SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES *Principles of Consolidation* The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements of prior years have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. All share (except par value per share), earnings per common share and cash dividends declared per common share information for fiscal 2011 reflects the two-for-one stock split on the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock, which was effected in the form of a stock dividend for each share held by stockholders of record at the close of business on January 4, 2012. The number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of other stock-based awards were proportionately increased in accordance with the terms of the respective plans. *Management Estimates* The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements. Certain significant accounting policies that contain subjective management estimates and assumptions include those related to revenue recognition, inventory, pension and other post-retirement benefit costs, goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets, and income taxes. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and makes adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from those estimates and assumptions. Significant changes, if any, in those estimates and assumptions resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods. *Currency Translation and Transactions* All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated at year-end rates of exchange, while revenue and expenses are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange for the period. Unrealized translation gains (losses) reported as cumulative translation adjustments through other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. amounted to $(25.6) million, $(154.2) million and $210.5 million, net of tax, in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiary operating in a highly inflationary economy, the U.S. dollar is the functional currency. Remeasurement adjustments in financial statements in a highly inflationary economy and other transactional gains and losses are reflected in earnings. The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts and may enter into option contracts to hedge foreign currency transactions for periods consistent with its identified exposures. Accordingly, the Company categorizes these instruments as entered into for purposes other than trading. The accompanying consolidated statements of earnings include net exchange losses on foreign currency transactions of $3.5 million, $0.5 million and $18.6 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. *Cash and Cash Equivalents* Cash and cash equivalents include $843.5 million and $660.2 million of short-term time deposits at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2013, approximately 21% and 20% of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held by two financial institutions. *Accounts Receivable* Accounts receivable is stated net of the allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions totaling $22.7 million and $31.1 million as of June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This reserve is based upon the evaluation of accounts receivable aging, specific exposures and historical trends. *Inventory and Promotional Merchandise* Inventory and promotional merchandise only includes inventory considered saleable or usable in future periods, and is stated at the lower of cost or fair-market value, with cost being based on standard cost which approximates actual cost on the first-in, first-out method. Cost components include raw materials, componentry, direct labor and overhead (e.g., indirect labor, utilities, depreciation, purchasing, receiving, inspection and warehousing) as well as inbound freight. Manufacturing overhead is allocated to the cost of inventory based on the normal production capacity. Unallocated overhead during periods of abnormally low production levels are recognized as cost of sales in the period in which they are incurred. Promotional merchandise is charged to expense at the time the merchandise is shipped to the Company’s customers. Included in inventory and promotional merchandise is an inventory obsolescence reserve, which represents the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated realizable value, based on various product sales projections. This reserve is calculated using an estimated obsolescence percentage applied to the inventory based on age, historical trends and requirements to support forecasted sales. In addition, and as necessary, specific reserves for future known or anticipated events may be established. *Derivative Financial Instruments* The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. All derivatives are (i) designated as a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair-value” hedge), (ii) designated as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“foreign currency cash-flow” hedge), or (iii) not designated as a hedging instrument. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge that is highly effective are recorded in current-period earnings, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk (including losses or gains on unrecognized firm commitments). Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a foreign currency cash-flow hedge of a foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction that is highly effective are recorded in OCI. Gains and losses deferred in OCI are then recognized in current-period earnings when earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction (e.g., when periodic settlements on a variable-rate asset or liability are recorded in earnings). Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are reported in current-period earnings. *Property, Plant and Equipment* Property, plant and equipment, including leasehold and other improvements that extend an asset’s useful life or productive capabilities, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Costs incurred for computer software developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized during the application development stage and expensed as incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages. For financial statement purposes, depreciation is provided principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from 3 to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lives of the respective leases or the expected useful lives of those improvements. *Goodwill and Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets* Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the cost of purchased businesses over the fair value of their underlying net assets. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets principally consist of trademarks. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized. The Company assesses goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually for impairment as of the beginning of the fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if certain events or circumstances exist. