Avon Reports Second-Quarter Results

Revenue of $2.5 Billion

NEW YORK, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP)
today reported second-quarter 2009 total revenue of $2.5 billion, 10% lower
than that of 2008's second quarter, but up 5% on a local-currency basis as
foreign exchange pressured growth by 15 percentage points. Beauty sales in
the second quarter 2009 were 10% lower versus the prior-year period, but
increased 5% on a local-currency basis. Active Representatives grew 11%.
Units overall rose 2% versus the prior-year quarter and Beauty units increased
3%.

Andrea Jung, Chairman and CEO, remarked, "Our bold strategies to counter the
recession are working. We've been successful at gaining Representatives and
consumers during these tough economic times. This confirms our belief in the
inherent advantage of our direct-selling business model. As women around the
globe are seeking income and smart value products, Avon is there to meet their
needs.

"From an earnings perspective, our results included substantial costs
associated with our recently launched 2009 restructuring program. These
actions reflect our continuing determination to transform our cost structure
to help fund growth. Also, foreign exchange continued to significantly
pressure profits, as expected. We are taking aggressive steps to help offset
the foreign-exchange impact throughout our value chain, the benefits of which
should be stronger in the second half of 2009.

Ms. Jung concluded, "Our focus on driving market share gains, coupled with a
constant turnaround mentality, reflects our commitment to emerge as a stronger
and more competitive company."

Avon's Beauty sales decreased 10%, but were up 5% in local currency in the
second quarter. On a local-currency basis, fragrance, color cosmetics,
personal care and skin care grew 8%, 7%, 6% and 1%, respectively. On a
reported basis, fragrance, color cosmetics, personal care and skin care
sales-growth rates were -9%, -9%, -10% and -12%, respectively.

Second-quarter 2009 gross margin of 62.2% was 150 basis points below that of
the prior-year quarter, as price increases, manufacturing productivity gains
and benefits from the company's Strategic Sourcing Initiative helped to
mitigate 210 basis points of unfavorable transaction-exchange impact.

Selling, general and administrative expense rose as a percent of revenue by
480 basis points versus 2008's second quarter due to costs to implement
restructuring initiatives, lower revenue and disproportionate
dollar-denominated expenses.

Advertising for the quarter was $82 million, down $21 million from last year's
period due primarily to foreign exchange. Advertising expense also benefited
from improved buying productivity and general softness in media pricing.
Thus, the company was able to maintain its advertising presence at a level
similar to a year ago. Avon invested an incremental $13 million in the
quarter on initiatives to further improve its Representative Value
Proposition.

As announced earlier this month, second-quarter 2009 expenses included costs
associated with the company's 2009 and 2005 restructuring programs totaling
$89 million pretax, or $.19 per share after tax. This compared with costs of
$13 million, or $.02 per share, related to the company's 2005 restructuring
program in the prior-year period.

Second-quarter 2009 operating profit was $183 million compared with $374
million in the prior-year quarter and the operating margin was 7.4%, compared
with 13.7% in second quarter 2008. The aforementioned higher costs to
implement restructuring initiatives lowered operating margin year over year by
310 basis points. Additionally, unfavorable foreign exchange lowered
operating margin by an estimated 370 basis points (approximately 250 of that
from foreign-exchange transaction and approximately 120 from foreign-exchange
translation) year over year.

The second quarter 2009's effective tax rate of 47.1% compared with 2008's
rate of 31.2%. The higher 2009 rate results from the establishment of a
valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets as a result of the
company's 2009 restructuring actions. The impact of this allowance was $.05
per share in the 2009 quarter, and is part of the $.19 per share cost of
restructuring in the quarter.

Net income in the second quarter 2009 was $83 million, or $.19 per share,
compared with $236 million, or $.55 per share, in the year-ago quarter.

At quarter end, Avon's total debt had increased $203 million from the year-end
level, to $2.7 billion, and cash had increased $116 million, to $1.2 billion.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $75 million through six months
of 2009 compared with $172 million of cash provided by operating activities in
the same period of 2008, with the change due primarily to lower net income.

