Brown-Forman Corporation (BFB)

Brown-Forman Corporation engages in the production and marketing of consumer products. The company operates in two segments, Beverages and Consumer Durables. The Beverages segment manufactures, bottles, imports, exports, and markets a variety of alcoholic beverage brands. It also manufactures and markets new and used oak barrels. The Consumer Durables segment sells fine china dinnerware, crystal stemware and giftware, stainless steel flatware, and silver-plated and metal giftware under the Lenox, Gorham, and Kirk Stieff trademarks. In addition, under the trademark Hartmann, it offers luggage, business case, and personal leather accessories brand. The company also sells collectible and home décor products in the United States under the Lenox brand and outside the United States primarily under the Brooks & Bentley brand. It markets its products through authorized department stores, home specialty stores, and gift and jewelry shops; and through company-owned stores and the Internet. Brown-Forman was founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown and is based in Louisville, Kentucky.

For the fiscal year ended 30 April 2006, Brown-Forman Corporation's revenues increased 10% to $2.44B. Net income from continuing operations increased 16% to $395.2M. Revenues reflect increase in sales driven by outstanding results for the Company's premium global brands, including Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, and Finlandia. Net income also reflects decreased net interest expense and increase in other income.