10-Q 1 form10qfiling-dated050906.htm FORM 10-Q DATED 05/09/06 Form 10-Q dated 05/09/06

FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


 
(Mark one)
   
(X)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 or
   
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________
   
 
Commission file number I-91

Furniture Brands International, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
 
43-0337683
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)

101 South Hanley Road, St. Louis, Missouri
 
63105
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
(314) 863-1100


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large Accelerated Filer (X)
Accelerated Filer ( )
Non-Accelerated Filer ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
   
Yes ( ) No (X)     



APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

48,981,430 shares as of April 30, 2006

 


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
 
Consolidated Financial Statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
March 31, 2006
December 31, 2005
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
The financial statements are unaudited, but include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which the management of the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the period. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

2


FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
   
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
ASSETS
             
               
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
90,554
 
$
114,322
 
Receivables, less allowances of $29,610
             
($23,368 at December 31, 2005)
   
393,216
   
349,202
 
Inventories (Note 1)
   
439,312
   
432,814
 
Deferred income taxes
   
27,257
   
25,540
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
10,463
   
9,790
 
Total current assets
   
960,802
   
931,668
 
               
Property, plant and equipment
   
653,606
   
666,079
 
Less accumulated depreciation
   
411,238
   
415,262
 
Net property, plant and equipment
   
242,368
   
250,817
 
               
Goodwill
   
182,507
   
182,507
 
Other intangible assets
   
169,671
   
169,671
 
Other assets
   
49,137
   
47,561
 
   
$
1,604,485
 
$
1,582,224
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
               
Current liabilities:
             
Accounts payable
 
$
110,698
 
$
101,860
 
Accrued employee compensation
   
31,672
   
30,605
 
Other accrued expenses
   
81,517
   
81,020
 
Total current liabilities
   
223,887
   
213,485
 
               
Long-term debt
   
301,600
   
301,600
 
Deferred income taxes
   
51,370
   
60,668
 
Other long-term liabilities (Note 8)
   
121,215
   
102,519
 
               
Shareholders' equity:
             
Preferred stock, authorized 10,000,000
             
shares, no par value - issued, none
   
-
   
-
 
Common stock, authorized 200,000,000 shares,
             
$1.00 stated value - issued 56,482,541
             
shares at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
   
56,483
   
56,483
 
Paid-in capital
   
223,247
   
221,754
 
Retained earnings
   
842,288
   
820,025
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (expense) (Note 3)
   
(44,935
)
 
(41,382
)
Treasury stock at cost (7,514,636 shares at
             
March 31, 2006 and 6,814,963 shares at
             
December 31, 2005)
   
(170,670
)
 
(152,928
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
906,413
   
903,952
 
   
$
1,604,485
 
$
1,582,224
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months
 
Three Months
 
   
Ended
 
Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Net sales
 
$
661,445
 
$
641,565
 
               
Cost of sales
   
507,506
   
491,628
 
               
Gross profit
   
153,939
   
149,937
 
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
116,564
   
111,416
 
               
Earnings from operations
   
37,375
   
38,521
 
               
Interest expense
   
2,961
   
3,102
 
               
Other income, net (Note 7)
   
10,538
   
1,890
 
               
Earnings before income tax expense
   
44,952
   
37,309
 
               
Income tax expense
   
14,730
   
12,525
 
               
Net earnings
 
$
30,222
 
$
24,784
 
               
Net earnings per common share:
             
               
Basic
 
$
0.61
 
$
0.47
 
               
Diluted
 
$
0.61
 
$
0.46
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding (Note 2):
             
               
               
Basic
   
49,522,219
   
53,211,846
 
               
Diluted
   
49,569,064
   
53,507,094
 
               

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4


FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months
 
Three Months
 
   
Ended
 
Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
Net earnings
 
$
30,222
 
$
24,784
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
             
provided by operating activities:
             
Depreciation and amortization
   
10,093
   
11,803
 
Stock compensation expense
   
1,623
   
87
 
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes
   
(3,339
)
 
(2,205
)
Other, net
   
(4,699
)
 
1,417
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
             
Accounts receivable
   
(44,014
)
 
(20,851
)
Inventories
   
(6,498
)
 
15,077
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
(399
)
 
(9,174
)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
   
17,143
   
9,198
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
4,059
   
5,557
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
4,191
   
35,693
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Proceeds from the disposal of assets
   
