Helen of Troy
HELE
#7152
Rank
$0.54 B
Marketcap
$23.39
Share price
-0.97%
Change (1 day)
-18.47%
Change (1 year)

Helen of Troy - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
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 November 30, 2001


OR


[ ] 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 0-23312


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

Bermuda 74-2692550
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
Clarendon House
Church Street
Hamilton, Bermuda
(Business address of registrant)


Registrant's United States mailing address:
One Helen of Troy Plaza
El Paso, Texas 79912

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No[ ]

As of January 9, 2002 there were 28,087,406 shares of Common Stock,
$.10 Par Value, outstanding.
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

<Table>
<Caption>
Page No.
<S> <C>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of November 30, 2001
(unaudited) and February 28, 2001.................................................3

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (unaudited)
for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended
November 30, 2001 and November 30, 2000...........................................5

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
for the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2001 and
November 30, 2000.................................................................6

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.......................................8

Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations............................................................12




SIGNATURES................................................................................................17
</Table>



2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Information

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and shares)


<Table>
<Caption>
November 30, February 28,
2001 2001
------------ ------------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Assets

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 10,380 $ 25,937
Marketable securities, at market value 141 1,956
Receivables, principally trade, less allowance for
doubtful receivables of $4,907 at November 30,
2001 and $4,081 at February 28, 2001 108,756 64,310
Inventories 123,105 118,544
Prepaid expenses 5,783 2,516
Deferred income tax benefits 9,569 7,118
------------ ------------
Total current assets 257,734 220,381


Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
of $11,282 at November 30, 2001 and $9,133 at
February 28, 2001 46,277 47,763

Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $7,622 at
November 30, 2001 and $6,096 at February 28, 2001 41,276 42,808

License agreements, at cost less accumulated amortization
of $11,553 at November 30, 2001 and $10,676 at
February 28, 2001 6,967 7,844

Other assets, net of accumulated amortization 17,758 18,385
------------ ------------
$ 370,012 $ 337,181
============ ============
</Table>



(Continued)



3
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and shares)



<Table>
<Caption>
November 30, February 28,
2001 2001
------------ ------------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:
Notes payable to banks $ 8,000 $ 10,000
Accounts payable, principally trade 13,261 21,003
Accrued expenses:
Advertising and promotional 6,013 5,101
Other 19,329 8,343
Income taxes payable 23,259 18,125
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 69,862 62,572
------------ ------------


Long-term debt 55,000 55,000
------------ ------------

Total liabilities 124,862 117,572
------------ ------------


Stockholders' equity:
Cumulative preferred stock, non-voting, $1.00 par
value. Authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued -- --
Common stock, $.10 par value. Authorized
50,000,000 shares; 28,079,606 and 28,065,526
shares issued and outstanding, at November 30,
2001 and February 28, 2001, respectively 2,808 2,806
Additional paid-in capital 52,614 52,206
Retained earnings 191,661 169,503
Minority interest in deficit of acquired subsidiary (1,933) (4,906)
------------ ------------

Total stockholders' equity 245,150 219,609
------------ ------------

Commitments and contingencies

$ 370,012 $ 337,181
============ ============
</Table>


See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.



4
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except shares and earnings per share)

<Table>
<Caption>
Three months ended Nine Months ended
November 30, November 30,
2001 2000 2001 2000
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 142,624 $ 119,106 $ 348,181 $ 283,450
Cost of sales 77,618 73,708 184,108 174,306
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Gross profit 65,006 45,398 164,073 109,144

Selling, general and administrative
expenses 48,391 34,174 129,257 89,962
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

Operating income 16,615 11,224 34,816 19,182

Other income (expense):
Interest expense (1,136) (984) (3,306) (3,004)
Other income, net 101 231 676 860
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total other income (expense) (1,035) (753) (2,630) (2,144)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

Earnings before income taxes 15,580 10,471 32,186 17,038

Income tax expense (benefit):
Current 3,579 4,389 9,776 4,405
Deferred (966) (1,858) (2,451) (1,387)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

Net Earnings $ 12,967 $ 7,940 $ 24,861 $ 14,020
============ ============ ============ ============

Earnings per share:
Basic .46 .28 .89 .49
Diluted .44 .28 .86 .49

Weighted average number of common
and common equivalent shares used
in computing earnings per share:
Basic 28,079,299 28,380,496 28,068,530 28,526,264
Diluted 29,300,491 28,625,523 29,056,476 28,845,980
</Table>



See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.



