Avon Products Inc. (AVP) recently posted fourth-quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 39 cents a share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents a share. Moreover, the results decreased over 51% from the year-ago earnings of 59 cents a share, primarily due to higher cost inflation coupled with increased operating expenses. On a reported basis, including one-time items, earnings fell 100% to zero cents per share compared with earnings of 50 cents in the year-ago quarter.

For full fiscal 2011, earnings declined almost 10% to $1.64 per share from the previous fiscal earnings of $1.80, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.76. On a reported basis, including one-time items, earnings fell nearly 12% to $1.20 per share compared with $1.36 in the previous fiscal.

During the quarter, the company’s total sales declined over 4% year over year to $2,997.9 million compared with $3,137.8 million a year ago. The decline in revenue was mainly attributable to a fall of 2% in total units, partially offset by benefit from favorable price and product mix. Besides, total revenue also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,102 million.

Avon registered a revenue decline in every category of products with fashion products dropping 14%, followed by a fall of 4% and 2% in the company’s Home and Beauty Products category, respectively.

Sales by Region

Avon delivered 2% revenue growth in Latin America, primarily driven by an increase of 2% in Mexico, partially offset by a 6% decline in Brazil. Units sold increased 4% during the quarter, while Active representatives remained flat year over year.

In North America, sales decreased 7% year over year, down 5% in US business, while active representatives fell 8%. Units sold remained flat year over year.

The beauty product maker’s revenues in Western Europe, Middle East and Africa plummeted 9% year over year, primarily due to weak performances at the company’s Fashion and Home category businesses. Avon registered a 3% fall in active representatives, while units sold were down by 5% during the quarter.

Intense competitive pressures continued to hamper Central and Eastern Europe revenue, which recorded a 9% drop in the quarter with a 12% fall in unit volume. The region marked a 3% drop in active representatives and a 12% revenue decline in Russia.

The Asia-Pacific division witnessed a 6% decrease in revenues. The region marked 7% decline in Active representatives and 6% fall in units sold.

Margin Contraction

Avon’s adjusted gross margin fell 70 basis points year over year to 61.2%, primarily due higher product cost and inventory related charges in Brazil. Operating profit reflected a decline of 31.4%, while operating margin contracted 360 basis points to 9.4% attributable to lower gross margin, increased field and distribution costs in Brazil and increased capital expenditure in RVP in the United States.

Other Financial Details

The leading global beauty company exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,245.1 million, long-term debt of $2,459.1 million, and shareholders’ equity of $1,570.4 million.

The company provided cash from operations of $655.8 million in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 versus $689 million of cash from operating activities in the same period last year. The company expended $267.7 million in capital expenditure.

Guidance

Battered by the wretched fourth-quarter performance and macroeconomic pressures, the company plans to focus on its top-line growth, cash generation and cost management in fiscal 2012 with least focus on margin recovery, indicating that it will be a year of changeover for Avon.

Avon Products is a leading global beauty company, and as the world’s largest direct seller of beauty and related products, targets women consumers in over 100 countries through 6.5 million independent sales representatives. The company also derives a substantial portion of its revenue from high-growth emerging markets, offering a significant future upside potential.

Globally, Avon competes against products sold to consumers by other direct-selling and direct-sales companies and through the Internet and against products sold in the mass market and through prestige retail channels. The company faces stiff competition from Revlon Inc. (REV).

Avoncurrently retains a Zacks #4 Rank, which translates into a short-term ‘Sell’ rating. Our long-term recommendation on the stock is ‘Underperform’.

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