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is one level below the Company’s operating segments. The Company identifies its reporting units by assessing whether the components of its operating segments constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is available and management of each reporting unit regularly reviews the operating results of those components. The Company makes certain judgments and assumptions in allocating assets and liabilities to determine carrying values for its reporting units. Impairment testing is performed in two steps: (i) the Company determines impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, and (ii) if there is an impairment, the Company measures the amount of impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets encompasses calculating a fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and comparing the fair value to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, impairment is recorded. Testing goodwill for impairment requires the Company to estimate fair values of reporting units using significant estimates and assumptions. The assumptions made will impact the outcome and ultimate results of the testing. The Company uses industry accepted valuation models and set criteria that are reviewed and approved by various levels of management and, in certain instances, the Company engages third-party valuation specialists for advice. To determine fair value of the reporting unit, the Company generally uses an equal weighting of the income and market approaches. In certain circumstances, equal weighting will not be applied if one of these methods may be less applicable (e.g., only the income approach would be used for reporting units with existing negative margins). The Company believes both approaches are equally relevant and the most reliable indications of fair value because the fair value of product or service companies is more dependent on the ability to generate earnings than on the value of the assets used in the production process. Under the income approach, the Company determines fair value using a discounted cash flow method, projecting future cash flows of each reporting unit, as well as a terminal value, and discounting such cash flows at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows. Under the market approach, the Company utilizes information from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting units, which creates valuation multiples that are applied to the operating performance of the reporting unit being tested, to value the reporting unit. The key estimates and factors used in these two approaches include, but are not limited to, revenue growth rates and profit margins based on internal forecasts, terminal value, the weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows and comparable market multiples. To determine fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company uses an income approach, the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes that, in lieu of ownership, a third party would be willing to pay a royalty in order to obtain the rights to use the comparable asset. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets’ fair values require significant judgments in determining both the assets’ estimated cash flows as well as the appropriate discount and royalty rates applied to those cash flows to determine fair value. Changes in such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. *Long-Lived Assets* The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, a recoverability test is performed comparing projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset or asset group to its carrying value. If the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, then an impairment charge would be recorded for the excess of the carrying value over the fair value, which is determined by discounting future cash flows. *Concentration of Credit Risk* The Company is a worldwide manufacturer, marketer and distributor of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. Domestic and international sales are made primarily to department stores, perfumeries and specialty retailers. The Company grants credit to all qualified customers and does not believe it is exposed significantly to any undue concentration of credit risk. The Company’s largest customer sells products primarily within the United States and accounted for $1,078.8 million, or 11%, $1,048.1 million, or 11%, and $967.6 million, or 11%, of the Company’s consolidated net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. This customer accounted for $113.7 million, or 10%, and $110.2 million, or 10%, of the Company’s accounts receivable at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. *Revenue Recognition* Revenues from product sales are recognized upon transfer of ownership, including passage of title to the customer and transfer of the risk of loss related to those goods. In the Americas region, sales are generally recognized at the time the product is shipped to the customer and in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa and Asia/Pacific regions, sales are generally recognized based upon the customer’s receipt. In certain circumstances, transfer of title takes place at the point of sale, for example, at the Company’s retail stores. The Company records revenues generated from purchase with purchase promotions in Net Sales and costs of its purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions in Cost of Sales. Revenues are reported on a net sales basis, which is computed by deducting from gross sales the amount of actual product returns received, discounts, incentive arrangements with retailers and an amount established for anticipated product returns. The Company’s practice is to accept product returns from retailers only if properly requested, authorized and approved. In accepting returns, the Company typically provides a credit to the retailer against accounts receivable from that retailer. As a percentage of gross sales, returns were 3.3% in 2013 and 3.5% in fiscal 2012 and 2011. *Payments to Customers* Certain incentive arrangements require the payment of a fee to customers based on their attainment of pre-established sales levels. These fees have been recorded as a reduction of Net Sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and were not material to the results of operations in any period presented. The Company enters into transactions related to advertising, product promotions and demonstrations, some of which involve cooperative relationships with customers. These activities may be arranged either with unrelated third parties or in conjunction with the customer. The Company’s share of the cost of these transactions (regardless of to whom they were paid) are reflected in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and