We are responsible to generate as much cash and shareholder value as possible in the interim, ... We intend to be a tough competitor until the deal closes.
Our fixed cost structure remains a barrier to acceptable financial performance,
We can no longer carry the burden of this underperforming product line. So we're now exploring other strategic options including the sale of our floor care business.
There is a host of new entries, ... Each one has tremendous capacity, and the rivalry is extremely intense. That will affect the government's judgment.
We believe this additional time will be sufficient for the review to be completed, and we are confident that the acquisition will close rapidly upon completion of the review.
These are times of high uncertainty for consumers and for our appliance business, ... However, if the industry and our orders hold at present levels for the balance of the year, we will achieve the current analysts' earnings consensus in the fourth quarter.
Our sales growth in the quarter reflected the Amana acquisition and strong sales of higher-margin major appliances, ... That favorable sales mix improved operating income.
The year 2001 was far more important strategically for Maytag than it was financially,
