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 September 27, 2009
 
or
 
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

 
For the transition period from
   
to
   

Commission File Number: 1-01553

THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
52-0248090
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
701 East Joppa Road
 
Towson, Maryland
21286
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
   
(410) 716-3900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x YES    o 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). o YES    o NO
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o YES    x NO
 
The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 23, 2009:  60,231,022
 
 

 

THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION

INDEX – FORM 10-Q

September 27, 2009

   
Page
     
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
     
   
     
 
3
     
 
4
     
 
5
     
 
6
     
 
7
     
 
24
     
 
41
     
 
41
     
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
   
     
 
42
     
 
42
     
 
44
     
Item 5. Other Information    44
     
 
45
     
SIGNATURES
 
47
     
 


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)
The Black & Decker Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amounts)
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
    September 27,     September 28,     September 27,     September 28,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Sales
  $ 1,208.7     $ 1,570.8     $ 3,473.8     $ 4,708.3  
Cost of goods sold
    808.4       1,061.9       2,360.5       3,144.7  
Selling, general, and administrative
expenses
    309.6       373.4       913.9       1,167.5  
Restructuring and exit costs
          15.6       11.9       33.9  
Operating Income
    90.7       119.9       187.5       362.2  
Interest expense (net of interest
income)
    22.3       13.4       61.1       44.7  
Other expense (income)
    .8       (3.0 )     (3.2 )     (2.6 )
Earnings Before Income Taxes
    67.6       109.5       129.6       320.1  
Income taxes
    12.2       23.7       31.0       70.2  
Net Earnings
  $ 55.4     $ 85.8     $ 98.6     $ 249.9  
                                 
                                 
                                 
Net Earnings Per Common Share –
Basic
  $ .91     $ 1.43     $ 1.63     $ 4.11  
Shares Used in Computing Basic
Earnings Per Share (in Millions)
    59.5       59.2       59.4       59.9  
                                 
Net Earnings Per Common Share –
Assuming Dilution
  $ .91     $ 1.41     $ 1.62     $ 4.04  
Shares Used in Computing Diluted
Earnings Per Share (in Millions)
    59.6       60.1       59.5       60.9  
                                 
Dividends Per Common Share
  $ .12     $ .42     $ .66     $ 1.26  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)
The Black & Decker Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Amount)
             
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  December 31,
   2008
 
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 821.5     $ 277.8  
Trade receivables
    972.6       924.6  
Inventories
    793.5       1,024.2  
Other current assets
    257.1       377.0  
Total Current Assets
    2,844.7       2,603.6  
Property, Plant, and Equipment
    489.6       527.9  
Goodwill
    1,226.7       1,223.2  
Other Assets
    827.0       828.6  
    $ 5,388.0     $ 5,183.3  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Short-term borrowings
  $     $ 83.3  
Current maturities of long-term debt
          .1  
Trade accounts payable
    443.8       453.1  
Other current liabilities
    793.6       947.4  
Total Current Liabilities
    1,237.4       1,483.9  
Long-Term Debt
    1,722.2       1,444.7  
Postretirement Benefits
    682.9       669.4  
Other Long-Term Liabilities
    498.4       460.5  
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Common stock, par value $.50 per share
    30.1       30.0  
Capital in excess of par value
    36.9       14.3  
Retained earnings
    1,595.5       1,536.8  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (415.4 )     (456.3 )
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    1,247.1       1,124.8  
    $ 5,388.0     $ 5,183.3  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
The Black & Decker Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Data)
                                     
 
  Outstanding
Common
  Shares
 
  Par
  Value
 
  Capital in
  Excess of
  Par Value
 
  Retained
  Earnings
 
  Accumulated
  Other
  Comprehensive
  Income (Loss)
 
  Total
  Stockholders’
  Equity
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
    62,923,723     $ 31.5     $ 27.0     $ 1,498.5     $ (98.3 )   $ 1,458.7  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                               
Net earnings
                      249.9             249.9  
Net gain on derivative
instruments (net of tax)
                            40.8       40.8  
Foreign currency translation
adjustments, less effect of
hedging activities (net of tax)
                            (34.2 )     (34.2 )
Amortization of actuarial losses
and prior service cost (net of tax)
                            10.7       10.7  
Comprehensive income
                      249.9       17.3       267.2  
Cash dividends ($1.26 per share)
                      (76.5 )           (76.5 )
Common stock issued under
stock-based plans (net of
forfeitures)
    305,122       .2       31.1                   31.3  
Purchase and retirement of
common stock
    (3,136,382 )     (1.6 )     (52.3 )     (148.4 )           (202.3 )
Balance at September 28, 2008
    60,092,463     $ 30.1     $ 5.8     $ 1,523.5     $ (81.0 )   $ 1,478.4  
                                                 
 
  Outstanding
  Common
  Shares
 
  Par
  Value
 
  Capital in
  Excess of
  Par Value
 
  Retained
  Earnings
 
  Accumulated
  Other
Comprehensive
  Income (Loss)
 
  Total
  Stockholders’
  Equity
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    60,092,726     $ 30.0     $ 14.3     $ 1,536.8     $ (456.3 )   $ 1,124.8  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                               
Net earnings
                      98.6             98.6  
Net loss on derivative
instruments (net of tax)
                            (47.5 )     (47.5 )
Foreign currency translation
adjustments, less effect of
hedging activities (net of tax)
                            79.5       79.5  
Amortization of actuarial losses
and prior service cost (net of tax)
                            8.9       8.9  
Comprehensive income
                      98.6       40.9       139.5  
Cash dividends ($.66 per share)
                      (39.9 )           (39.9 )
Common stock issued under
stock-based plans (net of
forfeitures)
    190,248       .1       24.8                   24.9  
Purchase and retirement of
common stock
    (58,056 )           (2.2 )                 (2.2 )
Balance at September 27, 2009
    60,224,918     $ 30.1     $ 36.9     $ 1,595.5     $ (415.4 )   $ 1,247.1  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
The Black & Decker Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Dollars in Millions)
       
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
Operating Activities
           
Net earnings
  $ 98.6     $ 249.9  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flow
from operating activities:
               
Non-cash charges and credits:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    95.6       104.7  
Stock-based compensation
    23.1       20.9  
Amortization of actuarial losses and
prior service cost
    8.9       10.7  
Restructuring and exit costs
    11.9       33.9  
Other
    (5.0 )     .2  
Changes in selected working capital items:
               
Trade receivables
    (21.0 )     (112.1 )
Inventories
    251.1       37.6  
Trade accounts payable
    (10.8 )     87.7  
Other current liabilities
    (81.0 )     (64.7 )
Restructuring spending
    (33.3 )     (15.4 )
Other assets and liabilities
    (103.9 )     (37.9 )
Cash Flow From Operating Activities
    234.2       315.5  
Investing Activities
               
Capital expenditures
    (48.2 )     (77.6 )
Proceeds from disposal of assets
    3.1       20.2  
Purchase of business, net of cash required
          (23.8 )
Cash outflow associated with purchase of previously
acquired business
    (1.4 )      
Cash inflow from hedging activities
    193.9       40.3  
Cash outflow from hedging activities
    (15.4 )     (29.7 )
Cash Flow From Investing Activities
    132.0       (70.6 )
Financing Activities
               
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
    (84.3 )     (108.7 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt (net of debt
issue costs of $2.7 and $.3, respectively)
    343.1       224.7  
Payments on long-term debt
    (50.1 )     (.1 )
Purchase of common stock
    (2.2 )     (202.3 )
Issuance of common stock
    2.4       8.8  
Cash dividends
    (39.9 )     (76.5 )
Cash Flow From Financing Activities
    169.0       (154.1 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    8.5       (5.2 )
Increase In Cash And Cash Equivalents
    543.7       85.6  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    277.8       254.7  
Cash And Cash Equivalents At End Of Period
  $ 821.5     $ 340.3  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
The Black & Decker Corporation and Subsidiaries

Note 1:    Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of The Black & Decker Corporation (collectively with its subsidiaries, the Corporation) have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations.

Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full fiscal year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Comprehensive Income
Accounting standards generally accepted in the United States require that, as part of a full set of financial statements, entities must present comprehensive income, which is the sum of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income represents total non-stockholder changes in equity. For the nine months ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, the Corporation has presented comprehensive income in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity. Comprehensive income for the three months ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, was $78.2 million and $51.6 million, respectively.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards
The following describes new accounting standards that have been adopted by the Corporation.  The adoption of each of these new accounting standards was required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

As more fully disclosed in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, effective January 1, 2008, the Corporation adopted a new accounting standard for measuring the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities. The Corporation adopted the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements for non-financial assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2009. That adoption did not have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations.

Effective January 1, 2009. the Corporation adopted a new accounting standard that requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, without a change to existing standards relative to measurement and recognition. That adoption did not have any effect on the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations. The Corporation’s disclosure about its derivative and hedging activities are included in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in Note 9.
 
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Corporation adopted a new accounting standard that clarifies whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions should be included in the computation of earnings per share using the two-class method prior to vesting. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for application of the two-class method to the Corporation’s stock-based plans. The new accounting standard requires that all prior-period earnings per share presented be adjusted retrospectively. Accordingly, basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 28, 2008, have been adjusted to $1.43 and $1.41, respectively, from $1.45 and $1.42, respectively. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 28, 2008, have been adjusted to $4.11 and $4.04, respectively, from $4.17 and $4.09, respectively.
 
Note 2:   I nventories
The classification of inventories at the end of each period, in millions of dollars, was as follows:
             
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  December 31,
   2008
 
FIFO cost
           
Raw materials and work-in-process
  $ 192.7     $ 263.9  
Finished products
    617.2       783.8  
      809.9       1,047.7  
Adjustment to arrive at LIFO inventory value
    (16.4 )     (23.5 )
    $ 793.5     $ 1,024.2  
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of United States inventories is based primarily on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method; all other inventories are based on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
 
Note 3:    Short -T erm Borrowings, Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt, and Long-Term Debt
The terms of the of the Corporation’s $1.0 billion commercial paper program and its supporting $1.0   billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility are more fully disclosed in Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Corporation’s average borrowings outstanding under its commercial paper program, its unsecured revolving credit facility, and other short-term borrowing arrangements were $196.5 million and $697.9 million for the nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively. The amount available for borrowing under the Corporation’s unsecured revolving credit facility was approximately $1.0 billion at September 27, 2009.

In April 2009, the Corporation issued senior unsecured notes in the principal amount of $350.0 million. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 8.95% and are due in 2014.

In June 2009, the Corporation amended the terms of a $50.0 million term loan agreement to provide for periodic repayments and borrowings up to the original loan amount through the maturity date of April 2011. The Corporation is required to pay a commitment fee on the unutilized portion of the facility. At September 27, 2009, no borrowings were outstanding under this agreement.
 
 
Indebtedness of subsidiaries of the Corporation in the aggregate principal amounts of $150.0 million and $152.8 million were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 27, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, in short-term borrowings, current maturities of long-term debt, and long-term debt.

Note 4:  Stockholders’ Equity
During the nine months ended September 28, 2008, the Corporation repurchased 3,136,382 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $202.3 million. To reflect that repurchase in its Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Corporation: (i) first, reduced its common stock by $1.6 million, representing the aggregate par value of the shares repurchased; (ii) next, reduced capital in excess of par value by $52.3 million (representing the available balance of capital in excess of par value in each quarter of purchase); and (iii) last, charged the residual of $148.4 million to retained earnings.
 