were approximately $1,412 million, $1,343 million and $1,152 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. *Advertising and Promotion* Global net expenses for advertising, merchandising, sampling, promotion and product development costs were $2,798.0 million, $2,655.7 million and $2,345.8 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are expensed as incurred. Excluding the impact of purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions, advertising, merchandising, sampling and promotion expenses included in operating expenses were $2,584.2 million, $2,458.9 million and $2,160.7 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. *Research and Development* Research and development costs amounted to $103.6 million, $96.5 million and $85.7 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. *Shipping and Handling* Shipping and handling expenses of $337.9 million, $312.4 million and $289.7 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and include distribution center costs, third-party logistics costs and outbound freight. *Operating Leases* The Company recognizes rent expense from operating leases with periods of free and scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term. The Company considers lease renewals when such renewals are reasonably assured. From time to time, the Company may receive capital improvement funding from its lessors. These amounts are recorded as deferred liabilities and amortized over the remaining lease term as a reduction of rent expense. *License Arrangements* The Company’s license agreements provide the Company with worldwide rights to manufacture, market and sell beauty and beauty-related products (or particular categories thereof) using the licensors’ trademarks. The licenses typically have an initial term of approximately 5 years to 11 years, and are renewable subject to the Company’s compliance with the license agreement provisions. The remaining terms, including the potential renewal periods, range from approximately 7 years to 28 years. Under each license, the Company is required to pay royalties to the licensor, at least annually, based on net sales to third parties. Most of the Company’s licenses were entered into to create new business. In some cases, the Company acquired, or entered into, a license where the licensor or another licensee was operating a pre-existing beauty products business. In those cases, other intangible assets are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives. Certain license agreements may require minimum royalty payments, incremental royalties based on net sales levels and minimum spending on advertising and promotional activities. Royalty expenses are accrued in the period in which net sales are recognized while advertising and promotional expenses are accrued at the time these costs are incurred. *Stock-Based Compensation* The Company records stock-based compensation, measured at the fair value of the award, as an expense in the consolidated financial statements. Upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock units, performance share units, performance share units based on total stockholder return and market share units, the resulting excess tax benefits, if any, are credited to additional paid-in capital. Any resulting tax deficiencies will first be offset against those cumulative credits to additional paid-in capital. If the cumulative credits to additional paid-in capital are exhausted, tax deficiencies will be recorded to the provision for income taxes. Excess tax benefits are required to be reflected as financing cash inflows in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. *Income Taxes* The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its consolidated financial statements or tax returns. The net deferred tax assets assume sufficient future earnings for their realization, as well as the continued application of currently anticipated tax rates. Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, where management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction. Based on the Company’s assessments, no additional valuation allowance is required. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of net earnings at that time. The Company provides tax reserves for U.S. federal, state, local and foreign exposures relating to periods subject to audit. The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate. The Company assesses its tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates. For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Company classifies applicable interest and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes. Although the outcome relating to these exposures is uncertain, in management’s opinion adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for estimable potential liabilities emanating from these exposures. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations. *Recently Adopted Accounting Standards* In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended its authoritative guidance related to testing goodwill for impairment. Under the revised guidance, entities testing goodwill for impairment have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not less than the carrying amount, the two-step impairment test would be required. This guidance became effective in the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In June 2011, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income, requiring entities to present items of net income and other comprehensive income either in one continuous statement or in two separate consecutive statements. This guidance also required entities to present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued an update to this guidance deferring the requirement to present reclassification adjustments on the face of the financial statements. However, the Company is still required to present reclassification adjustments on either the face of the financial statement where comprehensive income is reported or disclose the reclassification adjustments in the notes to the financial statements. This guidance, including the deferral, became effective for the Company’s fiscal 2013 first quarter, with full retrospective application required. The Company has elected to present the items of net income and other comprehensive income in two separate consecutive statements. The adoption of this disclosure-only guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. *Recently Issued Accounting Standards* In July 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. If either (i) an NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward is not available as of the reporting date under the governing tax law to settle taxes that would result from the disallowance of the tax position or (ii) the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for this purpose (provided that the tax law permits a choice), an entity should