5
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)



<Table>
<Caption>
Nine months ended
November 30,
2001 2000
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 24,861 $ 14,020
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 6,563 6,365
Provision for doubtful receivables 1,181 599
Deferred taxes, net (2,451) (1,387)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 82 --
Purchases of marketable securities (431) (54)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities 2,407 625
Realized gain - marketable securities (777) (14)
Unrealized loss (gain) - marketable securities 616 (59)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (45,627) (45,556)
Inventory (4,561) 1,216
Prepaid expenses (3,267) (219)
Accounts payable (7,742) (1,744)
Accrued expenses 11,898 4,717
Income taxes payable 5,134 3,173
---------- ----------
Net cash used by operating activities (12,114) (18,318)

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital and license expenditures (745) (2,875)
Other assets (1,378) (6,093)
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired -- (2,205)
---------- ----------
Net cash used by investing activities (2,123) (11,173)
</Table>



(Continued)



6
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)



<Table>
<Caption>
Nine months ended
November 30
2001 2000
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net repayments on revolving line of credit (2,000) --
Exercise of stock options 80 151
Capital contribution to Tactica International, Inc.
subsidiary from minority shareholders 600 --
Common stock repurchases -- (3,421)
---------- ----------
Net cash used by financing activities (1,320) (3,270)
---------- ----------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (15,557) (32,761)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 25,937 34,265
---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 10,380 $ 1,504
========== ==========

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Interest paid $ 3,231 $ 2,943
Income taxes paid, net of refunds 4,642 1,165
</Table>



See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.



7
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
November 30, 2001


Note 1- In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying consolidated
condensed financial statements contain all adjustments
(consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to
present fairly its financial position as of November 30, 2001
and February 28, 2001 and the results of its operations for
the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2001
and 2000. While the Company believes that the disclosures
presented are adequate to make the information not misleading,
these statements should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and the notes included in the Company's
latest annual report on Form 10-K.

Certain reclassifications were made to information for the
three months and nine months ended November 30, 2000 in order
to conform to the presentation for the three months and nine
months ended November 30, 2001.

Note 2 - The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions
arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company
believes the ultimate disposition of such claims and legal
actions will not have a material adverse effect on the
financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of
the Company.

Note 3 - Basic earnings per share is computed based upon the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings per share is computed based upon the weighted
average number of common shares plus the effects of dilutive
securities. The number of dilutive securities was 1,221,192
and 245,027 for the three months ended November 30, 2001 and
2000, respectively, and 987,945 and 319,716 for the nine
months ended November 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively. All
dilutive securities for the nine months ended November 30,
2001 consisted of dilutive stock options issued under the
Company's stock option plans. Options to purchase common stock
that were outstanding but not included in the computation of
earnings per share because the exercise prices of such options
were greater than the average market prices of the Company's
common stock totaled 3,221,662 at November 30, 2001 and
4,339,762 at November 30, 2000.

Note 4 - On September 29, 1999, the Company's Board of Directors
approved a resolution authorizing the Company to purchase, in
open market or private transactions, up to 3,000,000 shares of
its common stock over a period extending to September 29,
2002. As of November 30, 2001, the Company had repurchased
1,342,341 of its shares under this resolution at a total cost
of $8,699,000. The Company did not purchase any of its shares
during the nine months ended November 30, 2001.



8
Note 5 -          The following table contains segment information as of and for
the three-month and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2001
and November 30, 2000.