Note 5:  Earnings Per Share
The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for each period are as follows:
             
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Data)
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
Numerator:
                       
Net earnings  
  $ 55.4     $ 85.8     $ 98.6     $ 249.9  
Dividends on stock-based plans
    (.2 )     (.4 )     (.7 )     (1.1 )
Undistributed earnings allocable to stock-based plans
    (1.1 )     (1.0 )     (1.2 )     (2.7 )
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings
per share  – net earnings available to
common stockholders
  $   54.1     $   84.4     $   96.7     $   246.1  
Denominator:
                               
Denominator for basic earnings per share
– weighted-average shares
    59.5       59.2       59.4       59.9  
Employee stock options
    .1       .9       .1       1.0  
Denominator for diluted earnings per
share – adjusted weighted-average
shares and assumed conversions
    59.6       60.1       59.5       60.9  
Basic earnings per share
  $ .91     $ 1.43     $ 1.63     $ 4.11  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ .91     $ 1.41     $ 1.62     $ 4.04  
 
As of September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, options to purchase approximately 5.7 million and 2.5 million shares of common stock, respectively, with a weighted-average exercise price of $60.09 and $83.28 per share, respectively, were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.
 


Note 6:  Business Segments
The following table provides selected financial data for the Corporation’s reportable business segments (in millions of dollars):
   
Reportable Business Segments
                   
Three Months Ended September 27, 2009
  Power Tools
& Accessories
 
  Hardware &
Home
Improvement
 
  Fastening
& Assembly
Systems
 
Total
 
  Currency
 Translation
 Adjustments
 
  Corporate,
 Adjustment, &
 Eliminations
    Consolidated  
                                         
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 869.5     $ 192.9     $ 132.8   $ 1,195.2     $ 13.5     $     $ 1,208.7  
Segment profit (loss) (for Consoli-
dated, operating income)
    65.8       24.8       12.3     102.9       2.7       (14.9 )     90.7  
Depreciation and amortization
    21.8       4.7       5.3     31.8       .4       .3       32.5  
Capital expenditures
    7.6       4.6       1.3     13.5       .2             13.7  
                                                       
Three Months Ended September 28, 2008
                                                     
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 1,094.4     $ 231.2     $ 173.8   $ 1,499.4     $ 71.4     $     $ 1,570.8  
Segment profit (loss) (for Consoli-
dated, operating income before
restructuring and exit costs)
    83.0       26.1       27.6     136.7       7.8       (9.0 )     135.5  
Depreciation and amortization
    21.5       4.8       5.2     31.5       1.2       .1       32.8  
Capital expenditures
    13.4       3.8       3.9     21.1       .7       2.0       23.8  
                                                       
Nine Months Ended September 27, 2009
                                                     
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 2,561.7     $ 554.7     $ 381.7   $ 3,498.1     $ (24.3 )   $     $ 3,473.8  
Segment profit (loss) (for Consoli-
dated, operating income before
restructuring and exit costs)
    154.5       53.8       22.0     230.3       6.1       (37.0 )     199.4  
Depreciation and amortization
    64.3       14.2       16.3     94.8       (.1 )     .9       95.6  
Capital expenditures
    32.5       11.1       4.1     47.7       (.1 )     .6       48.2  
                                                       
Nine Months Ended September 28, 2008
                                                     
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 3,259.8     $ 682.6     $ 544.8   $ 4,487.2     $ 221.1     $     $ 4,708.3  
Segment profit (loss) (for Consoli-
dated, operating income before
restructuring and exit costs)
    258.5       63.9      
86.9
    409.3       27.6       (40.8 )     396.1  
Depreciation and amortization
    68.6       15.6       16.2     100.4       3.5       .8       104.7  
Capital expenditures
    44.9       13.8       13.1     71.8       2.4       3.4       77.6  
 
The Corporation operates in three reportable business segments:  Power Tools and Accessories, Hardware and Home Improvement, and Fastening and Assembly Systems. The Power Tools and Accessories segment has worldwide responsibility for the manufacture and sale of consumer and industrial power tools and accessories, lawn and garden products, and electric cleaning, automotive, lighting, and household products, as well as for product service. In addition, the Power Tools and Accessories segment has responsibility for the sale of security hardware to customers in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America; and for the sale of plumbing products to customers outside the United States and Canada. The Hardware and Home Improvement segment has worldwide responsibility for the manufacture and sale of security hardware (except for the sale of security hardware in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America). The Hardware and Home Improvement segment also has responsibility for the manufacture of plumbing products and for the sale of plumbing products to customers in the United States and Canada. The Fastening and Assembly Systems segment has worldwide responsibility for the manufacture and sale of fastening and assembly systems.
 
 
The profitability measure employed by the Corporation and its chief operating decision maker for making decisions about allocating resources to segments and assessing segment performance is segment profit (for the Corporation on a consolidated basis, operating income before restructuring and exit costs). In general, segments follow the same accounting policies as those described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, except with respect to foreign currency translation and except as further indicated below. The financial statements of a segment’s operating units located outside of the United States, except those units operating in highly inflationary economies, are generally measured using the local currency as the functional currency. For these units located outside of the United States, segment assets and elements of segment profit are translated using budgeted rates of exchange. Budgeted rates of exchange are established annually and, once established, all prior period segment data is restated to reflect the current year’s budgeted rates of exchange. The amounts included in the preceding table under the captions “Reportable Business Segments” and “Corporate, Adjustments, & Eliminations” are reflected at the Corporation’s budgeted rates of exchange for 2009. The amounts included in the preceding table under the caption “Currency Translation Adjustments” represent the difference between consolidated amounts determined using those budgeted rates of exchange and those determined based upon the rates of exchange applicable under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Segment profit excludes interest income and expense, non-operating income and expense, adjustments to eliminate intercompany profit in inventory, and income tax expense. In addition, segment profit excludes restructuring and exit costs. In determining segment profit, expenses relating to pension and other postretirement benefits are based solely upon estimated service costs. Corporate expenses, as well as certain centrally managed expenses, including expenses related to share-based compensation, are allocated to each reportable segment based upon budgeted amounts. While sales and transfers between segments are accounted for at cost plus a reasonable profit, the effects of intersegment sales are excluded from the computation of segment profit. Intercompany profit in inventory is excluded from segment assets and is recognized as a reduction of cost of goods sold by the selling segment when the related inventory is sold to an unaffiliated customer. Because the Corporation compensates the management of its various businesses on, among other factors, segment profit, the Corporation may elect to record certain segment-related expense items of an unusual or non-recurring nature in consolidation rather than reflect such items in segment profit. In addition, certain segment-related items of income or expense may be recorded in consolidation in one period and transferred to the various segments in a later period.
 
 
The reconciliation of segment profit to the Corporation’s earnings before income taxes for each period, in millions of dollars, is as follows:
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
  September 27 ,
2009
 
  September 28,
2008
 
  September 27 ,
2009
 
  September 28,
2008
 
Segment profit for total reportable business
    segments
  $ 102.9     $ 136.7     $ 230.3     $ 409.3  
Items excluded from segment profit:
                               
Adjustment of budgeted foreign exchange rates
  to actual rates
    2.7       7.8       6.1       27.6  
Depreciation of Corporate property
    (.3 )     (.1 )     (.9 )     (.8 )
Adjustment to businesses’ postretirement
  benefit expenses booked in
  consolidation
    (2.9 )     (.9 )     (8.9 )     (2.8 )
Other adjustments booked in
  consolidation directly related to
  reportable business segments
    .3       (.5 )     5.4       (3.8 )
    Amounts allocated to businesses in
  arriving at segment profit in excess of
  (less than) Corporate center operating
  expenses, eliminations, and other
  amounts identified above
    (12.0 )     (7.5 )     (32.6 )     (33.4 )
Operating income before restructuring and
exit costs
    90.7       135.5       199.4       396.1  
Restructuring and exit costs
          15.6       11.9       33.9  
Operating income
    90.7       119.9       187.5       362.2  
Interest expense, net of interest income
    22.3       13.4       61.1       44.7  
Other expense (income)
    .8       (3.0 )     (3.2 )     (2.6
Earnings before income taxes
  $ 67.6     $ 109.5     $ 129.6     $ 320.1  

 


Note 7:  Postretirement Benefits
The Corporation’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans are more fully disclosed in Notes 1 and 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The following tables present the components of the Corporation’s net periodic cost related to its defined benefit pension plans for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2009 and September 28, 2008 (in millions of dollars):
             
    Pension Benefits Plans     Pension Benefits Plans  
    In the United States     Outside of the United States  
    Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended  
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
Service cost
  $ 4.8     $ 5.6     $ 2.0     $ 3.1  
Interest cost
    16.5       15.9       8.9       10.6  
Expected return on plan assets
    (17.4 )     (19.5 )     (8.7 )     (10.4 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    .4       .6       .3       .4  
Amortization of net actuarial loss
    4.6       4.0             1.2  
Net periodic cost
  $ 8.9     $ 6.6     $ 2.5     $ 4.9  
 

             
    Pension Benefits Plans     Pension Benefits Plans  
    In the United States     Outside of the United States  
    Nine Months Ended    
Nine Months Ended
 
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
Service cost
  $ 14.5     $ 16.9     $ 5.6     $ 9.4  
Interest cost
    49.4       47.8       24.8       32.1  
Expected return on plan assets
    (52.2 )     (58.4 )     (24.0 )     (31.6 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    1.1       1.6       .7       1.1  
Amortization of net actuarial loss
    13.8       11.9             3.7  
Net periodic cost
  $ 26.6     $ 19.8     $ 7.1     $ 14.7  
 
The Corporation’s defined postretirement benefits consist of several unfunded health care plans that provide certain postretirement medical, dental, and life insurance benefits for certain United States retirees and employees. The postretirement medical benefits are contributory and include certain cost-sharing features, such as deductibles and co-payments. The net periodic cost related to these defined postretirement benefit plans were $.7 million and $2.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2009, and $.7 million and $1.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008, respectively.
 
 
Note 8:  Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents the fair value of the Corporation’s financial instruments as of September 27, 2009 (in millions of dollars):
                         
 
  Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
  Significant Other
 Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
  Permitted
  Netting (a)
 
  September 27,
   2009
(Total)
 
Assets:
                       
Investments
  $ 32.4     $ 24.3     $     $ 56.7  
Derivatives
    2.8       158.3       (106.0 )     55.1  
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives
    (.4 )     (108.6 )     106.0       (3.0 )
Debt
          (1,775.6 )           (1,775.6 )
(a)
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States permits the netting of derivative receivables and derivative payables when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exits.

The carrying amounts of investments and derivatives are equal to their fair value. The carrying amount of debt at September 27, 2009, is $1,722.2 million.

Investments, derivative contracts and debt are valued using quoted market prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities. Investments classified as Level 1 include those whose fair value is based on identical assets in an active market. Investments classified as Level 2 include those whose fair value is based upon identical assets in markets that are less active. The fair value for derivative contracts are based upon current quoted market prices and are classified as Level 1 or Level 2 based on the nature of the underlying markets in which these derivatives are traded. The fair value of debt is based upon current quoted market prices in markets that are less active.

Note 9:    Derivative Financial Instruments
The Corporation’s objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments are more fully disclosed in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The following table summarizes the contractual amount of foreign currency forward exchange contracts as of September 27, 2009, in millions of dollars, which were entered into to hedge forecasted purchases or to hedge foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, and firm commitments. Foreign currency amounts were translated at current rates as of the reporting date. The “Buy” amounts represent the United States dollar equivalent of commitments to purchase currencies, and the “Sell” amounts represent the United States dollar equivalent of commitments to sell currencies.
             
