Avon Reports Second Quarter Earnings of $.49 Per Share, $.03 Per Share Ahead of Earlier Guidance

Avon Reports Second Quarter Earnings of $.49 Per Share, $.03 Per
Share Ahead of Earlier Guidance
Sales and Units Grow Strongly at 13% and 15%, Respectively; Beauty Sales
Advance 17%



NEW YORK, July 28  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE:AVP)
today reported that earnings in the second quarter 2004 increased 36% to $.49
per share, or $.03 per share ahead of earlier guidance.  In the second quarter
2003, Avon reported earnings of $.36 per share.

The company also raised its earnings expectation for the full-year 2004 to
$1.72 per share, up from earlier guidance of $1.70 per share.

Avon said that exceptional strength in the company's international operations
added $.02 per share to second quarter earnings versus earlier guidance.  An
additional $.01 per share upside resulted from a one-time tax audit settlement
originally forecasted for later in the year.

Sales in the quarter also advanced ahead of earlier guidance to $1.84 billion,
up 13%, versus $1.63 billion in the year-ago period.  Excluding the impact of
foreign currency exchange, sales rose 12%.

Avon said that the sales growth was driven by a 17% increase in sales of Beauty
products, with all major categories delivering double-digit gains.  In
addition, units and active Representatives both rose to exceptional levels, up
15% and 11%, respectively, with all geographic regions showing increases in
both measures.

Operating profit in the quarter increased 16%, and operating margin improved 40
basis points to 17.4%, including the previously announced $6.2 million paid to
settle a long-standing lawsuit.  Gross margin expanded 170 basis points to
64.1% due to substantial cost-savings in all geographic regions resulting from
the company's Business Transformation initiatives.

Net income in the second quarter rose 35% to $232.3 million, compared with
$171.5 million in last year's second quarter.  Net income for the 2004 quarter
included anticipated one-time benefits of $.03 per share resulting from
previously disclosed cash management and tax strategies and $.01 per share from
an adjustment in foreign tax credits, as well as the timing impact of $.01 per
share from the tax audit settlement mentioned above.

Net cash provided by operations in the second quarter 2004 was $240 million,
$86 million ahead of last year's quarter.  Avon said it remains on track for
achieving full-year cash flow from operations of approximately $800 million.

Commenting on the quarter, Andrea Jung, Avon's chairman and chief executive
officer, said, "Avon's second quarter performance again illustrates a very
exciting top-line growth story, with sales, units and active Representatives
all growing at near-record rates.  We're especially pleased that Beauty sales
grew in the high teens, and have now grown faster than overall sales for eight
consecutive quarters, demonstrating the sustainability of our strategies to
drive consistent growth in our global Beauty business," she said.

"In addition, our international regions performed above expectations, with
Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific all generating double-digit gains in
sales, operating profit, units and active Representatives.  While overall U.S.
sales were 3%, we're very encouraged by the continuing strength in Beauty sales
and solid growth in active Representatives, our most critical strategic
indicators."

Ms. Jung added that the company is equally pleased with the strength of its
bottom-line performance, noting that, "Avon's second quarter results also
reflect the continuing impact of Business Transformation, with all geographic
regions generating significant benefits from ongoing supply chain initiatives."

Second Quarter Regional Highlights

Avon said that in the U.S., its largest market, sales increased 3%, driven by
11% growth in units and a 4% gain in the number of active Representatives.
Sales of Beauty products rose 6% - on top of the 12% gain in last year's second
quarter - and sales of Beauty Plus products advanced 4%.  Sales in the Beyond
Beauty category fell 11% due to weaker-than-expected toy and gift sales.  U.S.
operating profit increased in line with sales, as expected, while operating
margin declined by 30 basis points to 20.5%.

The Europe region delivered another quarter of continuing substantial growth as
sales advanced 28% in dollars and 20% in local currency terms. Units and active
Representatives increased 17% and 13%, respectively.  The markets of Central
and Eastern Europe again posted outstanding results, with sales and operating
profit advancing significantly, including Russia, Avon's fastest growing
market, where sales grew more than 80%.  The U.K. followed its strong first
quarter performance with a second quarter sales increase in excess of 20%. 
Operating profit in Europe increased 49%, and operating margin expanded by 320
basis points to 22.9%.