<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2001 AND 2000
(in thousands)

North Corporate
NOVEMBER 30, 2001 American International Tactica / Other Total
- ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 98,981 $ 14,623 $ 29,020 $ -- $ 142,624
Operating income (loss) 12,337 2,508 2,910 (1,140) 16,615
Capital / license expenditures 116 91 22 -- 229
Depreciation and amortization 1,358 674 167 56 2,255

NOVEMBER 30, 2000
- -----------------
Net sales $ 99,453 $ 11,360 $ 8,293 $ -- $ 119,106
Operating income (loss) 12,833 1,071 (1,786) (894) 11,224
Capital / license expenditures 104 108 -- -- 212
Depreciation and amortization 1,584 530 158 30 2,302
</Table>


<Table>
<Caption>
NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2001 AND 2001
(in thousands)

North Corporate
NOVEMBER 30, 2001 American International Tactica / Other Total
- ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 243,390 $ 24,348 $ 80,443 $ -- $ 348,181
Operating income (loss) 28,082 168 9,425 (2,859) 34,816
Capital / license expenditures 547 99 99 -- 745
Depreciation and amortization 4,830 1,394 192 147 6,563

NOVEMBER 30, 2000
- -----------------
Net sales $ 246,118 $ 19,799 $ 17,533 $ -- $ 283,450
Operating income (loss) 26,873 (158) (4,901) (2,632) 19,182
Capital / license expenditures 2,206 275 239 155 2,875
Depreciation and amortization 4,806 1,251 183 125 6,365
</Table>



9
Identifiable assets at November 30, 2001 and February 28, 2001 were as
follows:

(in thousands)

<Table>
<Caption>
North Corporate
American International Tactica / Other Total
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
November 30, 2001 $ 295,110 $ 26,552 $ 30,378 $ 17,972 $ 370,012

February 28, 2001 273,068 24,331 19,943 19,839 337,181
</Table>

The North American segment sells hair care appliances, other
personal care appliances, including massagers and spa
products, hairbrushes, combs, and utility and decorative hair
accessories in the United States and Canada. The International
segment sells the same types of products outside the United
States and Canada. Tactica sells a variety of personal care
and other consumer products directly to consumers and to
retailers.

Operating profit for each operating segment is computed based
on net sales, less cost of goods sold, less any selling,
general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses associated with
the segment. The SG&A expense totals used to compute each
segment's operating profit are comprised of SG&A expenses
directly associated with those segments, plus corporate
overhead expenses that are allocable to operating segments.
Other items of income and expense, including income taxes, are
not allocated to operating segments.

Note 6 - The Inland Revenue Department (the "IRD") in Hong Kong
assessed tax on certain profits of the Company's foreign
subsidiaries for the fiscal years 1990 through 1997. Hong Kong
tax law allows for the taxation of profits earned from
activities conducted in Hong Kong. The Company is vigorously
defending its position that it conducted the activities that
produced the profits in question outside of Hong Kong. The
Company also asserts that it has complied with all applicable
reporting and tax payment obligations. If the IRD's position
were to prevail, the resulting tax liability could range from
$5,600,000 to $31,409,000 (U.S.) for the period from fiscal
1990 through the third quarter of fiscal 2002. As of November
30, 2001, the Company had purchased $5,750,000 (U.S.) in tax
reserve certificates in Hong Kong in connection with the IRD's
assertion. Tax reserve certificates represent the prepayment
by a taxpayer of potential tax liabilities. The amounts paid
for tax reserve certificates are refundable in the event that
the value of the tax reserve certificates exceeds the ultimate
tax liability. These certificates are denominated in Hong Kong
currency and are subject to risks associated with foreign
currency fluctuations. Although the ultimate resolution of the
IRD's claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management
believes that adequate provision has been made in the
financial statements for settlement of the IRD's claims.



10
Note 7 -          Helen of Troy's consolidated results of operations include 100
percent of the net earnings and losses of Tactica
International, Inc. ("Tactica"), a subsidiary in which Helen
of Troy owns a 55 percent interest. At the time of Helen of
Troy's acquisition of this interest, Tactica reported an
accumulated net deficit. Because the minority interest portion
of that deficit was recorded as a reduction in Helen of Troy's
stockholders' equity, rather than as an asset, Helen of Troy
will include 100 percent of Tactica's net earnings and losses
in its consolidated income statement until Tactica's
accumulated deficit is eliminated. At November 30, 2001,
Tactica's accumulated deficit remaining to be eliminated was
approximately $4,300,000.