present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a liability and should not net the unrecognized tax benefit with a deferred tax asset. This guidance becomes effective prospectively for unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the Company’s fiscal 2015 first quarter, with retrospective application and early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adoption and the impact of this balance sheet presentation guidance but does not expect it to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to resolve the diversity in practice concerning the release of the cumulative translation adjustment (“CTA”) into net income (i) when a parent sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity, and (ii) in connection with a step acquisition of a foreign entity. This amended guidance requires that CTA be released in net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided, and that a pro rata portion of the CTA be released into net income upon a partial sale of an equity method investment in a foreign entity only. In addition, the amended guidance clarifies the definition of a sale of an investment in a foreign entity to include both, events that result in the loss of a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity and events that result in an acquirer obtaining control of an acquiree in which it held an equity interest immediately prior to the date of acquisition. The CTA should be released into net income upon the occurrence of such events. This guidance becomes effective prospectively for the Company’s fiscal 2015 first quarter with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this new guidance when it becomes effective, and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligations within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date. It does not apply to certain obligations that are addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. This guidance requires an entity to measure in-scope obligations with joint and several liability (e.g., debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, settled litigations, judicial rulings) as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount it expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. In addition, an entity is required to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation. This guidance should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods for those obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements within the scope of this guidance that exist at the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2015 first quarter, with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this guidance when it becomes effective, and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance requiring an entity to present, in a single location either parenthetically on the face of the financial statements or in a separate note, significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. An entity is not permitted to provide this information parenthetically on the face of the income statement if it has items that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income. Instead of disclosing the income statement line affected, a cross reference to other disclosures that provide additional details on these items is required. This guidance becomes effective prospectively for the Company’s fiscal 2014 first quarter, with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this new guidance when it becomes effective, and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements. In July 2012, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. Under the revised guidance, entities testing their indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing further impairment testing. If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that it is more-likely-than-not that the asset is impaired, a quantitative test is required. The guidance becomes effective in the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2014, with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this new guidance when it becomes effective, and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that creates new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s rights of offset and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. This revised guidance helps reconcile differences in the offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). These requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In January 2013, the FASB issued an update that limits the scope of these disclosures to recognized derivative instruments, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and lending transactions to the extent they are offset in the balance sheet or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This disclosure-only guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2014 first quarter, with retrospective application required. The Company currently does not hold any financial or derivative instruments within the scope of this guidance that are offset in its consolidated balance sheets or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows, but may require certain additional disclosures if the Company enters into additional arrangements that fall under the scope of this guidance. *Out-of-period Adjustments* During the year ended June 30, 2013, the Company identified and recorded out-of-period adjustments related to the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 through June 30, 2012. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, these out-of-period adjustments resulted in a net decrease in earnings before taxes of $5.9 million, a decrease in net earnings of $7.4 million and a decrease in diluted net earnings per common share of $.02. These out-of-period adjustments resulted from an understatement of foreign transactional taxes (no impact on the provision for income taxes), an overstatement of accounts payable balances and an overstatement of prepaid asset balances. During the three months ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded an additional out-of-period adjustment related to the overstatement of accounts payable balances. This adjustment resulted in an increase in earnings before taxes of $13.6 million, an increase in net earnings of $9.1 million and an increase in diluted net earnings per common share of $.02 for the three months ended December 31, 2012. The impact of these adjustments for the year ended June 30, 2013 is an increase in earnings before taxes of $7.7 million, an increase in net earnings of $1.7 million and no change in diluted net earnings per common share. Individually and in the aggregate, these out-of-period adjustments did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2013, and the related items were not material to any previously issued consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements of prior years have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

