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Form 8-K dated January 28, 2004

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of report (date of earliest event reported):  January 28, 2004


INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

New York
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

1-4858
(Commission File Number)		 13-1432060
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

521 West 57 th Street, New York, New York
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		 10019
(Zip Code)

(212)  765-5500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

         Attached and being furnished hereby as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of a press release of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (“IFF”) dated January 28, 2004, reporting IFF’s financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003.

The discussion of the Company’s 2003 fourth quarter and full year results and its commentary regarding expected future results include and, where indicated, exclude the impact of sales attributable to certain non-core businesses disposed of in 2002, the impact of certain restructuring and other charges related to the Company’s on-going reorganization plan and the effects of exchange rate fluctuations. Such information is supplemental to information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and is not intended to represent a presentation in accordance with GAAP. In discussing its historical and expected future results and financial condition, the Company believes it is meaningful for investors to be made aware of and to be assisted in a better understanding of, on a period-to-period comparative basis, the impact of sales attributable to certain non-core businesses disposed of in 2002, the impact of exchange rate fluctuations and the impact such specifically identified charges, have on operating results and financial condition. In addition, management reviews each of these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate performance on a comparative period-to-period basis.

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 hereunto duly authorized.





Date:  January 27, 2004		 INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC.


By:       DENNIS M. MEANY
——————————————
Name:  Dennis M. Meany
Title:    Senior Vice President, General Counsel
               and Secretary

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description

   99.1 Press Release of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., dated Janaury 28, 2004.

Fourth Quarter Sales and Earnings Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IFF REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS EXCEED EXPECTATIONS
NEW WINS DRIVE FOURTH QUARTER GROWTH
PROVIDES 2004 SALES AND EARNINGS GUIDANCE

  New York, N.Y., January 28, 2004 .... International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) (“IFF” or “the Company”) reported earnings per share for the fourth quarter 2003 of $.40 compared to $.41 for the prior year quarter. The 2003 fourth quarter results include $11.4 million ($7.2 million after tax or $.08 per share) of restructuring and other charges related to the Company’s ongoing reorganization plan; 2002 fourth quarter results had no comparable charges. Excluding the effects of these charges, 2003 fourth quarter earnings per share would have been $.48, compared to $.41 in the prior year comparable quarter, an increase of 17%.

  Fourth quarter 2003 sales totaled $471.8 million, increasing 11% in comparison to the prior year quarter. Reported sales for the 2003 quarter benefited from the strengthening of various currencies, most notably the Euro, the Pound Sterling and the Australian dollar, in relation to the U.S. dollar; had exchange rates remained constant, sales for the fourth quarter 2003 would have increased approximately 3% in comparison to the prior year quarter.

  Sales for the fourth quarter were strongest in North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific, and to a lesser extent in India. European sales remained weak. For the quarter, sales performance by region was as follows:

    •   North America flavor sales grew 19% while fragrance sales grew 2%; in total, the region grew 10%. The flavor sales performance was driven by new wins and accelerated order activity across the entire customer portfolio. Functional fragrance sales increased 9%; this growth was partially offset by weaker sales of fine fragrances and aroma chemicals, which declined by 4% and 3%, respectively.
    •   In Europe, local currency flavor sales were flat, while fragrance sales declined 4%, resulting in reported dollar increases of 14% and 13%, respectively. In total, sales in the region declined 2% in local currency terms and increased 13% in dollars. Local currency sales of fine fragrances increased 2% and functional fragrances were flat, while aroma chemical sales declined 12%. The local currency performance reflected the persistent economic weakness in much of the European region, most notably in France, Germany, the U.K. and Switzerland, where sales were weakest in comparison to the 2002 fourth quarter; local currency sales in Eastern Europe also declined in the low double digits.

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    •   Local currency sales in Asia Pacific increased 3%, resulting in a 12% increase in reported dollar sales. Local currency fragrance sales increased 8% in comparison to the prior year quarter, resulting in a 15% increase in reported dollars; this strong performance reflects improving economic conditions in the region and the benefit of significant new fragrance wins. Local currency flavor sales increased 1%, resulting in a 10% increase in reported dollars. For the region, Indonesia and Thailand were strongest, each achieving double digit growth with Greater China and South Korea each reaching high single digit growth; this growth was partially offset by continued weakness in Japan, where local currency sales declined 10% in comparison to the 2002 fourth quarter.
    •   Latin American sales increased 6%; flavor and fragrance sales increased by 15% and 3%, respectively, in comparison to the 2002 fourth quarter. Flavor sales were led by 32% and 17% increases in Brazil and Argentina, respectively, resulting from a combination of new wins and improved economic conditions in those countries. Fragrance sales in Argentina increased 60% although this performance was substantially offset by sales declines in Mexico and Central America; fragrance sales in Brazil were flat for the quarter.
    •   India sales increased 6% in local currency and 9% in reported dollars. Local currency fragrance sales increased 3% resulting in an 8% increase in reported dollars. Flavor sales increased 8% in local currency, resulting in a 10% increase in reported dollars. In both flavors and fragrances, the sales performance reflected the benefit of new wins and the benefits of the continued strong Indian economy.