11
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

Results of Operations

Quarter ended November 30, 2001 compared to the quarter ended November 30, 2000

Net sales for the quarter ended November 30, 2001 increased $23,518,000, or 19.8
percent, to $142,624,000, compared to $119,106,000 for the quarter ended
November 30, 2000. The Company's Tactica operating segment contributed
significantly to the overall sales growth by achieving third quarter fiscal 2002
net sales of $29,020,000, versus $8,293,000 for the third quarter of fiscal
2001. Tactica's improved sales are largely attributable to retail and direct
response sales of its Epil-Stop hair removal products and of several new
products. North American segment sales of $98,981,000 for the third quarter were
comparable to sales of $99,453,000 in the same quarter last year. The modest
decrease in North American segment sales was primarily attributable to softness
in the U.S. economy and the events of September 11, 2001, offset partially by
growth in the professional distribution channel. The International operating
segment recorded third quarter fiscal 2002 sales of $14,263,000 as compared to
$11,360,000 during the same period in the prior year, primarily as a result of
improved sales in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 45.6 percent in the third
quarter of fiscal 2002, versus 38.1 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2001.
Tactica contributed significantly to the gross profit increase, as its sales
comprised 20 percent of the Company's sales during the three months ended
November 30, 2001, compared to 7 percent during the same period last year.
Tactica's sales produce higher gross profit margins than sales in the Company's
other operating segments. The Company's other operating segments also improved
their gross profit margins, primarily by buying product at lower costs and
selling more high-end product, versus opening price-point product.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") as a percentage of sales
increased to 33.9 percent of sales for the quarter ended November 30, 2001,
compared to 28.7 percent during the quarter ended November 30, 2000. The
increase was due primarily to expenses associated with the Company's Tactica
operating segment. As discussed above, Tactica typically operates at higher
gross profit margins than Helen of Troy's other operating segments. However,
Tactica also has higher operating expenses as a percentage of sales, because of
the high level of television and print advertising inherent in Tactica's
business model. Exclusive of Tactica, Helen of Troy's other operating segments
experienced increases in SG&A aggregating 1.6 percent of net sales.

Interest expense for the quarter ended November 30, 2001 totaled $1,136,000, an
increase of $152,000, compared to interest expense of $984,000 for the quarter
ended November 30, 2000. This increase was due to the Company's increased
borrowing throughout the quarter under its primary line of credit, offset in
part by lower interest rates.

Income tax expense was 16.8 percent of earnings before income taxes for the
third quarter of fiscal 2002, compared to 24.2 percent for the third quarter of
fiscal 2001. The decrease in tax expense for the current quarter is due to
Tactica recognizing the benefit of a net operating loss carryforward of
$1,115,000.



12
Nine months ended November 30, 2001 compared to the nine months ended November
30, 2000

Net sales for the nine months ended November 30, 2001 increased $64,731,000, or
22.8 percent, to $348,181,000, compared to $283,450,000 for the nine months
ended November 30, 2000. As was the case for the third quarter of fiscal 2002,
sales growth in the Tactica operating segment played an important role in the
overall increase. Tactica sales grew to $80,443,000 for the first nine months of
fiscal 2002, versus $17,533,000 during the same period a year earlier. Sales in
the Company's International operating segment for the nine months ended November
30, 2001 grew to $24,348,000 from $19,799,000 for the same period a year
earlier, due primarily to an increased presence in Latin America as well as
increased sales in the United Kingdom, France and Germany. The Company's North
American operating segment sales were $243,390,000 first nine months of fiscal
2002, compared to $246,118,000 for the same period a year earlier. As was the
case for the third quarter, the decline in North American segment sales was
primarily the result of U.S. economic conditions, which produced a soft retail
market during the first nine months of this fiscal year. The Company did achieve
sales growth in the professional distribution channel within the North American
segment in the same period due to the strong performance of products such as the
ION hair dryer and hair straighteners.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 47.1 percent in the first
three quarters of fiscal 2002, versus 38.5 percent in the same period last year,
with all operating segments reporting increases. Consistent with the third
quarter of fiscal 2002, Tactica contributed significantly to the gross profit
increase. Tactica, as mentioned in the discussion of third quarter results,
generally sells product at higher gross margins than the Company's other
operating segments and incurs higher SG&A costs, as a percentage of sales.
Tactica's sales as a percentage of the Company's total sales increased to 23
percent for the nine months ended November 30, 2001, versus 6 percent for the
nine months ended November 30, 2000. The Company's other operating segments also
achieved gross profit margin increases in the first nine months of fiscal 2002
as compared to the same period last year. As was the case for the three months
ended November 30, 2001, the increases are primarily attributable to the
Company's ability to buy product at better prices and alteration of its sales
mix toward more high-end products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") as a percentage of sales
increased to 37.1 percent of sales for the nine months ended November 30, 2001,
compared to 31.7 percent during the nine months ended November 30, 2000. The
fiscal 2002 increase was due primarily to expenses associated with Tactica.
Tactica's SG&A expense as a percentage of sales is comparatively greater than
the Company's other operating segments due to the high level of television and
print advertising inherent in Tactica's business model. Exclusive of Tactica,
Helen of Troy's other operating segments incurred increases aggregating to
approximately 1.5 percent of sales, versus the same period last year.