Second-Quarter Regional Results
Latin America's second-quarter 2009 revenue was 3% lower year over year, but
up 15% on a local-currency basis. Local-currency revenue increased 23% in
Brazil, 14% in Mexico and 2% in Venezuela, which, on a reported basis, were
-2%, -11% and 2%, respectively. The region's Active Representatives grew 13%,
and units sold were up 5%. Operating profit was 29% lower (-11% in local
currency) due equally to unfavorable foreign exchange and the impact of costs
to implement restructuring initiatives. Latin America's second-quarter
operating margin was 13.7%, including a 240-basis-points impact from costs to
implement restructuring.

Second-quarter revenue in North America declined 10% (-8% in local currency).
Active Representatives were up 4% versus the prior-year quarter reflecting the
company's successful recruiting drive since early March. Units sold were 6%
lower versus the prior year. The region's revenue continued to be pressured
by lower consumer spending, particularly in the Fashion category. North
America's second-quarter operating profit decreased 67% (-65% in local
currency) versus the 2008 quarter reflecting the impact of lower revenue and
fixed overhead expense as well as costs to implement restructuring
initiatives. The region's operating margin was 4.4%, including a
330-basis-points impact from costs to implement restructuring.

In Central & Eastern Europe, second-quarter revenue was 25% lower year over
year but up 3% on a local-currency basis. Local-currency revenue increased
14% in Russia (-16% on a reported basis). The region's Active Representatives
grew 6% in the quarter, and units sold declined 4% versus the prior-year's
quarter. Operating profit decreased 79% (-66% in local currency) versus the
2008 quarter, due equally to the impact of costs to implement restructuring
initiatives and unfavorable foreign exchange. The region's operating margin
was 6.0%, including a 580-basis-points impact from costs to implement
restructuring.

Western Europe, Middle East & Africa's second-quarter revenue decreased 15%
versus the prior-year quarter but rose 4% on a local-currency basis.
Local-currency revenue increased 1% in the U.K. and 14% in Turkey, which, on a
reported basis, were -22% and -10%, respectively. The region's Active
Representatives grew 8% year over year. Units sold decreased 2%. Operating
profit decreased 69% (-62% in local currency) versus the 2008 quarter, due
equally to the impact of costs to implement restructuring initiatives and
unfavorable foreign exchange. The region's operating margin was 4.4%,
including a 480-basis-points impact from costs to implement restructuring.

Asia-Pacific's second-quarter revenue decreased 8% year over year due to
foreign exchange (flat on a local-currency basis.) On a local-currency basis,
10% growth in the Philippines (-1% on a reported basis) offset a similar-sized
decrease in Japan's revenue. The region's Active Representatives were 10%
higher, and units sold were flat with the prior year. Operating profit
decreased 58% (-53% in local currency) versus the 2008 quarter, due to the
impact of costs to implement restructuring initiatives as well as unfavorable
foreign exchange. The region's operating margin was 5.5%, including a
570-basis-points impact from costs to implement restructuring.

Second-quarter revenue in China grew 15% (13% in local currency) year over
year on continued strength of the direct selling business. Active
Representatives rose 52% year over year and units sold were 32% higher versus
the prior year. China had operating profit of $7 million in the quarter
compared with a loss of $8 million in the 2008 quarter, primarily due to lower
advertising expense and higher sales. The region's operating margin was 7.9%.

Avon will conduct a conference call at 9:00 A.M. today to discuss the
quarter's results. The dial-in number for the call is (800) 843-2086 in the
U.S. or (706) 643-1815 from non-U.S. locations (conference ID
number:18409647). The call will be webcast live at www.avoninvestor.com and
can be accessed or downloaded from that site for a period of two weeks.

Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10
billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets
to women in more than 100 countries through 5.8 million independent Avon Sales
Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, as well as
fashion and home products, and features such well-recognized brand names as
Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark.
Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements in this release that are not historical facts or information are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "estimate," "project,"
"forecast," "plan," "believe," "may," "expect," "anticipate," "intend,"
"planned," "potential," "can," "expectation" and similar expressions, or the
negative of those expressions, may identify forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable current
assumptions and expectations. Such forward-looking statements involve risks,
uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, levels of
activity, performance or achievement of Avon to be materially different from
any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements,
and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially
from management's expectations. Such factors include, among others, the
following:

-- our ability to implement the key initiatives of, and realize the gross
and operating margins and projected benefits (in the amounts and time
schedules we expect) from, our global business strategy, including our
multi-year restructuring initiatives, product mix and pricing
strategies, enterprise resource planning, customer service
initiatives,
product line simplification program, sales and operation planning
process, strategic sourcing initiative, outsourcing strategies,
zero-overhead-growth philosophy, cash flow from operations and cash
management, tax, foreign currency hedging and risk management
strategies;
-- our ability to realize the anticipated benefits (including any
projections concerning future revenue and operating margin increases)
from our multi-year restructuring initiatives or other strategic
initiatives on the time schedules or in the amounts that we expect,
and
our plans to invest these anticipated benefits ahead of future growth;
-- the possibility of business disruption in connection with our
multi-year
restructuring initiatives or other strategic initiatives;
-- our ability to realize sustainable growth from our investments in our
brand and the direct-selling channel;
-- a general economic downturn, a recession globally or in one or more of
our geographic regions, such as North America, or sudden disruption in
business conditions, and the ability of our broad-based geographic
portfolio to withstand such economic downturn, recession or
conditions;
-- the inventory obsolescence and other costs associated with our product
line simplification program;
-- our ability to effectively implement initiatives to reduce inventory
levels in the time period and in the amounts we expect;
-- our ability to achieve growth objectives or maintain rates of growth,
particularly in our largest markets and developing and emerging
markets;
-- our ability to successfully identify new business opportunities and
identify and analyze acquisition candidates, and our ability to
negotiate and consummate acquisitions as well as to successfully
integrate or manage any acquired business;
-- the effect of economic factors, including inflation and fluctuations
in
interest rates and currency exchange rates, as well as the possible
designation of Venezuela as a highly inflationary economy, and the
potential effect of such factors on our business, results of
operations
and financial condition;
-- our ability to successfully transition our business in China in
connection with the resumption of direct selling in that market in
2006,
our ability to operate using the direct-selling model permitted in
that
market and our ability to retain and increase the number of Active
Representatives there over a sustained period of time;
-- the effect of political, legal and regulatory risks, as well as
foreign
exchange or other restrictions, imposed on us, our operations or our
Representatives by governmental entities;
-- general economic and business conditions in our markets, including
social, economic and political uncertainties in the international
markets in our portfolio;
-- any consequences of internal investigations and compliance reviews
that
we conduct from time to time, including the ongoing investigation of
our
China operations and the review of our practices relating to the
Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act and related U.S. and foreign laws in additional
countries;
-- information technology systems outages, disruption in our supply chain
or manufacturing and distribution operations, or other sudden
disruption
in business operations beyond our control as a result of events such
as
acts of terrorism or war, natural disasters, pandemic situations and
large scale power outages;
-- the risk of product or ingredient shortages resulting from our
concentration of sourcing in fewer suppliers;
-- the quality, safety and efficacy of our products;
-- the success of our research and development activities;
-- our ability to attract and retain key personnel and executives;
-- competitive uncertainties in our markets, including competition from
companies in the cosmetics, fragrances, skin care and toiletries
industry, some of which are larger than we are and have greater
resources;
-- our ability to implement our Sales Leadership program globally, to
generate Representative activity, to enhance the Representative
experience and increase Representative productivity through
investments
in the direct-selling channel, and to compete with other
direct-selling
organizations to recruit, retain and service Representatives;
-- the impact of the seasonal nature of our business, adverse effect of
rising energy, commodity and raw material prices, changes in market
trends, purchasing habits of our consumers and changes in consumer
preferences, particularly given the global nature of our business and
the conduct of our business in primarily one channel;
-- our ability to protect our intellectual property rights;
-- the risk of an adverse outcome in our material pending and future
litigations;
-- our ratings and our access to financing and ability to secure
financing
at attractive rates; and

-- the impact of possible pension funding obligations, increased pension
expense and any changes in pension regulations or interpretations
thereof on our cash flow and results of operations.

Additional information identifying such factors is contained in Item 1A of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to
update any such forward-looking statements.

