UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K


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

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 399-8000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   X  . No____.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K _____.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).  Yes     X          No          

The aggregate market value of the registrant's voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $5,234,424,213 as of June 30, 2003.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock outstanding at February 27, 2004: 418,107,956 shares.

The following sections of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 18, 2004 are incorporated by reference in Parts I and III: "Election of Directors," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," "Compensation of Executive Officers," "Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board," "Outstanding Shares," "Transactions with Interpublic" and "Appointment of Independent Accountants".

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including "Business," "Business-Risk Factors," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", contains forward-looking statements. Interpublic's representatives may also make forward-looking statements orally from time to time. Statements in this Annual Report that are not historical facts, including statements about Interpublic's beliefs and expectations, particularly regarding recent business and economic trends, the impact of litigation, the SEC investigation, dispositions, impairment charges, the integration of acquisitions and restructuring costs, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors, including those described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under "Risk Factors". Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Interpublic undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

Investors should carefully consider these factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail under the heading "Business-Risk Factors" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Information regarding the Company's annual report on Forms 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or 10-Q/A, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, will be made available, free of charge, at the Company's website at http://www.interpublic.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such reports with or furnishes them to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any document that the Company files with the SEC may also be read and copied at the SEC's public reference room located at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The Company's filings are also available to the public from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/, and at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange. For further information on obtaining copies of the Company's public filings at the New York Stock Exchange, please call (212) 656-5060.

The Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct and each of the charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee are available free of charge on the Company's website at http://www.interpublic.com, or by writing to The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attention: Secretary.

Item 1.     Business

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in September 1930 under the name of McCann-Erickson Incorporated as the successor to the advertising agency businesses founded in 1902 by A.W. Erickson and in 1911 by Harrison K. McCann. It has operated under the Interpublic name since January 1961. As used in this Annual Report, the "Registrant" or "Interpublic" refers to The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. while the "Company" refers to Interpublic and its subsidiaries.

The Company is a group of advertising and specialized marketing and communication services companies that together represent one of the largest resources of advertising and marketing expertise in the world. With offices and other affiliations in more than 100 countries, the Company had revenues of approximately $5.863 billion and a net loss of approximately $451.7 million in 2003.

Advertising and Specialized Marketing and Communications Services Businesses

In the last five years, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest groups of global marketing services companies, providing its clients with communications and marketing expertise in three broad areas:

The Company seeks to be the best in quality and a leading competitor in all of these areas.

The Company is currently organized into four global operating groups. Three of these groups, McCann Erickson WorldGroup ("McCann"), The FCB Group and The Partnership, provide a comprehensive array of global communications and marketing services. Each offers a distinctive range of solutions for the Company's clients. The fourth global operating group, The Interpublic Sports & Entertainment Group ("SEG"), focuses on sports marketing and event planning activities. In addition to these groups, the Company also includes a group of leading stand-alone companies that provide their clients with a full range of advertising and/or marketing communications services. See "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 15: Segment Information" for further discussion.

The Company believes this organizational structure allows it to provide comprehensive solutions to clients, enables stronger organic growth among all its operating companies and allows it to bring improved operating efficiencies to its organization.

McCann Erickson WorldGroup was founded on the global strength and quality of McCann, one of the world's leading advertising agencies. It includes companies spanning advertising, media, customer relationship management, events, sales promotion, public relations, on-line marketing communications and healthcare communications. Launched in late 1997, McCann has expanded rapidly to become one of the world's leading networked marketing communications groups, now working with more than 25 key worldwide clients in three or more disciplines and with more than 40 US clients in two or more disciplines. McCann Erickson WorldGroup includes the following companies:

The FCB Group is a single global integrated network centered on Foote, Cone & Belding Worldwide and its advertising, direct marketing and sales promotion capabilities. This group also includes the following specialized services:

        *    FCBi (direct and digital marketing),

        *    Marketing Drive Worldwide (integrated promotional marketing),

        *    R/GA (web design and development),

        *    FCB HealthCare (healthcare marketing), and

        *    The Hacker Group (customer acquisition direct marketing).

Operations in the foregoing countries are carried out by one or more operating companies, at least one of which is either wholly owned by Interpublic or a direct or indirect subsidiary or is a company in which Interpublic or a direct or indirect subsidiary owns a 50% interest or more, except in Bahrain, Cambodia, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and United Arab Emirates where Interpublic or a direct or indirect subsidiary holds a minority interest.

