Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K/A

Amendment No. 1

 

(Mark One)

        x

  

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

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 

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 1-3932

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   38-1490038
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2000 North M-63, Benton Harbor, Michigan   49022-2692
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class


 

Name of each exchange on which registered


Common stock, par value $1.00 per share

  Chicago Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

  Chicago Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange

7¾% Debentures due 2016

  New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

NONE

 

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x   No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filed (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes x   No  ¨

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock of the registrant held by stockholders not including voting stock held by directors and executive officers of the registrant and certain employee plans of the registrant (the exclusion of such shares shall not be deemed an admission by the registrant that any such person is an affiliate of the registrant) at the close of business on June 30, 2004, (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $4,426,519,684.

 

On February 22, 2005, the registrant had 66,855,693 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the following documents are incorporated herein by reference into the Part of the Form 10-K indicated:

 

Document


 

Part of Form 10-K into

which incorporated


The registrant’s proxy statement for the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders (SEC File No. 1-3932) (the “Proxy Statement”)

  Part III

 



EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (the “Original Filing”), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 4, 2005, is being filed to amend the “Financial Supplement to 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to 2005 Proxy Statement” responsive to Item 8 as follows:

 

    Subsequent to the independent registered public accounting firm’s February 25, 2005 completion of the audits of the financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, management of the Company revised the date of its assessment of internal control to March 4, 2005. The accounting firm accordingly has updated its review of subsequent events and revised the dating of its reports to March 4, 2005 on its audits of both the financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, included are:

 

    a revised Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm relating to our consolidated financial statements; and

 

    a revised Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm relating to our internal control over financial reporting.

 

As a result of these amendments, (1) the certifications pursuant to Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed and furnished, respectively, as exhibits to the Original Filing, have been re-executed and re-filed as of the date of this Form 10-K/A; and (2) a revised Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated March 11, 2005 to cover both the audit report relating to our consolidated financial statements and the audit report relating to our internal control over financial reporting dated March 4, 2005 is being filed. Accordingly, the “Exhibit Index” attached to this Form 10-K/A is being updated to reflect the consent and new certifications described above.

 

Except for the amendments described above, this Form 10-K/A does not modify or update our previously reported financial statements and other financial disclosures in, or exhibits to, the Original Filing. For convenience and ease of reference, we are filing the entire “Financial Supplement to 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to 2005 Proxy Statement.”

 

2


SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

(Registrant)

By:  

 

/S/    TED A. DOSCH        

 

   

Ted A. Dosch

(Principal Accounting Officer)

Vice President and Controller

 

March 16, 2005

 

3


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

 

FINANCIAL SUPPLEMENT

TO 2004 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, AND

TO 2005 PROXY STATEMENT

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

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

   F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   F-20

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   F-21

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   F-22

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

   F-23

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-24

Eleven-Year Consolidated Statistical Review

   F-50

Reports of Management and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-52

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   F-56

 

F-1


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

EXECUTIVE LEVEL OVERVIEW

 

Whirlpool Corporation is the largest global manufacturer of major appliances worldwide with 2004 revenues of $13.2 billion and net earnings of $406 million. The Company’s four reportable segments are based on geography and consist of North America (61% of revenue), Europe (23% of revenue), Latin America (13% of revenue), and Asia (3% of revenue). The Company is the market share leader in North America and Latin America and has significant market presence in Europe, India and China. Whirlpool’s brands and operations worldwide have received recognition for accomplishments in a variety of business and social efforts, including energy efficiency leadership, community involvement, support of women’s issues, and excellence in design.

 

The Company’s growth strategy over the past several years has been to introduce innovative new products, strengthen customer loyalty for its brands, continue to expand its global footprint, add or enhance distribution channels and, where appropriate, make strategic acquisitions which enhance the Company’s innovative global product offering.

 

The Company monitors country economic factors such as gross domestic product, consumer interest rates, consumer confidence, housing starts, existing home sales and mortgage refinancing as key indicators of industry demand. Management also focuses on country, brand, product and channel market share, average sales values, and profitability when assessing and forecasting financial results. The Company intends to leverage its global manufacturing, procurement and technology footprint to strengthen Whirlpool’s brand leadership position in the global appliance industry.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis discusses the results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and liquidity, contractual obligations and forward-looking cash requirements, other matters, critical accounting policies and estimates, new accounting pronouncements, market risk and forward-looking statements.

 

Included within the results of operations and financial condition and liquidity section is management’s forward-looking perspective. In addition, the Company has included comments regarding regional business unit performance, where appropriate.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The Consolidated Statements of Operations summarize operating results for the last three years. This section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis highlights the main factors affecting changes in the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and should be read along with the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

NET SALES

 

The total number of units sold in 2004 increased 4.9% over 2003. Consolidated net sales increased 8.6% over 2003, which includes a positive impact from currency fluctuations. Excluding currency, net sales increased approximately 6%. Total number of units sold in 2003 increased 5.6% over 2002. Consolidated net sales increased 10.5% over 2002, which includes a positive impact from currency fluctuations. Excluding currency fluctuations and the acquisitions of Vitromatic (“Whirlpool Mexico”) and Polar, as described in Note 4 to the

 

F-2


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

Consolidated Financial Statements, the total number of units and dollars sold increased approximately 4% and 5%, respectively. The tables below provide the breakdown of units and sales by region.

 

In thousands    2004

    Change

    2003

    Change

    2002

 

Units Sold

                                    

North America

     27,353     4.6 %     26,146     7.5 %     24,324  

Europe

     12,100     4.4       11,591     5.1       11,024  

Latin America

     4,904     14.9       4,269     (2.7 )     4,386  

Asia

     2,145     (8.6 )     2,346     2.9       2,279  

Other/eliminations

     (17 )   —         (37 )   —         (31 )
    


 

 


 

 


Consolidated

     46,485     4.9 %     44,315     5.6 %     41,982  
    


 

 


 

 


Millions of dollars    2004

    Change

    2003

    Change

    2002

 

Net Sales

                                    

North America

   $ 8,254     4.8 %   $ 7,875     7.8 %   $ 7,306  

Europe

     3,062     13.8       2,691     22.4       2,199  

Latin America

     1,674     24.0       1,350     6.7       1,266  

Asia

     382     (8.2 )     416     6.6       391  

Other/eliminations

     (152 )   —         (156 )   —         (146 )
    


 

 


 

 


Consolidated

   $ 13,220     8.6 %   $ 12,176     10.5 %   $ 11,016  
    


 

 


 

 


 

Significant regional trends were as follows:

 

    In 2004, North American unit volumes increased 4.6% versus 2003 due to higher Whirlpool and KitchenAid brand growth combined with strong Canadian performance. Sales improved 4.8% to a record $8.3 billion. Currency did not materially impact sales comparisons. In 2003, North American unit volumes increased 7.5% versus 2002. Volume increases were driven by the full year acquisition impact of Whirlpool Mexico, strong performance in Canada, and volume gains in Whirlpool and KitchenAid brands. Excluding the acquisition of Whirlpool Mexico, North American unit volumes increased 5%. The North American net sales increase adjusted for the acquisition and currency impact was slightly greater than growth in unit volumes due to favorable brand mix as well as the introduction of higher sales value innovative products.

 

    Record European unit volumes increased 4.4%, ahead of industry growth, when compared to 2003 driven largely by strong Whirlpool brand performance and expansion of the Company’s built-in appliance business. European net sales increased 13.8%, and were approximately 3% higher excluding currency. Overall market share improved due to Whirlpool brand performance and the introduction of new products. During 2003, European unit volumes increased 5.1% versus 2002. Excluding the acquisition of Polar, unit volumes increased 4%. Net sales increased 22.4% due primarily to positive currency impact. Excluding currency impact and the Polar acquisition, net sales increased approximately 3%, lagging unit growth due to marketplace pricing pressures. The region experienced improvement in industry volumes as overall economic indicators and consumer confidence edged up in several key markets within the region.

 

   

Strong demand for appliances in Latin America during 2004 resulted in a 14.9% increase in unit volumes versus 2003. Economic conditions within Brazil were strong during 2004 driven by GDP expansion, lower unemployment and positive real wage growth. Sales increased 24% in the region during 2004, and

 

F-3


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

 

were up approximately 20% excluding currency, due to market share gains, strong volume, price increases and favorable product mix. During 2003, appliance unit volumes in Latin America declined 2.7% versus 2002 due primarily to the weak economic environment in the region. Overall industry demand in Brazil declined by 11% for the year. In 2003, the region’s sales increased 6.7% and increased approximately 9% excluding currency impact when compared to 2002, mainly the result of price increases necessitated by higher material costs.

 

    During 2004, Asia’s unit volumes declined 8.6% versus 2003 with a corresponding decline in net sales of 8.2%. Excluding currency, net sales declined approximately 12%. The decision by management to implement the trade inventory reduction strategy in India negatively impacted 2004 volume and sales. The strategy change will improve the speed, flexibility and overall efficiency within sales and distribution processes, and will enable the Company to launch new product introductions more frequently and faster to the market. During 2003, Asia’s unit volumes increased 2.9% over 2002, while net sales increased by 6.6%. Excluding currency impact, net sales increased approximately 1%. The region experienced a number of challenges, which negatively impacted its performance, including significant pricing pressures in China and India.

 

GROSS MARGIN

 

The consolidated gross margin percentage in 2004 decreased 90 basis points versus 2003 primarily due to second half material cost increases and global pricing pressures. These costs were somewhat mitigated by higher volume and record levels of controllable productivity. The consolidated gross margin percentage declined 60 basis points in 2003 versus 2002 due primarily to higher U.S. pension and medical expenses coupled with reduced Befiex credits (See Forward Looking Perspective), an increase in expense due to the decline of the U.S. dollar and higher material costs in Latin America. The higher expense was partially offset by productivity improvements in North America and Europe and lower restructuring and related expense. The table below outlines the gross margin percentages by region, excluding the impact of the 2004, 2003 and 2002 restructuring related charges of $6 million, $7 million and $43 million, respectively, from the regional percentages. The Company believes this comparison of gross margin percentages excluding restructuring related charges provides management and shareholders a better understanding of the ongoing performance of the regions. The Company evaluates segment performance based upon each segment’s operating income, which excludes, among others, one-time charges (See Note 17). The restructuring related charges are included in the consolidated percentages in each of the three years presented.

 

     2004

    Change

    2003

    Change

    2002

 

Gross Margin

                              

North America

   21.9 %   (0.7 ) pts   22.6 %   (1.0 ) pts   23.6 %

Europe

   23.7     0.1     23.6     1.4     22.2  

Latin America

   17.0     (2.6 )   19.6     (3.8 )   23.4  

Asia

   16.9     (3.8 )   20.7     (3.0 )   23.7  
    

 

 

 

 

Consolidated(1)

   21.7 %   (0.9 ) pts   22.6 %   (0.6 ) pts   23.2 %
    

 

 

 

 


(1)   Restructuring charges included in consolidated, excluded from regions.

 

Significant regional trends were as follows:

 

   

North American gross margin decreased 70 basis points compared to 2003 primarily due to elevated material costs for steel and resins. In addition, the market continued to experience competitive pricing during 2004. Margin declines were partially offset by higher volume, productivity improvements and

 

F-4


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

 

some price increases. The decline in 2003 versus 2002 was due to increased pension and medical expense partially offset by productivity improvements.

 

    European gross margin improved slightly in 2004 versus 2003 as productivity improvements and volume leverage more than offset pricing pressure. In 2003, the gross margin increased from 2002 levels due to an improvement in the product and brand mix and productivity improvements, partially offset by pricing pressures. European operations continue to realize savings from ongoing restructuring efforts in Europe.

 

    In 2004, Latin American gross margin declined versus 2003 primarily due to increased material costs for steel and resins. Higher costs were partially offset by increased volume and price increases on both appliances and compressors and favorable product mix. The 2003 gross margin declined over 2002 due to significantly higher material costs, and reduced Befiex credits. The decline was partially offset by higher appliance pricing. Price increases throughout the year helped mitigate the margin erosion but were not enough to offset the increase in material costs.

 

    Asian gross margin declined versus 2003 primarily due to the trade inventory reduction strategy in India and regional pricing pressures. Asian gross margin decreased in 2003 versus 2002 due to significant pricing pressure across the region and unfavorable product mix.

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

 

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses in 2004, as a percent of consolidated net sales, remained relatively unchanged versus 2003 and 2002. Higher freight rates in North and Latin America were partially offset by productivity in other non-logistic areas. Europe benefited from leverage on higher sales and lower administrative costs. The increase in Asia’s selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales was due primarily to lower overall sales and higher administrative support costs. In 2003, higher pension and freight costs in North America were partially offset by cost controls on discretionary spending. The European increase in 2003 was a result of expense reclassification into selling, general and administrative expenses while Latin America’s improvement was primarily driven by lower bad debt expense in 2003. Asia’s higher selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales in 2003 and 2002 were due to higher operating reserves. The table below outlines the selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales by region, excluding the impact of 2004, 2003 and 2002 restructuring related charges of $1 million, $4 million and $17 million, respectively, from the regional amounts. The Company believes this comparison of selling, general and administrative expenses excluding restructuring related charges provides management and shareholders a better understanding of the ongoing performance of the regions. The Company evaluates segment performance based upon each segment’s operating income, which exclude, among others, one time charges (See Note 17). The restructuring related charges are included in the Corporate/Other line below.

 

Millions of dollars    2004

   As a %
of Sales


    2003

   As a %
of Sales


    2002

   As a %
of Sales


 

Selling, General & Administrative expenses

                                       

North America

   $ 1,031    12.5 %   $ 970    12.3 %   $ 894    12.2 %

Europe

     560    18.3       510    19.0       407    18.5  

Latin America

     220    13.1       175    13.0       189    15.0  

Asia

     89    23.4       79    19.0       70    17.8  

Corporate/Other(1)

     187    —         182    —         176    —    
    

  

 

  

 

  

Consolidated

   $ 2,087    15.8 %   $ 1,916    15.7 %   $ 1,736    15.8 %
    

  

 

  

 

  


(1)   Restructuring related charges included in Corporate/Other, excluded from regions.

 

F-5


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES

 

Restructuring initiatives resulted in pre-tax restructuring charges of $15 million, $3 million and $101 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. These amounts have been identified as a separate component of operating profit. As a result of the Company’s restructuring activity, it also recognized $7 million, $11 million and $60 million, respectively, in pre-tax restructuring related charges during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, which were recorded primarily within cost of products sold. (See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed description of these charges and the Company’s restructuring program.)

 

During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company recognized the vast majority of remaining charges for the global restructuring plan that was originally announced in December of 2000. The plan, which had a total restructuring and related pre-tax cost of $387 million, is expected to result in more than $200 million in annualized savings. At December 31, 2004, a liability of $13 million remains for actions yet to be completed under the plan. Actions under the plan include the elimination of over 7,500 positions worldwide, of which approximately 7,100 had been eliminated as of December 31, 2004.

 

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE

 

Interest income and sundry expense decreased approximately 66% compared to 2003. The improvement is primarily attributable to lower losses of $17 million on foreign currency balance sheet positions, primarily in Europe, and a $9 million gain on the sale of a partial interest in an equity investment in Latin America. Interest income and sundry expense in 2003 decreased approximately 24% as compared to 2002. The improvement is largely attributable to lower foreign currency losses as well as lower losses in asset dispositions and the absence of a 2002 fire loss within a Mexican facility.

 

Interest expense reductions during 2004 and 2003 of $9 million and $6 million, respectively, are attributable to a lower overall U.S. interest rate environment, a decrease in borrowings in countries with higher interest rates, primarily Europe, and maturity of the $200 million 9% Debentures in March 2003, which was replaced with lower rate debt.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

The effective income tax rate was 33.9% in 2004, 35% in 2003 and 39% in 2002. The impact of audit settlements and tax planning, as well as the dispersion of global income, has contributed to changes in the Company’s effective tax rate over the periods presented. (See the income tax rate reconciliation included in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the significant items impacting the consolidated effective income tax rate.)

 

EQUITY IN LOSS OF AFFILIATED COMPANIES AND MINORITY INTERESTS

 

Changes in equity in loss of affiliated companies and minority interests reflect lower earnings in Latin America and India during 2004. The 2003 results improved $30 million versus 2002. The 2002 results were reduced by a $22 million after-tax impairment charge related to the Company’s minority investments in and advances to Wellmann, a German kitchen cabinet manufacturer. During 2003, the Company’s investment in the equity of Wellmann was sold to Alno, a prominent German kitchen cabinet manufacturer. The sale did not have a material impact to the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The 2002 results were also impacted by a $4 million charge incurred related to a minority interest in an Asian entity.