All share (except par value per share), earnings per common share and cash dividends declared per common share information for fiscal 2011 reflects the two-for-one stock split on the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock, which was effected in the form of a stock dividend for each share held by stockholders of record at the close of business on January 4, 2012. The number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of other stock-based awards were proportionately increased in accordance with the terms of the respective plans.

Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements. Certain significant accounting policies that contain subjective management estimates and assumptions include those related to revenue recognition, inventory, pension and other post-retirement benefit costs, goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets, and income taxes. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and makes adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from those estimates and assumptions. Significant changes, if any, in those estimates and assumptions resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Currency Translation and Transactions

All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated at year-end rates of exchange, while revenue and expenses are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange for the period. Unrealized translation gains (losses) reported as cumulative translation adjustments through other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. amounted to $(25.6) million, $(154.2) million and $210.5 million, net of tax, in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiary operating in a highly inflationary economy, the U.S. dollar is the functional currency. Remeasurement adjustments in financial statements in a highly inflationary economy and other transactional gains and losses are reflected in earnings.

The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts and may enter into option contracts to hedge foreign currency transactions for periods consistent with its identified exposures. Accordingly, the Company categorizes these instruments as entered into for purposes other than trading.

The accompanying consolidated statements of earnings include net exchange losses on foreign currency transactions of $3.5 million, $0.5 million and $18.6 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include $843.5 million and $660.2 million of short-term time deposits at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2013, approximately 21% and 20% of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held by two financial institutions.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable is stated net of the allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions totaling $22.7 million and $31.1 million as of June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This reserve is based upon the evaluation of accounts receivable aging, specific exposures and historical trends.

Inventory and Promotional Merchandise

Inventory and promotional merchandise only includes inventory considered saleable or usable in future periods, and is stated at the lower of cost or fair-market value, with cost being based on standard cost which approximates actual cost on the first-in, first-out method. Cost components include raw materials, componentry, direct labor and overhead (e.g., indirect labor, utilities, depreciation, purchasing, receiving, inspection and warehousing) as well as inbound freight. Manufacturing overhead is allocated to the cost of inventory based on the normal production capacity. Unallocated overhead during periods of abnormally low production levels are recognized as cost of sales in the period in which they are incurred. Promotional merchandise is charged to expense at the time the merchandise is shipped to the Company’s customers. Included in inventory and promotional merchandise is an inventory obsolescence reserve, which represents the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated realizable value, based on various product sales projections. This reserve is calculated using an estimated obsolescence percentage applied to the inventory based on age, historical trends and requirements to support forecasted sales. In addition, and as necessary, specific reserves for future known or anticipated events may be established.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. All derivatives are (i) designated as a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair-value” hedge), (ii) designated as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“foreign currency cash-flow” hedge), or (iii) not designated as a hedging instrument. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge that is highly effective are recorded in current-period earnings, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk (including losses or gains on unrecognized firm commitments). Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a foreign currency cash-flow hedge of a foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction that is highly effective are recorded in OCI. Gains and losses deferred in OCI are then recognized in current-period earnings when earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction (e.g., when periodic settlements on a variable-rate asset or liability are recorded in earnings). Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are reported in current-period earnings.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment, including leasehold and other improvements that extend an asset’s useful life or productive capabilities, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Costs incurred for computer software developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized during the application development stage and expensed as incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages. For financial statement purposes, depreciation is provided principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from 3 to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lives of the respective leases or the expected useful lives of those improvements.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the cost of purchased businesses over the fair value of their underlying net assets. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets principally consist of trademarks. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized.