    Buy     Sell  
Forward exchange contracts to hedge forecasted purchases
  $ 401.3     $ (396.4 )
Forward exchange contracts to hedge foreign currency
  denominated assets, liabilities and firm commitments
      3,524.2       (3,462.8 )
 
The notional amount of commodity contracts outstanding at September 27, 2009, was 9.6 million pounds and 2.2 million pounds of commodity contracts for zinc and copper, respectively. As of
 
September 27, 2009, the notional amount of the Corporation’s portfolio of fixed-to-variable interest rate swap instruments was $325.0 million. As of September 27, 2009, the notional amount of the Corporation’s net investment hedges consisted of contracts to sell the British Pound Sterling in the amount of £377.7 million. The notional amount of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments at September 27, 2009 was not material.

The following table details the fair value of derivative financial instruments included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2009 (in millions of dollars):
         
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Balance Sheet Location
  Fair
 Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
  Fair
 Value
 
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
               
Interest rate contracts
Other current assets
  $ 4.3  
Other current liabilities
  $  
 
Other assets
    29.9  
Other long-term liabilities
     
Foreign exchange contracts
Other current assets
    112.8  
Other current liabilities
    47.4  
 
Other assets
    1.5  
Other long-term liabilities
    1.7  
Net investment contracts
Other current assets
     
Other current liabilities
    49.0  
Commodity contracts
Other current assets
    2.2  
Other current liabilities
    .3  
 
Other assets
    .6  
Other long-term liabilities
     
Total Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
    $ 151.3       $ 98.4  

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
               
                 
Foreign exchange contracts
Other current assets
  $ 9.8  
Other current liabilities
  $ 10.6  
Total Derivatives
    $ 161.1       $ 109.0  
 
The fair value of derivative financial instruments in the preceding table is presented prior to the netting of derivative receivables and derivative payables as disclosed in Note 8.

The following table details the impact of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2009 (in millions of dollars):
                       
Derivatives in Cash Flow
   Hedging Relationships
Three Months Ended
   September 27, 2009
  Amount of Gain
 (Loss) Recognized
 in OCI (a)
[Effective Portion]
 
Location of Gain
 (Loss) Reclassified
 from OCI into
 Income [Effective
 Portion]
  Amount of Gain
 (Loss) Reclassified
 from OCI into
 Income [Effective
 Portion]
 
Location of Gain
 (Loss) Recognized
 in Income
 [Ineffective Portion]
  Amount of Gain
 (Loss) Recognized
 in Income
 [Ineffective
 Portion]
 
Foreign exchange contracts
  $ 11.5  
Cost of goods sold
  $ 11.0  
Cost of goods sold
  $ .1  
         
Interest expense, net
    .1  
Interest expense, net
     
         
Other expense
 (income)
    27.0  
Other expense
 (income)
     
Commodity contracts
    2.5  
Cost of goods sold
    (1.5 )
Cost of goods sold
     
Total
  $ 14.0       $ 36.6       $ .1  
 

         
Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships
Three Months Ended September 27, 2009
Location of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
 
Interest rate contracts
Interest expense, net
  $ 5.8  

               
Derivatives in Net Investment Hedging Relationships
Three Months Ended September 27, 2009
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in OCI
 [Effective Portion]
 
Location of Gain
 (Loss) Recognized in
 Income [Ineffective
Portion]
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
 [Ineffective Portion]
 
Foreign exchange contracts
  $ (23.6 )
Other expense
 (income)
  $  

         
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Three Months Ended September 27, 2009
Location of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
 
Foreign exchange contracts
Cost of goods sold
  $ (.2 )
 
Other expense (income)
    .5  
Total
    $ .3  

                       
Derivatives in Cash Flow
   Hedging Relationships
Nine Months Ended
   September 27, 2009
  Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized
in OCI
[Effective Portion]
 
Location of Gain
 (Loss) Reclassified
 from OCI into
Income [Effective
 Portion]
  Amount of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from OCI into
Income [Effective
Portion]
 
Location of Gain
 (Loss) Recognized in
 Income [Ineffective
 Portion]
  Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized
in Income
[Ineffective
Portion]
 
Foreign exchange contracts
  $ 71.6  
Cost of goods sold
  $ 37.3  
Cost of goods sold
  $  
         
Interest expense, net
    2.3  
Interest expense, net
     
         
Other expense
 (income)
    97.5  
Other expense
 (income)
    .1  
Commodity contracts
    6.2  
Cost of goods sold
    (5.7 )
Cost of goods sold
     
Total
  $ 77.8       $ 131.4       $ .1  
 
         
Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships
Nine Months Ended September 27, 2009
Location of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
 
Interest rate contracts
Interest expense, net
  $ (6.4 )

               
Derivatives in Net Investment Hedging Relationships
Nine Months Ended September 27, 2009
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in OCI
 [Effective Portion]
 
Location of Gain
 (Loss) Recognized in
 Income [Ineffective
 Portion]
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
 [Ineffective Portion]
 
Foreign exchange contracts
  $ (82.2 )
Other expense
 (income)
  $  

         
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Nine Months Ended September 27, 2009
Location of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Income
 
Foreign exchange contracts
Cost of goods sold
  $ (.1 )
 
Other expense (income)
    1.5  
Total
    $ 1.4  
 
  (a) OCI is defined as Accumulated Other Comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity.

 

Amounts deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 27, 2009, that are expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months, represent an after-tax gain of $8.9 million. The amount expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months includes unrealized gains and losses related to open foreign currency and commodity contracts. Accordingly, the amounts that are ultimately reclassified into earnings may differ materially.

Note 10:  Stock-Based Compensation
The number of shares/units granted under the Corporation’s stock option and restricted stock plans during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, together with the weighted exercise price and the related weighted-average grant-date fair values, were as follows:
                   
   
Underlying
Shares
 
  Exercise
 Price
 
  Grant- Date
 Fair Value
 
Options Granted
    795,940     $ 38.28     $ 11.55  
Restricted Stock Granted
    95,300             $ 38.28  
Restricted Stock Units Granted
    488,610             $ 38.28  
 
The options granted are exercisable in equal annual installments over a period of four years. Under the restricted stock plans, restrictions generally expire four years from the date of grant.

As more fully disclosed in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, the fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, which incorporates assumptions surrounding volatility, dividend yield, the risk-free interest rate, expected life, and the exercise price as compared to the stock price on the grant date. The following table summarizes the significant weighted-average assumptions used to determine the grant-date fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 27, 2009:
         
Volatility
    35.4 %  
Dividend yield
    2.00 %  
Risk-free interest rate
    2.23 %  
Expected life in years
    6.0    
 
Note 11:   I nterest E xpense ( Net of Interest Income )
Interest expense (net of interest income) for each period, in millions of dollars, was as follows:
             
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
  September 27,
 2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
Interest expense
  $ 23.7     $ 25.3     $ 67.7     $ 74.8  
Interest (income)
    (1.4 )     (11.9 )     (6.6 )     (30.1 )
    $ 22.3     $ 13.4     $ 61.1     $ 44.7  

Note 12:  Other Expense (Income)
Other expense (income) was $.8 million and $(3.0) million for the three months ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively and was $(3.2) million and $(2.6) million for the nine months ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively. Other expense (income) income for nine months ended September 27, 2009 includes a $6.0

 
million insurance settlement related to an environmental matter. Other expense (income) for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2008, benefited from a gain on the sale of a non-operating asset.

Note 13:  Income Taxes
Consolidated income tax expense of $12.2 million and $31.0 million was recognized on the Corporation’s earnings before income taxes of $67.6 million and $129.6 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively. Consolidated income tax expense of $23.7 million and $70.2 million was recognized on the Corporation’s earnings before income taxes of $109.5 million and $320.1 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2008, respectively. Consolidated income tax expense included a tax benefit of $3.5 million and $9.1 million recognized on the $11.9 million and $33.9 million pre-tax restructuring charges during the nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively. The Corporation’s effective tax rate was 18.0% and 21.6% for the three-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively, and 23.9% and 21.9% for the nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively.  The Corporation’s effective tax rate for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, benefited from favorable adjustments associated with new facts regarding certain income tax matters and the favorable resolution of certain tax audits. The Corporation’s effective tax rate for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2008, benefited from; (i) favorability associated with  the finalization of closing agreements, in the third quarter of 2008, of the settlement of income tax litigation between the Corporation and the U.S. government agreed in late 2007 and more fully described in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008; and (ii) the favorable resolution of certain tax audits.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including the amount of related interest, and the amount, if recognized, that would not affect the annual effective tax rate at the end of each period, in millions of dollars, was as follows:
             
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  December 31,
   2008
 
Unrecognized tax benefits (including interest of
$27.8 in 2009 and $24.3 in 2008)
  $ 283.9     $ 255.8  
Amount, if recognized, that would not affect the
annual effective tax rate
    40.6       38.0  
 
At September 27, 2009, the Corporation classified $49.5 million of its liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits within other current liabilities.

As more fully disclosed in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, the Corporation is subject to periodic examinations by taxing authorities in many countries and, currently, is undergoing periodic examinations of its tax returns in the United States (both federal and state), Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. The final outcome of the future tax consequences of these examinations and legal proceedings, as well as the outcome of competent authority proceedings, changes in regulatory tax laws, or interpretation of those tax laws, changes in income tax rates, or expiration of statutes of limitation, could impact the Corporation’s
 

financial statements. The Corporation is subject to the effects of these matters occurring in various jurisdictions. Accordingly, the Corporation has tax reserves recorded for which it is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit will increase or decrease within the next twelve months. Any such increase or decrease could have a material effect on the financial results for any particular fiscal quarter or year. However, based on the uncertainties associated with litigation and the status of examinations, including the protocols of finalizing audits by the relevant tax authorities, which could include formal legal proceedings, it is not possible to estimate the impact of any such change.
 
Note 14:  Restructuring Actions
A summary of restructuring activity during the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, is set forth below (in millions of dollars):
                         
 
  Severance
 Benefits
 
  Write-Down to
 Fair Value Less
 Costs to Sell of
 Certain Long-
Lived Assets
 
  Other
 Charges
    Total  
Restructuring reserve at December 31, 2008
  $ 35.6     $     $ 2.0     $ 37.6  
Reserves established in 2009
    11.1       .4       .4       11.9  
Utilization of reserves:
                               
Cash
    (32.7 )           (.6 )     (33.3 )
Non-cash
          (.4 )           (.4 )
Foreign currency translation
    1.4                   1.4  
Restructuring reserve at September 27, 2009
  $ 15.4     $     $ 1.8     $ 17.2  
 
The Corporation’s restructuring actions that were initiated prior to 2009 are more fully disclosed in Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

During the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, the Corporation recorded a restructuring charge of $11.9 million. The principal components of this restructuring charge related to the elimination of direct and indirect manufacturing positions as well as selling, general, and administrative positions. As a result, a severance benefits accrual of $11.1 million was included in the restructuring charge, of which $8.9 million related to the Power Tools and Accessories segment, $1.4 million related to the Hardware and Home Improvement segment, and $.8 million related to the Fastening and Assembly Systems segment. The severance benefits accrual included the elimination of approximately 1,500 positions including approximately 1,200 manufacturing related positions.  The restructuring charge also included a $.4 million write-down to fair value of certain long-lived assets for the Hardware and Home Improvement segment. In addition, the restructuring charge reflected $.3 million and $.1 million related to the early termination of lease agreements by the Power Tools and Accessories segment and Fastening and Assembly Systems segment, respectively, necessitated by the restructuring actions.

