Avon Reports Second-Quarter Earnings of $.69 Per Share, Including $.20 of Tax Benefits, on 6% Revenue Increase

Avon Reports Second-Quarter Earnings of $.69 Per Share, Including
$.20 of Tax Benefits, on 6% Revenue Increase
Company Sees 7-8% Revenue Growth in Second Half; Full-Year Earnings Forecast in
Range of $2.03-$2.08 per Share 


NEW YORK, July 19  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE:AVP)
today reported that earnings in the second quarter 2005 increased to $.69 per
share, including a $.20-per-share tax benefit ($.03 per share more than
initially anticipated) primarily from settlements of prior-year audits that
were completed in the second quarter.  These earnings compare with guidance of
$.66 per share.  In the second quarter 2004, earnings were $.49 per share,
including a tax benefit of $.05 per share.

Avon said that revenue in the second quarter 2005 grew 6% (2% in local
currencies) to $2.0 billion -- on top of 13% growth in the year-ago period.
Revenue in the quarter was below expectations due to two factors which each
impacted topline growth by approximately two points: an unexpected temporary
decline in China as Beauty Boutique owners reacted with concern to the imminent
resumption of direct selling in that country; and lower-than- anticipated
revenue growth in Central and Eastern Europe resulting from underperformance of
several key marketing offers as well as delayed expansion into new geographies
within Russia.

Total Beauty sales in the second quarter 2005 rose 7%, active Representatives
grew 6% and units increased 2%, respectively, versus the prior year.  Operating
profit increased 6%, in line with revenue growth, and operating margin was
17.3%, including the impact of lower corporate expenses that resulted primarily
from the reversal of accruals for 2005 performance- based compensation plans. 
Net income in the second quarter 2005 was $328.6 million, compared with $232.3
million a year ago.

Second Quarter Regional Highlights

U.S. second-quarter performance was in line with the company's expectations,
with revenue and operating profit decreasing 6% and 14%, respectively.  Beauty
sales declined 11% due to continued weak customer purchase frequency in an
environment of stepped-up competitive activity. Reflecting ongoing, planned
category repositioning, Beauty Plus sales increased 5% and Beyond Beauty sales
declined 3%.  Units and active Representatives in the quarter were down 12% and
2%, respectively.  U.S. operating margin was 18.6%.

In Europe, revenue in the second quarter increased 12% on top of 28% revenue
growth in the year-ago period.  In local-currency terms, revenue was up 6%,
with gains in units and active Representatives of 10% and 9%, respectively. 
Central and Eastern Europe grew 16% with revenue in Russia increasing 17%,
continuing strong market outperformance but below the company's planned levels.
 Europe's second-quarter operating profit grew 10%, and operating margin was
22.4%.

In Latin America, broad-based strength across most of the region contributed to
second-quarter revenue growth of 17% (10% in local currencies) with strong
results in Brazil and Venezuela, in particular, and a solid increase in
Mexico's Beauty sales offsetting softness in several non-core categories in
that market.  Active Representatives and units in the region both grew 9%. 
Operating profit increased by 13%, and operating margin was 25.0%.

In Asia Pacific, revenue was flat (down 2% in local currency) and units
declined 7% as the region's performance was impacted by a 19% decline in
China's revenue due to the direct-selling transition issues.  Asia Pacific
active Representatives in the quarter grew 4%.  Operating profit declined 23%,
versus the year-ago quarter primarily as a result of the China revenue decline.
 Operating margin in the region was 14.3%.

In commenting on the company's second-quarter results, Andrea Jung, Avon's
chairman and chief executive officer, said, "While the U.S. and Latin America
performed in line with our expectations, the situation in China was clearly
unexpected.  We are moving rapidly to assure our Beauty Boutique owners that
they will have an opportunity to earn as much or more with Avon in our future
model, and believe this will be a transitional issue. We continue to feel
privileged to have been chosen as the first company authorized to conduct a
direct-selling test and our optimism about the long-term $1 billion opportunity
in China remains unchanged.  In Central and Eastern Europe, where our topline
momentum continues to be strong and we remain confident in our beauty
leadership position, we have significantly enhanced our marketing offering and
implemented aggressive plans to accelerate order growth in the back half of the
year."

Revised Outlook

On a consolidated basis for the third quarter, Avon expects revenue growth to
accelerate to the high-single digits (mid-single digits in local currencies).
Operating profit is forecast to be down slightly.  EPS is expected to be in the
range of $.34-$.36, compared with 2004's third quarter of $.37 per share.

