Avon Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Results

OREANDA-NEWS. Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) today reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 results. "Our operating performance for the fourth quarter and fiscal year was in-line with our most recent outlook.  Looking back at 2015, our key local markets drove steady improvement in overall performance. Importantly, we improved year-on-year Active Representative trends – with full-year growth of 1%," said Sheri McCoy, Chief Executive Officer of Avon Products, Inc. "We are on track to close our partnership with Cerberus and fully engaged in executing our transformation plan."

Fourth-Quarter 2015 Income Statement Review (compared with fourth-quarter 2014)

• Total revenue for Avon Products, Inc. declined 20% to $1.6 billion, but increased 3% in constant dollars excluding the divestiture of Liz Earle. In addition, the year-over-year comparison is impacted by certain tax items in Brazil discussed further in the Latin America section of the regional highlights. Excluding the impacts of Liz Earle and certain Brazil tax items, constant-dollar revenue would have grown approximately 6%². The Company's Latin America markets experiencing high inflation (Venezuela and Argentina) contributed approximately 3 points to this constant-dollar revenue growth.
  • Active Representatives were up 2% year over year, as increases in Europe, Middle East & Africa were partially offset by declines in the Latin America markets experiencing high inflation. Average order decreased 1%, negatively impacted by approximately 3 points due to the Brazil value added tax ("VAT") credits in 2014 that did not recur in 2015 and the Brazil Industrial Production Tax ("IPI") in 2015, as well as by approximately 1 point from the divestiture of Liz Earle. These negative impacts on average order were partially offset by the benefit from price increases, most significantly in Russia and Brazil, as well as in the Latin America markets experiencing high inflation.
  • Total units decreased 2%, driven by declines in Latin America and Asia Pacific. Price/mix was up 3% during the quarter, driven by price increases.
  • Beauty sales declined 21%, but increased 2% in constant dollars, negatively impacted by the IPI tax in 2015 discussed below as well as the divestiture of Liz Earle. Fashion & Home sales declined 14%, but increased 5% in constant dollars.
     
• Gross margin was 58.7%, down 280 basis points. Adjusted gross margin was 58.8%, down 270 basis points. These year-over-year comparisons were negatively impacted by approximately 70 basis points due to the combined impact of the VAT credits in 2014 and the IPI tax in 2015 discussed below. Excluding the impacts of these items, Adjusted gross margin would have declined 200 basis points² primarily driven by an approximate 350 basis points of unfavorable impact of foreign exchange, partially offset by the favorable net impact of price/mix and lower supply chain costs.
   
• Operating margin was 3.9% in the quarter, down 480 basis points. Adjusted operating margin was 6.0%, down 420 basis points. These year-over-year comparisons were negatively impacted by approximately 210 basis points due to the combined impact of the VAT credits in 2014 and the IPI tax in 2015 discussed below. Excluding the impacts of these items, Adjusted operating margin would have decreased 210 basis points², which was primarily driven by an estimated 530 basis points of unfavorable impact of foreign exchange. The foreign exchange impact was partially offset by the favorable net impact of price/mix as well as continued benefits from cost savings initiatives.
   
• The effective tax rate from continuing operations was negatively impacted primarily by costs to implement restructuring associated with U.S.-based costs for which there was no net tax benefit recognized as we record valuation allowances on the tax benefits of our U.S.-based losses. This negative impact to our effective tax rate was partially offset by the recognition of a benefit associated with the implementation of foreign tax planning strategies. The Adjusted effective tax rate in 2015 was negatively impacted by the country mix of earnings and the inability to recognize additional deferred tax assets in various jurisdictions related to our current-year operating results. The year-over-year difference in the Adjusted effective tax rate caused an estimated $0.06 per share negative impact on Adjusted loss per share. The Adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be volatile on a quarterly basis due to the country mix of quarterly earnings.
   