Of the remaining $17.2 million restructuring accrual at September 27, 2009, $14.8 million relates to the Power Tools and Accessories segment, $1.9 million relates to the Hardware and Home Improvement segment and $.5 million relates to the Fastening and Assembly Systems segment.
 

The Corporation anticipates that the remaining actions contemplated under the $17.2 million accrual will be completed during 2009 and 2010.

Note 15:  Litigation and Contingent Liabilities
As more fully disclosed in Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, the Corporation is involved in various lawsuits in the ordinary course of business.

These lawsuits primarily involve claims for damages arising out of the use of the Corporation’s products and allegations of patent and trademark infringement. The Corporation also is involved in litigation and administrative proceedings involving employment matters, commercial disputes and income tax matters. Some of these lawsuits include claims for punitive as well as compensatory damages.

The Corporation also is party to litigation and administrative proceedings with respect to claims involving the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment. Some of these assert claims for damages and liability for remedial investigations and clean-up costs with respect to sites that have never been owned or operated by the Corporation but at which the Corporation has been identified as a potentially responsible party. Other matters involve current and former manufacturing facilities.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board have each initiated administrative proceedings against the Corporation and certain of the Corporation’s current or former affiliates alleging that the Corporation and numerous other defendants are responsible to investigate and remediate alleged groundwater contamination in and adjacent to a 160-acre property located in Rialto, California. The cities of Colton and Rialto, as well as Goodrich Corporation, also initiated lawsuits against the Corporation and certain of the Corporation’s former or current affiliates in the Federal District Court for California, Central District alleging similar claims that the Corporation is liable under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and state law for the discharge or release of hazardous substances into the environment and the contamination caused by those alleged releases. These cases were voluntarily dismissed without prejudice in June 2008. The City of Colton also has a companion case in California State court, which is currently stayed for all purposes. Certain defendants in that case have cross-claims against other defendants and have asserted claims against the State of California. The administrative proceedings and the lawsuits generally allege that West Coast Loading Corporation (WCLC), a defunct company that operated in Rialto between 1952 and 1957, and an as yet undefined number of other defendants are responsible for the release of perchlorate and solvents into the groundwater basin, and that the Corporation and certain of the Corporation’s current or former affiliates are liable as a “successor” of WCLC. The Corporation believes that neither the facts nor the law support an allegation that the Corporation is responsible for the contamination and is vigorously contesting these claims.

The EPA has provided an affiliate of the Corporation a “Notice of Potential Liability” related to environmental contamination found at the Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund site, located in North Providence, Rhode Island. The EPA has discovered dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, and pesticide contamination at this site. The EPA alleged that an affiliate of the Corporation is liable for site cleanup costs under CERCLA as a successor to the liability of
 

Metro-Atlantic, Inc., a former operator at the site, and demanded reimbursement of the EPA’s costs related to this site. The EPA, which considers the Corporation to be the primary potentially responsible party (PRP) at the site, is expected to release a draft Feasibility Study Report, which will identify and evaluate remedial alternatives for the site, in 2010. The estimated remediation costs related to this site (including the EPA’s past costs as well as costs of additional investigation, remediation, and related costs, less escrowed funds contributed by PRPs who have reached settlement agreements with the EPA), which the Corporation considers to be probable and can be reasonably estimable, range from approximately $49.5 million to approximately $100 million, with no amount within that range representing a more likely outcome. The Corporation’s reserve for this environmental remediation matter of $49.5 million reflects the probability that the Corporation will be identified as the principal financially viable PRP upon issuance of the EPA draft Feasibility Study Report. The Corporation has not yet determined the extent to which it will contest the EPA’s claims with respect to this site. Further, to the extent that the Corporation agrees to perform or finance remedial activities at this site, it will seek participation or contribution from additional PRPs and insurance carriers. As the specific nature of the environmental remediation activities that may be mandated by the EPA at this site have not yet been determined, the ultimate remedial costs associated with the site may vary from the amount accrued by the Corporation at September 27, 2009.

As of September 27, 2009, the Corporation’s aggregate probable exposure with respect to environmental liabilities, for which accruals have been established in the consolidated financial statements, was $101.3 million. These accruals are reflected in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Total future costs for environmental remediation activities will depend upon, among other things, the identification of any additional sites, the determination of the extent of contamination at each site, the timing and nature of required remedial actions, the technologies available, the nature and terms of cost sharing arrangements with other PRPs, the existing legal requirements and nature and extent of future environmental laws, and the determination of the Corporation’s liability at each site. The recognition of additional losses, if and when they may occur, cannot be reasonably predicted.

In the opinion of management, amounts accrued for exposures relating to product liability claims, environmental matters, income tax matters, and other legal proceedings are adequate and, accordingly, the ultimate resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. As of September 27, 2009, the Corporation had no known probable but inestimable exposures relating to product liability claims, environmental matters, income tax matters, or other legal proceedings that are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation. There can be no assurance, however, that unanticipated events will not require the Corporation to increase the amount it has accrued for any matter or accrue for a matter that has not been previously accrued because it was not considered probable. While it is possible that the increase or establishment of an accrual could have a material adverse effect on the financial results for any particular fiscal quarter or year, in the opinion of management there exists no known potential exposure that would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or on the financial results of the Corporation beyond any such fiscal quarter or year.
 
 
Note 16: Subsequent Events
On November 2, 2009, the Corporation announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement to create Stanley Black & Decker in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the transaction, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both the Corporation and The Stanley Works, the Corporation’s shareholders will receive a fixed ratio of 1.275 shares of The Stanley Works common stock for each share of the Corporation’s common stock that they own. Consummation of the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including obtaining certain regulatory approvals as well as shareholder approval from the shareholders of both the Corporation and The Stanley Works, is expected to occur in the first half of 2010.

The provisions of the definitive merger agreement provide for a termination fee, in the amount of $125 million, to be paid by either the Corporation or by The Stanley Works under certain circumstances, including circumstances in which the Board of Directors of The Stanley Works or the Corporation withdraw or modify adversely their recommendation of the proposed transaction.

Approval of the definitive merger agreement by the Corporation’s Board of Directors constituted a “change in control” as defined in certain agreements with employees. That “change in control” resulted in the following events, all of which will be recognized in the Corporation’s financial statements for the quarter ending December 31, 2009:

 
i.
Under the terms of two restricted stock plans, all restrictions lapse on outstanding, but non-vested, restricted stock and restricted stock units, except for those held by the Corporation’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. As a result of that lapse, the Corporation will recognize previously unrecognized compensation expense in the amount of approximately $33 million, restrictions will lapse on approximately 486,000 restricted shares, and the Corporation will issue approximately 481,000 shares in satisfaction of the restricted stock units. Those 967,000 shares will be reduced by shares with a fair value equal to amounts necessary to satisfy employee tax withholding requirements.

 
ii.
Under the terms of severance agreements with 19 of its key employees, all unvested stock options held by those individuals, aggregating approximately 1.1 million options, immediately vest. As a result, the Corporation will recognize previously unrecognized compensation expense associated with those options in the amount of approximately $9 million.
 
 
iii.
Under the terms of The Black & Decker Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which covers six key employees, the participants become fully vested. As a result, the Corporation expects to recognize additional pension expense of approximately $5 million.
 
The events described in paragraphs i. through iii. above require accounting recognition in the Corporation’s financial statements for the quarter ending December 31, 2009, as the approval of the definitive merger agreement by the Corporation’s Board of Directors on November 2, 2009, constituted a “change in control” under certain agreements with employees and resulted in the occurrence—irrespective of whether or not the proposed merger is ultimately consummated—of those events.  Additional payments upon a change in control—that are solely payable upon consummation of the proposed merger or termination of certain employees—will not be
 
 
recognized in the Corporation’s financial statements until: (1) consummation of the proposed merger, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including obtaining certain regulatory approvals, as well as shareholder approval from the shareholders of both the Corporation and The Stanley Works, and therefore cannot be considered probable until such approvals are obtained; or (2) if prior to consummation of the proposed merger, the Corporation reaches a determination to terminate an affected employee, irrespective of whether the proposed merger is consummated.

On November 2, 2009, the Corporation’s Board of Directors amended the terms of The Black & Decker 2008 Executive Long-Term Incentive/Retention Plan to remove the provision whereby cash payouts under the plan are adjusted upward or downward proportionately to the extent that the Corporation’s common stock exceeds or is less than $67.78. As a result of this modification, the Corporation will recognize additional compensation expense of approximately $3 million in its financial statements for the quarter ending December 31, 2009.

The Corporation also expects that it will incur fees for various advisory, legal, and accounting services associated with the proposed merger. The Corporation estimates that these outside service fees, which will be expensed as incurred, will approximate $25 million, with approximately $7.5 to $10 million of expenses expected to be recognized in the quarter ending December 31, 2009. The anticipated $25 million of outside service fees includes approximately $10.5 million of fees that are only payable upon consummation of the proposed merger.  The Corporation’s estimate of outside service fees is based upon current forecasts of expected service activity. There is no assurance that the amount of these fees could not increase significantly in the future if circumstances change.

The Corporation has evaluated subsequent events through November 5, 2009, the date of issuance of these financial statements, and determined that: (i) no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in its consolidated financial statements as of September 27, 2009, or for the three- and nine-month periods then ended; and (ii) no other subsequent events have occurred that would require disclosure in the notes thereto.
 
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW
The Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology-based fastening systems. As more fully described in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Corporation operates in three reportable business segments—Power Tools and Accessories, Hardware and Home Improvement, and Fastening and Assembly Systems—with these business segments comprising approximately 73%, 16%, and 11%, respectively, of the Corporation’s sales for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009.

The Corporation markets its products and services in over 100 countries. During 2008, approximately 55%, 25%, and 20% of its sales were made to customers in the United States, in Europe (including the United Kingdom and Middle East), and in other geographic regions, respectively. The Power Tools and Accessories and Hardware and Home Improvement segments are subject to general economic conditions in the countries in which they operate as well as to the strength of the retail economies. The Fastening and Assembly Systems segment is also subject to general economic conditions in the countries in which it operates as well as to automotive and industrial demand.

As described in Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, on November 2, 2009, the Corporation announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement to create Stanley Black & Decker in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the transaction, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both the Corporation and The Stanley Works, the Corporation’s shareholders will receive a fixed ratio of 1.275 shares of The Stanley Works common stock for each share of the Corporation’s common stock that they own. Consummation of the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including obtaining certain regulatory approvals as well as shareholder approval from the shareholders of both the Corporation and The Stanley Works, is expected to occur in the first half of 2010.

An overview of certain aspects of the Corporation’s performance during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, follows:
 
·  
The Corporation continued to face a difficult demand environment during 2009 due to the impact of the global recession. Sales for the three-month period ended September 27, 2009, decreased by 23% from the corresponding 2008 period to $1.2 billion. This reduction was the result of a 21% decline in unit volume and a 3% unfavorable impact from foreign currency attributable to the effects of a stronger U.S. dollar, partially offset by 1% of favorable price. That unit volume decline was experienced across all business segments and throughout all geographic regions. Sales for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, decreased by 26%, from the corresponding 2008 periods to $3.5 billion. This reduction was the result of a 23% decline in unit volume and a 4% unfavorable impact from foreign currency attributable to the effects of a stronger U.S. dollar, partially offset by 1% of favorable price. That unit volume decline was experienced across all business segments and throughout all geographic regions. The Corporation expects that continued weakness in economic conditions will result in a sales decline of approximately 23% in 2009, as compared to 2008, including a 3% unfavorable impact from foreign currency.
 