 

F-6


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

Earnings from continuing operations were $406 million in 2004 versus $414 million and $262 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Full year 2004 earnings were significantly impacted by increases in material and logistics costs, particularly in the second half of 2004. These higher costs were partially offset by productivity improvements, lower foreign currency losses on balance sheet positions, an effective tax rate reduction, lower financing costs, and reduced minority interest earnings. The significant increase in 2003 relates primarily to approximately $147 million of higher restructuring and related charges in 2002, the full year impact of acquisitions, strong volume growth, productivity improvements and absence of an equity investment write-off, partially offset by an increase in expense due to the decline of the U.S. dollar.

 

Millions of dollars, except per share data    2004

   2003

   2002

 

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 406    $ 414    $ 262  

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 5.90    $ 5.91    $ 3.78  

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 406    $ 414    $ (394 )

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share

   $ 5.90    $ 5.91    $ (5.68 )

 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

As a result of the United Airlines bankruptcy filing in December 2002, the Company wrote off its related investment in leveraged aircraft leases during the fourth quarter of 2002. The write-off resulted in a non-cash charge to discontinued operations of approximately $68 million, or $43 million after-tax. These leveraged lease assets were part of the Company’s previously discontinued finance company, Whirlpool Financial Corporation.

 

Although most of its assets have been divested, Whirlpool Financial Corporation remains a legal entity with assets consisting primarily of a leveraged lease portfolio. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the portfolio totaled $15 million and $42 million, respectively, net of related reserves. (See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.) The Company continues to monitor its arrangements with the lessees and the value of the underlying assets.

 

CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

 

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” on January 1, 2002. As a result of this adoption, the Company recorded a non-cash after-tax charge of $613 million in 2002.

 

(See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed description of this change in accounting principle.)

 

FORWARD-LOOKING PERSPECTIVE

 

During 2004, the Company incurred approximately $300 million of higher material and oil related costs. The Company expects higher material costs, primarily within North and Latin America, of $500 to $550 million during 2005, primarily due to higher prices for steel and resins. To address this challenging environment, the Company has implemented global price increases of approximately 5-to-10%, effective January 2005, in most key markets around the world. The Company has also initiated actions to drive record levels of controllable productivity, leverage its global operating platform, reduce non-product related spending and accelerate the rate of new product innovation to the market. The full effect of these cost increases will be reflected in the Company’s cost structure from the start of 2005, while benefits of both price increases and productivity improvements will build throughout the year.

 

F-7


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

North America and Europe, the Company’s two largest segments expect 2005 industry growth of approximately 2% and 1%, respectively. The Company’s efforts in these two regions during 2005 will be to execute previously announced price increases, drive record levels of controllable productivity, and expand its market share through leveraging its strong brand portfolio, expanding key market leadership and introducing continuous relevant branded innovations to the market.

 

Macro-economic conditions in Latin America are expected to remain positive during 2005 and the Company expects industry shipments to increase 4-to-5%. Price increases implemented throughout 2004, and additional increases enacted for 2005, are expected to offset significant material cost increases. Manufacturing and supply chain productivity is anticipated to contribute to improved operating profit margin performance and exports to the Company’s global operations are expected to increase.

 

Asia results will benefit from new product introductions, improved product mix and favorable comparisons to last year’s inventory trade reduction strategy in India. The Company will continue to expand its China procurement and technology base to support its global operations, expand domestic sales within China and India, and increase global exports of components and finished product.

 

In December 1996, Multibras and Empresa Brasileira de Compressores S.A. (“Embraco”), Brazilian subsidiaries, were granted additional export incentives in connection with the Brazilian government’s export incentive program (“Befiex”). These incentives allowed the use of credits as an offset against current Brazilian federal excise tax on domestic sales. The Company did not recognize any credits in 2004 and recognized credits of $5 million in 2003 and $42 million in 2002 as a reduction of current excise taxes payable and therefore, an increase in net sales. The Company’s remaining credits are approximately $316 million at December 31, 2004. The Company does not expect to recognize additional Befiex credits until the calculation of the credit, which is currently under review, is confirmed by the Brazilian courts.

 

CASH FLOWS

 

The statements of cash flows reflect the changes in cash and equivalents for the last three years by classifying transactions into three major categories: operating, investing and financing activities.

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

Whirlpool’s main source of cash flow is from operating activities consisting of net earnings adjusted for changes in operating assets and liabilities such as receivables, inventories and payables and for non-cash operating items, such as depreciation.

 

The Company’s 2004 cash provided by operating activities benefited from lower after-tax pension contributions of approximately $62 million and lower restructuring spending of approximately $56 million. Cash flow was negatively impacted by higher working capital requirements of about $70 million, driven largely by material cost increases and higher inventory levels to support higher volumes and increased trans-regional shipments. The Company’s 2003 cash provided by operating activities benefited from higher earnings, primarily within our European and North American business segments, as well as continued improvement in working capital management. Cash flow was negatively impacted by a voluntary after-tax pension contribution to the Company’s U.S. pension plans of $97 million. In comparison, after-tax U.S. pension contributions made during 2002 were $5 million. The 2003 results were also negatively impacted by restructuring spending, primarily related to 2002 projects, as well as the timing of promotional payments. Combined, these negative 2003 cash outflows were essentially offset by the absence of $239 million in product recall spending which occurred during 2002. Cash provided by operating activities was also negatively impacted in 2002 by a one-time tax payment of $86 million on a cross-currency interest rate swap gain, which occurred during 2001.

 

F-8


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

The principal recurring investing activities are capital expenditures, which were $511 million, $423 million and $430 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Capital expenditures are incurred to support distinctive and innovative solutions for consumers which lead to new revenue growth. Expenditures are also made to support the Company’s global operating platform footprint moves to lower cost locations as well as replacement, regulatory and infrastructure changes. Higher capital spending in 2004 reflects increased investment in product innovation and the Company’s global operating platform.

 

During 2004 and 2003, Whirlpool entered into separate sale-leaseback transactions whereby the Company sold and leased back its owned properties. Proceeds related to the sale-leaseback of six properties in 2004, net of related fees, were approximately $66 million. In 2003, proceeds related to the sale-leaseback of four properties, net of related fees, were approximately $65 million.

 

On November 18, 2002, the Company acquired the remaining 20% interest in Whirlpool Narcissus Shanghai Company Limited (“Narcissus”) for $9 million. Subsequent to the purchase, Narcissus was renamed Whirlpool Home Appliance (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. In accordance with the purchase agreement, 40% of the purchase price was paid during 2002, 40% was paid during 2003 and the remaining 20% was paid during 2004.

 

On July 3, 2002, Whirlpool acquired the remaining 51% ownership in Vitromatic S.A. de C.V. (“Whirlpool Mexico”), an appliance manufacturer and distributor in Mexico. The aggregate purchase price was $151 million in cash plus assumption of outstanding debt at the time of acquisition, which totaled $143 million.

 

On June 5, 2002, the Company acquired 95% of the shares of Polar S.A. (“Polar”), a leading major home appliance manufacturer in Poland. The aggregate purchase price was $27 million in cash plus outstanding debt at the time of acquisition, which totaled $19 million. During 2003, Whirlpool acquired the remaining 5% of the shares of Polar.

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

Total repayments of short-term and long-term debt, net of new borrowings, were $58 million, $208 million and $236 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

During March 2003, the Company redeemed its $200 million 9% Debentures using short-term notes payable.

 

Dividends paid to stockholders totaled $116 million, $94 million and $91 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002.

 

Under its stock repurchase program, Whirlpool purchased approximately 3.7 million shares ($251 million) in 2004, approximately 1 million shares ($65 million) in 2003 and 0.7 million shares ($46 million) in 2002. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail on the Company’s stock repurchase program.

 

The Company also redeemed $33 million and $25 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively, in preferred stock of its discontinued finance company, Whirlpool Financial Corporation. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail on the Whirlpool Financial Corporation preferred stock.

 

Whirlpool received proceeds of $64 million in 2004, $65 million in 2003 and $80 million in 2002 related to the exercise of Company stock options. The Company’s stock option program is discussed in Notes 1 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-9


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

 

The Company’s objective is to finance its business through the appropriate mix of long-term and short-term debt. By diversifying its maturity structure, the Company avoids concentrations of debt, reducing liquidity risk. Whirlpool has varying needs for short-term working capital financing as a result of the nature of its business. The volume and timing of refrigeration and air conditioning production impact the Company’s cash flows, with increased production in the first half of the year to meet increased demand in the summer months. The Company finances its working capital needs primarily through the commercial paper markets in the U.S., Europe and Canada. These commercial paper programs are supported by committed bank lines. In addition, outside the U.S., short-term funding is also provided by bank borrowings on uncommitted lines. The Company has access to long-term funding in the U.S., European and other public bond markets.

 

The Company’s financial position remains strong. At December 31, 2004, Whirlpool’s total assets were $8.2 billion versus $7.4 billion at December 31, 2003. Stockholders’ equity increased from $1.3 billion at the end of 2003 to $1.6 billion at the end of 2004. The increase in equity is primarily attributed to net earnings retention and a $174 million increase in equity through foreign currency translation adjustments offset by share repurchases of $251 million.

 

The Company’s overall debt levels have remained relatively unchanged versus 2003. Cash flows from operations have been used to repurchase stock, fund higher capital expenditures and pay increased dividends.

 

In May 2004, Whirlpool allowed its $400 million committed 364 day credit facility to expire. Simultaneously, the Company increased the size of its $800 million committed credit facility to $1.2 billion and extended its maturity from 2006 to 2009. This committed facility supports commercial paper programs and other operating needs. There were no borrowings under these facilities during 2004 or 2003. Whirlpool was in full compliance with its bank covenants throughout both 2004 and 2003. None of the Company’s material debt agreements requires accelerated repayment in the event of a decrease in credit ratings.

 

In 2004, the Company announced that it plans to invest approximately $180 million to strengthen Whirlpool’s brand leadership position in the global appliance industry. The Company plans to continue its comprehensive worldwide effort to optimize its regional manufacturing facilities, supply base, product platforms and technology resources to better support its global brands and customers. Approximately $100 million of the investment will fund initiatives at the Company’s manufacturing facilities in the United States and the remainder will be used to begin work on the expansion of the Company’s washer production facility in Monterrey, Mexico, and the construction of a new refrigeration facility in Ramos Arispe, Coahuilla, Mexico.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company has guarantee arrangements in place in a Brazilian subsidiary. As a standard business practice in Brazil, the subsidiary guarantees customer lines of credit at commercial banks, supporting purchases from the Company, following its normal credit policies. In the event that a customer were to default on its line of credit with the bank, the subsidiary would be required to satisfy the obligation with the bank, and the receivable would revert back to the subsidiary. As of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, these amounts totaled $184 million and $109 million, respectively. The only recourse the Company has related to these agreements would be legal or administrative collection efforts directed against the customer.

 

F-10


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND FORWARD-LOOKING CASH REQUIREMENTS

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s expected cash outflows resulting from financial contracts and commitments.

     Payments due by period

Millions of dollars    Total

   2005

   2006 &
2007


   2008 &
2009


   Thereafter

Debt obligations(1)

   $ 1,167    $ 7    $ 423    $ 129    $ 608

Operating lease obligations

     281      86      119      60      16

Purchase obligations

     176      34      88      44      10

Long-term liabilities(2)

     98      98      —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 1,722    $ 225    $ 630    $ 233    $ 634
    

  

  

  

  


(1)   The amounts in debt obligations do not include an estimate of future interest payments.
(2)   The amounts in long-term liabilities include the Company’s expected 2005 voluntary U.S. pension and foreign pension fund contributions, and expected benefit payments under the postretirement health care benefit plans. Required contributions for future years depend on certain factors that cannot be determined at this time.

 

The goal of the Company’s global operating platform is to strengthen Whirlpool’s brand leadership position in the global appliance industry. The Company plans to continue its comprehensive worldwide effort to optimize its regional manufacturing facilities, supply base, product platforms and technology resources to better support its global brands and customers. The Company intends to make additional investments to strengthen its competitiveness and brand leadership position in fiscal 2005. Capital spending is expected to be between $500 million and $550 million in 2005 in support of the Company’s investment in innovative product technologies and its global operating platform initiatives. The Company expects that higher cash flow from operations will more than offset increased capital spending.

 

During 2004, Whirlpool’s Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend from 34 cents per share to 43 cents per share. This increased the Company’s annual dividend payment by approximately $22 million to $116 million.

 

The Company believes that its capital resources and liquidity position at December 31, 2004, coupled with its planned cash flow generated from operations in 2005, are adequate to support higher capital spending, continued dividend payments and meet anticipated business needs to fund future growth opportunities. Currently, the Company has access to capital markets in the U.S. and internationally.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

On February 25, 2005, the Company announced the recall of approximately 162,000 under-the-counter plastic tall tub dishwashers due to a potential safety issue. There have been no reports of personal injury or property damage associated with these dishwashers. The Company also is undertaking the repair of up to an additional 223,000 of these dishwashers for a separate quality issue. The Company accrued $17.1 million related to the quality issue within cost of products sold during the fourth quarter of 2004. Two purported national class action lawsuits have been filed against the Company, one in a Missouri state court and one in an Illinois state court, each alleging breach of warranty, fraud, and violation of state consumer protection acts in selling these tall tub dishwashers. There are no allegations of any personal injury or property damage and the complaints seek unspecified compensatory damages. The Company believes these suits are without merit, intends to vigorously defend these actions, and at this point cannot reasonably estimate a possible range of loss, if any.

 

F-11


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

During 2001, the Company recognized a total of $295 million of pre-tax charges ($181 million after-tax) related to two separate product recalls. During 2002, Whirlpool recognized additional recall related pre-tax charges of approximately $9 million for one of these recalls. Additionally, in 2003, the Company recognized pre-tax charges of $16 million primarily for final expenses related to the 2001 recall of microwave oven hood units. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed description of these charges.

 

While lower discount rates increased Whirlpool’s pension obligations during 2004, improvement in equity market performance during the year increased the value of pension fund assets. Whirlpool also contributed approximately $49 million pre-tax ($31 million to funded plans) to its U.S. pension plans during 2004, of which $31 million was a voluntary contribution and $18 million was required. The Company also contributed $21 million to its foreign plans during 2004. At December 31, 2004, the Company’s defined benefit pension plans still remain underfunded on a combined basis.

 

The Company recognized consolidated pre-tax pension cost (credits) of $91 million, $78 million and $(37) million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company currently expects that U.S. pension cost for 2005 will be approximately $66 million based on a plan amendment, an expected rate of return on assets assumption of 8.75% and a lower discount rate of 5.80%. The $66 million compares to pension cost of $68 million in 2004. Consolidated pension cost in 2005 is anticipated to be approximately $91 million, relatively unchanged from 2004.

 

U.S. pension plans comprise 86% of the Company’s projected benefit obligation. The discount rate and expected return on asset assumptions used in determining the Company’s U.S. pension benefit obligations and costs are as follows:

 

     Discount rate

    Expected return on assets

 

Benefit obligation—December 31

            

2004

   5.80 %   N/A  

2003

   6.00 %   N/A  

Pension cost

            

2005

   5.80 %   8.75 %

2004

   6.00 %   8.75 %

2003

   6.75 %   8.75 %

 

The Company’s expected return on assets assumption of 8.75% was based on historical asset returns for publicly traded equity and fixed income securities tracked between 1926 and 2003 and the historical returns for private equity. The historical equity returns were adjusted downward to reflect future expectations. This adjustment was based on published academic research. The expected returns are weighted by the targeted asset allocations. The resulting weighted average return was rounded up to the nearest quarter of one percent. The Company uses a measurement date of December 31.

 

In January 2005, the Company amended the Whirlpool Employees Pension Plan. The effect of this amendment will be to reduce the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) by approximately $80 million. The accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) will not be affected by the amendment.

 

In addition, the Company sponsors plans to provide postretirement health care benefits for eligible retired U.S. employees. Eligible retirees are those who were full-time employees with 10 years of service who attained age 55 while in service with the Company. The postretirement health care plans are generally contributory with participants’ contributions adjusted annually and include cost-sharing provisions that limit the Company’s

 

F-12


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

exposure for recent and future retirees. The plans are unfunded. In June 2003, the Company announced a modification to its U.S. retiree health care plans that affects future retirees and is based on a Retiree Healthcare Savings Account (“RHSA”), where notional accounts will be established for most active U.S. paid employees. The notional account reflects each year of service beginning at age 40 and is designed to provide employees who retire after December 31, 2003 from Whirlpool with notional funds to apply towards health care premiums. In June 2003, the Company recorded a one-time curtailment gain of $13.5 million, net of tax, related to the modification of its retiree health care plan. The Company provides no significant postretirement medical benefits to non-U.S. employees.