• Loss from continuing operations, net of tax was $15 million, or a loss of $0.04 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $305 million, or a loss of $0.70 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. Adjusted income from continuing operations, net of tax was $1 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared with Adjusted income from continuing operations, net of tax of $94 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2014.
   
• Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax was $317 million, or a loss of $0.72 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $24 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. During the fourth quarter of 2015, we recorded a charge of $340 million ($340 million after tax) associated with the estimated loss on the sale of the North America business that is expected to be completed in 2016. In addition, the North America operations achieved higher operating income in 2015 as compared to 2014 despite lower revenues as a result of significant cost savings.
   
• As a result of the above, Net loss attributable to Avon was $333 million, or a loss of $0.76 per diluted share, as compared to a loss of $331 million, or a loss of $0.75 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of the prior year.
   
• Foreign currency has impacted the Company's financial results of continuing operations as shown in the table below:

Adjustments to Fourth-Quarter 2015 GAAP Results to Arrive at Adjusted Results

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the following items had an aggregate impact of $0.04 per diluted share on the financial results:

• The Company recorded costs to implement restructuring within operating profit of approximately $21 million before tax, primarily related to the previously announced IT infrastructure outsourcing initiative.
   
• Effective February 12, 2015, the Company began utilizing the SIMADI rate to remeasure its Venezuelan operations. The change to the SIMADI rate resulted in an approximate $2 million negative impact on operating profit.
   
• As a result of the lump-sum payments made in the fourth quarter of 2015 to former employees who were vested and participated in the U.S. pension plan, the Company recorded a settlement charge within operating profit of approximately $1 million before tax.
   
• Our analysis of the Egypt business indicated an impairment as the carrying value of the business exceeded the estimated fair value, driven by a reduction of the long-term revenue and earnings projections due to currency restrictions in the country. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $7 million before tax.
   
• The Company recorded approximately $3 million of transaction-related costs associated with the planned separation of North America that were included in Continuing Operations.
   
• The Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $19 million, which was recognized as a result of the implementation of foreign tax planning strategies.

Fourth-Quarter 2015 Regional Highlights (compared with fourth-quarter 2014)

Fourth-Quarter 2015 Regional Highlights

• Latin America revenue was down 26%, but relatively unchanged in constant dollars. Constant-dollar revenue was negatively impacted by certain tax items in Brazil. Specifically, in 2015, the government levied a new IPI tax on cosmetics while in 2014, the Company recognized VAT credits, which did not recur in 2015. Excluding the combined impacts of these items, constant-dollar revenue would have grown approximately 6%². Venezuela and Argentina contributed approximately 5 points to this constant-dollar revenue growth. Active Representatives declined, primarily due to declines in Venezuela and Argentina.
   
  • Brazil revenue was down 44%, or down 14% in constant dollars. Constant-dollar revenue growth was negatively impacted by approximately 12 points due to the combined impact of the VAT credits in 2014 and the IPI tax in 2015. Excluding the impacts of these items, constant-dollar revenue would have declined approximately 2%², driven primarily by lower average order, which was partially offset by an increase in Active Representatives. This market continues to be impacted by a difficult macroeconomic environment and high levels of competition. 
  • Mexico revenue was down 13%, but up 6% in constant dollars, primarily driven by higher average order, partially offset by a modest decline in Active Representatives.
     
• Europe, Middle East & Africa revenue was down 13%, but up 6% in constant dollars. Constant-dollar revenue was negatively impacted by approximately 4 points due to the divestiture of Liz Earle discussed above. Excluding the impact of this item, constant-dollar revenue would have grown approximately 10%², and was driven by an increase in Active Representatives, led by strength in a number of markets, most significantly Russia.
  • Russia revenue was down 8%, but up 29% in constant dollars, primarily driven by an increase in Active Representatives from sustained momentum in recruiting and retention, along with higher average order benefiting from favorable pricing.
  • U.K. revenue was down 12%, or down 7% in constant dollars, primarily driven by a decline in Active Representatives.
     