The Company assesses goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually for impairment as of the beginning of the fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if certain events or circumstances exist. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is one level below the Company’s operating segments. The Company identifies its reporting units by assessing whether the components of its operating segments constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is available and management of each reporting unit regularly reviews the operating results of those components. The Company makes certain judgments and assumptions in allocating assets and liabilities to determine carrying values for its reporting units. Impairment testing is performed in two steps: (i) the Company determines impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, and (ii) if there is an impairment, the Company measures the amount of impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets encompasses calculating a fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and comparing the fair value to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, impairment is recorded.

Testing goodwill for impairment requires the Company to estimate fair values of reporting units using significant estimates and assumptions. The assumptions made will impact the outcome and ultimate results of the testing. The Company uses industry accepted valuation models and set criteria that are reviewed and approved by various levels of management and, in certain instances, the Company engages third-party valuation specialists for advice. To determine fair value of the reporting unit, the Company generally uses an equal weighting of the income and market approaches. In certain circumstances, equal weighting will not be applied if one of these methods may be less applicable (e.g., only the income approach would be used for reporting units with existing negative margins). The Company believes both approaches are equally relevant and the most reliable indications of fair value because the fair value of product or service companies is more dependent on the ability to generate earnings than on the value of the assets used in the production process.

Under the income approach, the Company determines fair value using a discounted cash flow method, projecting future cash flows of each reporting unit, as well as a terminal value, and discounting such cash flows at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows. Under the market approach, the Company utilizes information from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting units, which creates valuation multiples that are applied to the operating performance of the reporting unit being tested, to value the reporting unit. The key estimates and factors used in these two approaches include, but are not limited to, revenue growth rates and profit margins based on internal forecasts, terminal value, the weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows and comparable market multiples.

To determine fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company uses an income approach, the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes that, in lieu of ownership, a third party would be willing to pay a royalty in order to obtain the rights to use the comparable asset. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets’ fair values require significant judgments in determining both the assets’ estimated cash flows as well as the appropriate discount and royalty rates applied to those cash flows to determine fair value. Changes in such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, a recoverability test is performed comparing projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset or asset group to its carrying value. If the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, then an impairment charge would be recorded for the excess of the carrying value over the fair value, which is determined by discounting future cash flows.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company is a worldwide manufacturer, marketer and distributor of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. Domestic and international sales are made primarily to department stores, perfumeries and specialty retailers. The Company grants credit to all qualified customers and does not believe it is exposed significantly to any undue concentration of credit risk.

The Company’s largest customer sells products primarily within the United States and accounted for $1,078.8 million, or 11%, $1,048.1 million, or 11%, and $967.6 million, or 11%, of the Company’s consolidated net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. This customer accounted for $113.7 million, or 10%, and $110.2 million, or 10%, of the Company’s accounts receivable at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from product sales are recognized upon transfer of ownership, including passage of title to the customer and transfer of the risk of loss related to those goods. In the Americas region, sales are generally recognized at the time the product is shipped to the customer and in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa and Asia/Pacific regions, sales are generally recognized based upon the customer’s receipt. In certain circumstances, transfer of title takes place at the point of sale, for example, at the Company’s retail stores. The Company records revenues generated from purchase with purchase promotions in Net Sales and costs of its purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions in Cost of Sales.

Revenues are reported on a net sales basis, which is computed by deducting from gross sales the amount of actual product returns received, discounts, incentive arrangements with retailers and an amount established for anticipated product returns. The Company’s practice is to accept product returns from retailers only if properly requested, authorized and approved. In accepting returns, the Company typically provides a credit to the retailer against accounts receivable from that retailer. As a percentage of gross sales, returns were 3.3% in 2013 and 3.5% in fiscal 2012 and 2011.

Payments to Customers

Certain incentive arrangements require the payment of a fee to customers based on their attainment of pre-established sales levels. These fees have been recorded as a reduction of Net Sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and were not material to the results of operations in any period presented.