3,183
   
2,139
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
   
(5,356
)
 
(7,941
)
Net cash used by investing activities
   
(2,173
)
 
(5,802
)
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
   
6,769
   
572
 
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options
   
404
   
-
 
Payments of cash dividends
   
(7,959
)
 
(7,986
)
Payments for the purchase of treasury stock
   
(25,000
)
 
(5,000
)
Net cash used by financing activities
   
(25,786
)
 
(12,414
)
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
(23,768
)
 
17,477
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
114,322
   
51,248
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
90,554
 
$
68,725
 
               
Supplemental disclosure:
             
               
Cash payments for income taxes, net
 
$
18,033
 
$
15,500
 
               
Cash payments for interest expense
 
$
1,679
 
$
3,153
 
               

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)

(1)
Inventories are summarized as follows:

   
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Finished products
 
$
276,166
 
$
275,985
 
Work-in-process
   
45,104
   
43,747
 
Raw materials
   
118,042
   
113,082
 
   
$
439,312
 
$
432,814
 

(2)
Weighted average shares used in the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share are as follows:

   
Three Months
 
Three Months
 
   
Ended
 
Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Weighted average shares used
             
for basic net earnings per
             
common share
   
49,522,219
   
53,211,846
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
             
Stock options
   
46,845
   
295,248
 
Weighted average shares used
             
for diluted net earnings
             
per common share
   
49,569,064
   
53,507,094
 

(3)
Comprehensive income (expense) is as follows:

   
Three Months
 
Three Months
 
   
Ended
 
Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Net earnings
 
$
30,222
 
$
24,784
 
Other comprehensive income (expense), net of tax:
             
Change in fair value of financial instruments accounted
             
for as hedges
   
(4,221
)
 
2,319
 
Foreign currency translation
   
668
   
274
 
Other comprehensive income (expense)
   
(3,553
)
 
2,593
 
   
$
26,669
 
$
27,377
 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (expense), each presented net of tax benefits, are as follows:

   
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Fair value of financial instruments accounted
             
for as hedges
 
$
1,442
 
$
5,663
 
Minimum pension liability
   
(46,608
)
 
(46,608
)
Foreign currency translation
   
231
   
(437
)
   
$
(44,935
)
$
(41,382
)
 
6

 
(4)
Effective January 1, 2006 we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (Revised 2004) - Share-Based Payment (SFAS No. 123R) using the modified prospective application transition method. Under the modified prospective approach, the provisions of SFAS No. 123R are applied to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after the effective date. Additionally, compensation cost is also recognized for the unvested portion of awards granted prior to adoption. Prior year financial statements are not restated.
 
 
The adoption of SFAS No. 123R resulted in share-based compensation expense of $1,623 for the three months ended March 31, 2006. For the three months ended March 31, 2005 we accounted for stock based compensation plans under APB Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." The following table illustrates the impact on net earnings and earnings per common share if the fair value method had been applied.
 
   
Three Months
 
   
Ended
 
   
March 31, 2005
 
       
Net earnings
 
$
24,784
 
         
Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation
expense determined under fair value based
       
method, net of income tax benefits
   
(1,099
)
         
Net earnings - pro forma
 
$
23,685
 
         
Earnings per share - basic:
       
As reported
 
$
0.47
 
Pro forma
 
$
0.45
 
         
Earnings per share - diluted
       
As reported
 
$
0.46
 
Pro forma
 
$
0.45
 

The stock option plan allows for the granting of options to purchase common stock, restricted stock and restricted stock units. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, generally four years for stock options and various terms ranging from one to seventeen years for the restricted stock and restricted stock units.