• Asia Pacific revenue was down 16%, or down 8% in constant dollars. The Philippines revenue was relatively unchanged, but up 5% in constant dollars, which was more than offset by declines in other Asia Pacific markets, led by China.

Full-Year 2015 Income Statement Review (compared with full-year 2014)

• Total revenue for Avon Products, Inc. declined 19% to $6.2 billion, but increased 3% in constant dollars excluding the divestiture of Liz Earle. In addition, the year-over-year comparison is impacted by certain tax items in Brazil. Excluding the impacts of these items, constant-dollar revenue would have grown approximately 5%². The Company's Latin America markets experiencing high inflation (Venezuela and Argentina) contributed approximately 3 points to this constant-dollar revenue growth.
  • Active Representatives and average order were both up 1% year over year.
  • Price/mix was up 4%, while total units decreased 2%.
  • Beauty sales declined 20%, but increased 3% in constant dollars. Fashion & Home sales declined 15%, but increased 5% in constant dollars.
     
• Gross margin was 60.3%, down 40 basis points. Adjusted gross margin was 60.8%, down 150 basis points. These year-over-year comparisons were negatively impacted by approximately 60 basis points due to the combined impact of the VAT credits in 2014 and the IPI tax in 2015. Excluding the impacts of these items, Adjusted gross margin would have decreased 90 basis points² primarily driven by an approximate 270 basis points of unfavorable impact of foreign exchange, partially offset by the favorable net impact of price/mix and lower supply chain costs.
   
• Operating margin was 2.7% for the year, down 300 basis points. Adjusted operating margin was 5.7%, down 360 basis points. These year-over-year comparisons were negatively impacted by approximately 180 basis points due to the combined impact of the VAT credits in 2014 and the IPI tax in 2015. Excluding the impacts of these items, Adjusted operating margin would have decreased 180 basis points², which was primarily driven by an estimated 480 basis points of unfavorable impact of foreign exchange. The foreign exchange impact was partially offset by the favorable net impact of price/mix, the continued benefits from cost savings initiatives and the favorable impact of constant-dollar revenue growth with respect to our fixed expenses.
   
• The effective tax rate was negatively impacted by additional valuation allowances for deferred tax assets of approximately $670 million, which caused income tax expense to be significantly in excess of income from continuing operations, before taxes. The effective tax rate was also impacted by the Venezuela special items, costs to implement restructuring and other nonrecurring items. The Adjusted effective tax rate in 2015 was negatively impacted by the country mix of earnings and the inability to recognize additional deferred tax assets in various jurisdictions related to our current-year operating results. The year-over-year difference in the Adjusted effective tax rate caused an estimated $0.22 per share negative impact on Adjusted loss per share. The Adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be volatile on a quarterly basis due to the country mix of quarterly earnings.

• Loss from continuing operations, net of tax was $797 million, or a loss of $1.81 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $344 million, or a loss of $0.79 per diluted share, for the full year of 2014. Adjusted income from continuing operations, net of tax was $7 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with Adjusted income of $328 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, for the full year of 2014.
   
• Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax was $349 million, or a loss of $0.79 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $40 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for 2014. During 2015, we recorded a charge of $340 million ($340 million after tax) associated with the estimated loss on the sale of the North America business that is expected to be completed in 2016. In addition, the North America operations achieved higher operating income in 2015 as compared with 2014 despite lower revenues as a result of significant cost savings, as well as lower costs to implement restructuring initiatives.

• As a result of the above, Net loss attributable to Avon for the full year of 2015 was $1.1 billion, or a loss of $2.60 per diluted share, as compared to a loss of $389 million, or a loss of $0.88 per diluted share in the prior year.

Full-Year 2015 Cash Flow Review

• Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $91 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, compared with $289 million for the same period in 2014. Operating cash flow during 2015 was unfavorably impacted by lower cash-related earnings (including the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation). These items were partially offset by lower operating tax payments (such as VAT) and lower payments for employee incentive compensation.
   