In terms of regional performance for the third quarter, the company said that
the U.S. revenue trendline is improving, with revenue expected to be down
slightly from the prior year.  U.S. operating profit is forecast to decrease
mid-to-high teens, with the majority of the decline due to reversal of 2004
bonus accruals in the prior year.  Europe's revenue is projected to increase
double digits and operating profit is forecast to rise in the mid-single
digits. In Latin America, revenue is anticipated to grow in the high teens and
operating profit is forecast to increase around 10%.  Asia Pacific's revenue is
expected to be up at least mid-single digits while operating profit for that
region is projected to be down high-single digits, including a more than
doubling of advertising in China.

Looking ahead to the second half, the company said that it anticipates revenue
growth of 7-8% (6-7% in local currency), double the first-half local- currency
growth rate, but below the company's previous expectation.  As a result, Avon
expects full-year earnings to be in the range of $2.03-$2.08, up from 2004
earnings of $1.77 per share.  This EPS guidance reflects the second- quarter
tax benefit of $.20 per share, partially offset by an impact of $.02 per share
from a revised higher effective tax rate in the second half.  The company said
that additional tax settlements are possible during 2005, which could result in
further benefits.  Additionally, cash flow from operations is projected to be
approximately $900 million for the full year.

Commenting on the company's revised outlook, Ms. Jung said: "We are encouraged
by some recent trends in the U.S.  In addition, we expect our current recovery
actions to improve performances in China and Central and Eastern Europe as we
move through the balance of the year.  If all of these actions and trends play
out in the back half of the year, we can achieve the top end of our earnings
projection.  However, given the volatility we've experienced in recent quarters
on a number of fronts, we believe that it is prudent to allow for further risk,
thus the breadth of our forecast."

Ms. Jung added, "Looking ahead, the broad strength of Avon's global portfolio
remains a significant competitive advantage and we remain confident in Avon's
unique growth and transformation strategies.  Over the long term, we expect to
deliver high-single-digit local-currency revenue growth, enabled by a greater
step-up in strategic spending support and thoughtful trade-off between our
revenue growth and margin targets, including evaluation of our enterprise
expense base.  We remain confident that Avon's revenue growth will continue to
well outpace the overall Beauty market, supported by appropriate levels of
investment while also delivering margin expansion over the long term."

The company said that it is reviewing its long-term targets and will provide
additional detail at its annual investor update meeting to be scheduled for
late fall.

Avon will conduct a conference call at 8:00 A.M. today to discuss the quarter's
results and the outlook for the full-year.  The dial-in number for the call is
[phone] (entry code 2272).  Additionally, the 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
$7.7 billion in annual revenues.  Avon markets to women around the world
through 4.9 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 report 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," "plan,"
"believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "planned," "potential" and similar
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:
general economic and business conditions in our markets, including social,
economic and political uncertainties in Latin America, Asia Pacific, and
Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East; our ability to implement our
business, cash management and tax strategies and our Business Transformation
initiatives; our ability to achieve anticipated cost savings and our
profitability and growth targets, particularly in our largest markets; our
ability to implement appropriate product mix and pricing strategies; the impact
of changes in consumer spending patterns and preferences, particularly given
the global nature of our business; our ability to replace lost sales
attributable to the repositioning of the U.S. Beyond Beauty business; the
impact of substantial currency fluctuations on the results of our foreign
operations and the cost of sourcing foreign products and the success of our
foreign currency hedging and risk management strategies; our ability to
implement our Sales Leadership program globally, to increase Representative
productivity and recruit Representatives; our ability to implement our
enterprise resource planning project; the impact of possible pension funding
obligations and increased pension expense on our cash flow and results of
operations; the impact of stock option expense pursuant to Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R); the effect of legal, regulatory and
tax proceedings, as well as restrictions imposed on us, our operations or our
Representatives by foreign governments; our ability to successfully identify
new business opportunities; our access to financing; and our ability to attract
and retain key personnel and executives.   Additional information identifying
such factors is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, 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
                     (In millions, except per share data)

                      Three months ended  Percent  Six months ended  Percent
                             June 30       Change        June 30      Change
                         2005      2004              2005      2004

  Net sales            $1,963.9  $1,844.4    6%    $3,824.8  $3,585.8    7%
  Other revenue            20.4      21.9              40.6      45.3
       Total revenue    1,984.3   1,866.3    6%     3,865.4   3,631.1    6%

