Non-Enforceability of Obligations” relating to documentation of a $25 million loan entered into without authority by a senior officer of the affiliate. In September 2000, an adverse decision in the declaratory action became final. In 2001, the financial institution began a collection action and we responded with a counterclaim. The lower court dismissed the counterclaim in 2002 and the Superior Court confirmed the lower court decision in 2005, and dismissed our counterclaim in 2007. The Federal Supreme Court denied any further appeal on our counterclaim in 2008. In late 2008, the lower court issued a decision in the collection action in favor of the financial institution in the amount of 283 million Brazilian reais (approximately $174 million based on the exchange rate as of March 31, 2011), plus judicial adjustments as discussed below, which could be significant and materially increase the potential exposure. We appealed this decision in 2008 given the strength of our legal arguments; however, we can have no assurance of a favorable outcome of the appeal due to the uncertainty of many variables, including whether or not our legal arguments will prevail on the application of the judicial adjustments. We have accrued an aggregate liability of $164 million as of March 31, 2011, based on outside counsel’s assessment of the expected outcome of the matter with the proper application of Brazilian law (which includes an additional $5 million of charges accrued and $3 million of foreign currency translation during the March 2011 quarter).

The amount of the final liability in any outcome of this matter may be materially different from the amount we have accrued based on: (A) the application of the following judicial adjustments that are the subject of our pending appeal (1) whether default interest is payable beginning from the date of the loan (1989) or the date of the collection action (2001) and whether or not default interest is capitalized annually, (2) the applicable percentage of default interest (1%/month, or 0.5%/month until 2003 and 1%/month thereafter due to a change in Brazilian law), (3) the percentage of any penalty under the loan documentation (2% vs. 10%) and what amounts, if any, are the subject of such penalty, and (4) the percentage of attorney fees that may be awarded to either party (an additional 3-20% of final judgment); and (B) a wide range of other factors, including (1) the length of the appeal process, (2) the uncertain legal and judicial environment, (3) monetary correction to adjust for inflation of approximately 5% per year, and (4) the continued volatility in the foreign currency exchange market. While we believe we have strong arguments on each of the disputed adjustments, if our appeal is unsuccessful and the court’s decision on the application of some or all of the judicial adjustments is unfavorable to us, our ultimate liability could be two to seven times greater than the amount we have accrued and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

The timing of the appeals court decision is uncertain, and if any appeals of the appeals court’s decision are allowed, final resolution of the matter may take an estimated additional 18 to 36 months. We continue to aggressively defend the matter and seek to take other actions to minimize our potential exposure.

Operating Tax Matter

The Brazilian Constitution provides a general basis for recognizing tax credits on the purchase of raw materials used in production (“IPI tax credit”). Certain raw materials that are exempt or have a zero tax basis in the production process qualify for these IPI tax credits. Based on legal precedent, in 2003 and 2004, we recognized tax credits in an aggregate amount of $26 million adjusted for currency. The Brazilian tax authority subsequently challenged the recording of IPI tax credits. No credits were recognized in 2005 through 2009. In 2009, we entered into an agreement under a special Brazilian government program providing for extended payment terms and reductions in penalties and interest to encourage taxpayers to resolve disputed IPI tax credit amounts. Charges recorded related to this program for the year ended December 31, 2009 include $27 million in tax that was recorded in cost of products sold, $16 million in interest expense and $4 million in penalties recorded in interest and sundry income (expense) in our Consolidated Statements of Income. During the December 2009 quarter, based on newly issued regulations, we settled with the Brazilian tax authority to resolve these and other disputed tax amounts. As a result of this settlement agreement, we recorded an increase in value added taxes owed of approximately $4 million in cost of goods sold, a reduction in interest expense totaling $18 million related to interest abatement, a reduction in interest and sundry income (expense) of $4 million related to penalty abatement and related income tax expense of $5 million under this special program. The settlement is in the process of being ratified by the Brazilian tax authority.

Antidumping Petitions

On March 30, 2011, we filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions against bottom-mount refrigerators from South Korea and an antidumping petition against the same product from Mexico. Two Korean manufacturers, Samsung Electronics (Samsung) and LG Electronics (LG), export their production to the United States from manufacturing facilities in both Korea and Mexico. The purpose of these petitions is to establish conditions of fair competition in the U.S. market that will support significant

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – (CONTINUED)

 

investment and innovation in the production of high-end refrigerators in the United States and the U.S. jobs created by that production. The Whirlpool products affected by this case are made in Amana, Iowa, where Whirlpool employs approximately 2,000 people. The antidumping petition was filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission and requests an investigation into the production of bottom-mount refrigerators, which are being sold in the United States at substantially less than fair value.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes to our exposures to market risk since December 31, 2010.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

 

   We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

   Prior to filing this report, we completed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2011. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2011.

 

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

 

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

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information with respect to legal proceedings can be found under the heading “Commitments and Contingencies” in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, in addition to the other information set forth in this report, could materially affect our business, financial condition or results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results.

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

None

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit 10(iii)(a)   Whirlpool Corporation 2010 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Document
Exhibit 10(iii)(b)   Whirlpool Corporation 2010 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan Strategic Excellence Program Performance Unit Award Document
Exhibit 10(iii)(c)   Whirlpool Corporation 2010 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan Strategic Excellence Program Stock Option Grant Document
Exhibit 10(iii)(d)   Whirlpool Corporation 2010 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan Strategic Excellence Program Restricted Stock Unit Award Document
Exhibit 31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.1   Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*

 

* Pursuant to Regulation S-T, this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

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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.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

(Registrant)

By  

/s/ ROY W. TEMPLIN

Name:   Roy W. Templin
Title:  

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

April 27, 2011

 

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