• For the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, there was $143 million of net cash provided by investing activities of continuing operations, a $243 million improvement over the prior year primarily due to the Company's sale of the Liz Earle business.
   
• Net cash used by financing activities of continuing operations was $431 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, or $222 million higher than the prior year primarily due to the prepayment of $250 million principal amount of notes that were due in 2016.

Adjustments to Full-Year 2015 GAAP Results to Arrive at Adjusted Results

During the full year 2015, the following items had an aggregate impact of $1.82 per diluted share on the financial results:

• The Company recorded costs to implement restructuring within operating profit of approximately $49 million before tax, primarily related to cost savings initiatives.
   
• Effective February 12, 2015, the Company began utilizing the SIMADI rate to remeasure its Venezuelan operations. The change to the SIMADI rate resulted in an approximate $120 million negative impact on operating profit, a benefit of approximately $4 million in other expense, net, and an approximate $1 million negative impact in income taxes. The negative impact on operating profit includes an impairment charge of approximately $90 million to reflect the write-down of the Venezuela long-lived assets.
   
• As a result of the lump-sum payments made in 2015 to former employees who were vested and participated in the U.S. pension plan, the Company recorded settlement charges within operating profit of approximately $7 million before tax.
   
• Our analysis of the Egypt business indicated an impairment as the carrying value of the business exceeded the estimated fair value, driven by a reduction of the long-term revenue and earnings projections due to currency restrictions in the country. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $7 million before tax.
   
• The Company also recorded various other items in 2015 associated with the sale of Liz Earle, the planned separation of North America and debt-related charges:
  • In July 2015, the Company sold Liz Earle. As a result, the Company recorded a gain on sale of approximately $45 million before tax, and approximately $52 million after tax.
  • The Company recorded nonrecurring costs of approximately $3 million of transaction-related costs associated with the planned separation of North America that were included in Continuing Operations.
  • The Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $6 million before tax related to the prepayment of its notes that were due in 2016, and recorded costs of approximately $3 million in other expense, net related to the write-off of issuance costs related to the Company's previous $1 billion revolving credit facility.
     
• The Company recorded non-cash income tax charges of approximately $670 million as a result of establishing a valuation allowance for the full amount of the Company's U.S. deferred tax assets, due to the impact of the continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar against currencies of some of its key markets and the associated effect on its tax planning strategies. In addition, the Company also recorded a non-cash income tax charge of approximately $15 million associated with valuation allowances for deferred tax assets outside of the U.S. The Company also recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $19 million, which was recognized as a result of the implementation of foreign tax planning strategies.

Transformation Plan

In January 2016, the Company announced a Transformation Plan, which includes cost reductions in an effort to continue to improve its cost structure and to enable the Company to reinvest in growth. As a result of this plan, the Company expects pre-tax annualized cost savings of approximately $350 million after three years, with an estimated $200 million from supply chain reductions and an estimated $150 million from other cost reductions. These pre-tax cost savings are expected to be achieved through restructuring actions as well as other cost-savings strategies that will not result in restructuring charges. The Company plans to reinvest a portion of these cost savings in growth initiatives, including media, social selling and information technology systems that will help the Company modernize its business. The Transformation Plan was initiated in order to enable the Company to achieve its long-term goals of low double-digit operating margin and mid single-digit constant-dollar revenue growth.

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

The Company also announced today that it plans to hold its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 26, 2016.  Further details, including time, location, admission requirements and the business to be conducted will be more fully described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement. 

Conference call

Avon will conduct a conference call at 9:00 A.M. today to discuss the full-year and quarterly results. The dial-in number for the call is (800) 843-2086 in the U.S. or (706) 643-1815 from non-U.S. locations (conference ID number: 33073299). The call will be webcast live at www.avoninvestor.com and can be accessed or downloaded from that site for a period of one year.

About Avon Products, Inc.