 

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) was enacted. The Act established a prescription drug benefit program under Medicare, known as Part D, and a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Part D. At year-end 2003, the Company elected to defer recognition of the accounting effects of the Act, as permitted by FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 106-1. However, the requirement to remeasure its retiree medical plan caused the deferral to expire. The Company measured the effects of the Act following the guidance in FSP 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. The Company believes that benefits provided to certain participants will be at least actuarially equivalent to Part D and, accordingly, the Company will be entitled to a subsidy. The Company adopted FSP 106-2 retroactively to the beginning of 2004. Accordingly, the Company has reflected the estimated federal subsidy under the Act as an actuarial gain as required by FSP 106-2, which reduced the existing unrecognized net loss. These changes caused the accumulated other postretirement benefit obligation to decrease by $104 million, and reduced the cost recognized by approximately $15 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

During 2004, the Company’s independent auditor, Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”), disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors that certain non-audit work performed by an E&Y affiliate in China for a subsidiary of the Company has raised possible concerns regarding E&Y’s independence with respect to E&Y’s performance of audit services for the Company.

 

E&Y disclosed that from 1995 through June 2002, its affiliate in China held de minimus funds owned by a subsidiary of the Company and used these funds to make employment tax related payments to the applicable tax authority for several expatriate and foreign employees of the Company’s subsidiary. E&Y recently informed the Company that a Malaysian affiliate was also holding de minimus funds, transferred through a former Arthur Andersen affiliate acting as a court appointed liquidator. Maintaining custody of the assets of an audit client is not permitted under the auditor independence rules set forth in Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC. In addition, E&Y provided certain expatriate tax services in Italy from approximately 1997 through 1999. The Company made deposits to an E&Y account for payment of taxes, and that account has been inactive since 1999. The balance in the account was refunded to the Company in 2005. These actions in China, Malaysia and Italy are not permitted under the SEC rules and regulations. The activities were discontinued in China in 2002, the activities in Malaysia have been suspended pending appointment of a successor liquidator and the services in Italy were discontinued in 1999. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company met and considered the effect of all three matters on the independence of E&Y as external auditor for the Company. Both the Audit Committee and E&Y have considered the impact that the holding and paying of these funds may have had on E&Y’s independence with respect to the Company and each has independently concluded that there has been no impairment of E&Y’s independence. In making its determination, the Audit Committee considered the de minimus amounts involved, the ministerial nature of the activities, and the fact that the financial position or results of operations of the subsidiaries involved were not material to the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations.

 

F-13


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

In September 2003, the Company completed the sale of Wellmann to Alno, a prominent German kitchen cabinet manufacturer. Previously, the Company held a 49.5% ownership interest in Wellmann. The Company has a 13% interest in Alno. The sale did not have a material impact to the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company analyzed the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, with respect to its 13% interest in Alno and determined that Alno did not meet the definition of a variable interest entity under FIN 46.

 

The Company is currently a defendant in 11 purported class action lawsuits in 11 states related to its Calypso clothes washing machine. Two of the original purported class actions have been dismissed. The complaints in these lawsuits generally allege violations of state consumer fraud acts, unjust enrichment, and breach of warranty based on the allegations that the washing machines have various defects. There are no allegations of any personal injury, catastrophic property damage, or safety risk. The complaints generally seek unspecified compensatory, consequential, and punitive damages. The Company believes these suits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend these actions. At this point, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a possible range of loss, if any.

 

In early 2004, Maytag Corporation filed a claim against the Company for patent infringement. The claim also seeks unspecified damages and an injunction against the continued production or sale of the alleged infringed patented product. A trial date has been set for July 11, 2005. The Company believes this suit is without merit, intends to vigorously defend this suit and at this point cannot reasonably estimate a possible range of loss, if any.

 

In 1989, a Brazilian affiliate (now a subsidiary) of the Company brought an action against a financial institution in Brazil seeking a “Declaration of Non-Enforceability of Obligations” relating to loan documentation entered into without authority by a senior officer of the affiliate. The original amount in dispute was approximately $25 million. In September 2000, a decision in the declaratory action adverse to the Company became final. In 2001, the financial institution began a collection action, and the Company responded with a counterclaim. The lower court dismissed the counterclaim in 2002 and a discretionary appeal of this dismissal was requested in 2003, but no decision on this request has been made. A final decision in the collection action is not expected for several years. The Company plans to continue to aggressively defend this matter, and at this point cannot reasonably estimate a possible range of loss.

 

The Company is involved in various other legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management, after taking into consideration legal counsel’s evaluation of such actions, is of the opinion that the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

The Brazilian Constitution provides for a tax credit on raw materials used in production. The credit allows for both the seller and the purchaser of raw materials to be tax exempt or to have a zero tax rate on sales or purchases of finished product. Several court decisions supported the tax credit and, during 2003 and 2004, the Company calculated tax credits under this provision. The amount recorded as tax credits as of December 31, 2004 is approximately $22 million. The recorded tax credits are currently being challenged in Brazilian courts and at this point, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the potential impact, if any, to its consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.

 

On February 13, 2003 the European Union adopted the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (“WEEE”) directive. Among other provisions, the directive stipulates that “producers” will be responsible for the cost of collection, disposal and recycling of waste (“recycling schemes”) for many electrical and electronic products as of August 13, 2005. The directive required all European Union member states to introduce it into

 

F-14


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

national law by no later than August 2004. However, as of February 2005 many member states were still in the drafting stage and had not passed national legislation. As a consequence many of the details concerning responsibilities, costs of the recycling schemes and ability to recover through a visible fee to the end consumer are yet to be determined. The Company is, therefore, presently unable to estimate the potential cost of complying with the directive.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Management has evaluated the accounting policies used in the preparation of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes and believes those policies to be reasonable and appropriate. The Company’s accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of these accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. The Company’s critical accounting policies include the following:

 

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

Accounting for pensions and other postretirement benefits involves estimating the costs of future benefits and attributing the cost over the employee’s expected period of employment with the Company. The determination of the Company’s obligation and expense for these costs requires the use of certain assumptions. Those assumptions are included in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and include, among others, the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and health care cost trend rates. These assumptions are subject to change based on stock and bond market returns, interest rates on high quality bonds and medical cost inflation, respectively. As permitted by generally accepted accounting principles, actual results that differ from the Company’s assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and therefore, generally affect its recognized expense and accrued liability in such future periods. While the Company believes that its assumptions are appropriate given current economic conditions and its actual experience, significant differences in results or significant changes in the Company’s assumptions may materially affect its pension and other postretirement obligations and related future expense. As required by SFAS No. 87, SFAS No. 132 (revised 2003) and SFAS No. 106, Whirlpool’s pension and other postretirement benefit obligations as of December 31, 2004 and preliminary retirement benefit costs for the 2005 fiscal year were prepared using the assumptions that are determined as of December 31, 2004. The following table highlights the sensitivity of Whirlpool’s December 31, 2004 retirement obligations and 2005 retirement benefit costs of its U.S. plans to changes in the key assumptions used to determine those results:

 

Change in assumption


  Estimated
increase
(decrease) in
2005
pension cost


     Estimated increase
(decrease)
in Projected
Benefit Obligation
for the year ended
December 31, 2004


    Estimated
increase
(decrease)
in 2005
Other
Postretirement
Benefits cost


    Estimated increase
(decrease)
in Other
Postretirement
Benefit Obligation
for the year ended
December 31, 2004


 
Millions of dollars                         

0.25% increase in discount rate

  $ (4.7 )    $ (53.0 )   $ (1.0 )   $ (15.6 )
   


  


 


 


0.25% decrease in discount rate

  $ 4.7      $ 54.5     $ 1.0     $ 16.0  
   


  


 


 


0.25% increase in long-term return on assets

  $ (4.4 )      N/A       N/A       N/A  
   


  


 


 


0.25% decrease in long-term return on assets

  $ 4.4        N/A       N/A       N/A  
   


  


 


 


0.50% increase in discount rate

  $ (9.3 )    $ (104.7 )   $ (2.1 )   $ (30.8 )
   


  


 


 


0.50% decrease in discount rate

  $ 9.5      $ 110.6     $ 2.0     $ 32.5  
   


  


 


 


0.50% increase in long-term return on assets

  $ (8.8 )      N/A       N/A       N/A  
   


  


 


 


0.50% decrease in long-term return on assets

  $ 8.8        N/A       N/A       N/A  
   


  


 


 


 

F-15


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

The analysis is an estimate only. These sensitivities may not be appropriate to use for other years’ financial results. Furthermore, the impact of assumption changes outside of the ranges shown above may not be approximated by using the above results.

 

Income Taxes

 

As part of the process of preparing its Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company estimates its income taxes in each of the taxing jurisdictions in which its operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax expense together with assessing any temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of certain items, such as the timing for recognizing expenses, for tax and accounting purposes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” These differences may result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company is required to assess the likelihood that its deferred tax assets, which include net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences that are expected to be deductible in future years, will be recoverable. Realization of the Company’s net operating loss deferred tax assets is supported by specific tax strategies and consider planned projections of future profitability. If recovery is not likely, the Company provides a valuation allowance based on its estimates of future taxable income in the various taxing jurisdictions, and the amount of deferred taxes that are ultimately realizable. If future taxable income was lower than expected or if tax-planning strategies were not available as anticipated, the Company may record additional valuation allowances through income tax expense in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amounts, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination is made. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company had total deferred tax assets of $851 million and $703 million, net of valuation allowances of $94 million and $88 million, respectively (see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company’s effective tax rate has ranged from 33.9% to 46.2% over the past five years and has been influenced by audit settlements, tax planning strategies, enacted legislation, and dispersion of global income. A 1% change to the Company’s effective tax rate would have decreased earnings by approximately $6.2 million based on 2004 earnings. Future changes in the effective tax rate will be subject to several factors, including enacted laws, tax planning strategies, and business profitability.

 

In addition, the Company operates within multiple taxing jurisdictions and is subject to audit in these jurisdictions. These audits can involve complex issues, which may require an extended period of time to resolve. In the opinion of management, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for all years.

 

Product Recall

 

The establishment of a liability for product recall expenses is occasionally required and is impacted by several factors such as customer response rate, consumer options, field repair costs, inventory repair costs, extended warranty costs, communication structure and other miscellaneous costs such as legal, logistics and consulting. The customer response rate, which represents an estimate of the total number of units to be serviced as a percentage of the total number of units impacted by the recall, is the most significant factor in estimating the total cost of each recall. This rate is impacted by several factors, including the type of product, the year manufactured, age of the product sold and current and past experience factors. Significant differences between the Company’s assumptions and its actual experience or significant changes in its assumptions could have a material impact on the Company’s product recall reserves.

 

Befiex Credits

 

As discussed above, prior to 2004, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiaries had been recognizing benefits under the Brazilian government’s export incentive program (“Befiex”) as an offset against Brazilian federal excise tax on domestic sales. Since the initial granting of these credits in 1996, it has been the Company’s policy

 

F-16


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

to recognize these credits as they have been monetized. There have, however, been ongoing legal proceedings relating to this program and it is presently under review within the Brazilian court system. The Company has chosen not to recognize any of our remaining credits of approximately $316 million under the program until the Brazilian courts have confirmed the method used to calculate those remaining credits.

 

Warranty Obligations

 

The estimation of warranty obligations is determined in the same period that revenue from the sale of the related products is recognized. The warranty obligation is based on historical experience and reflects management’s best estimate of expected costs at the time products are sold. Warranty accruals are adjusted for known or anticipated warranty claims as new information becomes available. Future events and circumstances could materially change the Company’s estimates and require adjustments to the warranty obligation. New product launches require a greater use of judgment in developing estimates until historical experience becomes available. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of the activity in the Company’s product warranty accounts for 2004 and 2003.

 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) was signed into law on October 22, 2004. The Company is considering the implications of the Act on repatriation of foreign earnings, which reduces the Federal income tax rate on dividends from non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FSP 109-2 in December 2004 which requires the recording of tax expense if and when an entity decides to repatriate foreign earnings subject to the Act. As of December 31, 2004, management has not decided whether, and to what extent, the Company would repatriate foreign earnings under the Act, and accordingly, the financial statements do not reflect any provision for tax on undistributed foreign earnings which may be repatriated subject to the provisions of the Act. See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the potential impact of the Act on the financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R),Share-Based Payments”. SFAS No. 123(R) would require the Company to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value method and record such expense in its consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 123(R) is effective for periods beginning after June 15, 2005. SFAS No. 123(R) provides alternative methods of adoption which include prospective application and a modified retroactive application. The Company is currently evaluating the adoption alternatives and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.

 

MARKET RISK

 

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, domestic and foreign interest rates, and commodity prices, which can affect the Company’s operating results and overall financial condition. Whirlpool manages its exposure to these market risks through its operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments are viewed as risk management tools and are not used for speculation or for trading purposes. Derivative financial instruments are entered into with a diversified group of investment grade counterparties to reduce its exposure to nonperformance on such instruments. The Company’s sensitivity analysis reflects the effects of changes in market risk but does not factor in potential business risks of the counterparties or appropriate use of instruments.

 

Whirlpool uses foreign currency forward contracts, currency options and currency swaps to hedge the price risk associated with firmly committed and forecasted cross-border payments and receipts related to its ongoing

 

F-17


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

business and operational financing activities. Foreign currency contracts are sensitive to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2004, a 10% unfavorable exchange rate movement in each currency in the Company’s portfolio of foreign currency contracts would have resulted in an incremental unrealized loss of approximately $121 million, while a 10% favorable shift would have resulted in an incremental unrealized gain of approximately $112 million. Consistent with the use of these contracts to neutralize the effect of exchange rate fluctuations, such unrealized losses or gains would be offset by corresponding gains or losses, respectively, in the remeasurement of the underlying exposures.

 

The Company enters into commodity swap contracts to hedge the price risk associated with firmly committed and forecasted commodities purchases that are not fixed directly through supply contracts. As of December 31, 2004, a 10% unfavorable shift in commodity prices would have resulted in an incremental loss of approximately $2 million in the commodity swap contracts, while a 10% favorable shift would have resulted in an incremental gain of approximately $2 million.

 

Whirlpool utilizes interest rate swaps to hedge the Company’s interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2004, a 10% shift in interest rates would have resulted in an incremental $1 million gain or loss related to these contracts.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Management’s Discussion and Analysis and other sections of this report may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance.

 

Certain statements contained in this Financial Supplement, including those within the forward-looking perspective section within this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and other written and oral statements made from time to time by the Company do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. As such, they are considered “forward-looking statements” which provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “possible,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “forecast,” and similar words or expressions. The Company’s forward-looking statements generally relate to its growth strategies, financial results, product development, and sales efforts. These forward-looking statements should be considered with the understanding that such statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially.

 

Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) the cost of raw materials and components, especially steel and the impact of rising oil prices; (2) the financial impact of the Company’s announced price increases will be dependent upon such factors as the strength of the Company’s brands in the market place, the strength of consumer demand for the Company’s products, and other factors outside of the Company’s control such as the general economic conditions prevailing at the time the new pricing goes into effect; (3) rising worldwide transportation costs due to record oil prices, capacity constraints, and other factors; (4) the ability to gain or maintain market share in an intensely competitive global market; (5) the success of the Company’s global strategy to develop brand differentiation and brand loyalty; (6) the Company’s global operating platform initiatives; (7) the success of the Latin American business operating in challenging and volatile environments; (8) continuation of the Company’s strong relationship with Sears, Roebuck and Co. (anticipated to merge with Kmart Holdings to form Sears Holdings Corporation) in North America, which accounted for approximately 17% of consolidated net sales of $13 billion in 2004; (9) currency exchange rate fluctuations; (10) social, economic,

 

F-18


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)

 

and political volatility in developing markets; (11) continuing uncertainty in the North American, Latin American, Asian and European economies; (12) the effectiveness of the series of restructuring actions the Company has announced and/or completed through 2004; (13) U.S. interest rates; (14) new Asian competitors; (15) changes to the obligations as presented in the contractual obligations table; (16) changes in the funded position of the U.S. pension plans; (17) continued strength of the U.S. builder industry; and (18) the threat of terrorist activities or the impact of war.

 

The Company undertakes no obligation to update every forward-looking statement, and investors are advised to review disclosures in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. Therefore, investors should not consider the foregoing factors to be an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties, or factors that could potentially cause actual results to differ.