AVON PRODUCTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except per share data)

Three months Six months
ended Percent ended Percent
June 30 Change June 30 Change
----------------- ------- ----------------- -------
2009 2008 2009 2008
------- ------- ------- -------

Net sales $2,445.7 $2,711.0 -10% $4,603.4 $5,188.9 -11%
Other revenue 24.6 25.1 46.7 48.9
------- ------- ------- -------
Total revenue 2,470.3 2,736.1 -10% 4,650.1 5,237.8 -11%

Cost of sales 934.3 993.4 1,745.5 1,917.1
Selling,
general and
administrative
expenses 1,353.1 1,368.8 2,553.3 2,650.6
------- ------- ------- -------
Operating
profit 182.9 373.9 -51% 351.3 670.1 -48%
------- ------- ------- -------

Interest expense 27.9 26.1 52.7 52.2
Interest income (4.7) (8.6) (12.0) (17.8)
Other (income)
expense, net (0.2) 12.0 4.0 12.7
------- ------- ------- -------
Total other
expenses 23.0 29.5 44.7 47.1

Income before
taxes 159.9 344.4 -54% 306.6 623.0 -51%
Income taxes (75.3) (107.4) (104.5) (199.8)
------- ------- ------- -------

Net income 84.6 237.0 202.1 423.2
Net income
attributable
to noncontrolling
interest (1.7) (1.4) (1.9) (2.9)
------- ------- ------- -------
Net income
attributable
to Avon $82.9 $235.6 -65% $200.2 $420.3 -52%
======= ======= ======= =======

Earnings per share:
Basic $.19 $.55 -65% $.47 $.98 -52%
======= ======= ======= =======
Diluted $.19 $.55 -65% $.46 $.97 -53%
======= ======= ======= =======

AVON PRODUCTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In millions)

June 30 December 31
2009 2008
----------- -----------
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $1,221.0 $1,104.7
Accounts receivable, net 689.1 687.8
Inventories 1,083.1 1,007.9
Prepaid expenses and other 850.6 756.5
----------- -----------
Total current assets 3,843.8 3,556.9
----------- -----------

Property, plant and equipment, at cost 2,545.2 2,439.9
Less accumulated depreciation (1,147.5) (1,096.0)
----------- -----------
1,397.7 1,343.9

Other assets 1,075.8 1,173.2
----------- -----------
Total assets $6,317.3 $6,074.0
----------- -----------

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
Debt maturing within one year $446.9 $1,031.4
Accounts payable 662.9 724.3
Accrued compensation 220.2 234.4
Other accrued Liabilities 616.6 581.9
Sales and taxes other than income 219.6 212.2
Income taxes 69.6 128.0
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 2,235.8 2,912.2
----------- -----------
Long-term debt 2,243.5 1,456.2
Employee benefit plans 659.9 665.4
Long-term income taxes 160.0 168.9
Other liabilities 155.6 159.0
----------- -----------
Total liabilities $5,454.8 $5,361.7
----------- -----------

Shareholders' Equity
Common stock $185.9 $185.6
Additional paid-in-capital 1,903.0 1,874.1
Retained earnings 4,138.7 4,118.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (860.1) (965.9)
Treasury stock, at cost (4,543.4) (4,537.8)
----------- -----------
Total Avon shareholders' equity 824.1 674.9
----------- -----------
Noncontrolling Interest 38.4 37.4
----------- -----------
Total shareholders' equity $862.5 $712.3
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $6,317.3 $6,074.0
----------- -----------

AVON PRODUCTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In millions)

Six Months Ended
June 30
------------------
2009 2008
-------- --------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income $202.1 $423.2
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and Amortization 82.2 92.7
Provision for doubtful accounts 92.6 95.3
Provision for obsolescence 44.7 28.9
Share-based compensation 31.9 31.1
Deferred income taxes (0.1) 3.7
Other 27.5 17.3

Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (65.3) 8.1
Inventories (102.4) (145.2)
Prepaid expenses and other (49.4) (117.1)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (65.3) (231.9)
Income and other taxes (89.2) (8.9)
Noncurrent assets and liabilities (33.9) (24.8)
-------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities 75.4 172.4
-------- --------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures (108.1) (136.0)
Disposal of assets 5.7 5.1
Purchases of investments (0.7) (18.3)
Proceeds from sale of investments 61.7 18.1
Other Investing 5.8 -
-------- --------
Net cash used by investing activities (35.6) (131.1)
-------- --------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash dividends (183.6) (177.3)
Debt, net (maturities of three months or less) (501.6) (281.0)
Proceeds from debt 884.7 496.3
Repayment of debt (131.6) (59.5)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 0.7 28.6
Excess tax benefit realized
from share-based compensation (1.6) 5.0
Repurchase of common stock (6.2) (120.9)
-------- --------
Net cash provided (used) by financing
activities 60.8 (108.8)
-------- --------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
and cash equivalents 15.7 64.4
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 116.3 (3.1)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year $1,104.7 $963.4
Cash and equivalents at end of period $1,221.0 $960.3