  Net income for the quarter declined 2% in comparison to the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of restructuring and other charges, net income increased 16% in the current quarter in comparison to the prior year. Gross profit as a percentage of sales improved in the quarter primarily as a result of improved sales performance and cost cutting efforts. Operating margin in the fourth quarter, as a percentage of sales, declined in comparison to the prior year; the decline was primarily attributable to higher research and development expenses. Earnings have been sustained by the Company’s cost-cutting efforts and by reduced interest expense.

  Richard A. Goldstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IFF, said, “I am pleased with our fourth quarter performance. Our strong growth in North America flavors and our continued solid performance in Latin America, Asia Pacific, and India reaffirm my confidence that we are on the right track. In each of these regions, growth has been buoyed by improved economic conditions, but has mainly been driven by new wins. Our improved competitive position is largely due to our renewed focus on customer service and our research and development initiatives – both of which we believe are key to our future success.”

  Sales for the year ended December 31, 2003 totaled $1,901.5 million, increasing 5% in comparison to the prior year. Sales for 2002 included $9.4 million attributable to non-core businesses that the Company disposed of during 2002; excluding such sales from the 2002 results, 2003 sales increased 6% in comparison to the prior year. Reported sales for 2003 benefited from the strengthening of various currencies, most notably the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the Pound Sterling and the Australian dollar, in relation to the U.S. dollar; had exchange rates remained constant, 2003 sales would have declined approximately 2% in comparison to the prior year as reported.

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  Excluding, for comparative purposes, sales attributable to non-core businesses disposed of during 2002, sales performance by region for 2003 was as follows:

    •   North America flavor sales increased 3%, while fragrances declined 6%; in total the region declined by 2%. Flavor sales were driven primarily by new wins. The fragrance performance reflected weak demand for fine fragrance products as well as the effect of ongoing customer efforts to reduce inventory levels. Functional fragrance, fine fragrance and chemical sales declined 4%, 8% and 8%, respectively.
    •   Local currency flavor sales in Europe declined 1% in comparison to the prior year period, resulting in a 15% increase in reported dollar sales. Fragrance sales declined 5% in local currency, resulting in a 12% increase in reported dollar sales. Overall, the region’s sales declined 3% in local currency terms and increased 13% in dollars. Fine fragrance local currency sales increased 3%, while functional fragrance and aroma chemical sales declined by 4% and 12%, respectively. The local currency performance reflected the persistent economic weakness throughout much of the European region.
    •   Local currency sales in Asia Pacific increased 1% resulting in a 7% increase in reported dollar sales. Local currency fragrance sales increased 7% in comparison to the prior year period resulting in a 12% increase in reported dollars. Local currency flavor sales declined 2% in comparison to the prior year period resulting in a 4% increase in reported dollars. For the region, sales performance for the year was strongest in Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and Greater China, with respective local currency increases of 25%, 8%, 9% and 6%, respectively. These strong performances were substantially offset by persistent weakness in Japan and the Philippines where local currency sales declined by 7% and 18%, respectively.
    •   Latin America sales declined 2% in comparison to 2002. Flavor sales increased 9%, benefiting from increases of 80%, 31% and 19% in Central America, Argentina and Brazil, respectively, reflecting the benefit of new wins and, most notably in Argentina, an improved economic environment. Fragrance sales declined 5% with Central America, Mexico and Brazil declining 15%, 6% and 8%, respectively; Argentina fragrance sales increased 22% for the period, mainly benefiting from improved economic conditions in that country.
    •   India sales increased 9% in local currency and 12% in reported dollars. This performance was led by an 11% local currency increase in flavor sales with fragrance sales increasing 7% in comparison to the prior year. In both flavors and fragrances, the sales performance reflected the benefit of new wins.

  Net income for 2003 decreased 2% in comparison to the prior year. Excluding the impact of restructuring and other charges in both years, 2003 net income increased 9% in comparison to the prior year. Gross margin on sales in 2003, as a percentage of sales, declined in comparison to the prior year, primarily due to the weak sales performance in the higher margin fine fragrance business. Earnings have been sustained by the Company’s ongoing cost-cutting efforts and by reduced interest expense.