  Cost of sales (1)       730.4     673.8           1,428.6   1,340.0
  Marketing,
   distribution and
   administrative
   expenses (1)           909.9     867.0           1,832.3   1,736.2
       Operating profit   344.0     325.5    6%       604.5     554.9    9%

  Interest expense         10.5       9.8              20.6      15.9
  Interest income          (8.1)     (3.9)            (15.9)     (8.4)
  Other expense, net (2)    0.8       4.1               5.3       7.3
       Total other
        expenses            3.2      10.0              10.0      14.8

  Income before taxes
   and minority interest  340.8     315.5    8%       594.5     540.1   10%
  Income taxes (3)         10.3      79.4              90.1     153.3

  Income before minority
   interest               330.5     236.1             504.4     386.8
  Minority interest        (1.9)     (3.8)             (3.8)     (6.4)
  Net income             $328.6    $232.3   41%      $500.6    $380.4   32%


  Earnings per share:
  Basic                    $.70      $.49   43%       $1.06      $.81   31%
  Diluted                  $.69      $.49   41%       $1.05      $.80   31%


  Average shares outstanding:
  Basic                  471.45    472.27            471.70    472.03
  Diluted                475.57    478.37            476.28    477.60

  Notes:

  (1) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, certain U.S.
      expenses were reclassified from operating expenses to cost of sales.
      These reclassifications did not affect operating profit.

  (2) For the three months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, Other expense, net
      includes foreign exchange losses of $3.9 and $2.7, respectively. For
      the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, Other expense, net
      includes foreign exchange losses of $5.8 and $4.7, respectively.
      During the second quarter of 2005, the Company recorded a gain on the
      sale of marketable securities of $4.9.

  (3) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, earnings per share
      were impacted by a reduction in tax expense of $99.6, due to the
      completion of income tax examinations as well as the closure
      of a tax year by expiration of the statute of limitations, net of
      related adjustments.  For the three and six months ended June 30,
      2004, earnings per share were also impacted by a reduction in tax
      expense of $24.8 and $28.6 respectively, due to cash management and
      tax strategies, favorable audit settlements, and amended returns as
      well as tax and interest refunds.



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

                                                June 30        December 31
                                                  2005               2004

  Cash, including cash equivalents               $880.1             $769.6
  Accounts receivable, net                        564.4              599.1
  Inventories                                     841.5              740.5
  Prepaid expenses and other                      400.3              397.2
  Total current assets                          2,686.3            2,506.4

  Property, plant and equipment, net            1,015.8            1,014.8
  Other assets                                    624.0              626.9

  Total assets                                  4,326.1            4,148.1

  Debt maturing within one year                   286.8               51.7
  Accounts payable                                474.5              490.1
  Other current liabilities                       834.3              983.7
  Total current liabilities                     1,595.6            1,525.5

  Long-term debt                                  865.9              866.3
  Other non-current liabilities                   688.2              806.1

  Total shareholders' equity                    1,176.4              950.2

  Total liabilities and shareholders'
   equity                                      $4,326.1           $4,148.1



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

                                                        Six months ended
                                                            June 30
                                                     2005             2004

  Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income                                       $500.6            $380.4
    Depreciation and amortization                    63.7              64.3
    Provision for doubtful accounts                  60.3              67.3
    Provision for obsolescence                       29.5              31.9
    Deferred income taxes                             3.0             (21.4)
    Other                                            10.8               9.5

  Changes in assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable                             (28.2)            (59.7)
    Inventories                                    (147.4)           (109.0)
    Prepaid expenses and other                      (10.3)             (7.3)
    Accounts payable and accrued
     liabilities                                    (47.9)              6.1
    Income and other taxes                         (112.7)            (57.3)
    Non-current assets and liabilities              (87.8)            (76.8)
  Net cash provided by operating activities         233.6             228.0

  Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Capital expenditures                              (86.6)            (81.2)
  Disposal of assets                                  7.3               4.8
  Other investing activities                        (11.0)            (48.1)
  Net cash used by investing activities             (90.3)           (124.5)

  Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Cash dividends                                   (159.7)           (135.2)
  Total debt, net change                            234.8              (1.8)
  Repurchase of common stock                       (129.7)            (90.8)
  Proceeds from exercise of stock
   options, net of taxes                             55.2              82.0
  Other financing activities                         (0.3)              1.4
  Net cash provided (used) by financing
   activities                                         0.3            (144.4)

  Effect of exchange rate changes on
   cash and equivalents                             (33.1)            (11.2)

  Net increase (decrease) in cash and
   equivalents                                     $110.5            $(52.1)