The Company enters into transactions related to advertising, product promotions and demonstrations, some of which involve cooperative relationships with customers. These activities may be arranged either with unrelated third parties or in conjunction with the customer. The Company’s share of the cost of these transactions (regardless of to whom they were paid) are reflected in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and were approximately $1,412 million, $1,343 million and $1,152 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Advertising and Promotion

Global net expenses for advertising, merchandising, sampling, promotion and product development costs were $2,798.0 million, $2,655.7 million and $2,345.8 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are expensed as incurred. Excluding the impact of purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions, advertising, merchandising, sampling and promotion expenses included in operating expenses were $2,584.2 million, $2,458.9 million and $2,160.7 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development costs amounted to $103.6 million, $96.5 million and $85.7 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Shipping and Handling

Shipping and handling expenses of $337.9 million, $312.4 million and $289.7 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and include distribution center costs, third-party logistics costs and outbound freight.

Operating Leases

The Company recognizes rent expense from operating leases with periods of free and scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term. The Company considers lease renewals when such renewals are reasonably assured. From time to time, the Company may receive capital improvement funding from its lessors. These amounts are recorded as deferred liabilities and amortized over the remaining lease term as a reduction of rent expense.

License Arrangements

The Company’s license agreements provide the Company with worldwide rights to manufacture, market and sell beauty and beauty-related products (or particular categories thereof) using the licensors’ trademarks. The licenses typically have an initial term of approximately 5 years to 11 years, and are renewable subject to the Company’s compliance with the license agreement provisions. The remaining terms, including the potential renewal periods, range from approximately 7 years to 28 years. Under each license, the Company is required to pay royalties to the licensor, at least annually, based on net sales to third parties.

Most of the Company’s licenses were entered into to create new business. In some cases, the Company acquired, or entered into, a license where the licensor or another licensee was operating a pre-existing beauty products business. In those cases, other intangible assets are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives.

Certain license agreements may require minimum royalty payments, incremental royalties based on net sales levels and minimum spending on advertising and promotional activities. Royalty expenses are accrued in the period in which net sales are recognized while advertising and promotional expenses are accrued at the time these costs are incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records stock-based compensation, measured at the fair value of the award, as an expense in the consolidated financial statements. Upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock units, performance share units, performance share units based on total stockholder return and market share units, the resulting excess tax benefits, if any, are credited to additional paid-in capital. Any resulting tax deficiencies will first be offset against those cumulative credits to additional paid-in capital. If the cumulative credits to additional paid-in capital are exhausted, tax deficiencies will be recorded to the provision for income taxes. Excess tax benefits are required to be reflected as financing cash inflows in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its consolidated financial statements or tax returns. The net deferred tax assets assume sufficient future earnings for their realization, as well as the continued application of currently anticipated tax rates. Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, where management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction. Based on the Company’s assessments, no additional valuation allowance is required. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of net earnings at that time.