  Earnings per share for 2003 were $1.83 compared to $1.84 for the prior year. The 2003 results include $42.4 million ($27.5 million after tax or $.29 per share) of restructuring and other charges related to the Company’s reorganization plan; 2002 results had $11.7 million ($7.7 million after tax or $.08 per share) in comparable charges. Excluding the effects of these charges, 2003 earnings per share would have been $2.12, compared to $1.92 in the prior year, an increase of 10%.

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  Reorganization Actions

  In the fourth quarter 2003, the Company eliminated 60 positions, principally in its North American and European operating regions. As a result of these actions, the Company recorded restructuring and other pre-tax charges of $11.4 million ($7.2 million after tax or $.08 per share) in the quarter. In 2003, the Company eliminated 320 positions and recorded restructuring and other pre-tax charges of $42.4 million ($27.5 million after tax or $.29 per share); essentially all elements of these charges relate to employee terminations.

  On October 5, 2000, the Company announced a significant reorganization, including management changes, consolidation of production facilities and related actions. The Company’s reorganization, which is essentially complete, is expected to yield annual savings approximating $25 million to $30 million. A portion of these savings is to be reinvested in the business, although a substantial portion is expected to contribute to improving earnings.

  Since inception, the Company has recognized approximately $116.1 million of related pre-tax charges in comparison to expected charges of $110.0 million. This increase in actual costs incurred exceeds the previous estimate due to the effect of the substantial appreciation of the Euro against the U.S. dollar, most notably in the last six months of 2003.

  Outlook for 2004
 
  IFF expects 2004 local currency sales to increase in the low-single digits in comparison to 2003. Based on current exchange rates, this local currency growth is expected to result in a mid-to-high single digit increase in reported dollars.

  IFF expects earnings per share for 2004 to be in the range of $2.24 to $2.31 compared to $1.83 in 2003. Excluding restructuring and other charges recorded in 2003, this performance represents an expected increase in earnings per share of between 6% and 9% over the comparable 2003 results of $2.12 per share.

  Mr. Goldstein stated, “Our asset utilization and cash flow is strong, and with our reorganization now essentially complete, I believe that we have the right operating foundation in place. As we move forward, our shareholders can expect growth to be driven by IFF’s innovation. Still, we remain cautious in our outlook for 2004 given the global economic environment in which we operate. We are seeing improvements in Latin America, most notably Brazil and Argentina, yet Mexico remains fairly weak. Southeast Asia and China continue to grow solidly, as does India. But Japan, in our estimation, remains fragile. Statistics suggest North America continues to rebound, but questions and doubts remain.”

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  About IFF

IFF is a leading creator and manufacturer of flavors and fragrances used in a wide variety of consumer products—from fine fragrances and toiletries, to soaps, detergents and other household products, to beverages and food products. IFF is dedicated to The Pursuit of Excellence in every area of its business, using knowledge, creativity, innovation and technology to continually provide customers with the highest quality products and service and superior consumer understanding.

  IFF has sales, manufacturing and creative facilities in 34 countries worldwide and annual sales exceeding $1.9 billion. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.iff.com.

  Cautionary Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Statements in this report, which are not historical facts or information, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain of such forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as “expect”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, and similar terms or variations thereof. All information concerning future revenues, tax rates or benefits, interest savings, and other future financial results or financial position, constitutes forward-looking information. 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 of 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 economic, population health and political uncertainties; interest rates; the price and availability of raw materials; the Company’s ability to implement its business strategy, including the achievement of anticipated cost savings, profitability and growth targets; the impact of currency fluctuation or devaluation in the Company’s principal foreign markets and the success of the Company’s hedging and risk management strategies; the impact of possible pension funding obligations and increased pension expense on the Company’s cash flow and results of operations; and the effect of legal and regulatory proceedings, as well as restrictions imposed on the Company, its operations or its representatives by foreign governments. The Company intends its forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of such statements and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available or to reflect changes in expectations, assumptions or results.

  Conference Call
There will be a conference call today at 9:00 AM Eastern Time, at which time the Company will discuss operating results for the fourth quarter 2003 and its expectations for 2004. The dial in number for U.S.-based participants is 888-208-1812; for international participants, the number is 719-457-2654. The passcode for the call is 585397.

  A replay of the conference call will be available from 1:00 PM Eastern Time beginning on Wednesday January 28, 2004 and ending at Midnight on Wednesday, February 11, 2004. The dial in number for the replay for U.S.-based listeners is 888-203-1112; for international listeners, the number is 719-457-0820. The replay pass code will be 585397.

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  The call can also be monitored via the World Wide Web at www.iff.com. Real Network’s Real Player or Microsoft Media Player is required to access the webcast. They can be downloaded from www.real.com or www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website for twelve months.