Interest expense for the nine months ended November 30, 2001 totaled $3,306,000,
an increase of $302,000, compared to interest expense of $3,004,000 for the nine
months ended November 30, 2000. This increase was due to the Company's increased
borrowing throughout the nine-month period under its primary line of credit,
offset, in part, by lower interest rates.



13
Income tax expense was 22.8 percent of earnings before income taxes for the
first nine months of fiscal 2002, compared to 17.7 percent for the first nine
months of fiscal 2001. The increase is due to the fact that Tactica, which has a
higher effective tax rate than the rest of the Company, generated income for the
first three quarters of fiscal 2002, compared to a loss for the same period a
year earlier. Exclusive of Tactica, the Company has a 19.9 percent effective
rate for the nine month period ending November 30, 2001.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At February 28, 2001, the close of the Company's previous fiscal year, cash was
$25,937,000. The Company's cash balance was $10,380,000 at November 30, 2001, a
$15,557,000 reduction. However, over the same period, the Company's working
capital improved $30,063,000 to $187,872,000 from $157,809,000. Likewise, its
current ratio improved to 3.7 to 1 from 3.5 to 1.

Early in the fiscal year, the Company used its available funds to take advantage
of opportunities to invest in inventory at favorable pricing. Consequently,
inventory levels grew throughout the first half of the fiscal year and peaked at
$149,490,000 as of the end of the Company's second quarter. Following its
strategic plan, the Company began reducing its purchases, allowing holiday sales
to ratably reduce inventory to its November 30, 2001 level of $123,105,000. Such
sales converted inventory to accounts receivable, resulting in a net receivable
balance of $108,756,000 as of November 30, 2001. Based on the Company's
anticipated fourth quarter sales and collections, as well as its purchasing
plan, the Company expects that at February 28, 2002, inventory levels will be
lower than the $118,544,000 reported a year earlier, and that cash will exceed
the amount reported at February 28, 2001.

The Company maintains a revolving credit line with a bank to fund short-term
working capital needs and the issuance of letters of credit. This line of credit
allows for borrowings totaling $25,000,000 and charges interest at the LIBOR
rate plus a percentage that varies based on the ratio of the Company's debt to
the Company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA). Of the $25,000,000 commitment, $10,000,000 may be loaned at the
discretion of the lender. The revolving credit agreement provides that the
Company must satisfy requirements concerning its minimum net worth, total debt
to consolidated total capitalization ratio, debt to EBITDA ratio and its fixed
charge coverage ratio. At November 30, 2001, the interest rate charged under the
line of credit ranged from 3.10 percent to 3.25 percent. This revolving credit
line allows for the issuance of letters of credit totaling $7,000,000 at any one
time. Any outstanding letters of credit reduce the revolving credit line
availability on a dollar-for-dollar basis. As of November 30, 2001, the
outstanding borrowings and letters of credit under this facility totaled
$8,000,000 and $959,698, respectively. Subsequent to November 30, 2001, the
Company repaid all borrowings outstanding under this facility. The Company does
not expect to borrow funds under this revolving credit facility during the
remainder of the fiscal year.

