(4) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (5) RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES In March 1999, the Board of Directors of Ralston announced  its intention to exit Energizer’s worldwide rechargeable Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (OEM) battery business to allow Energizer to focus on its primary battery business. On November 1, 1999, the OEM business was sold to Moltech Corporation for approximately $20.0. This segment is accounted for as a discontinued operation  in Energizer’s consolidated financial statements.  In fiscal 2000, Energizer recognized an after-tax gain of $1.2 on the disposition of discontinued operations related to the final settlement of the sale transaction. Included in the fiscal year 1999 Net Loss on Disposition of Discontinued Operations are estimated operating losses during  the divestment period of $15.0 pre-tax, or $9.6 after-tax, and a  loss on disposition of $95.6 pre-tax, or $64.6 after-tax. Actual  pre-tax operating losses during the divestment period through September 30, 1999, totaled $12.5. The net loss for 1998 includes an after-tax provision of $42.7,  primarily representing an impairment write-down of lithium ion rechargeable battery assets of the OEM business. Fair value of those assets was primarily determined based upon estimates of recovery value for unique manufacturing equipment. Due to rapid changes in the business environment since the beginning of the lithium ion project in 1996, it became more economical to source lithium ion cells from other manufacturers. The Investment in Discontinued Operations at September 30, 1999 was primarily comprised of fixed assets, inventory and accounts receivable and payable. Results for discontinued operations are  presented in the following table.  Competition in the primary battery business has intensified in  recent years, and there continues to be a migration of demand from carbon zinc to alkaline batteries. In response to these changes, Energizer has recorded restructuring charges each year from 1994 through 1999. These charges include a reduction in carbon zinc plant capacity as demand for this type of battery continues to decline, plant closures for the movement and consolidation of  alkaline production to new or more efficient locations in an effort  to achieve lower product costs, and staffing reorganizations and reductions in various world areas to enhance management effective- ness and reduce overhead costs. A detailed discussion of such charges and expenditures during 1998 through 2000 follows. During 1999, Energizer recorded net provisions for restructuring of $8.3 after-tax, or $9.9 pre-tax, $2.1 of which represented inventory write-downs and is classified as cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. Of the net pre-tax charge, $7.4 relates to the 1999 restructuring plans for the elimination of certain production capacity in North America and in Asia.  The pre-tax charge of $7.4 for 1999 plans consisted of termination benefits of $3.2, other cash costs of $.2 and fixed asset impairments of $4.0. The fixed asset impairments primarily relate to assets used for the production of lithium coin cells in North America. These assets were idled and scrapped in 1999.  29 1999 1998 Net sales $ 64.2 $ 149.4 Earnings/(loss) before  income taxes $ (9.0) $ (70.6) Income taxes benefit/(provision) 3.4 27.1 Net earnings/(loss) from  discontinued operations $ (5.6) $ (43.5)