The Latin America region also generated strong operating results in the quarter
as sales grew 10% in dollars and 15% in local currencies.  Units and active
Representatives in the region increased 12% and 13%, respectively. Brazil
delivered mid-teens sales growth, supported by a 19% advance in units.
Venezuela, Chile and Argentina also recorded healthy double-digit sales growth.
 Operating profit in Latin America rose 15% on top of a prior-year gain of
approximately $7 million from the sale of a Mexico City property.  The region's
operating margin improved by 110 basis points to 25.9%.

In Asia Pacific, sales grew 20% in dollars and 16% in local currencies, driven
by a very healthy 29% advance in units and 13% growth in active
Representatives.  China, Avon's largest long-term growth opportunity, continues
to post dramatic growth, with sales increasing more than 60% in the quarter. 
Operating profit in Asia Pacific rose 33%, and operating margin expanded by 180
basis points to 18.6%, fueled by broad-based strength across the region.

Outlook for Third Quarter and Full Year

Avon said it expects third quarter local currency sales growth to be in line
with that of the second quarter, with continuing strength in international
regions, and U.S. sales expected to grow between 3-4%.  Foreign currency is
projected to have an approximate 1% negative impact on overall third quarter
sales growth.

The company also said that growth in sales of Beauty products should again
outpace overall sales gains, and units are expected to grow at a rate similar
to that in the second quarter.  Third quarter operating profit is forecast to
approach a 20% growth rate, with operating margin expansion expected in all
regions.  Third quarter earnings are projected to be approximately $.34 per
share, or 21% ahead of last year's period.

With its international operations exceeding expectations, Avon said it raised
its earnings forecast for the full-year 2004 to $1.72 per share, $.02 per share
ahead of earlier guidance, or 24% ahead of 2003's earnings of $1.39 per share. 
Avon anticipates a full-year effective tax rate in the range of 31%.

"We're pleased with the continuing strength of our business fundamentals, and
we're confident that 2004 will be our fifth consecutive year of exceptional
operating performance.  It will also be the second year in a row in which
Avon's earnings have increased over 20% as we accelerate the transformation of
the company," Ms. Jung said.

Avon will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. New York time to discuss
the results for the quarter and outlook for the rest of 2004.  The conference
call will be webcast live and can be accessed at http://www.avoninvestor.com/ .

Avon is the world's leading direct seller of beauty and related products, with
$6.8 billion in annual revenues.  Avon markets to women around the world
through 4.4 million independent sales Representatives.  Avon product lines
include such recognizable brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon
Solutions, Advance Techniques Hair Care, Avon Naturals, Mark, and Avon
Wellness.  Avon also markets an extensive line of fashion jewelry and apparel.
More information about Avon and its products can be found on the company's web
site http://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.  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 Products, Inc. ("Avon" or the "Company") 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:  general economic and business conditions in the Company's
markets, including social, economic and political uncertainties in Latin
America, Asia Pacific and Central and Eastern Europe; the Company's ability to
implement its business, cash management and tax strategies and its Business
Transformation initiatives; the Company's ability to achieve anticipated cost
savings and its profitability and growth targets, particularly in its largest
markets; the impact of substantial currency fluctuations on the results of the
Company's foreign operations and the cost of sourcing foreign products and the
success of the Company's foreign currency hedging and risk management
strategies; the Company's ability to implement its information systems
initiatives; the impact of possible pension funding obligations and increased
pension expense on the Company's cash flow and results of operations; the
effect of legal, regulatory and tax proceedings, as well as restrictions
imposed on the Company, its operations or its Representatives by foreign
governments; the Company's ability to successfully identify new business
opportunities; the Company's access to financing; and the Company's ability to
attract and retain key executives.  Additional information identifying such
factors is contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2003, filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no
obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

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

                          Three months ended          Six months ended
                               June 30      Percent       June 30    Percent
                           2004      2003   Change    2004      2003  Change

  Net sales (1)          $1,844.4  $1,632.0   13%  $3,585.8  $3,092.3   16%
  Other revenue              21.9      16.2            45.3      31.9
       Total revenue      1,866.3   1,648.2   13%   3,631.1   3,124.2   16%