The Company also offers services in Albania, Aruba, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Gabon, Ghana, Grand Cayman, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guyana, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Martinique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Surinam, Uganda, Zaire and Zambia through association arrangements with local agencies operating in those countries or territories.

For information concerning revenues and long-lived assets on a geographical basis for each of the last three years, see "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 15: Segment Information" included in this Annual Report under Item 8.

Recent Developments

Financing Activities

On December 16, 2003, Interpublic issued 25.8 million common shares at a price of $13.50 under its existing shelf registration statement. This offering was closed concurrently with an offering of approximately 7.5 million shares of its Preferred Stock. As a result of the transaction, Interpublic raised net proceeds of approximately $693 million. Approximately $246 million of the net proceeds from this offering were used to redeem Interpublic's 1.80% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004. The remaining proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

Sale of Modem Media Common Stock

In December 2003, Interpublic sold approximately 11 million shares of Modem Media common stock in an underwritten public offering, for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $57 million. Following Interpublic's sale of Modem shares in the offering, Interpublic owned approximately 148,000 shares of Modem Media's common stock.

Sale of Taylor Nelson Stock

On December 1, 2003, Interpublic disposed of all of the approximately 11.7 million shares of Taylor Nelson Sofres plc ("TNS") stock that Interpublic had received as partial consideration for the sale in June 2003 of NFO WorldGroup, Inc. to TNS. Interpublic received approximately $42 million in exchange for the sale of the shares of TNS stock. Interpublic no longer holds any shares of TNS stock.

Settlement of Securities Class Actions and Derivative Actions

On December 2, 2003, Interpublic reached an agreement in principal to settle the consolidated class action shareholder suits currently pending in federal district court in New York. The settlement is subject to the execution of a definitive settlement agreement and to approval by the court. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Interpublic will pay $115 million, of which $20 million will be paid in cash and $95 million in shares of Interpublic's common stock at a value of $14.50 per share. Interpublic also agreed that, should the price of its common stock fall below $8.70 per share before final approval of the settlement, Interpublic will either, at its sole discretion, issue additional shares of common stock or pay cash so that the consideration for the stock portion of the settlement will have a total value of $57 million.

The shareholder derivative suits in federal district court in New York will be settled pending the settlement of the class action shareholder suits disclosed above. Plaintiffs in state securities actions voluntarily dismissed their appeal of a stay of these actions. See "Item 3. Legal Proceedings" and "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 16 Commitments and Contingencies" for further discussion.

Sale of Motorsports Circuits

In January 2004, Interpublic sold a business comprising the four motorsports circuits owned by its Brands Hatch Circuits unit to MotorSport Vision Limited for approximately $26 million. The sale included the Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park and Snetterton racing tracks. As a result of the sale, Interpublic's remaining interest in Motorsports consists of its obligations related to the Formula One British Grand Prix and the lease of the Silverstone track. Brands Hatch Circuits has therefore been re-named Silverstone Motorsport Limited. The sale of the four tracks does not affect Interpublic's interests and commitments in relation to Silverstone, including the remaining obligations under an executory contract and an operating lease. See "Note 5: Long-Lived Asset Impairment and Other Charges" for further discussion.

Revenue

Sources of Revenue

The Company generates revenue from planning, creating and placing advertising in various media and from planning and executing other communications or marketing programs. Historically, the commission customary in the industry was 15% of the gross charge ("billings") for advertising space or time; more recently, lower commissions have been negotiated, but often with additional incentives paid for better performance. For example, an incentive component is frequently included in arrangements with clients based on improvements in an advertised brand's awareness or image, or increases in a client's sales or market share of the products or services being advertised. Under commission arrangements, the media bill the Company at their gross rates. The Company bills these amounts to its clients, remits the net charges to the media and retains the balance as the Company's commission. Many clients, however, prefer to compensate the Company on a fee basis, under which the Company bills its client for the net char ges billed by the media plus an agreed-upon fee. These fees usually are calculated to reflect the Company's hourly rates and out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of clients, plus proportional overhead and a profit mark-up.

Like other agencies, the Company is primarily responsible for paying the media with respect to firm contracts for advertising time or space placed on behalf of its clients. The Company's practice generally is to pay media charges only once the Company has received funds from clients, and in some instances the Company agrees with the media that the Company will be solely liable to pay the media only after the client has paid the Company for the media charges. The Company makes serious efforts to reduce the risk from a client's nonpayment, including by generally carrying out credit clearances and requiring in some cases payment by the media in advance.