Avon is the Company that for 130 years has proudly stood for beauty, innovation, optimism and, above all, women. Avon products include well-recognized and beloved brands such as ANEW, Avon Color, Avon Care, Skin-So-Soft, and Advance Techniques. Sold through nearly 6 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives, Avon products delight consumers in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.

Footnotes

¹ "Adjusted" items refer to financial measures that are derived from measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), but which have been adjusted to exclude certain items. Other Adjusted financial measures that we refer to include Constant dollar (C$) items.  All of these adjusted items are Non-GAAP financial measures as described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures." These Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Please refer to our "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" description at the end of this release and the reconciliations we provide of these Non-GAAP financial measures to their comparable GAAP measures.

² To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP and the Non-GAAP Financial Measures discussed above, we have included an additional analysis, "Non-GAAP Impact of Special Revenue Items Affecting Year-Over-Year Comparisons," which presents the change in three Non-GAAP financial measures – constant-dollar revenue, Adjusted gross margin and Adjusted operating margin – in each case, excluding certain revenue items which impact the comparability of our results. These special revenue items include the impacts of 1) the recognition of tax credits in 2014 in Brazil for expected VAT recoveries, which did not recur in 2015 ("2014 Brazil VAT credits"), 2) a new IPI tax law on cosmetics in Brazil which went into effect in May 2015 ("2015 Brazil IPI tax"), and 3) lower constant-dollar revenue in the fourth quarter and the full year of 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter and the full year of 2014 as a result of the sale of Liz Earle in July 2015 ("Liz Earle divestiture"). We believe this additional analysis helps investors to better understand the underlying business results. All of these additional adjustments to those three Non-GAAP financial measures are themselves Non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to the reconciliations on pages 20 and 21 in the schedules of this Release that we provide of these Non-GAAP financial measures to our other, related Non-GAAP Financial Measures and then to their comparable GAAP measures.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by Avon Products, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K. Some forward-looking statements in this release include and concern our outlook and expected results, cost-reduction actions and savings, and the impact of foreign currency, taxes and tax rates. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement of Avon to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our ability to improve our financial and operational performance, our ability to successfully complete the planned separation of our North America business, the impact of a continued decline in our business results, the possibility of business disruption, competitive uncertainties, and general economic and business conditions in our markets, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake to update any such forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), we disclose operating results that have been adjusted to exclude the impact of changes due to the translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, including changes in: revenue, operating profit, Adjusted operating profit, operating margin and Adjusted operating margin. We also refer to these adjusted financial measures as Constant $ items, which are Non-GAAP financial measures. We believe these measures provide investors an additional perspective on trends and underlying business results. To exclude the impact of changes due to the translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, we calculate current-year results and prior-year results at a constant exchange rate. Foreign currency impact is determined as the difference between actual growth rates and constant-currency growth rates.

We also present gross margin, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue, total and net global expenses, operating profit, operating margin, net income, diluted earnings per share and effective tax rate on a Non-GAAP basis. We refer to these Non-GAAP financial measures as "Adjusted." We have provided a quantitative reconciliation of the difference between the Non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses the Non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its operating performance and believes that it is meaningful for investors to be made aware of, on a period-to-period basis, the impacts of 1) costs to implement ("CTI") restructuring initiatives, 2) costs and charges related to the devaluations of Venezuelan currency in February 2015 and March 2014 combined with being designated as a highly inflationary economy ("Venezuelan special items"), 3) the additional $46 million accrual recorded in the first quarter of 2014 for the settlements related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations and the associated approximate $19 million net tax benefit recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014  ("FCPA accrual"), 4) the settlement charges associated with the U.S. pension plan ("Pension settlement charge"), 5) the goodwill impairment charge related to the Egypt business ("Asset impairment and other charges"), 6) various other items associated with the sale of Liz Earle, the sale of North America and debt-related charges ("Other items") and 7) the non-cash income tax adjustments associated with the Company's deferred tax assets recorded in 2015 and 2014, and an income tax benefit realized as a result of tax planning strategies ("Special tax items"). The Company believes investors find the Non-GAAP information helpful in understanding the ongoing performance of operations separate from items that may have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on the Company's financial results in any particular period. These Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