A summary of option activity during the quarter is presented below:
   
 
 
 
 
Weighted
     
       
Weighted
 
Average
     
       
Average
 
Remaining
 
Aggregate
 
       
Exercise
 
Contractual
 
Intrinsic
 
   
Shares
 
Price
 
Term (Years)
 
Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
   
3,916,350
 
$
23.88
             
Granted
   
632,200
   
24.84
             
Exercised
   
(322,800
)
 
20.97
             
Cancelled
   
(47,200
)
 
25.39
             
Outstanding at March 31, 2006
   
4,178,550
 
$
24.23
   
6.1
   
1,168
 
 
Exercisable at March 31, 2006
   
2,663,875
 
$
24.13
   
4.4
   
1,012
 

The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The risk-free interest rate is based upon U.S. Treasury Securities with a term similar to the expected life of the option grant. The dividend yield is calculated based upon the dividend rate on the date of the grant. The expected term of the option grant is based upon historical exercise results. Expected volatility is calculated based upon the historical volatility over a period equal to the expected term of the option grant. The weighted-average assumptions used to value stock option grants issued in the three months ended March 31, 2006 are as follows:
 
 
7


 
 
2006
 
2005
 
           
Risk-free interest rate
   
4.38
%
 
3.71
%
Expected dividend yield
   
2.41
%
 
2.55
%
Expected term (years)
   
5.5
   
6.0
 
Expected volatility
   
39.94
%
 
42.78
%
               

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $8.61 and $8.48. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $1,112 and $650.

Non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are as follows:

   
Shares
 
Non-vested balance at December 31, 2005
   
52,166
 
Granted
   
56,190
 
Vested
   
(11,334
)
Forfeited
   
-
 
Non-vested balance at March 31, 2006
   
97,022
 

The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units issued during the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $1,402.

As of March 31, 2006 there was $14,354 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements under the plan, this cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of two years.
 
(5)
The components of net periodic pension cost for Company-sponsored defined benefit plans are as follows:
 
   
Three Months
 
Three Months
 
   
Ended
 
Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Service cost
 
$
1,450
 
$
3,400
 
Interest cost
   
6,125
   
6,425
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(6,375
)
 
(6,500
)
Net amortization and deferral
   
1,755
   
1,669
 
   
$
2,955
 
$
4,994
 

As of December 31, 2005 we amended the defined benefit plans, freezing and ceasing future benefits as of that date. Certain transitional benefits will be provided to participants who have attained age 50 and completed 10 years of service as of December 31, 2005. Effective January 1, 2006 retirement benefits are provided to substantially all employees through increased matching contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan. Total retirement costs for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $6,435 compared to $5,736 for the three months ended March 31, 2005.
 
(6)
We have provided guarantees related to store leases for certain independent dealers opening Company-branded stores (e.g., Thomasville Home Furnishings Stores). The guarantees range from one to fifteen years and generally require us to make lease payments in the event of default by the dealer. In the event of default, we
 
8

 
 
have the right to assign or assume the lease. The total future lease payments guaranteed at March 31, 2006 were $87,471. We consider the estimated loss on these guarantees to be de minimus; therefore, as of March 31, 2006 we have not recorded any contingent liability for lease guarantees.
 
(7)
In May 2004, in order to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on our floating rate long-term debt, we entered into three interest rate swap agreements, each having a national amount of $100,000 and a termination date in May 2007. On April 21, 2005 we refinanced the revolving credit facility. As a result of this refinancing we discontinued accounting for the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2006 and reclassified the gain of $8,503 ($5,408 net of income tax expense) from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings.

(8)
Other long-term liabilities consists of the following:

   
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Pension Liability
 
$
74,988
 
$
72,678
 
Other
   
46,227
   
29,841
 
     
121,215
   
102,519
 

Other long-term liabilities includes the non-current portion of accrued workers compensation, accrued rent associated with leases with escalating payments, accrued tax liabilities, deferred compensation and long-term incentive plans, and various other non-current liabilities.

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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Furniture Brands International, Inc. is one of the largest furniture companies in the United States. We are one company marketing our products through four operating subsidiaries: Broyhill Furniture Industries, Inc.; Lane Furniture Industries, Inc.; Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc. and HDM Furniture Industries, Inc. (which includes the operations of Henredon, Drexel Heritage and Maitland-Smith). Through these four subsidiaries, we design, manufacture, source, market and distribute a full line of branded products consisting of both wood and upholstered furniture.