 
·  
Operating income as a percentage of sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, decreased by approximately 10 basis points and 230 basis points, respectively, from the corresponding periods in 2008.  Of the 10 basis point decline for the three-month period ended September 27, 2009, an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses contributed approximately 180 basis points but was substantially offset by an increase in gross margin of approximately 70 basis points and a decrease of $15.6 million in restructuring and exit costs that contributed a favorable 100 basis points.  Of the 230 basis point decline for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, a reduction in gross margin contributed approximately 120 basis points and an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses contributed approximately 150 basis points, both of which were partially offset by a $22.0 million reduction in restructuring and exit costs that contributed a favorable 40 basis points.  Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased in the three-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to the corresponding period in 2008, as a result of the favorable effects of commodity deflation, restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, and pricing, which were partially offset by the unfavorable effects of lower volumes, including the deleveraging of fixed costs.  Gross margin as a percentage of sales declined in the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to the corresponding period in 2008, as a result of the unfavorable effects of lower volumes, including the de-leveraging of fixed costs, commodity inflation, and unfavorable mix, which were partially offset by the favorable effects of pricing, restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, productivity gains, and a favorable comparison to prior year inventory write-downs. Despite a 17% and 22% reduction in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009 from the corresponding 2008 levels, selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, over the 2008 levels, due to the de-leveraging of expenses over a lower sales base.
 
·
Interest expense (net of interest income) increased over the corresponding 2008 periods by $8.9 million and $16.4 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively, primarily as a result of the early April 2009 issuance of $350.0 million of 8.95% senior notes due 2014 and of the effects of lower interest rate spreads earned on the Corporation’s foreign currency hedging activities.
 
·
The Corporation’s effective tax rate was 18.0% and 21.6% for the three-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively, and 23.9% and 21.9% for the nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively. The Corporation’s effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 27, 2009, was lower than the comparable 2008 period as the impact of favorable adjustments associated with new facts regarding certain income tax matters and the favorable resolution of certain tax audits in the 2009 period had a greater impact on the effective rate than the impact of a favorable resolution of tax matters that occurred during the comparable 2008 period. While the Corporation’s effective tax rate for the nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009 and 2008, benefited from favorable adjustments associated with new facts regarding certain income tax matters and the favorable resolution of certain tax audits, the Corporation’s effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, increased over that of the comparable 2008 period primarily as a result of the leveraging effect of the interest component on reserves for uncertain tax positions, included as a component of tax expense, on lower earnings before income taxes in the 2009 period.
 
 
·
Net earnings were $55.4 million, or $.91 per share on a diluted basis, for the three-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to net earnings of $85.8 million, or $1.41 per share on a diluted basis, for the corresponding period in 2008. For the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, net earnings were $98.6 million, or $1.62 per share on a diluted basis, as compared to $249.9 million, or $4.04 per share on a diluted basis, for the corresponding period in 2008.

The preceding information is an overview of certain information for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in its entirety.

In the discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations that follows, the Corporation generally attempts to list contributing factors in order of significance to the point being addressed.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Sales
The following chart sets forth an analysis of the consolidated changes in sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009 and September 28, 2008:
 
  Analysis of Changes in Sales
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(Dollars in Millions)
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
 2008
 
  September 27,
   2009
 
  September 28,
   2008
 
Total sales
  $ 1,208.7     $ 1,570.8     $ 3,473.8     $ 4,708.3  
Unit volume
    (21 )%     (6 )%     (23 )%     (7 )%
Price
    1 %     (1 )%     1 %     (1 )%
Currency
    (3 )%     3 %     (4 )%     4 %
Change in total sales
    (23 )%     (4 )%     (26 )%     (4 )%
 
Total consolidated sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, decreased by 23% and 26%, respectively, from the corresponding 2008 periods. Unit volume declined 21% and 23% for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively. The unit volume decline was experienced across all business segments and throughout all geographic regions. Pricing actions had a 1% favorable impact on sales for both the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009. The effects of a stronger U.S. dollar, as compared to most other currencies, particularly the euro, Canadian dollar, Brazilian real, British pound, and Mexican peso, resulted in a 3% and 4% decrease  in consolidated sales for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively.

Earnings
A summary of the Corporation’s consolidated gross margin, selling, general, and administrative expenses, restructuring and exit costs, and operating income—all expressed as a percentage of sales—follows:
 

             
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
( Percentage of sales)
    September 27,
2009
 
  September 28,
2008
 
September 27 ,
2009
 
    September 28,
2008
 
Gross margin
    33.1 %     32.4 %     32.0 %     33.2 %
Selling, general, and administrative
    expenses
    25.6 %     23.8 %     26.3 %     24.8 %
Restructuring and exit costs
    %     1.0 %     .3 %     .7 %
Operating income
    7.5 %     7.6 %     5.4 %     7.7 %
 
The Corporation reported consolidated operating income of $90.7 million, or 7.5% of sales, for the three months ended September 27, 2009, as compared to operating income of $119.9 million, or 7.6% of sales, for the corresponding period in 2008. Operating income for the nine months ended September 27, 2009, was $187.5 million, or 5.4% of sales, as compared to operating income of $362.2 million, or 7.7% of sales, for the corresponding period in 2008.

Consolidated gross margin as a percentage of sales increased by 70 basis points from the 2008 level to 33.1% for the three-month period ended September 27, 2009 as a result of  the favorable effects of commodity deflation, restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, and pricing, which were offset by the unfavorable effects of lower volumes, including the de-leveraging of fixed costs. Consolidated gross margin as a percentage of sales declined by 120 basis points from the 2008 level to 32.0% for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009 as a result of the unfavorable effects of lower volumes, including the de-leveraging of fixed costs, commodity inflation and unfavorable mix, which were partially offset by the favorable effects of pricing, restructuring benefits, productivity gains, and a favorable comparison to prior year inventory write-downs.

Consolidated selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased by 180 basis points and 150 basis points over the 2008 levels to 25.6% and 26.3% for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively. Those increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were primarily due to the de-leveraging of expenses over a lower sales base. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, declined from the 2008 levels by $63.8 million to $309.6 million and by $253.6 million to $913.9 million, respectively. Those declines were due to several factors, including: (i) cost reduction initiatives and restructuring savings; (ii) decreases in variable selling expenses due to lower sales volumes; and (iii) the favorable effects of foreign currency translation.

In the first quarter of 2009, the Corporation recognized restructuring and exit costs of $11.9 million, related to actions in its Power Tools and Accessories, Hardware and Home Improvement, and Fastening and Assembly Systems segments. As more fully described in Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, these restructuring charges primarily reflect actions to reduce the Corporation’s selling, general, and administrative expenses and to improve its manufacturing cost base.
 
 
Consolidated net interest expense (interest expense less interest income) for the three months ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, was $22.3 million and $13.4 million, respectively. Consolidated net interest expense (interest expense less interest income) for the nine months ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, was $61.1 million and $44.7 million, respectively. The increase in net interest expense for both the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, was primarily the result of the early April 2009 issuance of $350.0 million of 8.95% senior notes due 2014 and of the effects of lower interest rate spreads earned on the Corporation’s foreign currency hedging activities.

Other expense (income) was $.8 million and $(3.0) million for the three months ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively and was $(3.2) million and $(2.6) million for the nine months ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively. Other expense (income) for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, includes the benefit of a $6.0 million insurance settlement related to an environmental matter. Other expense (income) for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2008, benefited from a gain on the sale of a non-operating asset.

Consolidated income tax expense of $12.2 million and $31.0 million was recognized on the Corporation’s earnings before income taxes of $67.6 million and $129.6 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively. The Corporation’s effective tax rate was 18.0% and 21.6% for the three-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively, and 23.9% and 21.9% for the nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, respectively. The Corporation’s effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 27, 2009, was lower than the comparable 2008 period as the impact of favorable adjustments associated with new facts regarding certain income tax matters and the favorable resolution of certain tax audits in the 2009 period had a greater impact on the effective rate than the impact of the favorable resolution of tax matters that occurred during the comparable 2008 period. While the Corporation’s effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, benefited from favorable adjustments associated with new facts regarding certain income tax matters and the favorable resolution of certain tax audits, the Corporation’s effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, increased over the rate of the comparable 2008 period primarily as a result of the leveraging effect of the interest component on reserves for uncertain tax positions, included as a component of tax expense, on lower earnings before income taxes in the 2009 period.

The Corporation reported net earnings of $55.4 million, or $.91 per share on a diluted basis, for the three-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to net earnings of $85.8 million, or $1.41 per share on a diluted basis, for the corresponding period in 2008. Net earnings for the three-month period ended September 28, 2008, included the effects of an after-tax restructuring charge of $12.6 million ($15.6 million before taxes). The Corporation reported net earnings of $98.6 million, or $1.62 per share on a diluted basis, for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to net earnings of $249.9 million, or $4.04 per share on a diluted basis, for the corresponding period in 2008. Net earnings for the nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, and September 28, 2008, included the effects of an after-tax restructuring charge of $8.4 million ($11.9 million before taxes) and $24.8 million ($33.9 million before taxes), respectively.
 
 
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
As more fully described in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Corporation operates in three reportable business segments: Power Tools and Accessories, Hardware and Home Improvement, and Fastening and Assembly Systems.

Power Tools and Accessories
Segment sales and segment profit for the Power Tools and Accessories segment, determined on the basis described in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, were as follows (dollars in millions):
             
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
  September 27,
 2009
 
  September 28,
 2008
 
  September 27,
 2009
 
  September 28,
 2008
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 869.5     $ 1,094.4     $ 2,561.7     $ 3,259.8  
Segment profit
    65.8       83.0       154.5       258.5  
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers in the Power Tools and Accessories segment during the third quarter of 2009 decreased by 21% from the corresponding period in 2008.

During the third quarter of 2009, sales in North America decreased 23% from the prior year’s level primarily due to continued weak demand in the United States as a result of sharp declines in residential and commercial construction activity. Sales of industrial power tools and accessories in the United States decreased 23% as a result of a continued decline in construction activity, with sales down in all key channels. Sales of consumer power tools and accessories in the United States decreased 20% from the 2008 level. That decrease was principally attributable to continued weak demand in the core tools category as well as to lower sales in the automotive and electric product category. In Canada, sales decreased approximately 30% from the prior year’s level, with a 31% decline in sales of industrial power tools and accessories and a 25% decline in sales of consumer power tools and accessories.

In Europe, sales decreased 23% during the third quarter of 2009 from the prior year’s level, with declines experienced in all major markets. The sales decline was particularly severe in Eastern Europe. During the third quarter of 2009, European sales of industrial power tools and accessories declined by 24% and sales of consumer power tools and accessories declined by 22% from the prior year’s levels.

Sales in other geographic areas decreased at a mid-single-digit rate during the third quarter of 2009 from the prior year’s level. In Latin America, sales declined at a mid-single-digit rate, as sales declines in the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico, which were adversely affected by the economic downturn in the United States, were partially offset by sales growth in other parts of the region, including Brazil and Argentina. Sales in Asia/Pacific increased at a mid-single-digit rate, with gains in India and Australia more than offsetting declines in most other countries.