 

F-19


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended December 31

(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

 

     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Net sales

   $ 13,220     $ 12,176     $ 11,016  

Expenses

                        

Cost of products sold

     10,358       9,423       8,473  

Selling, general and administrative

     2,087       1,916       1,736  

Intangible amortization

     2       4       14  

Restructuring costs

     15       3       101  
    


 


 


Operating profit

     758       830       692  

Other income (expense)

                        

Interest and sundry income (expense)

     (14 )     (41 )     (54 )

Interest expense

     (128 )     (137 )     (143 )
    


 


 


Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and other items

     616       652       495  

Income taxes

     209       228       193  
    


 


 


Earnings from continuing operations before equity earnings and minority interests

     407       424       302  

Equity in loss of affiliated companies

     (1 )     —         (27 )

Minority interests

     —         (10 )     (13 )
    


 


 


Earnings from continuing operations

     406       414       262  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         (43 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax

     —         —         (613 )
    


 


 


Net earnings (loss)

   $ 406     $ 414     $ (394 )
    


 


 


Per share of common stock

                        

Basic earnings from continuing operations

   $ 6.02     $ 6.03     $ 3.86  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         (0.62 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax

     —         —         (9.03 )
    


 


 


Basic net earnings (loss)

   $ 6.02     $ 6.03     $ (5.79 )
    


 


 


Diluted earnings from continuing operations

   $ 5.90     $ 5.91     $ 3.78  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         (0.62 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax

     —         —         (8.84 )
    


 


 


Diluted net earnings (loss)

   $ 5.90     $ 5.91     $ (5.68 )
    


 


 


Dividends

   $ 1.72     $ 1.36     $ 1.36  

Weighted-average shares outstanding: (millions)

                        

Basic

     67.4       68.7       67.9  

Diluted

     68.9       70.1       69.3  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-20


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of dollars)

 

     December 31  
     2004

    2003

 

ASSETS

                

Current Assets

                

Cash and equivalents

   $ 243     $ 249  

Trade receivables, less allowances (2004: $107; 2003: $113)

     2,032       1,913  

Inventories

     1,701       1,340  

Prepaid expenses

     74       62  

Deferred income taxes

     189       129  

Other current assets

     275       172  
    


 


Total Current Assets

     4,514       3,865  
    


 


Other Assets

                

Investment in affiliated companies

     16       11  

Goodwill, net

     168       165  

Other intangibles, net

     108       85  

Deferred income taxes

     323       268  

Prepaid pension costs

     329       357  

Other assets

     140       154  
    


 


       1,084       1,040  

Property, Plant and Equipment

                

Land

     91       84  

Buildings

     1,073       1,004  

Machinery and equipment

     5,933       5,391  

Accumulated depreciation

     (4,514 )     (4,023 )
    


 


       2,583       2,456  
    


 


Total Assets

   $ 8,181     $ 7,361  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current Liabilities

                

Notes payable

   $ 244     $ 260  

Accounts payable

     2,297       1,944  

Employee compensation

     300       303  

Deferred income taxes

     57       48  

Accrued expenses

     811       701  

Restructuring costs

     13       45  

Income taxes

     110       95  

Other current liabilities

     146       174  

Current maturities of long-term debt

     7       19  
    


 


Total Current Liabilities

     3,985       3,589  
    


 


Other Liabilities

                

Deferred income taxes

     240       236  

Pension benefits

     367       298  

Postemployment benefits

     499       489  

Other liabilities

     256       251  

Long-term debt

     1,160       1,134  
    


 


       2,522       2,408  
    


 


Minority Interests

     68       63  

Stockholders’ Equity

                

Common stock, $1 par value:

     90       88  

Authorized—250 million shares

                

Issued—90 million shares (2004); 89 million shares (2003)

                

Outstanding—67 million shares (2004); 69 million shares (2003)

                

Paid-in capital

     737       659  

Retained earnings

     2,596       2,276  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (601 )     (757 )

Treasury stock—23 million shares (2004); 20 million shares (2003)

     (1,216 )     (965 )
    


 


Total Stockholders’ Equity

     1,606       1,301  
    


 


Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 8,181     $ 7,361  
    


 


 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-21


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year ended December 31

(Millions of dollars)

 

     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Operating Activities

                        

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 406     $ 414     $ (394 )

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

                        

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     —         —         613  

Equity in losses of affiliated companies, less dividends received

     1       —         27  

(Gain) loss on disposition of assets

     (7 )     6       5  

Loss on discontinued operations

     —         —         43  

Depreciation and amortization

     445       427       405  

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:

                        

Trade receivables

     (16 )     4       (67 )

Inventories

     (266 )     (127 )     101  

Accounts payable

     253       163       63  

Product recalls

     12       6       (239 )

Restructuring charges, net of cash paid

     (33 )     (89 )     33  

Taxes deferred and payable, net

     (18 )     55       157  

Tax paid on cross currency interest rate swap gain

     —         —         (86 )

Accrued pension

     6       (109 )     (37 )

Other—net

     11       (6 )     161  
    


 


 


Cash Provided By Operating Activities

   $ 794     $ 744     $ 785  
    


 


 


Investing Activities

                        

Capital expenditures

   $ (511 )   $ (423 )   $ (430 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     74       75       27  

Acquisitions of businesses, less cash acquired

     (2 )     (4 )     (179 )
    


 


 


Cash Used For Investing Activities

   $ (439 )   $ (352 )   $ (582 )
    


 


 


Financing Activities

                        

Net (repayments) proceeds of short-term borrowings

   $ (37 )   $ 7     $ (165 )

Proceeds of long-term debt

     —         6       6  

Repayments of long-term debt

     (21 )     (221 )     (77 )

Dividends paid

     (116 )     (94 )     (91 )

Purchase of treasury stock

     (251 )     (65 )     (46 )

Redemption of WFC preferred stock

     —         (33 )     (25 )

Common stock issued under stock plans

     64       65       80  

Other

     3       (10 )     (5 )
    


 


 


Cash Used For Financing Activities

   $ (358 )   $ (345 )   $ (323 )
    


 


 


Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Equivalents

   $ (3 )   $ 10     $ (4 )
    


 


 


(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Equivalents

   $ (6 )   $ 57     $ (124 )

Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Year

     249       192       316  
    


 


 


Cash and Equivalents at End of Year

   $ 243     $ 249     $ 192  
    


 


 


 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-22


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Year ended December 31

(Millions of dollars)

 

    Retained
Earnings


    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)


   

Treasury Stock/

Paid-in-Capital


    Common
Stock


  Total

 

Balances, December 31, 2001

  $ 2,470     $ (697 )   $ (401 )   $ 86   $ 1,458  

Comprehensive loss

                                     

Net loss

    (394 )     —         —         —       (394 )

Unrealized loss on derivative instruments

    —         (3 )     —         —       (3 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $100

    —         (151 )     —         —       (151 )

Foreign currency items, net of tax of $0

    —         (148 )     —         —       (148 )
                                 


Comprehensive loss

                                  (696 )
                                 


Common stock repurchased, net of reissuances

    —         —         (35 )     —       (35 )

Common stock issued

    —         —         102       1     103  

Dividends declared on common stock

    (91 )     —         —         —       (91 )
   


 


 


 

 


Balances, December 31, 2002

  $ 1,985     $ (999 )   $ (334 )   $ 87   $ 739  
   


 


 


 

 


Comprehensive income

                                     

Net earnings

    414       —         —         —       414  

Unrealized loss on derivative instruments

    —         (5 )     —         —       (5 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $75

    —         118       —         —       118  

Foreign currency items, net of tax of $5

    —         129       —         —       129  
                                 


Comprehensive income

                                  656  
                                 


Common stock repurchased, net of reissuances

    —         —         (49 )     —       (49 )

Common stock issued

    —         —         77       1     78  

Dividends declared on common stock

    (123 )     —         —         —       (123 )
   


 


 


 

 


Balances, December 31, 2003

  $ 2,276     $ (757 )   $ (306 )   $ 88   $ 1,301  
   


 


 


 

 


Comprehensive income

                                     

Net earnings

    406       —         —         —       406  

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments

    —         13       —         —       13  

Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $14

    —         (31 )     —         —       (31 )

Foreign currency items, net of tax of $14

    —         174       —         —       174  
                                 


Comprehensive income

                                  562  
                                 


Common stock repurchased, net of reissuances

    —         —         (251 )     —       (251 )

Common stock issued

    —         —         78       2     80  

Dividends declared on common stock

    (86 )     —         —         —       (86 )
   


 


 


 

 


Balances, December 31, 2004

  $ 2,596     $ (601 )   $ (479 )   $ 90   $ 1,606  
   


 


 


 

 


 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-23


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(1) SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Nature of Operations

 

Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances. The Company manufactures in 12 countries under nine major brand names and markets products to distributors and retailers in more than 170 countries.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries. Investments in affiliated companies consists of a 40% voting interest in an international company engaged in the sale of major home appliances and a 30% interest in an international company engaged in the sale of extended warranty contracts. Both companies are accounted for by the equity method. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

Management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Sales are recorded when title passes to the customer. The point at which title passes is determined by the shipping terms. For the majority of the Company’s sales, title is transferred to the customer as soon as the product is shipped. For a portion of the Company’s sales, primarily in Europe, title is transferred to the customer upon receipt at the customer’s location. Allowances for estimated returns are made on sales of certain products based on historical return rates for the products involved.

 

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company carries its accounts receivable at their face amounts less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes the allowance for doubtful accounts based on a combination of specific customer circumstances and credit conditions and based on a history of write-offs and collections. The Company’s policy is generally to not charge interest on trade receivables after the invoice becomes past due. A receivable is considered past due if payments have not been received within agreed upon invoice terms.

 

Freight and Warehousing Costs

 

Freight-out and warehousing costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations were $723 million, $576 million and $520 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Cash and Equivalents

 

All highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost, except U.S. production inventories, which are stated at last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost and Brazilian inventories, which are stated at average cost. Costs do not exceed realizable values.

 

F-24


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives for buildings range from 25 to 40 years and machinery and equipment range from 3 to 10 years. Assets recorded under capital leases are included in property, plant and equipment.

 

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Such costs were $315 million, $285 million and $259 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Advertising Costs

 

Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. Such costs were $221 million, $170 million and $176 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Contingent Tax Matters

 

The Company establishes liabilities for probable and estimable assessments by taxing authorities resulting from known tax exposures. Such amounts represent a reasonable provision for taxes ultimately expected to be paid, and may need to be adjusted over time as more information becomes known.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The functional currency for the Company’s international subsidiaries and affiliates is typically the local currency. Certain international subsidiaries utilize the U.S. dollar as the functional currency.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company recognizes all of its derivative instruments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended. Changes in the fair value of hedge assets or liabilities (i.e., gains or losses) are recognized depending upon the type of hedging relationship and whether a hedge has been designated. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Company must further designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a cash flow hedge, fair value hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

 

Cash flow hedges are hedges that use derivatives to offset the variability of expected future cash flows. The effective portion of the unrealized gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the hedged transaction in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in other income (expense) in current earnings during the period of change.

 

Fair value hedges are hedges that mitigate the risk of changes in the fair values of assets, liabilities and certain types of firm commitments. The gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated as a fair value hedge and the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item are recognized in the same line item associated with the hedged item in current earnings during the period of the change in fair values.

 

F-25


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Net investment hedge designation refers to the use of derivative contracts or cash instruments to hedge the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. For those derivatives that qualify as net investment hedges, the effective portion of any unrealized gain or loss is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income as part of the cumulative translation adjustment. Any ineffective portion of net investment hedges is recognized in other income (expense) in current earnings during the period of change.

 

For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the unrealized gain or loss is recognized in other income (expense) in current earnings during the period of change.

 

Stock-Based Employee Compensation

 

Stock option and incentive plans are accounted for under the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure” but has not adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended. Had the Company elected to adopt the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, pro forma net earnings (loss) and diluted net earnings (loss) per share would be as follows:

 

Year ended December 31 (Millions of dollars, except per share data)


   2004

   2003

   2002

 

Compensation cost included in earnings as reported (net of tax benefits)

   $ 9    $ 13    $ 12  

Pro-forma total fair value compensation cost (net of tax benefits)

   $ 17    $ 25    $ 25  

Net earnings (loss):

                      

As reported

   $ 406    $ 414    $ (394 )

Pro-forma

     398      402      (407 )

Basic net earnings (loss) per share:

                      

As reported

   $ 6.02    $ 6.03    $ (5.79 )

Pro-forma

     5.90      5.86      (5.99 )

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share:

                      

As reported

   $ 5.90    $ 5.91    $ (5.68 )

Pro-forma

     5.78      5.74      (5.87 )

 

Net Earnings Per Common Share

 

Diluted net earnings per share of common stock includes the dilutive effect of stock options and stock based compensation plans. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, a total of approximately 1,831,000 options, 1,803,000 options and 1,885,000 options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise prices would render them anti-dilutive.

 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were calculated as follows:

 

Millions of dollars and shares


   2004

   2003

   2002

 

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share—net earnings

   $ 406    $ 414    $ (394 )
    

  

  


Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share—weighted-average shares

     67.4      68.7      67.9  

Effect of dilutive securities—stock-based compensation

     1.5      1.4      1.4  
    

  

  


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

     68.9      70.1      69.3  

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year data to conform to the current year presentation which had no effect on net income reported for any period.

 

 

F-26


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(2) NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) was signed into law on October 22, 2004. The Company is considering the implications of the Act on repatriation of foreign earnings, which reduces the Federal income tax rate on dividends from non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 109-2 in December 2004 which requires the recording of tax expense if and when an entity decides to repatriate foreign earnings subject to the Act. As of December 31, 2004, management has not decided whether, and to what extent, the Company would repatriate foreign earnings under the Act, and accordingly, the financial statements do not reflect any provision for tax on undistributed foreign earnings which may be repatriated subject to the provisions of the Act. See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the potential impact of the Act on the financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payments.” SFAS No. 123(R) would require the Company to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value method and record such expense in its consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 123(R) is effective for periods beginning after June 15, 2005. SFAS No. 123(R) provides alternative methods of adoption which include prospective application and a modified retroactive application. The Company is currently evaluating the adoption alternatives and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.

 

(3) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

 

Goodwill

 

On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and recorded a non-cash after-tax charge of $613 million, or $8.84 per diluted share, as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. An additional impairment of $9 million, after-tax, was recognized as a charge to operations during the fourth quarter of 2002 relating to goodwill associated with an acquisition in Asia (see Note 4).

 

Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are no longer amortized and are subject to an annual impairment analysis, performed during the fourth quarter of each year. The Company determines the fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted cash flow approach. The Company has determined its reporting units are: North America, Europe, Multibras and Embraco (which combined are Latin America), and Asia. The Company performed the annual impairment tests and determined there to be no impairment of remaining goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2004:

 

Reporting Unit—Millions of dollars


   Beginning
of Year


   Other

   End
of Year


North America

   $ 161    $ 3    $ 164

Latin America

     4      —        4
    

  

  

Total

   $ 165    $ 3    $ 168
    

  

  

 

The $3 million increase in the carrying value of North America goodwill is related to the effects of currency translation for its Canadian subsidiary.

 

F-27


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

Other intangibles are comprised of the following:

 

December 31—Millions of dollars


   2004

   2003

Trademarks (indefinite-lived)

   $ 53    $ 51

Patents and non-compete agreements

     3      1

Pension related

     52      33
    

  

Total other intangible assets, net

   $ 108    $ 85
    

  

 

The balances include trademarks acquired as part of the Whirlpool Mexico and Polar acquisitions (see Note 4) and intangible assets related to minimum pension liabilities (see Note 16). Accumulated amortization totaled $3 million and $25 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003. During 2004, fully amortized intangible assets were removed from the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

(4) BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS / DISPOSITIONS

 

Whirlpool Mexico

 

On July 3, 2002, the Company acquired the remaining 51% ownership in Vitromatic S.A. de C.V. (“Whirlpool Mexico”), an appliance manufacturer and distributor in Mexico. Prior to that date, the Company’s 49% ownership in Whirlpool Mexico was accounted for as an equity investment. Whirlpool Mexico has been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements within the North American operating segment since the acquisition date. The aggregate purchase price was $151 million in cash plus outstanding debt at the time of acquisition, which totaled $143 million. The transaction generated goodwill of $89 million. The transaction also generated approximately $15 million in indefinite-lived intangible assets related to trademarks owned by Whirlpool Mexico.

 

The Whirlpool Mexico opening balance sheet is summarized (in millions) as follows:

 

ASSETS

            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

Current assets

           

Current liabilities

     

Trade receivables, net

  $ 130      

Accounts payable

  $ 112

Inventories

    60      

Notes payable

    132

Other current assets

    15              
   

 
     

Total Current Assets

    205      

Total Current Liabilities

    244
   

 
     

Other assets

           

Other liabilities

     

Property, plant and equipment

    245      

Other liabilities

    80
                 

Goodwill

    89      

Total Other Liabilities

    80
                 

Other intangibles

    15              
             

Total Stockholders’ Equity

    230
   

 
     

Total Assets

  $ 554       Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   $ 554
   

 
     

 

F-28


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Polar

 

On June 5, 2002, the Company acquired 95% of the shares of Polar S.A. (“Polar”), a leading major home appliance manufacturer in Poland. The results of Polar’s operations have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements within the European operating segment since that date. The aggregate purchase price was $27 million in cash plus outstanding debt at the time of acquisition, which totaled $19 million. The transaction also generated $17 million in indefinite-lived intangible assets related to trademarks owned by Polar. During 2003, Whirlpool acquired the remaining 5% of the shares of Polar.