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

Selected financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005 is presented below:

(Dollars in millions except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2006
 
March 31, 2005
 
       
% of
     
% of
 
   
Dollars
 
Net Sales
 
Dollars
 
Net Sales
 
Net sales
 
$
661.4
   
100.0
%
$
641.5
   
100.0
%
Cost of sales
   
507.5
   
76.7
   
491.6
   
76.6
 
Gross profit
   
153.9
   
23.3
   
149.9
   
23.4
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
116.5
   
17.6
   
111.4
   
17.4
 
Earnings from operations
   
37.4
   
5.7
   
38.5
   
6.0
 
Interest expense
   
3.0
   
0.5
   
3.1
   
0.5
 
Other income, net
   
10.5
   
1.6
   
1.9
   
0.3
 
Earnings before income tax expense
   
44.9
   
6.8
   
37.3
   
5.8
 
Income tax expense
   
14.7
   
2.2
   
12.5
   
1.9
 
Net earnings
 
$
30.2
   
4.6
%
$
24.8
   
3.9
%
 
Net earnings per common share - diluted
 
$
0.61
   
-
 
$
0.46
   
-
 
                           

9

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $661.4 million, compared to $641.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005, an increase of $19.9 million or 3.1%. This increase was driven primarily by strong product development at Thomasville and increased demand for our reclining products.

Cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $507.5 million compared to $491.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased from 76.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2005 to 76.7% in the three months ended March 31, 2006. Restructuring, asset impairment and severance charges included in cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $0.4 million and for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $1.4 million. The increase in cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was due to increases in raw material prices.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $116.6 million compared to $111.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses were 17.6% and 17.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005. Restructuring, asset impairment and severance charges for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $0.4 million and for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $2.5 million. Increases in selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily the result of higher bad debt expense, stock option compensation expense and operating expenses from the Company-owned retail stores (14 stores at March 31, 2006 compared to 10 stores at March 31, 2005) partially offset by reduced advertising and promotional expenses.

Interest expense totaled $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to $3.1 million in the prior comparable period. In a period of increasing interest rates, interest expense remained flat compared with the prior year due to similar debt levels and the rate being fixed through use of interest rate swaps.

Other income, net totaled $10.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to $1.9 million for the prior year comparable period. For the three months ended March 31, 2006 other income consisted of interest on short-term investments and notes receivable of $1.0 million, an $8.5 million gain on a cash flow hedge as a result of refinancing the revolving credit facility, and other miscellaneous income and expense items totaling $1.0 million.

The effective income tax rate was 32.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 33.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The effective tax rates for both periods were favorably impacted by domestic manufacturing deductions included in the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The effective tax rate for 2006 was further reduced due to the resolution of certain income tax contingencies during the period.

Net earnings per common share for basic and diluted were $0.61 and $0.61 for the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared with $0.47 and $0.46, for the same period last year, respectively. Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding used in the calculation of net earnings per common share on a basic and diluted basis were 49,522,219 and 49,569,064, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 53,211,846 and 53,507,094, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The reduction in average shares was due to the impact of stock repurchases during 2005 and 2006.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Working Capital

Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2006 amounted to $90.6 million, compared with $114.3 million at December 31, 2005. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $4.2 million, net cash used by investing activities totaled $2.1 million and net cash used by financing activities totaled $25.8 million. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2005 is the result of working capital increases, primarily accounts receivable.

Working capital was $736.9 million at March 31, 2006, compared with $718.2 million at December 31, 2005. The current ratio was 4.3-to-1 at March 31, 2006, compared to 4.4-to-1 at December 31, 2005.


10


 
Financing Arrangements

As of March 31, 2006, long-term debt consisted of the following in millions:

Revolving credit facility (unsecured)
 
$
300.0
 
Other
   
1.6
 
   
$
301.6
 

To meet short-term capital and other financial requirements during the first quarter, we maintained a $450.0 million revolving credit facility with a group of financial institutions. The revolving credit facility allowed for the issuance of letters of credit and cash borrowings. Letters of credit outstanding were limited to no more than $150.0 million, with cash borrowings limited only by the facility's maximum availability less letters of credit outstanding. On March 31, 2006, there were $300.0 million in cash borrowings and $16.4 million in letters of credit outstanding under the revolving credit facility, leaving an excess of $133.6 million available for future liquidity needs.

The facility required us to meet certain financial covenants including a minimum consolidated net worth and maximum leverage ratio. As of March 31, 2006, we were in compliance with all financial covenants.

Cash borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a base rate or at an adjusted Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin which varies, depending upon the type of loan we executed. The applicable margin over the base rate and Eurodollar rate is subject to adjustment based upon achieving certain credit ratings. At March 31, 2006, loans outstanding under the revolving credit facility consisted of $300.0 million based on the adjusted Eurodollar rate, which in conjunction with the interest rate swaps (used to hedge $300.0 million of the floating rate debt), have a weighted average interest rate of 3.58%.