Segment profit as a percentage of sales for the Power Tools and Accessories segment was 7.6%, which was flat to the third quarter of 2008. As percentages of sales, an increase in gross margin of 110 basis points was offset by a 110 basis point increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of sales was principally due to the favorable effects of pricing, restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, and component cost
 
 
deflation. The increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales resulted from the de-leveraging of expenses over lower sales, which more than offset the favorable effects of restructuring and cost reduction initiatives and reductions in variable selling expenses.
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers in the Power Tools and Accessories segment during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, decreased by 21% from the corresponding period in 2008.

During the nine months ended September 27, 2009, sales in North America decreased 22% from the prior year’s level primarily due to continued weak demand in the United States as a result of depressed housing activity and decelerating commercial construction. Sales of industrial power tools and accessories in the United States decreased 27%, with lower sales in the independent channel and at retail. Sales of consumer power tools and accessories in the United States decreased at a mid-single-digit rate from the 2008 level. In Canada, sales decreased 28%, with a 31% decline in sales of industrial power tools and accessories and a double-digit rate of decline in consumer power tools and accessories.

Sales in Europe decreased 28% during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, from the level experienced in the corresponding 2008 period due to the impact of the global recession. Sales declined across all markets and in all key product lines. The sales decline was particularly severe in Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom, and the Central European and Iberian regions. During the nine months ended September 27, 2009, European sales of industrial power tools and accessories declined by 31% and sales of consumer power tools and accessories declined by 23% from the prior year’s levels.

Sales in other geographic areas decreased at a high-single-digit rate during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, from the level experienced in the corresponding period in 2008. This decrease primarily resulted from a mid-single-digit rate of decline in Latin America, with double-digit rates of declines experienced in the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico—areas more closely tied to the U.S. economy than others in the region. Sales in Asia/Pacific decreased at a high-single-digit rate.

Segment profit as a percentage of sales for the Power Tools and Accessories segment was 6.0% for the nine months ended September 27, 2009, as compared to 7.9% for the corresponding period in 2008. As percentages of sales, the decrease in segment profit resulted from a 60 basis point decrease in gross margin and a 130 basis point increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of sales was principally due to the unfavorable effects of commodity inflation (including the appreciation of the Chinese renminbi), lower volumes, including the de-leveraging of fixed costs, and unfavorable mix, which more than offset favorable price, a positive comparison to inventory write-downs in the prior year, and the benefit of restructuring and cost reduction initiatives. The increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales resulted from the de-leveraging of expenses over lower sales, which more than offset the favorable effects of restructuring and cost reduction initiatives and a reduction in variable selling expenses.
 
 
Hardware and Home Improvement
Segment sales and segment profit for the Hardware and Home Improvement segment, determined on the basis described in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, were as follows (in millions of dollars):
             
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
  September 27,
 2009
 
  September 28,
 2008
 
  September 27,
 2009
 
  September 28,
 2008
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 192.9     $ 231.2     $ 554.7     $ 682.6  
Segment profit
    24.8       26.1       53.8       63.9  
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers in the Hardware and Home Improvement segment decreased by 17% during the third quarter of 2009 from the corresponding period in 2008. Sales of both locksets and plumbing products decreased at a double-digit rate during the third quarter of 2009 from the corresponding period in 2008.  Locksets sales in the United States declined in the third quarter of 2009 due to sharply lower housing activity, with the decline more strongly felt with higher-price-point products. Sales of plumbing products in the United States decreased as sales in the new construction channel were down over 30%, reflecting decreased housing activity, and sales in the retail channel declined at a double-digit rate, reflecting lower consumer remodeling activity and cautious reorders by customers. Sales in other geographic regions declined by 24% from the prior year’s level, principally due to weakness in Canada.

Segment profit as a percentage of sales for the Hardware and Home Improvement segment increased from 11.3% for third quarter of 2008 to 12.9% for the third quarter of 2009. As percentages of sales, the increase in segment profit resulted from an increase in gross margin which was partially offset by an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses. The increase in gross margin was due to the favorable effects of commodity deflation, restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, productivity gains, and fixed cost absorption, which was partially offset by unfavorable price. Selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased as a result of the de-leveraging of expenses over lower sales, which more than offset the benefits of restructuring and cost reduction initiatives and reductions in variable selling expenses.
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers in the Hardware and Home Improvement segment decreased by 19% during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, from the corresponding period in 2008. Lockset sales in the United States decreased at a double-digit rate during the nine months ended September 27, 2009 from the corresponding period in 2008 due to the effects of U.S. housing conditions as well as to a reduction in sales of higher-priced products. Sales of plumbing products in the United States declined by 22% during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, as compared to the prior year’s level, as sales in the both the new construction and retail channels declined at double-digit rates. Sales in other geographic regions declined by 22% from the 2008 level, principally due to weakness in Canada.

Segment profit as a percentage of sales for the Hardware and Home Improvement segment increased from 9.4% for the nine months ended September 28, 2008, to 9.7% for the nine months ended September 27, 2009. As percentages of sales, the increase in segment profit resulted from an increase in gross margin that was partially offset by an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to commodity deflation and benefits from restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, as well as favorable price and mix, which were partially offset by the unfavorable effects of lower volumes and fixed cost
 
 
absorption. The increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales resulted from the de-leveraging of expenses over lower sales, which more than offset the benefit of reduced selling, general, and administrative expenses resulting from restructuring and cost reduction initiatives.

Fastening and Assembly Systems
Segment sales and segment profit for the Fastening and Assembly Systems segment, determined on the basis described in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, were as follows (in millions of dollars):
             
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
  September 27,
 2009
 
  September 28,
 2008
 
  September 27,
 2009
 
  September 28,
 2008
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 132.8     $ 173.8     $ 381.7     $ 544.8  
Segment profit
    12.3       27.6       22.0       86.9  
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers in the Fastening and Assembly Systems segment for the third quarter of 2009 decreased by 24%, as compared to the corresponding period in 2008. That decline primarily resulted from weakness in both the automotive and industrial businesses related to the global economic slowdown. The September 2008 acquisition of Spiralock resulted in a 2% increase in the segment’s sales during the third quarter of 2009. Sales in North America decreased 23% during the third quarter of 2009 from the corresponding period in 2008, reflecting significant weakness in both the U.S. automotive and industrial businesses. Sales in Europe during the third quarter of 2009 decreased 25%, as compared to the prior year’s level, as a result of double-digit rates of decline in sales of both the automotive and industrial businesses. Sales in Asia during the third quarter decreased 24% from the corresponding period in 2008.

Segment profit as a percentage of sales for the Fastening and Assembly Systems segment decreased from 15.9% in the third quarter of 2008 to 9.3% in the third quarter of 2009 due to the effects of de-leveraging of costs over lower sales volumes. As percentages of sales, the decrease in segment profit resulted from a decrease in gross margin and an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Sales to unaffiliated customers in the Fastening and Assembly Systems segment decreased by 30% during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, as compared to the corresponding period in 2008. That decline primarily resulted from weakness in both the automotive and the industrial businesses related to the global economic slowdown. The September 2008 acquisition of Spiralock resulted in a 2% increase in the segment’s sales during the nine months ended September 27, 2009. Sales in North America decreased 37% during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, from the corresponding period in 2008, reflecting significant declines in both the U.S. automotive and industrial businesses. Sales in Europe during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, decreased 27% as compared to the prior year’s level, as a result of double-digit rates of decline in sales of both the automotive and industrial businesses. Sales in Asia during the nine months ended September 27, 2009, decreased 29% from the corresponding period in 2008.
 
 
Segment profit as a percentage of sales for the Fastening and Assembly Systems segment decreased from 16.0% in the nine months ended September 28, 2008 to 5.8% in the corresponding 2009 period due to the effects of de-leveraging of costs over lower sales volumes. As percentages of sales, the decrease in segment profit resulted from a decrease in gross margin and an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Other Segment-Related Matters
As indicated in the first table of Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, segment profit (expense) associated with Corporate, Adjustments, and Eliminations was $(14.9) million and $(37.0) million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively, as compared to $(9.0) million and $(40.8) million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2008. The rise in Corporate expenses during the three months ended September 27, 2009, over the prior year’s level was primarily due to increased incentives and higher pension expense, which were partially offset by the effects of lower legal and environmental expenses, income directly related to reportable business segments booked in consolidation, and cost reduction initiatives undertaken with respect to Corporate departmental spending.

On a year-to-date basis, the decrease in Corporate expenses in 2009 was primarily due to income directly related to reportable business segments booked in consolidation, including a $3.9 million reversal of previously established legal reserves due to a favorable ruling on certain litigation in the first quarter, the effects of lower legal and environmental expense, and benefits from cost reduction initiatives undertaken with respect to Corporate departmental spending, which were partially offset by increased expenses associated with benefits and risks expenses (in excess of amounts charged to the reportable segments) and higher pension expense.

Expense recognized by the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, relating to its pension and other postretirement benefit plans decreased by $.1 million and $.6 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively, as compared to the 2008 levels. The Corporate adjustment to businesses’ postretirement benefit expense booked in consolidation, as identified in the final table included in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements was $2.9 million and $8.9 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively, as compared to $.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2008. Those increases in the Corporate adjustment in 2009, as compared to the 2008 periods, resulted from an increase in pension and other postretirement benefit expense (excluding the service costs allocated to the reportable business segments). As more fully described in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in determining segment profit, expenses relating to pension and other postretirement benefits are based solely upon estimated service costs.
 
Income (expense) directly related to reportable business segments booked in consolidation and, thus, excluded from segment profit for the reportable business segments was $.3 million and $5.4 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, as compared to $(.5) million and $(3.8) million for the corresponding periods in 2008. The segment-related income excluded from segment profit for both the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, primarily related to the Hardware and Home Improvement and Power Tools and Accessories segments. The segment-related expense excluded from segment profit for both the three- and nine- month periods ended September 28, 2008, primarily related to the Power Tools and Accessories segment.
 
 
RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITY
The Corporation is committed to continuous productivity improvements and continues to evaluate opportunities to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and eliminate excess capacity. The Corporation’s restructuring activities are more fully discussed in Item 7 under the caption “Restructuring Actions” and Item 8 in Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Corporation realized restructuring benefits of approximately $22 million and $55 million during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2009, respectively, net of restructuring-related expenses. Of those restructuring savings, approximately two thirds were realized through a reduction of selling, general, and administrative expenses, with the remainder benefiting gross margin.

The Corporation expects that pre-tax savings associated with the fourth quarter 2007, 2008 and first quarter 2009 restructuring actions will benefit its 2009 results by approximately $75 million, net of restructuring-related expenses. The Corporation expects that, of those incremental pre-tax savings, approximately two thirds will benefit selling, general, and administrative expenses and the remaining one third will benefit cost of goods sold.

Ultimate savings realized from restructuring actions may be mitigated by such factors as economic weakness and competitive pressures, as well as decisions to increase costs in areas, such as promotion or research and development, above levels that were otherwise assumed.
 