  Contact
Douglas J. Wetmore
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Phone:  212-708-7145

**********************

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International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Consolidated Income Statement
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)


Quarter Ended
December 31,		 Year Ended
December 31,
2002 2003 2002 2003
Net sales     $ 424,292   $ 471,799   $ 1,809,249   $ 1,901,520          
Cost of goods sold       242,284     268,583     1,035,835     1,092,456  
Gross margin on sales       182,008     203,216     773,414     809,064  
Research & development       36,171     42,243     144,027     159,286  
Selling and administrative       75,707     84,310     305,156     308,951  
Amortization       3,158     3,158     12,632     12,632  
        66,972   73,505   311,599   328,195
Restructuring and other charges       -   (11,401 )   (11,737 )   (42,421 )
Interest expense       (8,368 )   (5,875 )   (37,036 )   (28,477 )
Other income (expense), net       258     (986 )   3,591     (5,437 )
Pretax income       58,862     55,243     266,417     251,860  
Income taxes       19,866     17,132     90,473     79,263  
Net income     $ 38,996   $ 38,111   $ 175,944   $ 172,597  
Including restructuring and other charges  
     
Net income     $ 38,996   $ 38,111   $ 175,944   $ 172,597  
Earnings per share - basic     $.41   $.41   $1.86 $1.84
Earnings per share - diluted     $.41   $.40   $1.84 $1.83
Excluding restructuring and other charges  
     
Net income     $ 38,996   $ 45,318   $ 183,689   $ 200,111  
Result per share - basic     $.41   $.48   $1.94 $2.14
Result per share - diluted     $.41   $.48   $1.92 $2.12

Average Shares Outstanding (in thousands) 2002 2003
Fourth quarter:      
         Basic 94,309  93,669 
         Diluted 95,632  94,423 
   
Full year:
         Basic 94,511  93,718 
         Diluted 95,873  94,419 
   

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet
(Amounts in thousands)


December 31,
2002		 December 31,
2003
Cash & short-term investments   $     15,165   $     12,555  
Receivables   338,607   339,725  
Inventories  421,603   454,631  
Other current assets  91,374   144,436  
    Total current assets  866,749   951,347  
   
Property, plant and equipment, net  520,499   510,612  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net  782,703   785,748  
Other assets  62,743   60,360  
                           Total assets   $2,232,694   $2,308,067  
   
Commercial paper/notes payable - bank  $     49,663   $   194,304  
Other current liabilities  309,834   331,446  
   Total current liabilities  359,497   525,750  
   
Long-term debt  1,007,085   690,493  
Non-current liabilities  291,434   342,965  
   
Shareholders’ equity  574,678   748,859  
            Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $2,232,694   $2,308,067  

Notes:
1.  Capital spending -		   Quarter:     $25 million      
    Full Year:  $66 million      
   
2.  Depreciation -   Quarter:     $19 million      
    Full Year:  $74 million      
   

3.  At December 31, 2003, Long-term debt includes unamortized gains of $38.0 million on various interest rate swaps the Company has entered into; such gains have been deferred and are being amortized over the remaining term of the underlying debt. At December 31, 2002, debt included $63.5 million of such swap gains.

***************

Quarter ended December 31, 2003

   % Change in Sales by Region of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total
 
        North America   2 19 10
 
      Europe - Reported  13   14   13  
   Europe - Local Currency  (4 ) - (2 )
 
        Latin America  3 15   6  
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  15   10   12  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  8   1   3  
 
       India - Reported  8   10   9  
    India - Local Currency  3   8   6  
 
       Total - Reported  8   14   11  
    Total - Local Currency  - 6   3

Year ended December 31, 2003 as Reported

   % Change in Sales by Region of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total
 
        North America   (6 ) (1 ) (4 )
 
      Europe - Reported  12   15   13  
   Europe - Local Currency  (5 ) (1 ) (3 )
 
        Latin America   (5 ) 9   (2 )
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  12   4   7  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  7   (2 ) 1  
 
       India - Reported  12   12   12  
    India- Local Currency  7   11   9  
 
       Total - Reported  3   7   5  
    Total - Local Currency  (4 ) - (2 )

Year ended December 31, 2003 Pro-Forma Excluding Non-Core Businesses Disposed of in 2002

   % Change in Sales by Region of Destination Fragrances Flavors Total
 
        North America   (6 ) 3 (2 )
 
      Europe - Reported  12   15   13  
   Europe - Local Currency  (5 ) (1 ) (3 )
 
        Latin America  (5 ) 9   (2 )
 
   Asia Pacific - Reported  12   4   7  
Asia Pacific - Local Currency  7   (2 ) 1  
 
       India - Reported  12   12   12  
    India- Local Currency  7   11   9  
 
       Total - Reported  3   8   6  
    Total - Local Currency  (4 ) 1 (2 )