AVON PRODUCTS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE
(Unaudited)
(In millions)

THREE MONTHS ENDED 6/30/09
==========================
REGIONAL RESULTS
================

Total
Revenue
$ in Total in Local Operating Op. Active
Millions Revenue US$ Currency Profit US$ Margin Units Reps
----------- -------- ---------- ------ ----- ------
% var. % var. % var. % var. % var.
vs vs vs 2009 vs vs
2Q08 2Q08 2Q08 percent 2Q08 2Q08
----------- -------- ----------- ------- ------ ------
Latin
America $977.0 -3% 15% $133.9 -29% 13.7% 5% 13%

North
America(1) 570.6 -10 -8 25.1 -67 4.4 -6 4

Central
& Eastern
Europe 324.4 -25 3 19.4 -79 6.0 -4 6

Western
Europe,
Middle
East &
Africa 299.9 -15 4 13.1 -69 4.4 -2 8

Asia
Pacific 208.8 -8 0 11.5 -58 5.5 0 10

China 89.6 15 13 7.1 * 7.9 32 52

Total
from
Opera-
tions 2,470.3 -10 5 210.1 -49 8.5 2 11

Global
Expenses - - - (27.2) 35 - - -

Consol-
idated
(1) $2,470.3 -10% 5% $182.9 -51% 7.4% 2% 11%

CATEGORY SALES (US$)
====================
Consolidated
----------------
% var.
vs
2Q08
----------------
Beauty (cosmetics/fragrances/skin care/toiletries) $1,761.8 -10%
Fashion (fashion jewelry/watches/apparel/footwear/
accessories) 427.9 -13
Home (gift & decorative products/housewares/
entertainment & leisure/kids/nutrition) 255.9 -1
-------- -----
Net Sales $2,445.6 -10%
Other Revenue 24.7 -2
-------- -----
Total Revenue $2,470.3 -10%

SIX MONTHS ENDED 6/30/09
========================
REGIONAL RESULTS
================

Total
Revenue
$ in Total in Local Operating Op. Active
Millions Revenue US$ Currency Profit US$ Margin Units Reps
------------ -------- ----------- ------ ----- -------
% var. % var. % var. % var. % var.
vs vs vs 2009 vs vs
1H08 1H08 1H08 percent 1H08 1H08
------------ -------- ----------- ------- ------ -------
Latin
America $1,771.0 -6% 15% $222.1 -28% 12.5% 6% 10%

North
America
(1) 1,096.3 -11 -9 47.6 -66 4.3 -7 2

Central
& Eastern
Europe 645.8 -24 3 67.7 -63 10.5 -3 8

Western
Europe,
Middle East
& Africa 543.1 -19 1 19.1 -69 3.5 -4 7

Asia
Pacific 408.4 -8 0 26.7 -47 6.5 0 7

China 185.5 12 8 20.6 * 11.1 16 46

Total
from
Opera-
tions 4,650.1 -11 4 403.8 -46 8.7 1 9

Global
Expenses - - - (52.5) 34 - - -

Consol-
idated
(1) $4,650.1 -11% 4% $351.3 -48% 7.6% 1% 9%

CATEGORY SALES (US$)
====================

Consolidated
---------------
% var.
vs
1H08
---------------
Beauty (cosmetics/fragrances/skin care/toiletries) $3,321.6 -11%
Fashion (fashion jewelry/watches/apparel/footwear/
accessories) 818.0 -12
Home (gift & decorative products/housewares/
entertainment & leisure/kids/nutrition) 463.8 -10
-------- ----
Net Sales $4,603.4 -11%
Other Revenue 46.7 -4
-------- ----
Total Revenue $4,650.1 -11%

* Calculation not meaningful

(1) North America Active Representative growth benefited from increased
ordering opportunities in Canada as a result of a move from a three-week
campaign cycle to a two-week campaign cycle beginning in the second
quarter of 2008.

SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.

Renee Johansen, or Yana Friedman, +1-212-282-5320