 

Other

 

On September 30, 2003, the Company completed the sale of its interest in Wellmann to Alno, a prominent German kitchen cabinet manufacturer. Previously, the Company held a 49.5% ownership interest in Wellmann. The Company has a 13% interest in Alno. The sale did not have a material impact to the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company analyzed the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 46 with respect to its interest in Alno and determined that Alno did not meet the definition of a variable interest entity under FIN 46.

 

On November 18, 2002, the Company acquired the remaining 20% interest in Whirlpool Narcissus Shanghai Company Limited (“Narcissus”) for $9 million. Subsequent to the purchase, the Company was renamed Whirlpool Home Appliance (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (“Whirlpool Shanghai”). Whirlpool Shanghai is a home appliance manufacturing Company located in Shanghai, China. The transaction was largely necessitated by the exercise of a put option by the minority partner arising out of an amendment to the joint venture contract agreed to in February 1998. The purchase resulted in $9 million of goodwill which was subsequently written off as impaired goodwill under the requirements of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The entity is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

(5) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

In 1997, the Company discontinued its financing operations, Whirlpool Financial Corporation (“WFC”), and sold the majority of its assets. The remaining assets consist primarily of non-airline investments in a portfolio of leveraged leases which are recorded in other non-current assets in the balance sheets and totaled $15 million and $42 million, net of related reserves, at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. During 2004, a lessee elected to exercise its purchase option for an asset under lease, and the sale of the asset did not have a material impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations or Consolidated Balance Sheets as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company wrote off WFC’s investment in leveraged aircraft leases relating to United Airlines (“UAL”) as a result of UAL’s filing for bankruptcy protection. The write-off resulted in a non-cash charge of $68 million, or $43 million after-tax.

 

(6) INVENTORIES

 

December 31—Millions of dollars


   2004

    2003

 

Finished products

   $ 1,410     $ 1,118  

Work in process

     57       64  

Raw materials

     353       284  
    


 


       1,820       1,466  

Less excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost

     (119 )     (126 )
    


 


Total inventories

   $ 1,701     $ 1,340  
    


 


 

F-29


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

LIFO inventories represent approximately 23% and 31% of total inventories at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

(7) ASSET IMPAIRMENTS

 

During the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company determined a production line would no longer be utilized in its Mexican operations. Accordingly, an impairment analysis was performed, and the total non-discounted future cash flows of the equipment was less than its carrying value. As a result, the Company recorded a $5 million after-tax impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2003. The impairment charge is reflected in cost of products sold in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

The Company recorded a $22 million after-tax impairment charge in the second quarter of 2002 related to its minority investments in and advances to Wellmann. The Company acquired its initial investment in this entity with its purchase of the appliance operations of Philips Electronics N.V. in 1989. Continued deterioration in the marketplace led to overcapacity in the wood cabinet industry, which resulted in the business revising its estimated future cash flows. These circumstances prompted the Company to conduct an impairment review, resulting in the above charge, which is reflected in equity earnings (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 4 regarding the sale of the Company’s interest in Wellmann.

 

(8) FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

 

Notes Payable and Debt

 

At December 31, 2004, the Company had committed unsecured revolving lines of credit available from banks totaling $1.2 billion. In May 2004, Whirlpool allowed its $400 million committed 364 day credit facility to expire. Simultaneously, the Company increased the size of its $800 million committed credit facility to $1.2 billion and extended its maturity from 2006 to 2009. This committed facility supports commercial paper programs and other operating needs. The interest rate for borrowing under the credit agreements is generally based on the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread that reflects the Company’s debt rating. The credit agreements require that the Company maintain a maximum debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company was in compliance with its financial covenants. The credit agreements provide the Company with access to adequate and competitive funding under usual or unusual market conditions. During 2004, there were no borrowings outstanding under these credit agreements.

 

Notes payable consist of the following:

 

December 31—Millions of dollars


   2004

   2003

Payable to banks

   $ 244    $ 170

Commercial paper

     —        90
    

  

Total notes payable

   $ 244    $ 260
    

  

 

The fair value of the Company’s notes payable approximates the carrying amount due to the short maturity of these obligations. The weighted average interest rate on notes payable was 3.5% and 4.3% for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

F-30


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

December 31—Millions of dollars


   2004

   2003

Eurobonds (EUR 300 million)—5.875% due 2006

   $ 407    $ 374

Debentures—9.1% due 2008

     125      125

Notes—8.6% due 2010

     325      325

Debentures—7.75% due 2016

     243      243

Other (various interest rates with maturities through 2010)

     67      86
    

  

     $ 1,167    $ 1,153

Less current maturities

     7      19
    

  

Total long-term debt, net of current maturities

   $ 1,160    $ 1,134
    

  

 

Annual maturities of long-term debt in the next five years are $7 million, $414 million, $9 million, $127 million and $2 million.

 

The Company paid interest on short-term and long-term debt totaling $124 million, $137 million and $141 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

The fair value of long-term debt (including current maturities) was $1,315 million and $1,323 million as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and was estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Although most of its assets have been divested, WFC remains a legal entity with assets consisting primarily of leveraged leases (see Note 5). WFC also has 17,500 shares of Series B preferred stock outstanding as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 with a face value of $100 per share, an annual dividend of $6.55 per share and a mandatory redemption date of September 1, 2008. The preferred stock amounts are included within minority interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the carrying amounts approximate fair value.

 

The preferred stockholders are entitled to vote together on a share-for-share basis with WFC’s common stockholder, Whirlpool Corporation. Preferred stock dividends are payable quarterly. On September 1, 2003, WFC redeemed 331,800 shares of the Series B preferred stock at a price of $100 per share (at par). The redemption terms required the payment of any accrued unpaid dividends in addition to the applicable redemption premium, and accordingly, a total of $0.6 million was paid on September 1, 2003 related to dividends. The terms of the preferred stockholders agreement provides for a final payment on September 1, 2008 (the mandatory redemption date) equal to the number of Series B preferred stock outstanding multiplied by the face value of $100 per share.

 

The Company and WFC are parties to a support agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, if at the close of any quarter WFC’s net earnings available for fixed charges (as defined) for the preceding twelve months is less than a stipulated amount, the Company is required to make a cash payment to WFC equal to the insufficiency within 60 days of the end of the quarter. The Company was not required to make any payments under this agreement during 2004, 2003 or 2002. The support agreement may be terminated by either WFC or the Company upon 30 days notice provided that certain conditions are met. The Company has also agreed to maintain ownership of at least 70% of WFC’s voting stock.

 

F-31


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(9) GUARANTEES, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Guarantees

 

The Company has guarantee arrangements in place in a Brazilian subsidiary. As a standard business practice in Brazil, the subsidiary guarantees customer lines of credit at commercial banks, supporting purchases from the Company, following its normal credit policies. In the event that a customer were to default on its line of credit with the bank, the subsidiary would be required to satisfy the obligation with the bank, and the receivable would revert back to the subsidiary. As of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, these amounts totaled $184 million and $109 million, respectively. The only recourse the Company has related to these agreements would be legal or administrative collection efforts directed against the customer.

 

The Company provides guarantees of indebtedness and lines of credit for various consolidated subsidiaries. The maximum amount of credit facilities under guarantee for consolidated subsidiaries totaled $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion at December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. The Company’s total outstanding bank indebtedness, including credit facility amounts under guarantee, totaled $148 million and $117 million at December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

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

 

The following represents a reconciliation of the changes in product warranty reserves for the periods presented:

 

December 31—Millions of dollars


   2004

    2003

 

Balance at January 1

   $ 148     $ 128  

Warranties issued during the period

     270       262  

Settlements made during the period

     (258 )     (248 )

Other changes

     5       6  
    


 


Balance at December 31

   $ 165     $ 148  
    


 


Current portion

   $ 104     $ 95  

Non-current portion

     61       53  
    


 


Total

   $ 165     $ 148  
    


 


 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

Commitments

 

At December 31, 2004, the Company had noncancelable operating lease commitments totaling $281 million. The annual future minimum lease payments are detailed in the table below.

 

Millions of dollars


    

2005

   $ 86

2006

     72

2007

     47

2008

     38

2009

     22

Thereafter

     16
    

Total noncancelable operating lease commitments

   $ 281
    

 

F-32


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The Company’s rent expense was $100 million, $84 million and $72 million for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Contingencies

 

In early 2004, Maytag Corporation filed a claim against the Company for patent infringement. The claim also seeks unspecified damages and an injunction against the continued production or sale of the alleged infringed patented product. A trial date has been set for July 11, 2005. The Company believes this suit is without merit, intends to vigorously defend this suit and at this point cannot reasonably estimate a possible range of loss, if any.

 

In 1989, a Brazilian affiliate (now a subsidiary) of the Company brought an action against a financial institution in Brazil seeking a “Declaration of Non-Enforceability of Obligations” relating to loan documentation entered into without authority by a senior officer of the affiliate. The original amount in dispute was approximately $25 million. In September 2000, a decision in the declaratory action adverse to the Company became final. In 2001, the financial institution began a collection action, and the Company responded with a counterclaim. The lower court dismissed the counterclaim in 2002 and a discretionary appeal of this dismissal was requested in 2003, but no decision on this request has been made. A final decision in the collection action is not expected for several years. The Company plans to continue to aggressively defend this matter, and at this point cannot reasonably estimate a possible range of loss.

 

The Company is currently a defendant in 11 purported class action lawsuits in 11 states related to its Calypso clothes washing machine. Two of the original purported class actions have been dismissed. The complaints in these lawsuits generally allege violations of state consumer fraud acts, unjust enrichment, and breach of warranty based on the allegations that the washing machines have various defects. There are no allegations of any personal injury, catastrophic property damage, or safety risk. The complaints generally seek unspecified compensatory, consequential and punitive damages. The Company believes these suits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend these actions. At this point, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a possible range of loss, if any.

 

Two purported national class action lawsuits have been filed against the Company, one in a Missouri state court and one in an Illinois state court, each alleging breach of warranty, fraud, and violation of state consumer protection acts in selling tall tub dishwashers. There are no allegations of any personal injury or property damage and the complaint seeks unspecified compensatory damages. The Company believes these suits are without merit, intends to vigorously defend these actions, and at this point cannot reasonably estimate a possible range of loss, if any.

 

The Company is involved in various other legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management, after taking into consideration legal counsel’s evaluation of such actions, is of the opinion that the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

(10) HEDGES AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, domestic and foreign interest rates, and commodity prices. Fluctuations in these rates and prices can affect the Company’s operating results and financial condition. The Company manages its exposure to these market risks through its operating and financing activities and through the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

 

F-33


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Using derivative markets means assuming counterparty credit risk. Counterparty risk relates to the loss the Company could incur if a counterparty defaulted on a derivative contract. The Company deals only with investment-grade counterparties and monitors its overall credit risk and exposure to individual counterparties. The Company does not anticipate nonperformance by any counterparties. The amount of counterparty credit exposure is generally the unrealized gains on such derivative contracts. The Company does not require, nor does it post, collateral or security on such contracts.

 

The following summarizes the outstanding derivative contracts at December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the exposures to which they relate:

 

          Notional Amount in
Millions of dollars
         
Exposure    Derivative    2004    2003    Hedge Type    Term

Forecasted cross currency cash flows    Foreign exchange forwards/options    $ 1,035    $ 652    Cash flow or fair value hedge    Various, up to 28 months

Non-functional currency asset/liability    Foreign exchange forwards/options    $ 580    $ 683    Undesignated    Various, up to 12 months

Raw Material Purchases    Commodity swaps    $ 18    $ 17    Cash flow hedge    Various, up to 12 months

Floating Rate Debt

   Interest rate swaps    $ 100    $ 100    Cash flow hedge    2006

Fixed Rate Debt

   Interest rate swaps    $ 50    $ —      Fair value hedge    2008

 

Forecasted cross currency cash flows relate primarily to foreign currency denominated expenditures and intercompany financing agreements, royalty agreements and dividends. Non-functional currency asset and liability hedges are undesignated but relate primarily to short term payables and receivables and intercompany loans. Commodity swaps relate to raw material purchases (for example, copper and aluminum) used in the manufacturing process. Unrealized gains and losses on the above foreign currency exchange contracts and commodities swaps were not significant as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

The Company’s $100 million interest rate swap maturing in 2006 is designated and is effective as a hedge of future cash payments and is treated as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes. The fair value of this contract is a loss of $6 million as of December 31, 2004 and a loss of $10 million as of December 31, 2003.

 

The Company’s $50 million interest rate swaps maturing in 2008 are designated and are effective as a hedge of the fair value of the fixed rate debt and are treated as a fair value hedge for accounting purposes. The fair values of these contracts are a net gain of $1 million as of December 31, 2004.

 

The Company has designated a portion of its Euro-denominated fixed-rate debt as a hedge to protect the value of its net investments in its European subsidiaries. Translation adjustments related to this debt are not included in the Statement of Operations, but are shown in the cumulative translation adjustment account included in accumulated other comprehensive income. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company recognized $15 million of net losses included in cumulative translation adjustment related to this net investment hedge.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company’s gains and losses related to the ineffective portion of its hedging instruments were immaterial. The Company did not recognize any gains or losses during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 for cash flow hedges that were discontinued because the forecasted transaction was not probable to occur.

 

F-34


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The amount of unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments included in other comprehensive income at December 31, 2004 that will be reclassified into earnings during 2005 is not material.

 

(11) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

During 2004, the Company concluded the share repurchase program approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on March 1, 1999 ($250 million) and February 15, 2000 ($750 million). The Company repurchased 17.4 million shares at a cost of $1 billion, of which 0.7 million shares ($46 million) were purchased in 2002, 1.0 million shares ($65 million) were purchased in 2003 and 3.7 million shares ($250 million) were purchased in 2004. The 2004 shares were purchased in the open market at an average cost of $68.39 per share.

 

The 2003 shares were purchased from the Company’s U.S. pension plans at an average cost of $67.24 per share, which was based upon an average of the high and low market prices on the date of purchase. The 2002 shares were purchased from the Company’s U.S. pension plans at an average cost of $66.32 per share, which was based upon an average of the high and low market prices on the date of purchase.

 

On June 15, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $500 million. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company repurchased a small number of shares of Whirlpool common stock in the open market at an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1 million. These shares were purchased at an average cost of $59.97 per share. The share repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market as conditions warrant.

 

In addition to its common stock, the Company has 10 million authorized shares of preferred stock (par value $1 per share), none of which is outstanding.

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consists of:

 

Millions of dollars


   2004

    2003

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   $ (520 )   $ (694 )

Derivative financial instruments

     (12 )     (25 )

Minimum pension liability adjustments

     (69 )     (38 )
    


 


Total

   $ (601 )   $ (757 )
    


 


 

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

 

One Preferred Stock Purchase Right (“Rights”) is outstanding for each share of common stock. The Rights, which expire May 22, 2008, will become exercisable 10 days after a person or group (an “Acquiring Person”) has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common stock (the “Trigger Date”) or 10 business days after the commencement, or public disclosure of an intention to commence, a tender offer or exchange offer by a person that could result in beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common stock. Each Right entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of a Junior Participating Preferred Stock, Series B, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company at a price of $300 per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share subject to adjustment.

 

If a person becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights that are or were beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereafter be void), shall thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of such Right that number of shares of common stock (or other securities) having at the time of such transaction a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. If a person becomes an Acquiring Person and the Company is involved in a merger or other business

 

F-35


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

combination transaction where the Company is not the surviving corporation or where common stock is changed or exchanged or in a transaction or transactions in which 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right (other than such Acquiring Person) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction would have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. In addition, if an Acquiring Person, does not have beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the common stock, the Company’s Board of Directors has the option of exchanging all or part of the Rights for an equal number of shares of common stock in the manner described in the Rights Agreement.

 

Prior to the Trigger Date, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01 per Right, payable in cash, shares of common stock or any other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. Immediately upon action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the ability of holders to exercise the Rights will terminate and such holders will only be able to receive the redemption price.

 

Until such time as the Rights become exercisable, the Rights have no voting or dividend privileges and are attached to, and do not trade separately from, the common stock.

 

The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available at all times a sufficient number of shares of Preferred Stock (and following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, shares of common stock and/or other securities) to permit the exercise in full of all Rights from time to time outstanding.

 

(12) STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLANS

 

Stock option and incentive plans are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. Generally, no compensation expense is recognized for stock options with exercise prices equal to the market value of the underlying shares of stock at the date of grant. Stock options generally have 10-year terms, and vest and become fully exercisable over a two or three year period after date of grant. Compensation expense related to the Company’s stock based incentive plans is recognized ratably over each plan’s defined vesting period. Pre-tax expenses under the Company’s stock based incentive plans were $15 million, $21 million and $20 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002.