  Cost of sales (1)         669.0     619.7         1,330.1   1,193.7
  Marketing,
   distribution and
   administrative
   expenses (1)             871.8     748.7         1,746.1   1,487.1
       Operating profit     325.5     279.8   16%     554.9     443.4   25%

  Interest expense            9.8      10.6            15.9      20.5
  Interest income            (3.9)     (3.0)           (8.4)     (5.5)
  Other expense, net (2)      4.1       9.8             7.3      11.6
       Total other
        expenses             10.0      17.4            14.8      26.6

  Income before taxes
   and minority interest    315.5     262.4   20%     540.1     416.8   30%
  Income taxes               79.4      88.1           153.3     142.1

  Income before minority
   interest                 236.1     174.3           386.8     274.7
  Minority interest          (3.8)     (2.8)           (6.4)     (4.3)
  Net income               $232.3    $171.5   35%    $380.4    $270.4   41%


  Earnings per share: (3)
  Basic                      $.49      $.37   32%      $.81      $.58   40%
  Diluted (4)                $.49      $.36   36%      $.80      $.57   40%

  Average shares outstanding:
  Basic                    472.27    469.80          472.03    469.99
  Diluted                  478.37    488.58          477.60    488.11

  Notes:



(1) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, and the six months ended
June 30, 2004, reclassifications were made based on changes to certain
Brazilian taxes (reclassified from operating expenses to a reduction of sales
and cost of sales).  These reclassifications did not affect operating profit.

(2) For the three months ended June 30, Other expense (income), net includes
foreign exchange losses (gains) of $2.7 and $7.7 in 2004 and 2003,
respectively. For the six months ended June 30, Other expense (income), net
includes foreign exchange losses (gains) of $4.7 and $8.8 in 2004 and 2003,
respectively.

(3) 2003 quarter and year-to-date Earnings Per Share were restated to reflect
the 2 for 1 stock-split that took place in May 2004.

(4) For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share for the three months
ended June 30, 2003 after tax interest expense of $2.6 applicable to
convertible debt was added back to net income. For the six months ended June
30, 2003 after tax interest expense of $5.3 applicable to convertible debt was
added back to net income.

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

                                                June 30          December 31
                                                  2004               2003

  Cash, including cash equivalents               $641.9             $694.0
  Accounts receivable, net                        595.2              599.8
  Inventories                                     723.9              653.4
  Prepaid expenses and other                      279.5              278.9
  Total current assets                          2,240.5            2,226.1

  Property, plant and equipment, net              872.0              855.6
  Other assets                                    522.2              480.6

  Total assets                                 $3,634.7           $3,562.3

  Debt maturing within one year                  $244.1             $244.1
  Accounts payable                                406.0              400.1
  Other current liabilities                       874.6              943.5
  Total current liabilities                     1,524.7            1,587.7

  Long-term debt                                  851.6              877.7
  Other non-current liabilities                   663.5              725.6

  Total shareholders' equity                      594.9              371.3

  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $3,634.7           $3,562.3


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

                                                       Six months ended
                                                            June 30
                                                    2004              2003
  Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income                                       $380.4            $270.4
    Depreciation and amortization                    64.3              60.4
    Provision for doubtful accounts                  67.3              57.2
    Provision for obsolescence                       31.9              27.0
    Deferred income taxes                           (21.4)              4.0
    Other                                             0.5              11.0

  Changes in assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable                             (70.4)            (23.1)
    Inventories                                    (109.0)            (76.0)
    Prepaid expenses and other                        3.4             (11.5)
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities         15.1            (104.2)
    Income and other taxes                          (57.3)            (55.8)
    Non-current assets and liabilities              (76.8)            (44.8)
  Net cash provided by operating activities         228.0             114.6

  Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Capital expenditures                              (81.2)            (63.0)
  Disposal of assets                                  4.8              11.7
  Other investing activities                        (48.1)            (19.2)
  Net cash (used in) investing activities          (124.5)            (70.5)

  Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Cash dividends                                   (135.2)           (100.9)
  Total debt, net change                             (1.8)            242.3
  Repurchase of common stock                        (90.8)            (92.8)
  Proceeds from exercise of stock
   options, net of taxes                             82.0              52.8
  Other financing activities                          1.4                 -
  Net cash (used in) provided by financing
   activities                                      (144.4)            101.4