On April 21, 2006 we refinanced the revolving credit facility. The new facility is a $400.0 million facility which allows for cash borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit. Cash borrowings under this facility bear interest at a base rate or at an adjusted Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin which varies, depending upon the type of loan executed. The applicable margin is subject to adjustment based upon achieving certain credit ratings.

We are currently in negotiations with a group of private investors to term-out up to $150.0 million in cash borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2006. In conjunction with this transaction, we have entered into $150.0 million of Treasury rate guarantees with two financial institutions to lock-in the Treasury rate portion on the borrowing cost. The fair value of the Treasury rate guarantees, $2.2 million at March 31, 2006, was included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The Treasury rate guarantees were terminated on April 28, 2006.

We believe that our current cash balance, cash generated from operations, and our revolving credit facility, will be adequate to meet liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future.

Recently Issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards

None

OUTLOOK

We currently expect net sales to be up in the low single digits versus the second quarter of last year and net earnings per diluted common share to be in the $0.29 to $0.33 range. This includes the effect of $0.03 in previously disclosed restructuring, asset impairment and severance charges. This also includes the effect of $0.03 in increased interest expense due to the upfront recognition of the accounting gain related to interest rate swaps which are no longer accounted for as a cash flow hedge.


11




FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We have made forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include our expected sales, earnings per share, profit margins, and cash flows, the effects of certain manufacturing realignments and other business strategies, the prospects for the overall business environment and other statements containing the words "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," and words of similar import. We caution investors any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions; failure to accomplish our strategic imperatives; loss of market share due to competition; failure to forecast demand or anticipate or respond to changes in consumer tastes and fashion trends; failure to achieve projected mix of product sales; business failures of large customers; distribution and cost savings programs; manufacturing realignments; increased reliance on offshore (import) sourcing of various products; fluctuations in the cost, availability and quality of raw materials; product liability uncertainty; environmental regulations; future acquisitions; impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets; anti-takeover provisions which could result in a decreased valuation of our common stock; loss of funding sources and our ability to open and operate new retail stores successfully. Other risk factors may be listed from time to time in our future public releases and SEC reports. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed explanation of our risk factors.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Our exposure to interest rate risk consists of its floating rate revolving credit facility. This risk is managed using interest rate swaps to fix a portion of our floating rate long-term debt. Currently, interest rate swaps fix the entire outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility; therefore, an increase in interest rates would have no impact on our net earnings.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 
(a)
The Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s report.

 
(b)
No change in our internal control over financial reporting has occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.



12


PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

           
Total Number
     
           
of Shares
 
Approximate Dollar
 
           
Purchased as
 
Value of Shares
 
   
Total
 
Average
 
Part of Publicly
 
that May Yet
 
   
Number
 
Price
 
Announced
 
Be Purchased
 
   
Of Shares
 
Paid
 
Plans
 
Under the Plans
 
Period
 
Purchased
 
per Share
 
or Programs
 
or Programs
 
                   
January 1 - January 31
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
$
97,258,190
 
                           
February 1 - February 28
   
404,980
 
$
24.39
   
404,980
 
$
87,379,814
 
                           
March 1 - March 31
   
617,493
   
24.49
   
617,493
 
$
72,258,170
 
                           
Total
   
1,022,473
 
$
24.45
   
1,022,473
       

On July 28, 2005 the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million of its Common Stock over the next 12 month period. As of March 31, 2006, 3,734,394 shares had been purchased, leaving $22,258,190 available under this authorization.

On January 26, 2006 the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $50 million of Common Stock over the next twelve months.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 
31
 
Certifications of W. G. Holliman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Denise L. Ramos, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
32
 
Certifications of W. G. Holliman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Denise L. Ramos, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       

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SIGNATURE

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

 
Furniture Brands International, Inc.
 
(Registrant)
   
   
   
 
By /s/ Steven W. Alstadt
 
Steven W. Alstadt
 
Controller and
 
Chief Accounting Officer

Date: May 9, 2006

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
31
 
Certifications of W. G. Holliman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Denise L. Ramos, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32
 
Certifications of W. G. Holliman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Denise L. Ramos, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.