The Company provides tax reserves for U.S. federal, state, local and foreign exposures relating to periods subject to audit. The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate. The Company assesses its tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates. For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Company classifies applicable interest and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes. Although the outcome relating to these exposures is uncertain, in management’s opinion adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for estimable potential liabilities emanating from these exposures. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended its authoritative guidance related to testing goodwill for impairment. Under the revised guidance, entities testing goodwill for impairment have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not less than the carrying amount, the two-step impairment test would be required. This guidance became effective in the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income, requiring entities to present items of net income and other comprehensive income either in one continuous statement or in two separate consecutive statements. This guidance also required entities to present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued an update to this guidance deferring the requirement to present reclassification adjustments on the face of the financial statements. However, the Company is still required to present reclassification adjustments on either the face of the financial statement where comprehensive income is reported or disclose the reclassification adjustments in the notes to the financial statements. This guidance, including the deferral, became effective for the Company’s fiscal 2013 first quarter, with full retrospective application required. The Company has elected to present the items of net income and other comprehensive income in two separate consecutive statements. The adoption of this disclosure-only guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In July 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. If either (i) an NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward is not available as of the reporting date under the governing tax law to settle taxes that would result from the disallowance of the tax position or (ii) the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for this purpose (provided that the tax law permits a choice), an entity should present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a liability and should not net the unrecognized tax benefit with a deferred tax asset. This guidance becomes effective prospectively for unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the Company’s fiscal 2015 first quarter, with retrospective application and early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adoption and the impact of this balance sheet presentation guidance but does not expect it to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to resolve the diversity in practice concerning the release of the cumulative translation adjustment (“CTA”) into net income (i) when a parent sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity, and (ii) in connection with a step acquisition of a foreign entity. This amended guidance requires that CTA be released in net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided, and that a pro rata portion of the CTA be released into net income upon a partial sale of an equity method investment in a foreign entity only. In addition, the amended guidance clarifies the definition of a sale of an investment in a foreign entity to include both, events that result in the loss of a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity and events that result in an acquirer obtaining control of an acquiree in which it held an equity interest immediately prior to the date of acquisition. The CTA should be released into net income upon the occurrence of such events. This guidance becomes effective prospectively for the Company’s fiscal 2015 first quarter with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this new guidance when it becomes effective, and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligations within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date. It does not apply to certain obligations that are addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. This guidance requires an entity to measure in-scope obligations with joint and several liability (e.g., debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, settled litigations, judicial rulings) as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount it expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. In addition, an entity is required to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation. This guidance should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods for those obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements within the scope of this guidance that exist at the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2015 first quarter, with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this guidance when it becomes effective, and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance requiring an entity to present, in a single location either parenthetically on the face of the financial statements or in a separate note, significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. An entity is not permitted to provide this information parenthetically on the face of the income statement if it has items that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income. Instead of disclosing the income statement line affected, a cross reference to other disclosures that provide additional details on these items is required. This guidance becomes effective prospectively for the Company’s fiscal 2014 first quarter, with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this new guidance when it becomes effective, and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. Under the revised guidance, entities testing their indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing further impairment testing. If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that it is more-likely-than-not that the asset is impaired, a quantitative test is required. The guidance becomes effective in the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2014, with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this new guidance when it becomes effective, and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that creates new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s rights of offset and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. This revised guidance helps reconcile differences in the offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). These requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In January 2013, the FASB issued an update that limits the scope of these disclosures to recognized derivative instruments, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and lending transactions to the extent they are offset in the balance sheet or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This disclosure-only guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2014 first quarter, with retrospective application required. The Company currently does not hold any financial or derivative instruments within the scope of this guidance that are offset in its consolidated balance sheets or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows, but may require certain additional disclosures if the Company enters into additional arrangements that fall under the scope of this guidance.

Out-of-period Adjustments

During the year ended June 30, 2013, the Company identified and recorded out-of-period adjustments related to the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 through June 30, 2012.

During the three months ended September 30, 2012, these out-of-period adjustments resulted in a net decrease in earnings before taxes of $5.9 million, a decrease in net earnings of $7.4 million and a decrease in diluted net earnings per common share of $.02. These out-of-period adjustments resulted from an understatement of foreign transactional taxes (no impact on the provision for income taxes), an overstatement of accounts payable balances and an overstatement of prepaid asset balances.

During the three months ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded an additional out-of-period adjustment related to the overstatement of accounts payable balances. This adjustment resulted in an increase in earnings before taxes of $13.6 million, an increase in net earnings of $9.1 million and an increase in diluted net earnings per common share of $.02 for the three months ended December 31, 2012.

The impact of these adjustments for the year ended June 30, 2013 is an increase in earnings before taxes of $7.7 million, an increase in net earnings of $1.7 million and no change in diluted net earnings per common share.

Individually and in the aggregate, these out-of-period adjustments did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2013, and the related items were not material to any previously issued consolidated financial statements.