Press Release

NEW YORK, Aug 05, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF), a leading global creator of flavors and fragrances for consumer products, today reported second quarter 2010 revenue of $666 million, 17 percent higher than the prior year quarter. Revenue in local currency increased 17 percent as foreign currency had a limited impact on results. Reported earnings per share (EPS) were $0.83, compared to $0.60 for the second quarter 2009. EPS in 2010 included a $0.02 per share expense related to ongoing restructuring efforts in Europe, while second quarter 2009 included a $0.05 per share expense relating to restructuring and employee separation costs. Excluding these items, adjusted EPS for the second quarter increased 31 percent to $0.85 versus $0.65 in the prior year quarter.

"It is clear that the strong momentum we experienced in the beginning of the year continued into the second quarter," said Doug Tough, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are very pleased to report strong year-over-year improvements across all our financial metrics. While we have benefited from some elements of restocking and favorable prior year comparisons, the team was successful in winning key new business that will support our efforts to drive market share improvements."

Mr. Tough added, "As we enter the second half of 2010, it is important to note that the benefits of restocking have begun to subside. When combined with stronger prior year comparisons, we expect local currency sales in the second half to return to more normalized levels, with relative strength in the third quarter versus the fourth. In addition, we continue to be mindful that foreign exchange movements may impact our results. As a result, in order for us to be successful, we must continue to execute our plans, serve customers well, anticipate challenges and win in the marketplace every day."

Flavor Business Unit

Local currency sales in the second quarter increased 11 percent over the comparable 2009 period. The strong trends in Europe, Africa, Middle East (EAME) and Greater Asia continued, as strong demand and new business wins once again led to double-digit growth. In North America, sales increased seven percent as double-digit performances in both Confectionery and Beverage drove results. Performance in Latin America was solid as the company more than offset the loss of non-strategic business that began in the third quarter of 2009.

Operating profit increased 18 percent, or $10 million, to $65 million in the second quarter. This increase was driven by accelerated sales growth, improving input costs and our continued margin improvement initiatives. As a result, operating profit margin improved 100 bps to 21.2 percent versus 20.2 percent in the prior year period.

Fragrance Business Unit

Local currency sales in the second quarter increased 23 percent over the prior-year period as all regions and nearly all categories reported double-digit growth. Trends in the Fine Fragrance and Beauty Care category continued to be robust, growing very strong double-digits, as new business wins, higher volumes, restocking and favorable comparisons benefited results. In Beauty Care, both Hair Care and Toiletries continued to perform very well, increasing at a strong double-digit rate. Functional Fragrance also performed well, driven by strong trends in Fabric Care and double-digit growth in Home Care. Fragrance Ingredients local currency sales increased 24 percent as favorable comparison versus the year-ago period, some elements of restocking and improvements in underlying demand aided results.

Operating profit increased by $28 million to $65 million in the second quarter, including a $2 million charge related to ongoing restructuring efforts in Europe as compared to $5 million related to restructuring costs in the prior year period. Excluding these items, adjusted operating profit grew nearly 60 percent, or $25 million, to $67 million. As a result, adjusted operating profit margin for the quarter increased 430 bps to 18.6 percent, driven by higher volumes, reduced input costs and benefits from previous cost reduction initiatives.

Sales performance by region and product category follows:

Second Quarter 2010 Highlights

• Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 42.8 percent compared with 40.1 percent in the prior year period. This improvement was mainly attributable to accelerated sales, moderating input costs and fixed cost leverage.
• Research, Selling and Administrative (RSA) expenses as a percentage of sales increased 160 bps to 26.3 percent. The increase of $35 million is mainly attributable to additional incentive compensation accruals of $18 million plus litigation related costs, investments and spending to support the higher level of business activity, reduction of R&D credits, unfavorable foreign currency movements and lower prior period base spending. Within RSA, R&D expense as a percentage of sales increased 60 bps to 8.4 percent.
• Operating profit increased $24 million to $108 million in the second quarter, including a $2 million charge related to ongoing restructuring efforts in Europe as compared to $5 million related to restructuring and employee separation costs in the prior year period. Excluding these items, adjusted operating profit grew 24 percent, or $21 million, to $110 million. As a result, adjusted operating profit margin increased 90 bps to 16.5 percent versus the year ago period.
• Interest expense decreased $2 million year-over-year reflecting lower levels of outstanding debt and lower borrowing costs.
• The effective tax rate in the quarter was 28.3 percent compared to 29.2 percent in the comparable period last year. The year-over-year decrease reflects the mix of earnings across the countries in which the company operates and lower repatriation costs.
• Cash flow from operations improved by $40 million to $128 million for six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. This improvement was led by our strong profit performance as well as our continued focus to drive working capital improvement.

About IFF

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF), is a leading global creator of flavors and fragrances used in a wide variety of consumer products and packaged goods. Consumers experience these unique scents and tastes in fine fragrances and beauty care, detergents and household goods, as well as beverages, confectionery and food products. The Company leverages its competitive advantages of brand understanding and consumer insight combined with its focus on R&D and innovation, to provide customers with differentiated product offerings. A member of the S&P 500 Index, IFF has sales, manufacturing and creative facilities in 32 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit our website at www.iff.com.

Audio Webcast

An audio webcast to discuss the Company's second quarter 2010 financial results and outlook will be held today at 10:00 a.m. EST August 5, 2010. Interested parties can access the webcast and accompanying slide presentation on the Company's website at www.iff.com under the Investor Relations section. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the Company's website approximately one hour after the event and will remain available on the IFF website until August 26, 2010.

Cautionary Statement Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Statements in this quarterly release, which are not historical facts or information, are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions, estimates and expectations. Certain of such forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "outlook", "guidance", "may" and similar terms or variations thereof. All information concerning future revenues, tax rates or benefits, interest and other savings, earnings and other future financial results or financial position, constitutes forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and other factors. Actual results of the Company may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among othersthe following: general economic and business conditions in the Company's markets, including economic and recessionary pressures; energy and commodity prices; decline in consumer confidence and spending; the impact of currency fluctuation or devaluation in the Company's principal foreign markets and the impact on the availability, effectiveness and cost of the Company's hedging and risk management strategies; population health and political uncertainties; fluctuating interest rates; continued volatility of the capital and credit markets and any adverse impact on our cost of and access to capital and credit; fluctuations in the price, quality and availability of raw materials; the Company's ability to implement its business strategy, including the achievement of anticipated cost savings, profitability and growth targets; the outcome of uncertainties related to litigation; the impact of possible pension funding obligations and increased pension expense on the Company's cash flow and results of operations; and the effect of legal and regulatory proceedings, as well as restrictions imposed on the Company, its operations or its representatives by U.S. and foreign governments. The Company intends its forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of such statements and does not undertake or plan to update or revise them as more information becomes available or to reflect changes in expectations, assumptions or results.

Any public statements or disclosures by IFF following this report that modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this report will be deemed to modify or supersede such outlook or other forward-looking statements in or accompanying this report.

Certain other factors which may impact our financial results or which may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are also discussed in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the IFF website at www.iff.com under "Investor Relations". You are urged to carefully consider all such factors.

(1) Includes the following reclassifications and revision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 to conform to the current year presentation: Cost of goods sold $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively; Research and development (R&D) $(4.5) million and $(7.4) million, respectively; Selling and administrative $1.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively. The adjustments to R&D above for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 include $(2.8) million and $(3.7) million, respectively, related to the revision of excess foreign R&D credits from income tax expense.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year's operating activities to conform to the 2010 presentation.

(1) Includes $(2.8) million for the three months and $(3.7) million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 related to the reclass of excess foreign R&D credits from income tax expense to conform to current year presentation.

SOURCE: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Investor Relations:
Michael DeVeau, 212-708-7164