The Venezuelan special items include the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in 2015 and 2014 caused by the devaluations of Venezuelan currency on monetary assets and liabilities, such as cash, receivables and payables; deferred tax assets and liabilities; and non-monetary assets, such as inventories. For non-monetary assets, the Venezuelan special items include the earnings impact caused by the difference between the historical U.S. dollar cost of the assets at the previous exchange rate and the revised exchange rate. In 2015 and 2014, the Venezuelan special items also include adjustments of approximately $11 million and approximately $116 million, respectively, to reflect certain non-monetary assets at their net realizable value. In 2015, the Venezuelan special items also include an impairment charge of approximately $90 million to reflect the write-down of the long-lived assets to their estimated fair value. In 2014, the devaluation was caused as a result of moving from the official exchange rate of 6.30 to the SICAD II exchange rate of approximately 50. In 2015, the devaluation was caused as a result of moving from the SICAD II exchange rate of approximately 50 to the SIMADI exchange rate of approximately 170.

The Pension settlement charge includes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the third and fourth quarters of 2015 and the second, third and fourth quarters of 2014 associated with the payments made to former employees who were vested and participated in the U.S. defined benefit pension plan. Such payments fully settle the Company's pension plan obligation to those participants who elected to receive such payment.

The Asset impairment and other charges include the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations caused by the goodwill impairment charge related to the Egypt business in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The Other items include the impact during 2015 on the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to the gain on the sale of Liz Earle. The Other items also includes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the fourth quarter of 2015 caused by nonrecurring items of $3.1 million associated with the planned separation of North America that were not classified within discontinued operations. In addition, Other items includes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the third quarter of 2015 of the loss on extinguishment of debt caused by the make-whole premium and the write-off of debt issuance costs and discounts associated with the prepayment of the Company's 2.375% Notes. The Other items also include the impact during the second quarter of 2015 on other expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations of $2.5 million associated with the write-off of issuance costs related to the Company's previous $1 billion revolving credit facility.

The Special tax items include the impact during 2015 on income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to a non-cash income tax charge in the first quarter of 2015 and a non-cash income tax benefit in the second quarter of 2015, each associated with valuation allowances, to adjust the Company's U.S. deferred tax assets to an amount that was "more likely than not" to be realized. In the first quarter of 2015, the additional valuation allowance was due to the continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar against currencies of some of its key markets, and in the second quarter of 2015, the Company released a portion of its valuation allowance due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against currencies of some of its key markets. The Special tax items also include the impact during the third quarter of 2015 on income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to a non-cash income tax charge as a result of establishing a valuation allowance for the full amount of the Company's U.S. deferred tax assets due to the impact of the continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar against currencies of some of its key markets and its associated effect on the Company's tax planning strategies. Additionally, the Special tax items includes the impact during the third quarter of 2015 on income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to a non-cash income tax charge associated with valuation allowances, to adjust certain non-U.S. deferred tax assets to an amount that is "more likely than not" to be realized. The non-U.S. valuation allowance included an adjustment associated with Russia, which was primarily the result of lower earnings, which were significantly impacted by foreign exchange losses on working capital balances. The Special tax items also include the impact during the fourth quarter of 2014 on the income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to a non-cash income tax charge primarily associated with a valuation allowance to reduce the Company's U.S. deferred tax assets to an amount that is "more likely than not" to be realized, and was primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against currencies of some of its key markets and, to a lesser extent, the finalization of the FCPA settlements. The Special tax items also include the impact during the fourth quarter of 2015 on the income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to an income tax benefit realized as a result of the implementation of foreign tax planning strategies.

SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.