 

The Company’s stock option and incentive plans permit the grant of stock options and other stock awards covering up to 14.5 million shares to key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, of which 3.8 million shares are available for grant at December 31, 2004. Outstanding restricted and phantom shares totaled 1,249,759 with a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $61.55 per share at December 31, 2004 and 1,322,917 with a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $56.28 per share at December 31, 2003.

 

Under the Nonemployee Director Stock Ownership Plan, each nonemployee director is automatically granted 400 shares of common stock annually and is eligible for a stock option grant of 600 shares if the Company’s earnings meet a prescribed earnings formula. In addition, each nonemployee director is awarded annually deferred compensation in the form of 400 shares of phantom stock, which is converted into common stock on a one-for-one basis and paid when the director leaves the Board. This plan provides for the grant of up to 300,000 shares as either stock or stock options, of which 113,832 shares are available for grant at December 31, 2004. The stock options vest and become exercisable six months after date of grant. There were no significant expenses under this plan for 2004, 2003 or 2002.

 

The fair value of stock options used to compute pro forma net earnings and diluted net earnings per share disclosures, as presented in Note 1, is the estimated present value at grant date using the Black-Scholes option-

 

F-36


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

pricing model with the following assumptions for 2004, 2003 and 2002: expected volatility of 28.7%, 31.7% and 33.8%; dividend yield of 2.6%, 2.2% and 2.2%; risk-free interest rate of 3.6%, 3.2% and 2.7%, and a weighted-average expected option life of five years for all three years.

 

A summary of stock option information follows:

 

     2004

   2003

   2002

Thousands of shares, except per share data


   Number
of
Shares


    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


   Number
of
Shares


    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


   Number
of
Shares


    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


Outstanding at January 1

   5,892     $ 55.82    5,965     $ 55.63    6,066     $ 51.83

Granted

   666       72.91    1,315       50.06    1,466       67.07

Exercised

   (1,124 )     52.84    (1,251 )     48.60    (1,395 )     51.48

Canceled or expired

   (109 )     61.82    (137 )     58.37    (172 )     52.72
    

 

  

 

  

 

Outstanding at December 31

   5,325     $ 58.46    5,892     $ 55.82    5,965     $ 55.63
    

 

  

 

  

 

Exercisable at December 31

   4,237     $ 57.62    3,937     $ 55.78    3,639     $ 52.59
    

 

  

 

  

 

Fair value of options granted during the year

         $ 17.07          $ 12.67          $ 18.28
          

        

        

 

Of the outstanding options at December 31, 2004, 3.0 million options, of which 2.5 million are exercisable at a weighted-average price of $51.53, have exercise prices ranging from $38.38 to $55.81 and a weighted-average remaining life of 5.8 years. The remaining 2.3 million outstanding options, of which 1.7 million are exercisable at a weighted-average price of $66.82, have exercise prices ranging from $56.19 to $78.50 and a weighted-average remaining life of 7.1 years.

 

(13) RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES

 

Restructuring Charges

 

Under Whirlpool’s ongoing global operating platform initiatives, the Company implemented new restructuring initiatives during 2004 to strengthen Whirlpool’s brand leadership position in the global appliance industry. The Company plans to continue its comprehensive worldwide effort to optimize its regional manufacturing facilities, supply base, support functions, product platforms and technology resources to better support its global brands and customers. The Company incurred restructuring costs of $22 million related to 2004 initiatives and recognized a ($7) million credit resulting from final settlements of prior year restructuring initiatives. The net charges of $15 million are included in the restructuring costs line in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Approximately 300 employees were terminated as a result of this restructuring initiative during 2004.

 

Through December 31, 2003, the Company had approved all phases of a restructuring program that began in the fourth quarter of 2000 and resulted in cumulative pre-tax restructuring charges of $247 million, of which $3 million was recognized during 2003 and $101 million was recognized during 2002. These charges are included in the restructuring costs line in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The restructuring plan and related charges relate primarily to the closing of a refrigeration plant in the Company’s Latin American region, a parts packing facility and a cooking plant in the North American region, a plastic components facility in the Asian region, the relocation of several laundry manufacturing facilities in Europe and a restructuring of the Company’s microwave business in its European region. Employees terminated to date under the plan include both hourly and salaried employees, however, the majority are hourly personnel at the facilities listed above. For the initiatives announced through December 31, 2003, the Company expects to eliminate over 7,500 employees of which approximately 7,100 had left the Company through December 31, 2004.

 

F-37


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Other Related Charges

 

Through December 31, 2003, the Company had approved all phases of a restructuring program that began in the fourth quarter of 2000 and resulted in cumulative pre-tax restructuring related charges of $140 million, of which $7 million was recognized during 2004, $11 million was recognized during 2003 and $60 million was recognized in 2002. These charges have been recorded primarily within cost of products sold. The 2004 charges include net asset write-downs of $4 million as well as $3 million of various cash costs. The 2003 charges include net asset write-downs of $2 million as well as $9 million of various cash costs. The 2002 charges include $4 million and $1 million write-downs of buildings in the North American and Latin American regions, inventory write-offs of $1 million in Europe and $16 million of miscellaneous equipment in North America, Europe and Latin America as well as $38 million in cash costs incurred during the year for various restructuring related activities such as relocating employees and equipment and concurrent operating costs.

 

F-38


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Details of the restructuring liability balance and full year restructuring and related activity for 2004, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

 

Millions of dollars


  Beginning
Balance


  Charge
to Earnings


    Cash
Paid


    Non-cash

    Revision
of Estimate


    Translation

  Acquisitions

  Ending
Balance


2004

                                                       

Restructuring

                                                       

Termination costs

  $ 41   $ 16     $ (37 )   $ —       $ (7 )   $ —     $ —     $ 13

Non-employee exit costs

    4     6       (6 )     (4 )     —         —       —       —  

Related Charges

                                                       

Miscellaneous buildings

    —       4       —         (4 )     —         —       —       —  

Inventory

    —       —         —         —         —         —       —       —  

Miscellaneous equipment

    —       —         —         —         —         —       —       —  

Various cash costs

    —       3       (3 )     —         —         —       —       —  
   

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Total

  $ 45   $ 29     $ (46 )   $ (8 )   $ (7 )   $ —     $ —     $ 13
   

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

2003

                                                       

Restructuring

                                                       

Termination costs

  $ 116   $ 3     $ (89 )   $ —       $ —       $ 11   $ —     $ 41

Non-employee exit costs

    6     —         (5 )     —         —         3     —       4

Related Charges

                                                       

Miscellaneous buildings

    —       (1 )     —         1       —         —       —       —  

Inventory

    —       1       —         (1 )     —         —       —       —  

Miscellaneous equipment

    —       2       —         (2 )     —         —       —       —  

Various cash costs

    —       9       (9 )     —         —         —       —       —  
   

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Total

  $ 122   $ 14     $ (103 )   $ (2 )   $ —       $ 14   $ —     $ 45
   

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

2002

                                                       

Restructuring

                                                       

Termination costs

  $ 73   $ 92     $ (60 )   $ —       $ —       $ 4   $ 7   $ 116

Non-employee exit costs

    4     9       (7 )     —         —         —       —       6

Related Charges

                                                       

Miscellaneous buildings

    —       5       —         (5 )     —         —       —       —  

Inventory

    —       1       —         (1 )     —         —       —       —  

Miscellaneous equipment

    —       16       —         (16 )     —         —       —       —  

Various cash costs

    —       38       (38 )     —         —         —       —       —  
   

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Total

  $ 77   $ 161     $ (105 )   $ (22 )   $ —       $ 4   $ 7   $ 122
   

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

(14) PRODUCT RECALLS

 

On February 25, 2005, the Company announced the recall of approximately 162,000 under-the-counter plastic tall tub dishwashers due to a potential safety issue. There have been no reports of personal injury or property damage associated with these dishwashers. The Company also is undertaking the repair of up to an additional 223,000 of these dishwashers for a separate quality issue. The Company accrued $17.1 million related to the quality issue within cost of products sold during the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

In 2001, the Company announced a voluntary recall of 1.8 million microwave hood combination units sold under the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Sears Kenmore brands. The Company recognized product recall pre-tax charges of $221 million ($136 million after-tax) during 2001. During 2002, the Company incurred additional charges of approximately $9 million ($6 million after-tax) for costs related to this recall. During 2003, the Company incurred an additional $16 million ($10 million after-tax) primarily related to final expenses in connection with the 2001 recall. Approximately $6 million of accrued product recall costs is reflected in other current liabilities in the balance sheet at December 31, 2003.

 

In 2002, the Company announced a voluntary recall of approximately 1.4 million dehumidifier units sold under the Whirlpool, ComfortAire, and Sears Kenmore brands. The Company recognized a product recall pre-tax charge of $74 million ($45 million after-tax) during the fourth quarter of 2001.

 

F-39


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(15) INCOME TAXES

 

Income tax expense from continuing operations is as follows:

 

Year ended December 31—Millions of dollars


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Current:

                        

Federal

   $ 202     $ 36     $ 101  

State and local

     18       5       (6 )

Foreign

     73       76       109  
    


 


 


       293       117       204  

Deferred:

                        

Federal

     (119 )     88       47  

State and local

     (4 )     (1 )     3  

Foreign

     39       24       (61 )
    


 


 


       (84 )     111       (11 )
    


 


 


Total income tax expense

   $ 209     $ 228     $ 193  
    


 


 


 

Domestic and foreign earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and other items are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31—Millions of dollars


   2004

   2003

   2002

Domestic

   $ 402    $ 473    $ 485

Foreign

     214      179      10
    

  

  

Total earnings from continuing operations before taxes and other items

   $ 616    $ 652    $ 495
    

  

  

 

Reconciliations between tax expense at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and the consolidated effective income tax rate for earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and other items are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31—Millions of dollars


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Income tax expense computed at U.S. federal statutory rate

   $ 217     $ 229     $ 173  

State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit

     16       3       3  

Tax effect of permanent differences

     4       12       12  

Foreign tax rate differential

     8       5       7  

Foreign dividends and subpart F income

     3       20       7  

Foreign tax credits

     (53 )     (41 )     (19 )

Foreign withholding taxes

     10       22       13  

Foreign government tax incentive

     (2 )     (4 )     (15 )

Expired foreign loss carryforwards

     —         12       —    

Deductible interest on capital

     (7 )     2       (8 )

U.S. government tax incentives

     (5 )     (3 )     (3 )

Valuation allowances

     6       (14 )     36  

Other items, including the impact of audit settlements, net

     12       (15 )     (13 )
    


 


 


Income tax expense

   $ 209     $ 228     $ 193  
    


 


 


 

F-40


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities used for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:

 

December 31—Millions of dollars


   2004

    2003

 

Deferred tax liabilities

                

Property, plant and equipment

   $ 224     $ 214  

Financial services leveraged leases

     61       43  

Pensions

     159       131  

Software costs

     7       17  

Contingent liabilities

     —         25  

LIFO Inventory

     18       23  

Other

     167       137  
    


 


Total deferred tax liabilities

     636       590  

Deferred tax assets

                

Postretirement obligations

     261       200  

Restructuring costs

     1       7  

Product warranty accrual

     22       23  

Receivable and inventory allowances

     68       58  

Loss carryforwards

     267       289  

Employee payroll and benefits

     76       61  

Foreign tax credit carryforwards

     54       15  

Other

     196       138  
    


 


Total deferred tax assets

     945       791  

Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets

     (94 )     (88 )
    


 


Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances

     851       703  
    


 


Net deferred tax assets

   $ 215     $ 113  
    


 


 

The Company has recorded valuation allowances to reflect the estimated amount of net operating loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards that may not be realized. At December 31, 2004, the Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $845 million, $698 million of which do not expire with substantially all of the remaining $147 million expiring in various years through 2014. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had $54 million of foreign tax credit carryforwards available to offset future payments of federal income taxes, expiring in varying amounts between 2011 and 2014.

 

The valuation allowance of $94 million at December 31, 2004 is made up of $65 million of foreign net operating loss carryforwards and $29 million other deferred tax assets that the Company currently believes are more likely than not to remain unrealized in the future.

 

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) was signed into law on October 22, 2004. The Company is considering the implications of the Act on repatriation of foreign earnings, which reduces the Federal income tax rate on dividends from non-U.S. subsidiaries. The repatriation provision is elective and is applicable to Whirlpool Corporation on foreign profit distributions received during calendar years 2004 and 2005. As of December 31, 2004, management has not decided whether, and to what extent, the Company would repatriate foreign earnings under the Act, and accordingly, the financial statements do not reflect any provision for tax on undistributed foreign earnings which may be repatriated subject to the provisions of the Act. As of December 31, 2004, Whirlpool Corporation could receive distributions in the range of $0 to $500 million under

 

F-41


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

the repatriation provision. The related income tax effect from such repatriation is dependent upon a number of factors that are being analyzed, including the issuance of additional guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department. Accordingly, the income tax effect of such distributions cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The Company will continue to analyze the effect of this provision and expects to complete this analysis before the end of 2005.

 

The Company has historically reinvested all of the unremitted earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and affiliates. As a result, the Company has not provided for U.S. deferred taxes on approximately $1.048 billion of cumulative unremitted earnings at December 31, 2004. Should the Company make a distribution from the unremitted earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and affiliates, it would be required to record additional U.S. deferred taxes. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of the deferred tax liability associated with these unremitted earnings.

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company was in various stages of audits by various governmental tax authorities. Whirlpool believes that adequate accruals have been provided for all years but recognizes the possibility of adjustments to recorded accruals or where no accrual has been established.

 

The Company paid income taxes of $277 million in 2004, $261 million in 2003 and $126 million in 2002.

 

(16) PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT MEDICAL BENEFITS PLANS

 

The Company has both funded and unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of its North American employees and certain European and Brazilian employees. The salaried employees receive defined benefits based on years of service and final average salary, while hourly employees receive benefits based on specific dollar amounts for each year of service.

 

The U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plans provide that in the event of a plan termination within five years following a change in control of the Company, any assets held by the plans in excess of the amounts needed to fund accrued benefits would be used to provide additional benefits to plan participants. A change in control generally means either a change in the majority of the incumbent Board of Directors or an acquisition of 25% or more of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding stock, without the approval of a majority of the incumbent board.

 

The Company also has a postretirement health care benefit program for eligible retired U.S. employees. Eligible retirees are those who were full-time employees with 10 years of service who attained age 55 while in service with the Company. The health care plans are generally contributory with participants’ contributions adjusted annually. The postretirement health care plans include cost-sharing provisions that limit the Company’s exposure for recent and future retirees. The plans are unfunded. The Company has reserved the right to modify the benefits. In June 2003, the Company announced a modification to its U.S. retiree health care plans that affects future retirees, and is based on a Retiree Healthcare Savings Account (“RHSA”), where notional accounts will be established for eligible active U.S. paid employees. The notional account reflects each year of service beginning at age 40 and is designed to provide employees who retire from the Company after December 31, 2003 with notional funds to apply towards health care premiums. In June 2003, the Company recorded a one-time gain of $13.5 million, net of tax, related to the modification of its retiree health care plan. No significant postretirement medical benefits are provided by the Company to non-U.S. employees.

 

The Company was required to remeasure the net periodic cost and funded status of one of its pension plans and the Whirlpool Corporation Retiree Medical Plan at February 29, 2004. The interest rate used for this remeasurement was 6%, the same as at year-end 2003.

 

F-42


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) was enacted. The Act established a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, known as Part D, and a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Part D. At year-end 2003, the Company elected to defer recognition of the accounting effects of the Act, as permitted by FSP 106-1. However, the requirement to remeasure its Retiree Medical Plan caused the deferral to expire. The Company measured the effects of the Act following the guidance in FSP 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003”. The Company believes that benefits provided to certain participants will be at least actuarially equivalent to Part D and, accordingly, the Company will be entitled to a subsidy. The Company adopted FSP 106-2 retroactively to the beginning of 2004. Accordingly, the Company has reflected the estimated federal subsidy under the Act as an actuarial gain as required by FSP 106-2 which reduced the existing unrecognized net loss. These changes caused the accumulated other postretirement benefit obligation to decrease by $104 million, and reduced the cost recognized by approximately $15 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Lump sum retirement distributions were made from the Company’s nonqualified pension plans in the third and fourth quarters of 2004 resulting in the recognition of settlement charges of $9.5 million. As a result of these settlements, the Company remeasured the nonqualified pension plans at July 1, 2004 using a discount rate of 6.25% and at December 31, 2004, using a discount rate of 5.85%.