The Company also receives commissions from clients for planning and supervising work done by outside contractors in connection with the physical preparation of finished print advertisements and the production of television and radio commercials and other forms of advertising. This commission is customarily 17.65% of the outside contractor's net charge, which is the same as 15% of the outside contractor's total charges including commission. With the increasing use of negotiated fees, the terms on which outstanding contractors' charges are billed are subject to wide variations and even include, in some instances, the replacement of commissions with negotiated flat fees.

The Company also derives revenue from other activities, including the planning and placement with the media of advertising produced by unrelated advertising agencies; the maintenance of specialized media placement facilities; the creation and publication of brochures, billboards, point of sale materials and direct marketing pieces for clients; the management of public relations campaigns; the creation and management of special events, meetings and shows at which clients' products are featured; and the design and implementation of interactive programs for special marketing needs.

Clients

The five clients that made the largest revenue contribution in 2003 accounted individually for approximately 1.8% to 8.3% of the Company's revenue and in the aggregate accounted for approximately 17.4% of the Company's revenue. The Company's twenty largest clients accounted for approximately 29.8% of its revenue in 2003. Based on revenue, as of December 31, 2003, the Company's largest clients included General Motors Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Nestle and Unilever. While the loss of the entire business of any one of the Company's largest clients might have a material adverse effect upon its business, the Company believes that it is unlikely that the entire business of any of these clients would be lost at the same time, because the Company represents several different brands or divisions of each of these clients in a number of geographical markets, in each case through more than one of the Company's agency systems.

Representation of a client rarely means that the Company handles advertising for all brands or product lines of the client in all geographical locations. Any client may transfer its business from an agency within the Company to a competing agency, and a client may reduce its marketing budget at any time.

The Company's agencies have written contracts with many of their clients. As is customary in the industry, these contracts provide for termination by either party on relatively short notice, usually 90 days but sometimes shorter or longer. In 2003, however, 25% of revenue was derived from clients that had been associated with one or more of the Company's agencies or their predecessors for 20 or more years.

Personnel

As of January 1, 2004, the Company employed approximately 43,400 persons, of whom 17,900 were employed in the United States. Because of the personal service character of the marketing communications business, the quality of personnel is of crucial importance to the Company's continuing success. There is keen competition for qualified employees. Interpublic considers its employee relations to be satisfactory overall.

The Company has several active programs for training personnel. These programs include meetings and seminars throughout the world.

Risk Factors

The following factors could adversely affect the Company's revenues, results of operations or financial condition. See also "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure."

Item 2.     Properties

Most of the operations of the Company are conducted in leased premises, and its physical property consists primarily of leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment. These facilities are located in various cities in which the Company does business throughout the world. However, subsidiaries of Interpublic own office buildings in Blair, Nebraska; Warren, Michigan; England (in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent); Frankfurt, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Lima, Peru; Mexico City, Mexico; and Santiago, Chile and own office condominiums in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Bogota, Colombia; and Manila, the Philippines. Facilities owned or occupied by the Company are believed to be adequate for the purposes for which they are currently used and are well maintained.

In connection with the restructuring plan announced in 2001, the Company incurred charges related to downsizing or vacating approximately 180 offices worldwide. In connection with the restructuring program announced in 2003, the Company incurred charges related to vacating 55 offices worldwide. In addition, a charge of $16.5 million was also recorded in office and general expenses related to the amortization of leasehold improvements on properties to be vacated as part of the 2003 restructuring program.

As of December 31, 2003, the Company has terminated or subleased a majority of the relevant leases and is continuing its efforts to terminate or sublease the remaining leases. Approximately half of these lease terminations and subleases relate to operations in the United States, one-third relate to operations in Europe (principally in the UK, France and Germany), and the remainder relate to operations in Latin America and the Asia Pacific region. The cash portion of the restructuring charge will be paid out over a period of several years. Lease termination and related costs include write-offs related to the abandonment of leasehold improvements as part of the office vacancies. The Company believes that its remaining facilities are adequate to meet the needs of the Company.