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY
The following table provides information as of September 27, 2009, about the Corporation’s short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and interest rate hedge portfolio. This table should be read in conjunction with the information contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading “Interest Rate Sensitivity” included in Item 7 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Principal Payments and Interest Rate Detail by Contractual Maturity Dates
 
(U.S. Dollars in Millions)
  3 Mos. Ending
 Dec. 31, 2009
    2010     2011     2012     2013     Thereafter     Total  
  Fair Value
 (Assets)/
  Liabilities
 
LIABILITIES
                                               
Short-term borrowings
                                               
Variable rate (U.S. dollars and
other currencies)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Average interest rate
                                                               
Long-term debt
                                                               
Variable rate (U.S. dollars)
  $     $     $ 75.0     $ 100.0     $     $     $ 175.0     $ 175.0  
Average interest rate
                    1.39 %     1.47 %                     1.43 %        
Fixed rate (U.S. dollars)
  $     $     $ 400.0     $     $     $ 1,100.0     $ 1,500.0     $ 1,600.6  
Average interest rate
                    7.13 %                     6.67 %     6.79 %        
INTEREST RATE DERIVATIVES
                                                         
Fixed to Variable Rate Interest
                                                               
Rate Swaps (U.S. dollars)
  $     $     $ 100.0     $     $     $ 225.0     $ 325.0     $ (34.2 )
Average pay rate (a)
                                                               
Average receive rate
                    4.87 %                     4.79 %     4.81 %        
 
 
(a)
The average pay rate for swaps in the notional principal amount of $125.0 million is based upon 3-month forward LIBOR (with swaps in the notional principal amounts of $100.0 million maturing in 2011 and $25.0 million maturing thereafter). The average pay rate for the remaining swaps is based upon 6-month forward LIBOR.

FINANCIAL CONDITION
Introduction : The following summarizes the Corporation’s cash inflows (outflows) for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009 and September 28, 2008 (in millions of dollars).
             
 
  September 27,
 2009
 
  September 28,
 2008
 
Cash flow from operating activities
  $ 234.2     $ 315.5  
Cash flow from investing activities
    132.0       (70.6 )
Cash flow from financing activities
    169.0       (154.1 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    8.5       (5.2 )
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 543.7     $ 85.6  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 821.5     $ 340.3  
 
As more fully disclosed under the caption “Financial Condition”, included in Item 7 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, the Corporation’s operating cash flow provides the primary source of funds to finance operating needs and capital expenditures. As necessary, the Corporation supplements its operating cash flow with debt. The Corporation’s operating cash flow is significantly impacted by its net earnings and working capital management, as well as by its hedging activity discussed below.
 
 
The Corporation anticipates that its operating cash flow in 2009 will be adversely impacted by lower net earnings than that experienced in 2008.

Cash inflows and outflows related to the Corporation’s currency hedging activities are classified in the cash flow statement under operating activities or investing activities based upon the nature of the hedge. Cash flows related to hedges of the Corporation’s foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, and forecasted transactions are classified as operating activities, and cash flows related to hedges of the Corporation’s net investment in foreign subsidiaries are classified as investing activities. Due to the rapid strengthening of the U.S. dollar in late 2008, the Corporation experienced much larger gains and losses on these hedges than it has in the past. Therefore, based upon current exchange rates, the Corporation expects that cash outflows associated with currency hedges whose cash flows are classified within operating activities will significantly reduce cash flows from operating activities in 2009. However, such reduction is expected to be more than offset by cash inflows associated with hedges of the Corporation’s net investment in foreign subsidiaries that are classified within cash flows from investing activities.

The Corporation will continue to have cash requirements to support seasonal working capital needs, capital expenditures, and dividends to stockholders, to pay interest, and to service debt. In addition, as disclosed in Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Corporation expects that it will incur fees—estimated at approximately $25 million, including $10.5 million that is only payable upon consummation of the proposed merger—for various advisory, legal, and accounting services associated with the proposed merger to create Stanley Black & Decker in an all stock merger. At September 27, 2009, the Corporation had $821.5 million of cash and cash equivalents. Most of the Corporation’s cash is held by its subsidiaries. The Corporation’s overall cash position reflects its business results and a global cash management strategy that takes into account liquidity management, economic factors, the statutes, regulations and practices in jurisdictions where the Corporation has operations, and tax considerations. At September 27, 2009, the Corporation had the full amount available under its $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility that expires in December 2012. In order to meet its cash requirements, the Corporation intends to use its existing cash, cash equivalents, and internally generated funds, and to borrow under its commercial paper program, existing unsecured revolving credit facility or under short-term borrowing facilities. The Corporation believes that—absent events or payments which would only be triggered upon consummation of the proposed merger and creation of Stanley Black & Decker—cash provided from these sources will be adequate to meet its cash requirements over the next 12 months.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities:   Operating activities provided cash of $234.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to $315.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 28, 2008. The change in cash from operating activities in the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009 was primarily due to lower net earnings, higher usage of cash associated with other assets and liabilities, including the impact of the Corporation’s foreign currency hedging activities, and restructuring spending, which were partially offset by lower working capital requirements.

As part of its capital management, the Corporation reviews certain working capital metrics. For example, the Corporation evaluates its trade receivables and inventory levels through the computation of days sales outstanding and inventory turnover ratio, respectively. The number of days sales outstanding as of September 27, 2009, was slightly higher, as compared to the level as of
 
 
September 28, 2008. Average inventory turns as of September 27, 2009, approximated inventory turns as of September 28, 2008.

The Corporation sponsors pension and postretirement benefit plans. The Corporation’s cash funding of these plans was approximately $36 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Cash contribution requirements for these plans are either based upon the applicable regulation for each country (principally the U.S. and United Kingdom) or are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis. The Corporation expects that its cash funding of its pension and postretirement benefit plans in 2009 will approximate the 2008 level. The Corporation expects that its cash funding of its pension and postretirement benefit plans in 2010 will increase by approximately $35 million over the 2009 level.  That increase in cash funding is principally attributable to the Corporation’s qualified pension plans in the U.S. Cash contributions for the Corporation’s qualified pension plans in the U.S. are governed by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA). Contribution requirements under the PPA are generally based upon the funded status of the plan (determined by comparing plan assets to the actuarially determined plan obligations). The reduction in the fair value of the Corporation’s pension plan assets that occurred in 2008 will require the Corporation to make contributions to its U.S. qualified pension plans for their 2009 and 2010 plan years. The majority of these contributions will occur in 2010 and 2011.  These contribution requirements could also continue or increase in subsequent years unless there is an improvement in the funded status of the Corporation’s U.S. qualified pension plans.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities:   Investing activities provided cash of $132.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to a use of cash of $70.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 28, 2008. Hedging activities—associated with the Corporation’s net investment hedging activities—resulted in a net cash inflow of $178.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to a net cash inflow of $10.6 million for the corresponding period in 2008. The increase in cash inflow from hedging activities in the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, over the comparable 2008 period, is attributable to the relative weakening of the pound sterling against the U.S. dollar during the respective hedged periods. Capital expenditures decreased by $29.4 million to $48.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to the corresponding period in 2008. The Corporation anticipates that its capital spending in 2009 will approximate $70 million. Cash proceeds associated with the disposal of assets decreased $17.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to the corresponding 2008 period, principally due to the proceeds from the sale of a non-operating asset in the 2008 period. The Corporation used $23.8 million of cash during the nine-month period ended September 28, 2008, associated with its purchase of Spiralock, a component of the Fastening and Assembly Systems segment.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities:   Financing activities provided cash of $169.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to a use of cash of $154.1 million for the corresponding period in 2008. In early April 2009, the Corporation issued $350.0 million of 8.95% senior notes due 2014. The Corporation utilized the proceeds of $343.1 million (net of issuance costs of $2.7 million and debt discount) from the issuance of those senior notes to repay short-term borrowings that were outstanding at that time. Cash used for financing activities for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, included a net decrease in short-term borrowings of $84.3 million, payments on long-term debt of $50.1 million, and dividend payments of $39.9 million. Cash used to pay dividends was $39.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009, as compared to $76.5 million in the corresponding 2008 period, a decrease of $36.6
 
 
million. Dividend payments, on a per share basis, in the nine-month period ended September 27, 2009 were $.66, as compared to $1.26 in the corresponding period in 2008. In April 2009, the Corporation announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.12 per share on the Corporation’s outstanding stock payable during the third quarter of 2009, a 71% decrease from the $.42 quarterly dividend paid by the Corporation since the first quarter of 2007. Future dividends will depend on the Corporation’s earnings, financial condition, and other factors.

Sources of cash from financing activities in the nine-month period ended September 28, 2008, primarily included proceeds from long-term debt of $224.7 million (net of issuance costs of $.3 million). Cash used for financing activities for the nine months ended September 28, 2008, included a net decrease in short-term borrowings of $108.7 million and dividend payments of $76.5 million. During the nine-month period ended September 28, 2008, the Corporation purchased 3,136,382 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $202.3 million. At September 27, 2009, the Corporation has remaining authorization from its Board of Directors to repurchase an additional 3.8 million shares of its common stock. Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement to create Stanley Black & Decker, absent the consent of The Stanley Works, the Corporation has agreed not to repurchase any of the shares of its common stock pending consummation of the merger.

Credit Rating:   The Corporation’s credit ratings are reviewed periodically by major debt rating agencies including Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings. The Corporation’s credit ratings and outlook from each of the credit rating agencies as of September 27, 2009, follow:
 
    Long-term Debt  
Short-term Debt
 
Outlook
Moody’s Investors Service
 
Baa3
 
P3
 
Stable
Standard & Poor’s
 
BBB
 
A3
 
Negative
Fitch Ratings
 
BBB
 
F2
 
Negative
 
The credit rating agencies consider many factors when assigning their ratings, such as the impact of the global economic environment and distress in the financial markets and their possible impact on the Corporation’s financial performance, including certain financial metrics utilized by the credit rating agencies in determining the Corporation’s credit rating. Accordingly, it is possible that the credit rating agencies could reduce the Corporation’s credit ratings from their current level. This could significantly influence the interest rate of any of the Corporation’s future financing.

The Corporation’s ability to maintain its commercial paper program is principally a function of its short-term debt credit rating. As a result of the reduction in the Corporation’s short-term credit ratings that occurred during the first quarter of 2009, the Corporation’s ability to access commercial paper borrowings has been substantially reduced. As a result, the Corporation has utilized its $1.0 billion unsecured credit facility during 2009. No amounts were outstanding under this credit facility as of September 27, 2009. Borrowings under this credit facility are at interest rates that may vary based upon the rating of its long-term debt. The Corporation’s current borrowing rates under its credit facility may be set at either Citibank’s prime rate or at LIBOR plus .30%. The spread above LIBOR could increase by a maximum amount of .30% based upon reductions in the Corporation’s credit rating. The Corporation expects to utilize borrowings under its commercial paper program and $1.0 billion unsecured credit facility to fund its short-term borrowing requirements.
 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Corporation’s disclosure of its critical accounting policies—those significant accounting policies that may involve a higher degree of judgment, estimation, or complexity than other accounting policies—are more fully disclosed under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies” included in Item 7 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and as included below.

At December 31, 2008, goodwill in the amount of $1,223.2 million was recognized in the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheet, of which $432.9 million related to its Power Tools and Accessories segment, $463.4 million related to its Hardware and Home Improvement segment, and $326.9 million related to its Fastening and Assembly Systems segment. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized, but are subject to an impairment test on an annual basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Corporation has elected to conduct its annual test for goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of each year.