  Effect of exchange rate on cash                   (11.2)              8.5

  Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and
   Equivalents                                     $(52.1)           $154.0


               AVON PRODUCTS, INC. - SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE

             SECOND QUARTER 2004 - THREE MONTHS ENDED 6/30/04

                             REGIONAL RESULTS

                               Net Sales
                               in Local   Operating                   Active
                Net Sales US$  Currency   Profit US$   Op.     Units   Reps
                         %var.   %var.         %var.  Margin   %var.  %var.
                           vs      vs            vs    2004      vs     vs
                          2Q03    2Q03          2Q03  percent   2Q03   2Q03
  $ in Millions

  North America   $625.3    3%     3%   $125.1     4%   19.5%     11%     2%
    US             545.8    3      3     114.8     3    20.5      11      4
  International
   (1)           1,219.1   19     17     283.5    30    23.1      16     13
   Latin America
    (1)            476.6   10     15     123.6    15    25.9      12     13
   Europe          484.8   28     20     111.2    49    22.9      17     13
   Pacific         257.7   20     16      48.7    33    18.6      29     13
  Total from
   Operations
    (1)          1,844.4   13     12     408.6    20    21.9      15     11
  Global Expenses      -    -      -     (83.1)  -40       -       -      -
  Consolidated
   (1)          $1,844.4   13%    12%   $325.5    16%   17.4%     15%    11%


                           CATEGORY SALES (US$)

                                         Consolidated              US
                                              % var. vs           % var. vs
                                                   2Q03                2Q03
  Beauty
   (cosmetics/fragrances/toiletries)    $1,296.8    17%      $328.2      6%
  Beauty Plus (fashion jewelry/watches/
   apparel/accessories)                    337.4    10        144.6      4
  Beyond Beauty (home products/gift and
   decorative/candles)                     210.2    -2         73.0    -11
                                        $1,844.4    13%      $545.8      3%


              SECOND QUARTER 2004 - SIX MONTHS ENDED 6/30/04

                             REGIONAL RESULTS

                              Net Sales
                              in Local   Operating                   Active
               Net Sales US$  Currency   Profit US$   Op.     Units   Reps
                        %var.   %var.         %var.  Margin   %var.  %var.
                         vs      vs            vs    2004      vs     vs
                        1H03    1H03          1H03  percent   1H03   1H03
  $ in Millions

  North
   America     $1,232.7   5%     5%   $221.1    9%   17.5%     7%      2%
   US           1,082.4   5      5     205.1   -2    18.4      7       3
  International
   (1)          2,353.1  23     17     501.7   38    21.2     16      12
   Latin
    America (1)   911.0  16     16     211.5   23    23.2     12      12
   Europe         936.1  33     22     198.3   63    21.1     19      13
   Pacific        506.0  19     13      91.9   30    17.8     22      11
  Total from
   Operations
   (1)          3,585.8  16     13     722.8   27    19.9     13      10
  Global
   Expenses           -   -      -    (167.9) -36       -      -       -
  Consolidated
   (1)         $3,585.5  16%    13%   $554.9   25%   15.3%    13%     10%


                           CATEGORY SALES (US$)

                                          Consolidated               US
                                               % var. vs           % var. vs
                                                    1H03                1H03
  Beauty
   (cosmetics/fragrances/toiletries)     $2,501.7    20%       $634.1     7%
  Beauty Plus (fashion jewelry/watches/
   apparel/accessories)                     646.1    10         282.3     6
  Beyond Beauty (home products/gift
   and decorative/candles)                  438.0     4         166.0    -4
                                         $3,585.8    16%     $1,082.4     5%



(1) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, and the six months ended
June 30, 2004, reclassifications were made based on changes to certain
Brazilian taxes (reclassified from operating expenses to a reduction of sales
and cost of sales).  These reclassifications did not affect operating profit. 

DATASOURCE: Avon Products, Inc.



CONTACT:  Media - Victor Beaudet, [phone], or Investors - Renee

Johansen, or Rob Foresti, [phone], all for Avon Products, Inc.



Web site:  http://www.avon.com/

http://www.avoninvestor.com/

http://www.avoncompany.com/ 



Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/079575.html 

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