 

The Company maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering substantially all U.S. employees. Company matching contributions for domestic hourly and certain other employees under the plan, based on the Company’s annual operating results and the level of individual participants’ contributions, amounted to $12 million, $15 million and $16 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for the majority of its pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

 

Obligations and Funded Status

 

December 31—Millions of dollars

   U.S. Pension

    Foreign Pension

    Other Benefits

 
   2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Fair value of plan assets

   $ 1,672     $ 1,550     $ 112     $ 99     $ —       $ —    

Benefit obligations

     1,985       1,771       331       206       676       741  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Funded status (plan assets less than benefit obligations)

     (313 )     (221 )     (219 )     (107 )     (676 )     (741 )

Amounts not recognized:

                                                

Unrecognized transition obligation

     —         —         —         —         1       —    

Unrecognized net loss

     479       412       35       20       237       297  

Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)

     140       134       7       6       (61 )     (45 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Prepaid (accrued) cost

   $ 306     $ 325     $ (177 )   $ (81 )   $ (499 )   $ (489 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


     U.S. Pension

    Foreign Pension

    Other Benefits

 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Prepaid benefit cost

   $ 329     $ 357     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Accrued benefit cost

     (163 )     (110 )     (204 )     (103 )     (499 )     (489 )

Intangible asset

     48       27       4       6       —         —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     92       51       23       16       —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Prepaid (accrued) cost

   $ 306     $ 325     $ (177 )   $ (81 )   $ (499 )   $ (489 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

F-43


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for all U.S. defined benefit pension plans was $1,772 million and $1,611 million at December 31, 2004, and 2003, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation for all foreign pension plans was $303 million and $196 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

At the end of 2004 and 2003, the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”), accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”), and fair value of plan assets (“FV”) for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, and pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, were as follows:

 

December 31—Millions of dollars

End of Year

  

PBO Exceeds FV

U.S. Pension


   PBO Exceeds FV
Foreign Pension


  

ABO Exceeds FV

U.S. Pension


  

ABO Exceeds FV

Foreign Pension


   2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

PBO

   $ 1,985    $ 1,517    $ 331    $ 185    $ 536    $ 237    $ 330    $ 151

ABO

     1,772      1,356      303      170      524      225      302      142

FV

     1,672      1,292      112      69      422      115      110      41

 

Change in Benefit Obligation—Millions of dollars    U.S. Pension
Benefits


    Foreign
Pension


    Other Benefits

 
   2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Benefit obligation as of January 1

   $ 1,771     $ 1,503     $ 206     $ 172     $ 741     $ 655  

Service cost

     88       66       12       5       12       13  

Interest cost

     110       101       16       12       37       42  

Plan amendments

     25       21       1       1       (22 )     (25 )

Participant contributions

     —         —         —         —         6       —    

Actuarial (gain)/loss

     88       169       10       4       (48 )     92  

Curtailments

     —         —         —         —         —         (3 )

Special termination benefits

     —         3       —         (2 )     —         —    

Benefits paid

     (97 )     (92 )     (22 )     (9 )     (50 )     (44 )

New plans

     —         —         86       —         —         —    

Foreign currency exchange rate

     —         —         23       23       —         1  

Settlements

     —         —         (1 )     —         —         —    

Other

     —         —         —         —         —         10  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Benefit obligation as of December 31

   $ 1,985     $ 1,771     $ 331     $ 206     $ 676     $ 741  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Change in Plan Assets—Millions of dollars    U.S. Pension
Benefits


    Foreign
Pension


    Other Benefits

 
   2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Fair value of plan assets as of January 1

   $ 1,550     $ 1,190     $ 99     $ 81     $ —       $ —    

Actual return on plan assets

     170       285       5       9       —         —    

Company contributions

     31       167       21       6       44       44  

Plan participant contributions

     —         —         1       1       6       —    

Settlements

     18       —         (1 )     —         —         —    

Benefits paid

     (97 )     (92 )     (22 )     (9 )     (50 )     (44 )

New plans

     —         —         1       —         —         —    

Foreign currency exchange rates

     —         —         8       11       —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Fair value of plan assets as of December 31

   $ 1,672     $ 1,550     $ 112     $ 99     $ —       $ —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

F-44


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost—Millions of
dollars
   U.S. Pension Benefits

    Foreign Pension

    Other Benefits

 
   2004

    2003

    2002

    2004

    2003

    2002

    2004

    2003

    2002

 

Service cost

   $ 88     $ 66     $ 56     $ 12     $ 5     $ 6     $ 12     $ 13     $ 14  

Interest cost

     110       101       95       16       12       11       37       42       41  

Expected return on plan assets

     (160 )     (125 )     (175 )     (7 )     (7 )     (7 )     —         —         —    

Amortization of transition obligation (asset)

     —         —         (1 )     1       1       2       —         —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost

     19       16       14       —         —         —         (6 )     (4 )     (4 )

Amortization of net (gain) loss

     1       5       (22 )     1       1       (1 )     11       11       5  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net periodic cost

   $ 58     $ 63     $ (33 )   $ 23     $ 12     $ 11     $ 54     $ 62     $ 56  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Curtailments

     —         —         —         —         —         (10 )     —         (23 )     —    

Special termination benefits

     —         3       —         —         —         (2 )     —         —         —    

Settlements

     10       —         —         —         —         (3 )     —         (1 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total pension cost (credit)

   $ 68     $ 66     $ (33 )   $ 23     $ 12     $ (4 )   $ 54     $ 38     $ 56  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Additional Information

 

Weighted-average assumptions
used to determine benefit
obligations at December 31            


   U.S. Pension

  Foreign Pension

   Other Benefits

 
   2004

  2003

  2004

   2003

   2004

    2003

 

Discount Rate

   5.80%   6.00%   4.5%–11.3%    4.0%–11.3%      5.50 %     6.00 %

Rate of compensation increase

   4.50%   4.50%   2.5%–  7.1%    2.5%–  7.1%    N/A     N/A  

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

   N/A   N/A   N/A    N/A    10.00 %   11.00 %

Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to

   N/A   N/A   N/A    N/A      5.00 %     5.00 %

Year that ultimate rate is reached

   N/A   N/A   N/A    N/A    2008     2008  

 

Weighted-average assumptions
used to determine net cost for
year ended December 31            


   U.S. Pension

  Foreign Pension

   2004

  2003

  2002

  2004

   2003

   2002

Discount Rate

   6.00%   6.75%     7.50%   5.0%–11.3  %    5.5%–11.3%    5.5%–11.3%

Expected return on plan assets

   8.75%   8.75%   10.00%   5.0%–11.3  %    5.5%–11.3%    5.5%–11.3%

Rate of compensation increase

   4.50%   4.50%     5.00%   2.5%–  8.15%    2.5%–  8.0%    2.5%–  8.0%

Health care cost trend rate
assumed for next year

   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A    N/A    N/A

Rate that the cost trend rate
gradually declines to

   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A    N/A    N/A

Year that the ultimate rate is
reached

   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A    N/A    N/A

 

Weighted-average assumptions used
to determine net cost for year ended December 31


   Other Benefits

   2004

  2003

  2002

Discount Rate

     6.00%   6.75% at 1/1/2003
5.75% at 6/1/2003
6.50% at 8/1/2003
  7.50%

Expected return on plan assets

   N/A   N/A   N/A

Rate of compensation increase

   N/A   N/A   N/A

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

   11.00%   9.50%/10.50%   8.50%/ 10.50%

Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to

     5.00%   5.50%   6.00%

Year that the ultimate rate is reached

   2008   2007   2007

 

F-45


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

In the U.S., the expected rate of return on plan assets was determined by using the historical asset returns for publicly traded equity and fixed income securities tracked from 1926 through 2003 and the historical returns for private equity. The historical equity returns were adjusted downward to reflect future expectations. This adjustment was based on published academic research. The expected returns are weighted by the targeted asset allocations. The resulting weighted average return was rounded up to the nearest quarter of one percent.

 

For foreign pension plans, the expected rate of return on plan assets was determined by observing historical returns in the local fixed income and equity markets and computing the weighted average returns with the weights being the asset allocation of each plan.

 

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

Millions of dollars


  

One
Percentage

Point
Increase


  

One
Percentage

Point
Decrease


 

Effect on total of service and interest cost

   $ 3    $ (3 )

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

     38      (39 )

 

Plan Assets

 

The Company’s investment philosophy is to diversify the pension assets subject to a specified asset allocation policy. The Company rebalances the asset classes to stay within an acceptable range around the targeted allocation. The asset allocation is based on the belief that, over the long term, equities will outperform fixed income investments. The long-term nature of the pension fund allows it to bear the added variability of return in exchange for the greater long-term expected return. The assets are invested in both indexed funds and actively managed funds, depending on the asset class.

 

Whirlpool’s pension plan asset allocation at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and target allocation for 2005, by asset category are as follows:

 

     U.S. Pension

    Foreign Pension

 
    

Target
Allocation

2005


    Percentage of
Plan Assets
at December 31


   

Target
Allocation

2005


    Percentage of
Plan Assets
at December 31


 

Asset Category


     2004

    2003

      2004

    2003

 

Equity securities

   70 %   70 %   72 %   42 %   43 %   43 %

Debt securities

   30     30     28     57     55     52  

Other

   —       —       —       1     2     5  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Total

   100 %   100 %   100 %   100 %   100 %   100 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows

 

The Company’s funding policy is to contribute to its U.S. pension plans amounts sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirement as defined by employee benefit and tax laws, plus additional amounts which the Company may determine to be appropriate. In certain countries other than the U.S., the funding of pension plans is not common practice. The Company has several unfunded non-U.S. pension plans. The Company pays for retiree medical benefits as they are incurred.

 

Employer Contributions—Millions of dollars


   U.S. Pension

   Foreign Pension

   Other Benefits

2005 (expected)

   $ 30    $ 13    $ 55

 

F-46


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The $30 million expected to be contributed to the U.S. pension plans during 2005 represents the sum of $2 million of expected benefit payments from corporate cash for the unfunded pension plans and $28 million of expected voluntary contributions to its funded pension plans. The Company expects no minimum required contributions to its funded pension plans in 2005.

 

The $55 million expected to be contributed to fund the other postretirement benefit plans during 2005 represents expected benefit payments from corporate cash.

 

Contributions by participants to the other postretirement benefit plans were $6 million and $4 million for the years ending December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

The payments from the majority of U.S. pensions plans and certain foreign pension plans come from a trust which the Company funds from time to time. The following table summarizes expected employer benefit payments from the respective pension and other benefits plans.

 

Employer Benefit Payments—Millions of dollars


   U.S. Pension

   Foreign Pension

   Other
Benefits
(Gross)


   Other
Benefits –
Part D
Subsidy


2005

   $ 92    $ 16    $ 60    $ —  

2006

     98      16      66      5

2007

     106      18      71      6

2008

     115      22      76      6

2009

     123      23      79      7

2010 – 2014

     738      166      464      41

 

Changes Subsequent to the Measurement Date

 

In January 2005, the Company amended the Whirlpool Employees Pension Plan. The effect of this amendment, which is not included in the amounts disclosed above, will be to reduce the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) by approximately $80 million. The accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) will not be affected by the amendment.

 

(17) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

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

 

The Company identifies such segments based upon geographical regions of operations because each operating segment manufactures home appliances and related components, but serves strategically different markets. The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance based upon each segment’s operating income, which is defined as income before interest income and sundry, interest expense, taxes, minority interests and before one-time charges. Total assets by segment are those assets directly associated with the respective operating activities. The “Other/Elimination” column primarily includes corporate expenses, assets and eliminations as well as all other one-time charges. Intersegment sales are eliminated within each region with the exception of compressor sales out of Latin America which are included in Other/Eliminations.

 

Sales activity with Sears, Roebuck and Co., a North American major home appliance retailer, represented 17%, 18% and 21% of consolidated net sales in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Related receivables were 19%, 22% and 23% of consolidated trade receivables as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

F-47


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The Company conducts business in two countries that individually comprised over 10% of consolidated net sales and/or total assets within the last three years. The United States represented 56%, 57% and 59%, of net sales for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, while Brazil totaled 6%, 6% and 8% for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. As a percentage of total assets, the United States accounted for 39%, 41% and 40% at the end of 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Brazil accounted for 12%, 11% and 11% of total assets at the end of 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

As described above, the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews each operating segment’s performance based upon operating income excluding one-time charges. In 2004 and 2003, these one-time charges consisted of primarily restructuring and other related charges. These charges are included in operating profit on a consolidated basis and included in the Other/Eliminations column in the tables below. For 2004 year-to-date amounts, the operating segments recorded total restructuring and related charges (See Note 13) as follows: North America—$8 million, Europe—$8 million, Latin America—$6 million, Asia—$0 million and Corporate—$0 million, for a total of $22 million. For 2003 year-to-date amounts, the operating segments recorded total restructuring and related charges (See Note 13) as follows: North America—$7 million, Europe—$6 million, Latin America—$0 million, Asia—$1 million and Corporate—$0 million, for a total of $14 million. In 2002, the operating segments recorded total restructuring and related charges as follows: North America—$43 million, Europe—$79 million, Latin America—$24 million, Asia—$11 million and Corporate—$4 million, for a total of $161 million. Also included in Other/Eliminations during 2002 is $9 million of product recall related charges associated with the 2001 microwave hood combination product recall, which was excluded from the segment performance by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (See Note 14) and $9 million in goodwill impairment charges (See Note 4).

 

     GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENTS

Millions of dollars


   North
America


   Europe

   Latin
America


   Asia

    Other/
Eliminations


    Total
Whirlpool


Net sales

                                           

2004

   $ 8,254    $ 3,062    $ 1,674    $ 382     $ (152 )   $ 13,220

2003

   $ 7,875    $ 2,691    $ 1,350    $ 416     $ (156 )   $ 12,176

2002

   $ 7,306    $ 2,199    $ 1,266    $ 391     $ (146 )   $ 11,016

Intersegment sales

                                           

2004

   $ 46    $ 458    $ 148    $ 163     $ (815 )   $ —  

2003

   $ 46    $ 359    $ 153    $ 126     $ (684 )   $ —  

2002

   $ 62    $ 171    $ 137    $ 56     $ (426 )   $ —  

Depreciation and amortization

                                           

2004

   $ 214    $ 104    $ 95    $ 16     $ 16     $ 445

2003

   $ 217    $ 92    $ 83    $ 15     $ 20     $ 427

2002

   $ 197    $ 83    $ 80    $ 16     $ 29     $ 405

Operating profit (loss)

                                           

2004

   $ 778    $ 166    $ 65    $ (25 )   $ (226 )   $ 758

2003

   $ 810    $ 124    $ 89    $ 7     $ (200 )   $ 830

2002

   $ 830    $ 81    $ 107    $ 14     $ (340 )   $ 692

Total assets

                                           

2004

   $ 3,465    $ 2,976    $ 1,737    $ 534     $ (531 )   $ 8,181

2003

   $ 3,290    $ 2,405    $ 1,395    $ 523     $ (252 )   $ 7,361

2002

   $ 2,913    $ 2,015    $ 1,054    $ 516     $ 133     $ 6,631

Capital expenditures

                                           

2004

   $ 261    $ 129    $ 91    $ 18     $ 12     $ 511

2003

   $ 185    $ 111    $ 96    $ 16     $ 15     $ 423

2002

   $ 165    $ 103    $ 112    $ 15     $ 35     $ 430

 

F-48


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(18) QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

     Three Months Ended

Millions of dollars, except per share data


   Dec. 31

   Sept. 30

   Jun. 30

   Mar. 31

2004:

                           

Net sales

   $ 3,632    $ 3,318    $ 3,264    $ 3,007

Cost of products sold

     2,895      2,604      2,539      2,320

Net earnings

     97      101      106      101

Per share of common stock:

                           

Basic net earnings

   $ 1.46    $ 1.53    $ 1.56    $ 1.47

Diluted net earnings

   $ 1.44    $ 1.50    $ 1.53    $ 1.43

Dividends

   $ 0.43    $ 0.43    $ 0.43    $ 0.43
     Three Months Ended

Millions of dollars, except per share data


   Dec. 31

   Sept. 30

   Jun. 30

   Mar. 31

2003:

                           

Net sales

   $ 3,359    $ 3,113    $ 2,988    $ 2,716

Cost of products sold

     2,579      2,418      2,332      2,094

Net earnings

     124      105      94      91

Per share of common stock:

                           

Basic net earnings

   $ 1.82    $ 1.51    $ 1.37    $ 1.33

Diluted net earnings

   $ 1.76    $ 1.48    $ 1.35    $ 1.32

Dividends

   $ 0.34    $ 0.34    $ 0.34    $ 0.34

 

F-49


ELEVEN-YEAR CONSOLIDATED STATISTICAL REVIEW

 

Millions of dollars except share and employee data


                  
Consolidated Operations    2004

    2003

    2002

 

Net sales

   $ 13,220     $ 12,176     $ 11,016  

Operating profit(1)

   $ 758     $ 830     $ 692  

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income
taxes and other items

   $ 616     $ 652     $ 495  

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 406     $ 414     $ 262  

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations(2)

   $ —       $ —       $ (43 )

Net earnings (loss)(3)

   $ 406     $ 414     $ (394 )