The Corporation assesses the fair value of its reporting units for its goodwill impairment tests based upon a discounted cash flow methodology. The identification of reporting units begins at the operating segment level—in the Corporation’s case, the Power Tools and Accessories segment, the Hardware and Home Improvement segment, and the Fastening and Assembly Systems segment—and considers whether operating components one level below the segment level should be identified as reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment tests if certain conditions exists. These conditions include, among other factors, (i) the extent to which an operating component represents a business (that is, the operating component contains all of the inputs and processes necessary for it to continue to conduct normal operations if transferred from the segment) and (ii) the disaggregation of economically dissimilar operating components within a segment. The Corporation has determined that its reporting units, for purposes of its goodwill impairment tests, represent its operating segments, except with respect to its Hardware and Home Improvement segment for which its reporting units are the plumbing products and security hardware businesses. Goodwill is allocated to each reporting unit at the time of a business acquisition and is adjusted upon finalization of the purchase price of an acquisition. The Corporation has not made any material change in the accounting methodology used to evaluate goodwill impairment during the last year.

The discounted cash flow methodology utilized by the Corporation in estimating the fair value of its reporting units for purposes of its goodwill impairment testing requires various judgmental assumptions about sales, operating margins, growth rates, discount rates, and working capital requirements. In determining those judgmental assumptions, the Corporation considers a variety of data, including—for each reporting unit—its annual budget for the upcoming year (which forms the basis of certain annual incentive targets for reporting unit management), its longer-term business plan, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, and market data. Assumptions are also made for varying perpetual growth rates for periods beyond the longer-term business plan period. When estimating the fair value of its reporting units in the fourth quarter of 2008, the Corporation assumed operating margins in years 2010 and beyond in excess of the margins realized in 2008 and budgeted for 2009 based upon its belief that recovery from the current global economic crisis will permit a return to more normalized sales levels and operating margins for its reporting units. The key assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the Corporation’s reporting units at the time of its fourth quarter 2008 goodwill impairment test
 
 
included:  (i) an average sales growth assumption of approximately 3% per annum; (ii) annual operating margins ranging from approximately 6% to 15%; and (iii) a discount rate of 9.5%, which was determined based upon a then-market-based weighted average cost of capital.

The Corporation’s goodwill impairment analysis is subject to uncertainties due to uncontrollable events, including the strategic decisions made in response to economic or competitive conditions, the general economic environment, or material changes in its relationships with significant customers that could positively or negatively impact anticipated future operating conditions and cash flows. In addition, the Corporation’s goodwill impairment analysis is subject to uncertainties due to the current global economic crisis, including the severity of that crisis and the time period before which the global economy recovers.

If the carrying amounts of the Corporation’s reporting units (including recorded goodwill) exceed their respective fair values, determined through the discounted cash flow methodology described above, goodwill impairment may be present. In such an instance, the Corporation would measure the goodwill impairment loss, if any, based upon the fair value of the underlying assets and liabilities of the impacted reporting unit, included any unrecognized intangible assets, and estimate the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that a reporting unit’s recorded goodwill exceeded the implied fair value of goodwill.

The Corporation could be required to evaluate the recoverability of goodwill prior to the next annual assessment if it experiences unexpected significant declines in operating results (including those associated with a more severe or prolonged global economic crisis or other business disruptions than currently assumed), a material negative change in its relationships with significant customers, or divestitures of significant components of the Corporation’s businesses. However, based upon the Corporation’s goodwill impairment analysis conducted in the fourth quarter of 2008, a hypothetical reduction in the fair value of its reporting units by a specified percentage, ranging from approximately 13% for one reporting unit to between approximately 30% to 70% for the Corporation’s other reporting units, would not have resulted in a situation in which the carrying value of the respective reporting unit exceeded that reduced fair value.
 
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act) provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Corporation. The Corporation and its representatives may, from time to time, make written or verbal forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Corporation’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in its reports to stockholders. Generally, the inclusion of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “will,” and similar expressions identify statements that constitute “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 and that are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that the Corporation expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including statements relating to sales growth, earnings or earnings per share growth, and market share, as well as statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. The forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including but not limited to those factors identified in Item 1A of Part II of this report and in Item 1A of Part I of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Information required under this Item is contained in Note 3 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, in Item 2 of Part 1 of this report under the caption “Interest Rate Sensitivity”, and under the caption “Hedging Activities”, included in Item 7 of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Under the supervision and with the participation of the Corporation’s management, including the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Corporation carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 27, 2009, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

(b) There have been no changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarterly period ended September 27, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
As more fully described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in Note 15, the Corporation is involved in various lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. These lawsuits primarily involve claims for damages arising out of the use of the Corporation’s products, allegations of patent and trademark infringement, and litigation and administrative proceedings relating to employment matters, tax matters and commercial disputes. In addition, the Corporation is party to litigation and administrative proceedings with respect to claims involving the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" included in Part I, Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as well as the risk factors noted below, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

The global credit crisis may impact the availability and cost of credit. The turmoil in the credit markets has resulted in higher borrowing costs and, for some companies, has limited access to credit, particularly through the commercial paper market. Our ability to maintain our commercial paper program is principally a function of our short-term debt credit rating. Following our guidance for lower earnings in 2009, each of the major debt rating agencies – Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings – reviewed our credit ratings. During the first quarter of 2009, Fitch Ratings affirmed our short-term debt rating of F2, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded our short-term debt rating from P2 to P3, and Standard & Poor’s downgraded our short-term debt rating from A2 to A3. As a result of the reduction in our short-term credit ratings that occurred during the first quarter of 2009, our ability to access commercial paper borrowings has been substantially reduced. As a result, we have utilized our $1.0 billion unsecured credit facility during 2009. Although we believe that the lenders participating in our revolving credit facility will be able to provide financing in accordance with their contractual obligations, the current economic environment may adversely impact our ability to borrow additional funds on comparable terms in a timely manner. Continued disruption in the credit markets also may negatively affect the ability of our customers and suppliers to conduct business on a normal basis. The deterioration of our future business performance, beyond our current expectations, could result in our non-compliance with debt covenants.

Our announcement that we had entered into a definitive merger agreement with The Stanley Works to create Stanley Black & Decker in an all-stock transaction could adversely affect our business. On November 2, 2009, we announced that we had entered into a definitive merger agreement to create Stanley Black & Decker in an all stock transaction. As a result of the merger, each of our shareholders will receive a fixed ratio of 1.275 shares of The Stanley Works common stock for each share of our common stock that they own. Consummation of the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including obtaining certain regulatory approvals as well as shareholder approval from both our shareholders and the shareholders of The Stanley Works, is expected to occur
 
 
in the first half of 2010. Expected synergies associated with the transaction will require the merger of certain of our operations into those of The Stanley Works, resulting in the likely termination of a number of our employees and restructuring of certain of our operations. The announcement and pending nature of the transaction could cause disruptions in our business and have an adverse effect on our relationship with our customers, vendors, and employees, which could, in turn, have an adverse effect on our business, financial results, and operations.

The consummation of the transaction to create Stanley Black & Decker is not certain, and its delay or failure could adversely affect our business. There is no assurance that the transaction will occur. If the transaction is consummated, it is currently anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2010. However, we cannot predict the exact timing of the consummation of the transaction. Consummation of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of various conditions, including obtaining certain regulatory approvals and the approval of both our shareholders and the shareholders of The Stanley Works. A number of the conditions are not within our control. We cannot assure you that all closing conditions will be satisfied, that we will receive the required governmental approvals, or that the transaction will be successfully consummated. If the transaction is not completed, the share price of our common stock may change to the extent that the current market price of our common stock reflects the assumption that the transaction will be completed. In addition, a failed transaction may result in negative publicity and a negative impression of us in the investment community. Under certain circumstances, upon termination of the merger agreement, we could be required to pay a termination fee of $125 million to The Stanley Works.

The risks described in the preceding paragraphs and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not exhaustive. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial also may adversely impact our business. Should any risk or uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or result of operations.
 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
                         
Period (a)
 
Total Number
of Shares
 Purchased (b)
   
Average
 Price
Paid Per
 Share
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
   
Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans (c)
 
June 29, 2009 through
July 26, 2009
    151     $ 28.66             3,777,145  
July 27, 2009 through
August 23, 2009
                      3,777,145  
August 24, 2009 through
September 27, 2009
                      3,777,145  
Total
    151     $ 28.66             3,777,145  
 
(a)
The periods represent the Corporation’s monthly fiscal calendar.
 
(b)
Shares acquired from associates to satisfy withholding tax requirements upon the vesting of restricted stock.
 
(c)
The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans represent the remaining shares that are available pursuant to the Corporation’s publicly announced repurchase plans. The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans noted above included 4,000,000 shares authorized by the Board of Directors on October 17, 2007, and 2,000,000 shares authorized by the Board of Directors on February 14, 2008. Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement to create Stanley Black & Decker, absent the consent of The Stanley Works, the Corporation has agreed not to repurchase any of the shares of its common stock pending consummation of the merger.
 
Item 5. Other Information

The Corporation’s press release of October 22, 2009, included a forward-looking statement with respect to management’s expectation that: (i) the Corporation’s diluted earnings per share would range from $2.31 to $2.41 for the full year 2009; (ii) excluding the impact of the first-quarter restructuring charge of $11.9 million pre-tax ($8.4 million after-tax), or $.14 per share, the Corporation’s diluted earnings per share would range from $2.45 to $2.55 for the full year 2009; and (iii)  the Corporation’s diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2009 would range from $.68 to $.78. Those expectations with respect to earnings per share for the full year and fourth quarter of 2009 did not reflect the additional expenses or adjustment to outstanding shares described in Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Factoring those expenses and shares into the previously described ranges of earnings-per-share expectations would revise management’s expectations, which are not otherwise being updated, as follows: (i) the Corporation’s diluted earnings per share would range from $1.62 to $1.72 for the full year 2009; (ii) excluding the impact of the first-quarter restructuring charge of $11.9 million pre-tax ($8.4 million after-tax), or $.14 per share, the Corporation’s diluted earnings per share would range from $1.76 to $1.86 for the full year 2009; and (iii) the Corporation’s diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2009 would range from $— to $.10.

By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a number
 
 
of reasons, including but not limited to those factors identified in Item 1A of Part II of this report and in Item 1A of Part I of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
2.0
 
Merger agreement dated November 2, 2009 between The Stanley Works and the Corporation, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
     
3.0
 
Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, are incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.1
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2009, by and between the Corporation and Nolan D. Archibald, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.2
 
Form of Amended and Restated Severance Benefit Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2009, by and between the Corporation and approximately 19 of its key employees, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
10.3
 
Amended and Restated Severance Benefit Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2009, by and between the Corporation and Charles E. Fenton, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.4
 
Amended and Restated Severance Benefit Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2009, by and between the Corporation and Michael D. Mangan, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.5
 
Amended and Restated Severance Benefit Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2009, by and between the Corporation and Stephen F. Reeves, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.6
 
Amended and Restated Severance Benefit Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2009, by and between the Corporation and John W. Schiech, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
Exhibit No.   Description
     
10.7
 
The Black & Decker 2008 Executive Long-Term Incentive/Retention Plan, as Amended and Restated as of November 2, 2009, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
     
 10.8  
Executive Chairman Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2009, by and between The Stanley Works and Nolan D. Archibald, included in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
     
31.1
 
Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) and Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) and Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1
 
Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2
 
Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
All other items were not applicable.
 

 
THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION


S I G N A T U R E S


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.


 
THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION
   
         
 
By
/s/   STEPHEN F. REEVES
   
   
Stephen F. Reeves
   
   
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
   
         
         
 
Principal Accounting Officer
   
         
 
By
/s/   CHRISTINA M. MCMULLEN
   
   
Christina M. McMullen
   
   
Vice President and Controller
   
         



Date:  November 5, 2009
 
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