The Company previously had an additional line of credit with a different lender,
specifically for the issuance of letters of credit. That line of credit expired
November 9, 2001 but allowed existing letters of credit to remain in force
through their expiration dates. These existing letters of credit totaled
$536,040 at November 30, 2001. The Company is currently evaluating whether to
renew this line of credit.



14
The Company believes that cash flows from operations and available financing
sources will continue to provide sufficient capital resources to fund the
Company's ongoing liquidity needs for the foreseeable future.

Helen of Troy's consolidated net income includes 100 percent of the net earnings
and losses of Tactica International, Inc. ("Tactica"), a subsidiary in which
Helen of Troy owns a 55 percent interest. At the time of Helen of Troy's
acquisition of this interest, Tactica reported an accumulated net deficit.
Because the minority interest portion of that deficit was recorded as a
reduction in Helen of Troy's stockholders' equity, rather than as an asset,
Helen of Troy will include 100 percent of Tactica's net earnings and losses in
its consolidated net income until Tactica's accumulated deficit is eliminated.
At November 30, 2001, Tactica's accumulated deficit remaining to be eliminated
was approximately $4,300,000. If this deficit is eliminated, the Company's
subsequent consolidated net income will include 55 percent rather than 100
percent of Tactica's net earnings or losses. Based on Tactica's recent
performance, the Company expects that the deficit will be eliminated in the
second or third quarter of its next fiscal year.

Information relating to forward-looking statements

This report, some of the Company's press releases and some of the Company's
comments to the news media, contain certain forward-looking statements that are
based on management's current expectations with respect to future events or
financial performance. A number of risks or uncertainties could cause actual
results to differ materially from historical or anticipated results. Generally,
the words "anticipates," "believes," "expects" and other similar words identify
forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject
to risks that could cause such statements to differ materially from actual
results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those
anticipated include: (1) general industry conditions and competition, (2) credit
risks, (3) the Company's material reliance on individual customers or small
numbers of customers, (4) the Company's material reliance on certain trademarks,
(5) risks associated with inventory, including potential obsolescence, (6) risks
associated with new products and new product lines, (7) risks associated with
operating in foreign jurisdictions, (8) worldwide and domestic economic
conditions, (9) the political conditions and events in the United States and
abroad, (10) the impact of current and future laws and regulations, (11) the
domestic and foreign tax rates to which the Company is subject, (12) uninsured
losses, (13) reliance on computer systems, (14) management's reliance on the
representations of third parties, (15) risks associated with new business
ventures and acquisitions, (16) risks associated with investments in equity
securities, (17) the Company's ability to access the capital markets and equity
markets and (18) the risks described from time to time in the Company's reports
to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including this report.



15
New Accounting Guidance

In April 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues Tasks
force ("EITF") reached consensus on EITF Issue 00-25 ("EITF 00-25"), "Vendor
Income Statement Characterization of Consideration from a Vendor to a Retailer."
EITF 00-25 requires vendors who offer certain allowances to customers to
characterize those allowances as reductions of net sales, rather than as
selling, general, and administrative expenses. EITF 00-25 is applicable for
fiscal quarters beginning after December 15, 2001 and requires restatement of
prior periods if possible. Had the Company applied EITF 00-25, both net sales
and selling, general, and administrative expense would have decreased by
$1,224,000 and $946,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2002 and 2001,
respectively.

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board approved Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 ("Goodwill and Intangible Assets"). The
new standard eliminates the amortization of goodwill and requires that Company
evaluate the goodwill on its balance sheet for impairment at least annually. The
Company will adopt the new accounting standard beginning with its first quarter
of fiscal 2003, the quarter beginning March 1, 2002. The Company estimates that
its annual selling general and administrative expense will decrease by
approximately $2,000,000 due to the elimination of goodwill amortization. The
Company has not yet estimated the effect, if any, of the annual goodwill
impairment test on its financial statements.



16
SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



HELEN OF TROY LIMITED
---------------------
(Registrant)



Date January 10, 2002 /s/ Gerald J. Rubin
---------------- -----------------------------------------
Gerald J. Rubin
Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)


Date January 10, 2002 /s/ Russell G. Gibson
---------------- -----------------------------------------
Russell G. Gibson
Senior Vice-President, Finance,
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)



17