               AVON PRODUCTS, INC. - SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE

             SECOND QUARTER 2005 - THREE MONTHS ENDED 6/30/05

                             REGIONAL RESULTS

                                               Total
                                              Revenue
                                              in Local       Operating
  $ in Millions          Total Revenue US$    Currency       Profit US$

                                 % var. vs    % var. vs          % var. vs
                                     2Q04       2Q04                2Q04

  North America            $617.8     -4%        -5%       $110.0    -12%
         US                 527.6     -6         -6          98.3    -14
  International           1,366.5     12          6         299.4      6
         Latin America      560.3     17         10         140.0     13
         Europe             543.8     12          6         121.8     10
         Asia Pacific       262.4      0         -2          37.6    -23
  Total from Operations   1,984.3      6          2         409.4      0
  Global Expenses               -      -          -         (65.4)    21
  Consolidated           $1,984.3      6%         2%       $344.0      6%


                                         Op. Margin      Units   Active Reps

                                              2005    % var. vs    % var. vs
                                           percent         2Q04        2Q04

  North America                               17.8%         -10%         -2%
           US                                 18.6          -12          -2
  International                               21.9            7           8
           Latin America                      25.0            9           9
           Europe                             22.4           10           9
           Asia Pacific                       14.3           -7           4
  Total from Operations                       20.6            2           6
  Global Expenses                                -            -           -
  Consolidated                                17.3%           2%          6%


                           CATEGORY SALES (US$)
                                                        Consolidated

                                                                 % var. vs
                                                                      2Q04

  Beauty (cosmetics/fragrances/toiletries)         $1,389.2             7%
  Beauty Plus (fashion jewelry/watches/apparel/
   accessories)                                       355.7             6
  Beyond Beauty (home products/gift and
   decorative/candles)                                219.0             4
      Net Sales                                    $1,963.9             6%
  Other Revenue                                        20.4            -7
      Total Revenue                                $1,984.3             6%


                SECOND QUARTER 2005 - SIX MONTHS ENDED 6/30/05

                               REGIONAL RESULTS

                                               Total
                                              Revenue
                                              in Local     Operating
  $ in Millions          Total Revenue US$    Currency     Profit US$

                                   % var. vs  % var. vs        % var. vs
                                      1H04       1H04             1H04

  North America            $1,212.4     -4%       -5%   $192.3    -13%
         US                 1,044.1     -6        -6     175.0    -15
  International             2,653.0     12         7     559.2     11
         Latin America      1,037.5     14         9     238.3     13
         Europe             1,073.9     14         8     231.6     17
         Asia Pacific (1)     541.6      5         3      89.3     -3
  Total from Operations     3,865.4      6         3     751.5      4
  Global Expenses                 -      -         -    (147.0)    12
  Consolidated (1)         $3,865.4      6%        3%   $604.5      9%


                                        Op. Margin    Units    Active Reps

                                           2005      % var. vs   % var. vs
                                         percent       1H04        1H04

  North America                           15.9%         -9%         -2%
           US                             16.8         -11          -2
  International                           21.1           7          10
           Latin America                  23.0           7          10
           Europe                         21.6           8          11
           Asia Pacific (1)               16.5           4           8
  Total from Operations                   19.4           3           8
  Global Expenses                            -           -           -
  Consolidated (1)                        15.6%          3%          8%



          CATEGORY SALES (US$)
                                                     Consolidated

                                                          % var. vs
                                                               1H04
  Beauty  (cosmetics/fragrances/toiletries)        $2,690.1      8%
  Beauty Plus (fashion
   jewelry/watches/apparel/accessories)               690.3      7
  Beyond Beauty (home products/gift
   and decorative/candles)                            444.4      2
         Net Sales                                 $3,824.8      7%
  Other Revenue                                        40.6    -10
         Total Revenue                             $3,865.4      6%


  (1) Growth in Active Representatives was positively impacted by an
      increase in the number of sales campaigns in the Philippines in the
      second quarter of 2004, resulting in additional opportunities to
      order.  This change positively impacted Active Representative growth
      in Asia Pacific and Consolidated Avon for the six months ended June
      30, 2005 by 4 points and 1 point, respectively.


DATASOURCE: Avon Products, Inc.



CONTACT:  MEDIA: Victor Beaudet, [phone], or Sharon Samuel,

[phone], or INVESTOR: Renee Johansen or Rob Foresti, [phone],

all for Avon Products, Inc.



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

http://www.avoninvestor.com/ 



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

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