management’s  discussion  and analysis Tyson Foods, Inc. 2002 annual report p 21 Disposition 2001 vs. 2000 Segment Information The following information includes nine weeks results for the period ending September 29, 2001, related to the IBP acquisition, stated prior to adjustments for minority interest. The effective tax rate was 35.4% in 2001 compared to 35.6% in 2000. Interest expense increased 24.1% compared to 2000. As a percent of sales, interest expense was 1.4% compared to 1.6% for 2000. The Company’s average indebtedness increased by 24.3% over the 2000 amount as a result of the IBP acquisition. The Company’s short-term interest rates were slightly lower than the same period last year, and the net average effective interest rate on total debt was 6.9% for 2001 and 2000. Operating expenses increased 26.0%, primarily due to the inclusion of nine weeks of IBP’s operations in 2001. As a percent  of sales, operating expenses were 5.6% for 2001 compared to 6.4% in 2000. Excluding IBP, comparable operating expenses as a percent of sales were 8.1% for 2001. The increase is primarily due to an increase in sales promotional expenses and litigation costs related to the acquisition of IBP and ongoing employee practice matters. Included in the 2000 operating expenses was $24 million  in bad debt reserve resulting from the bankruptcy filing by AmeriServe Food Distribution, Inc. (AmeriServe). Cost of sales increased 49.7%, primarily due to the added cost of sales for nine weeks of IBP’s operations. As a percent of sales, cost of sales was 91.5% for 2001 compared to 88.8% for 2000. Excluding IBP, comparable cost of sales as a percent of sales was 90.0%. The increase in comparable cost of sales, as a percent of sales, was primarily due to weather-related effects combined with higher grain and energy costs, lower market prices and product mix changes. Sales increased 45.3%, with a 29.8% increase in volume and a 12.0% increase in price. The increase in sales is primarily due  to the inclusion of nine weeks of IBP’s sales in 2001. Comparable sales increased 3.4% on a volume increase of 1.1%. Breast meat commodity market prices were pressured by an oversupply of chicken for much of the fiscal year causing an adverse effect on the average sales prices and margins of many of the Company’s core value-added products. During the fourth quarter of 2001, the Company experienced improved pricing of value-added products and seasonal price increases. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to current presentations. In September 2002, the Company completed the sale of its Specialty Brands, Inc. subsidiary. The subsidiary had been acquired with  the IBP acquisition and its results of operations were included in the Company’s prepared foods segment. The Company received cash proceeds of approximately $131 million which were used to reduce indebtedness and recognized a pretax gain of $22 million. Specialty Brand, Inc.’s sales and operating income for the year ended September 28, 2002, were $244 million and $2 million respectively. in millions Sales by Segment 2001 2000 Change Beef $ 2,027 $ – $2,027 Chicken 7,057 6,767 290 Pork 619 157 462 Prepared Foods 818 292 526 Other 42 52 (10) Total $10,563 $7,268 $3,295