Net capital expenditures

   $ 511     $ 423     $ 430  

Depreciation

   $ 443     $ 423     $ 391  

Dividends

   $ 116     $ 94     $ 91  

Consolidated Financial Position

                        

Current assets

   $ 4,514     $ 3,865     $ 3,327  

Current liabilities

   $ 3,985     $ 3,589     $ 3,505  

Working capital

   $ 529     $ 276     $ (178 )

Property, plant and equipment—net

   $ 2,583     $ 2,456     $ 2,338  

Total assets

   $ 8,181     $ 7,361     $ 6,631  

Long-term debt

   $ 1,160     $ 1,134     $ 1,092  

Stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,606     $ 1,301     $ 739  

Per Share Data

                        

Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 6.02     $ 6.03     $ 3.86  

Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 5.90     $ 5.91     $ 3.78  

Diluted net earnings (loss)(3)

   $ 5.90     $ 5.91     $ (5.68 )

Dividends

   $ 1.72     $ 1.36     $ 1.36  

Book value

   $ 23.31     $ 18.56     $ 10.67  

Closing Stock Price—NYSE

   $ 69.21     $ 72.65     $ 52.22  

Key Ratios(4)

                        

Operating profit margin

     5.7 %     6.8 %     6.3 %

Pre-tax margin(5)

     4.7 %     5.4 %     4.5 %

Net margin(6)

     3.1 %     3.4 %     2.4 %

Return on average stockholders’ equity(7)

     30.3 %     42.9 %     (26.5 )%

Return on average total assets(8)

     5.2 %     5.9 %     (5.8 )%

Current assets to current liabilities

     1.1 x     1.1 x     0.9 x

Total debt-appliance business as a percent of invested capital(9)

     45.7 %     50.9 %     65.1 %

Price earnings ratio

     11.7 x     12.3 x     (9.2 )x

Interest coverage(10)

     5.8 x     5.7 x     (0.4 )x

Other Data

                        

Number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):

                        

Average—on a diluted basis

     68,902       70,082       69,267  

Year-end

     66,604       68,931       68,226  

Number of stockholders (year-end)

     7,826       8,178       8,556  

Number of employees (year-end)

     68,125       68,407       68,272  

Total return to shareholders (five year annualized)(11)

     3.7 %     8.1 %     1.4 %

(1)   Restructuring and special operating charges were $22 million in 2004, $14 million in 2003, $161 million in 2002, $212 million in 2001, $405 million in 1997, $30 million in 1996, and $250 million in 1994.
(2)   The company’s financial services business was discontinued in 1997.
(3)   Includes cumulative effect of accounting changes: 2002—Accounting for goodwill under SFAS No. 141 and 142 and impairments of $(613) million or $(8.84) per diluted share; 2001—Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities of $8 million or $0.12 per diluted share; 1993—Accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions of $(180) million or $(2.42) per diluted share.
(4)   Key ratios include charges for restructuring and related charges, as well as other non-recurring items, which increased (decreased) operating profit, earnings before tax and net earnings in the following years: 2002—Accounting for goodwill under SFAS No. 141 and 142 and impairments of $0, $0, and $(613) million, restructuring and related charges $(161) million, $(161) million and $(121) million, discontinued operations and accounting changes of $(19) million, $(19) million and $(57) million, and a minority investment write-off in a European business of $0, $0 and $(22) million; 2001—Restructuring and related charges of $(212) million, $(212) million and $(156) million, product recalls of $(295) million, $(295) million and $(181) million, and discontinued operations and accounting changes of $0, $0 and $(13) million; 1999—Brazil devaluation of $0, $(158) million and $(60) million; 1998—Gain from discontinued operations of $0, $0 and $15 million; 1997—Restructuring and related charges of $(396) million, $(401) million and $(252) million.
(5)   Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and other items, as a percent of sales.
(6)   Earnings from continuing operations, as a percent of sales.

 

F-50


 

 

                                                 
2001

    2000

    1999

    1998

    1997

    1996

    1995

    1994

   
$ 10,343     $ 10,325     $ 10,511     $ 10,323     $ 8,617     $ 8,523     $ 8,163     $ 7,949      
$ 306     $ 807     $ 875     $ 688     $ 11     $ 278     $ 366     $ 370      
$ 93     $ 577     $ 514     $ 564     $ (171 )   $ 100     $ 214     $ 269      
$ 34     $ 367     $ 347     $ 310     $ (46 )   $ 141     $ 195     $ 147      
$ (21 )   $ —       $ —       $ 15     $ 31     $ 15     $ 14     $ 11      
$ 21     $ 367     $ 347     $ 325     $ (15 )   $ 156     $ 209     $ 158      
$ 378     $ 375     $ 437     $ 542     $ 378     $ 336     $ 483     $ 418      
$ 368     $ 371     $ 386     $ 399     $ 322     $ 318     $ 282     $ 246      
$ 113     $ 70     $ 103     $ 102     $ 102     $ 101     $ 100     $ 90      
                                                                 
$ 3,311     $ 3,237     $ 3,177     $ 3,882     $ 4,281     $ 3,812     $ 3,541     $ 3,078      
$ 3,102     $ 3,303     $ 2,892     $ 3,267     $ 3,676     $ 4,022     $ 3,829     $ 2,988      
$ 209     $ (66 )   $ 285     $ 615     $ 605     $ (210 )   $ (288 )   $ 90      
$ 2,052     $ 2,134     $ 2,178     $ 2,418     $ 2,375     $ 1,798     $ 1,779     $ 1,440      
$ 6,967     $ 6,902     $ 6,826     $ 7,935     $ 8,270     $ 8,015     $ 7,800     $ 6,655      
$ 1,295     $ 795     $ 714     $ 1,087     $ 1,074     $ 955     $ 983     $ 885      
$ 1,458     $ 1,684     $ 1,867     $ 2,001     $ 1,771     $ 1,926     $ 1,877     $ 1,723      
                                                                 
$ 0.51     $ 5.24     $ 4.61     $ 4.09     $ (0.62 )   $ 1.90     $ 2.64     $ 1.98      
$ 0.50     $ 5.20     $ 4.56     $ 4.06     $ (0.62 )   $ 1.88     $ 2.60     $ 1.95      
$ 0.31     $ 5.20     $ 4.56     $ 4.25     $ (0.20 )   $ 2.08     $ 2.78     $ 2.10      
$ 1.36     $ 1.36     $ 1.36     $ 1.36     $ 1.36     $ 1.36     $ 1.36     $ 1.22      
$ 21.44     $ 23.84     $ 24.55     $ 26.16     $ 23.71     $ 25.93     $ 25.40     $ 23.21      
$ 73.33     $ 47.69     $ 65.06     $ 55.38     $ 55.00     $ 46.63     $ 53.25     $ 50.25      
                                                                 
  3.0 %     7.8 %     8.3 %     6.7 %     0.1 %     3.3 %     4.5 %     4.7 %    
  0.9 %     5.6 %     4.9 %     5.5 %     (2.0 )%     1.2 %     2.6 %     3.4 %    
  0.3 %     3.6 %     3.3 %     3.0 %     (0.5 )%     1.7 %     2.4 %     1.8 %    
  1.3 %     20.7 %     17.9 %     17.2 %     (0.8 )%     8.2 %     11.6 %     9.5 %    
  0.3 %     5.4 %     4.7 %     4.0 %     (0.2 )%     2.0 %     2.9 %     2.5 %    
  1.1 x     1.0 x     1.1 x     1.2 x     1.2 x     0.9 x     0.9 x     1.0 x    
  48.0 %     49.4 %     37.7 %     43.5 %     46.1 %     44.2 %     45.2 %     35.6 %    
  236.5 x     9.2 x     14.3 x     13.0 x     —         22.4 x     19.2 x     23.9 x    
  1.4 x     4.1 x     4.3 x     3.1 x     0.9x       2.5 x     3.4 x     4.2 x    
                                                                 
                                                                 
  68,036       70,637       76,044       76,507       74,697       77,178       76,812       77,588      
  67,215       66,265       74,463       76,089       75,262       74,415       74,081       73,845      
  8,840       11,780       12,531       13,584       10,171       11,033       11,686       11,821      
  61,923       62,527       62,706       59,885       62,419       49,254       46,546       39,671      
  12.2 %     0.3 %     7.9 %     (1.2 )%     6.8 %     6.3 %     20.8 %     12.0 %    

(7)   Net earnings (loss), divided by average stockholders’ equity. Average stockholders’ equity is computed on a 13-month average beginning in 2001.
(8)   Net earnings (loss), divided by average total assets.
(9)   Debt divided by debt, stockholders’ equity and minority interests.
(10)   Ratio of earnings before interest and income tax expense to interest expense.
(11)   Stock appreciation plus reinvested dividends.

 

F-51


Report by Management on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The management of Whirlpool Corporation has prepared the accompanying financial statements. The financial statements have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, based upon their audits, expresses the opinion that these financial statements present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Whirlpool and its subsidiaries in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Their audits are conducted in conformity with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

 

The financial statements were prepared from the Company’s accounting records, books and accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect all material transactions. The Company maintains a system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Company’s books and records, and the Company’s assets are maintained and accounted for, in accordance with management’s authorizations. The Company’s accounting records, policies and internal controls are regularly reviewed by an internal audit staff.

 

The audit committee of the Board of Directors of the Company is composed of six independent directors who, in the opinion of the board, meet the relevant financial experience, literacy, and expertise requirements. The audit committee provides independent and objective oversight of the Company’s accounting functions and internal controls and monitors (1) the objectivity of the Company’s financial statements, (2) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, and (4) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm. In performing these functions, the committee has the responsibility to review and discuss the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements and related reports with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, including the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” to monitor the adequacy of financial disclosure. The Committee also has the responsibility to retain and terminate the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and exercise the committee’s sole authority to review and approve all audit engagement fees and terms and preapprove the nature, extent, and cost of all non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

/s/    ROY W. TEMPLIN

Roy W. Templin

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

March 4, 2005

 

F-52


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The management of Whirlpool Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Whirlpool’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

 

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

 

The management of Whirlpool assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004.

 

Whirlpool Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on our assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page F-55.

 

/s/    JEFF M. FETTIG       /s/    ROY W. TEMPLIN

Jeff M. Fettig

     

Roy W. Templin

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

     

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

March 4, 2005

     

March 4, 2005

 

F-53


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Stockholders and Board of Directors

Whirlpool Corporation

Benton Harbor, Michigan

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Whirlpool Corporation as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Whirlpool Corporation at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

As described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2002, the Company changed its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets to conform with FASB Statement No. 142.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Whirlpool Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 4, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois

March 4, 2005

 

F-54


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Stockholders and Board of Directors

Whirlpool Corporation

Benton Harbor, Michigan

 

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Whirlpool Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Whirlpool Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, management’s assessment that Whirlpool Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, Whirlpool Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Whirlpool Corporation as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 and our report dated March 4, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois

March 4, 2005

 

F-55


SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002

(Millions of dollars)

 

COL. A


  COL. B

  COL. C

  COL. D

  COL. E

        ADDITIONS

       

Description


  Balance at
Beginning
of Period


  (1)
Charged
to Costs
and
Expenses


  (2)
Charged
to Other
Accounts
/ Other


 

Deductions—

Describe


 

Balance
at End

of Period


Year Ended December 31, 2004:

                             

Allowances for doubtful accounts—trade receivables

  $ 113   $ 17   $ —     $ 23—A   $ 107
   

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003:

                             

Allowances for doubtful accounts—trade receivables

  $ 94   $ 34   $ —     $ 15—A   $ 113
   

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2002:

                             

Allowances for doubtful accounts—trade receivables

  $ 93   $ 27   $ —     $ 26—A   $ 94
   

 

 

 

 


Note A—The amounts represent accounts charged off, less recoveries of $0 million in 2004, $1 million in 2003, and $1 million in 2002, translation adjustments and transfers.

 

F-56


ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

ITEMS 15(a)(3) and 15(c)

EXHIBIT INDEX

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

 

The following exhibits are submitted herewith or incorporated herein by reference in response to Items 15(a)(3) and 15(c). Each exhibit that is considered a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(a)(3) of Form 10-K is identified by a “(Z).”

 

Number and Description of Exhibit

3(i)   

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(i) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993] [File No. 1-3932]*

3(ii)   

Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company as amended August 17, 1999. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(ii) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999] [File No. 1-3932]*

4(i)   

The registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, the instruments defining the rights of holders of each issue of long-term debt of the registrant and its subsidiaries.*

4(ii)   

Rights Agreement, dated April 21, 1998, between Whirlpool Corporation and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, with exhibits. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Form 8-K, dated April 22, 1998] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(a)   

Amended and Restated Long-Term Credit Agreement dated as of May 28, 2004 among Whirlpool Corporation, Whirlpool Europe B.V., Whirlpool Finance B.V., Certain Financial Institutions and Citibank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and Fronting Agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Syndication Agent, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., ING Bank N.V. and The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, as Documentation Agents, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(b)   

Whirlpool Corporation Nonemployee Director Stock Ownership Plan (as amended February 16, 1999, effective April 20, 1999).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit A to the Company’s proxy statement for the 1999 annual meeting of stockholders] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(c)   

Whirlpool Corporation Charitable Award Contribution and Additional Life Insurance Plan for Directors (effective April 20, 1993).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(p) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(d)   

Whirlpool Corporation Nonemployee Director Treasury Stock Ownership Plan (effective October 16, 2001).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(d) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on November 20, 2001] [File No. 333-73726]*

10(iii)(e)   

Nonemployee director compensation arrangement (effective January 1, 2005) (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Item 1.01(i) – Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement, of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2004] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(f)   

Whirlpool Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (as amended effective January 1, 1992 and April 20, 1993).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993] [File No. 1-3932]*

 

E-1


Number and Description of Exhibit

10(iii)(g)   

Whirlpool Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan II for Non-Employee Directors (effective January 1, 2005).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Item 1.01(ii) – Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement, of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2004] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(h)   

Whirlpool Corporation 1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (as amended June 20, 1995).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(r) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(i)   

Whirlpool Corporation 1996 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (as amended, effective February 16, 1999).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(r) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(j)   

Whirlpool Corporation 1998 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (as amended, effective February 16, 1999).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(s) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(k)   

Whirlpool Corporation 2000 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (effective January 1, 2000).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit A to the Company’s proxy statement for the 2000 annual meeting of stockholders] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(l)   

Whirlpool Corporation 2002 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (effective January 1, 2002).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit A to the Company’s proxy statement for the 2002 annual meeting of stockholders] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(m)   

Administrative Guidelines for the Whirlpool Corporation Restricted Stock Value Program (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(i) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993] [File 1-3932]*

10(iii)(n)   

Administrative Guidelines for the Whirlpool Corporation Executive Stock Appreciation and Performance Program (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(j) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(o)   

Form of agreement for the Whirlpool Corporation Career Stock Grant Program (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(q) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(p)   

Form of Stock Option Grant Document for the Whirlpool Corporation Stock Option Program (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans)(Rev. 02/17/04).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Item 9.01(i) – Financial Statements and Exhibits, of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2005] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(q)   

Administrative Guidelines for the Whirlpool Corporation Special Retention Program (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(w) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(r)   

Form of Whirlpool Corporation Strategic Excellence Program award grant document (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans)(Rev. 02/17/04)(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Item 9.01(ii) – Financial Statements and Exhibits, of the Company’s Form 8-K Filed on January 25, 2005] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(s)   

Form of Agreement providing for severance benefits for certain executive officers.(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Item 5 – Other Events to the Company’s Form 8-K dated April 26, 2000] [File No. 1-3932]*

 

E-2


Number and Description of Exhibit

10(iii)(t)   

Whirlpool Performance Excellence Plan (as amended January 1, 1992, January 1, 1994, January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2004).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit A to the Company’s proxy statement for the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(u)   

Whirlpool Corporation Executive Deferred Savings Plan (as amended effective January 1, 1992).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(n) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(v)   

Whirlpool Corporation Executive Officer Bonus Plan (effective as of January 1, 1994).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(o) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(w)   

Whirlpool Corporation Key Employee Treasury Stock Ownership Plan (effective October 16, 2001).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(u) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(x)   

Employment Agreement with Paulo F.M.O. Periquito.(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Part II Other Information, Item 6 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1998] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(y)   

Summary of retirement agreement with David R. Whitwam as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the registrant on June 30, 2004. [Incorporated by Reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(z)   

Whirlpool Retirement Benefits Restoration Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2002).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002] [File No. 1-3932]*

10(iii)(aa)   

Whirlpool Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (as amended and restated effective December 31, 1993).(Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(c) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993] [File No. 1-3932]*

11   

Computation of Earnings Per Share*

12   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges*

21   

List of Subsidiaries*

23.1   

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm**

24   

Power of Attorney*

31(a)   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**

31(b)   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**

32   

Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**


*   Filed with originally filed Form 10-K.

 

**   Filed herewith.

 

E-3