Item 3.     Legal Proceedings

Federal Securities Class Actions

Thirteen federal securities purported class actions were filed against Interpublic and certain of its present and former directors and officers by a purported class of purchasers of Interpublic stock shortly after Interpublic's August 13, 2002 announcement regarding the restatement of its previously reported earnings for the periods January 1, 1997 through March 31, 2002. These actions, which were all filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, were consolidated by the court and lead counsel was appointed for all plaintiffs on November 8, 2002. A consolidated amended complaint was filed on January 10, 2003. The purported class consists of Interpublic shareholders who purchased Interpublic stock in the period from October 1997 to October 2002. Specifically, the consolidated amended complaint alleges that Interpublic and certain of its present and former directors and officers allegedly made misleading statements to its shareholders between October 1997 and October 2002, in cluding the alleged failure to disclose the existence of additional charges that would need to be expensed and the lack of adequate internal financial controls, which allegedly resulted in an overstatement of Interpublic's financial results during those periods. The consolidated amended complaint alleges that such false and misleading statements constitute violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The consolidated amended complaint also alleges violations of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, in connection with Interpublic's acquisition of True North on behalf of a purported class of True North shareholders who acquired Interpublic stock. No amount of damages is specified in the consolidated amended complaint. On February 6, 2003, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint in its entirety. On February 28, 2003, plaintiffs filed their opposition to defendants' motion and, on March 14, 2003, defendants f iled their reply to plaintiff's opposition to defendants' motion. On May 29, 2003, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York denied the motion to dismiss as to Interpublic and granted the motion, in part, as to the present and former directors and officers named in the consolidated amended complaint. On June 30, 2003, defendants filed an answer to the consolidated amended complaint. On November 6, 2003, the Court granted plaintiffs' motion to certify a class consisting of persons who purchased Interpublic stock between October 28, 1997 and October 16, 2002 and a class consisting of persons who acquired shares of Interpublic stock in exchange for shares of True North stock. On December 2, 2003, Interpublic reached an agreement in principal to settle the consolidated class action shareholder suits currently pending in federal district court in New York. The settlement is subject to the execution of a final settlement agreement and to approval by the court. Under the terms of the pr oposed settlement, Interpublic will pay $115 million, of which $20 million will be paid in cash and $95 million in shares of its common stock at a value of $14.50 per share. Interpublic also agreed that, should the price of its common stock fall below $8.70 per share before final approval of the settlement, Interpublic will either, at its sole discretion, issue additional shares of common stock or pay cash so that the consideration for the stock portion of the settlement will have a total value of $57 million.

State Securities Class Actions

Two state securities purported class actions were filed against Interpublic and certain of its present and former directors and officers by a purported class of purchasers of Interpublic stock shortly after Interpublic's November 13, 2002 announcement regarding the restatement of its previously reported earnings for the periods January 1, 1997 through March 31, 2002. The purported classes consist of Interpublic shareholders who acquired Interpublic stock on or about June 25, 2001 in connection with Interpublic's acquisition of True North. These lawsuits allege that Interpublic and certain of its present and former directors and officers allegedly made misleading statements in connection with the filing of a registration statement on May 9, 2001 in which Interpublic issued 67,644,272 shares of its common stock for the purpose of acquiring True North, including the alleged failure to disclose the existence of additional charges that would need to be expensed and the lack of adequate internal financial controls , which allegedly resulted in an overstatement of Interpublic's financial results at that time. The suits allege that such misleading statements constitute violations of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. No amount of damages is specified in the complaints. These actions were filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. On December 18, 2002, defendants removed these actions from Illinois state court to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Thereafter, on January 10, 2003, defendants moved to transfer these two actions to the Southern District of New York. Plaintiffs moved to remand these actions. On April 15, 2003, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted plaintiffs' motions to remand these actions to Illinois state court and denied defendants' motion to transfer. On June 18, 2003, Interpublic moved to dismiss and/or stay these actions. In June 2003, plaintiffs withdrew the complaint for one of these actions. On Se ptember 10, 2003, the Illinois state court stayed the remaining action and on September 24, 2003, plaintiffs filed a notice that they will appeal the stay. On February 10, 2004, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their appeal.

Derivative Actions

On September 4, 2002, a shareholder derivative suit was filed in New York Supreme Court, New York County, by a single shareholder acting on behalf of Interpublic against the Board of Directors and against Interpublic's auditors. This suit alleged a breach of fiduciary duties to Interpublic's shareholders. On November 26, 2002, another shareholder derivative suit, alleging the same breaches of fiduciary duties, was filed in New York Supreme Court, New York County. The plaintiffs from these two shareholder derivative suits filed an Amended Derivative Complaint on January 31, 2003. On March 18, 2003, plaintiffs filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Derivative Complaint without prejudice. On April 16, 2003, the Amended Derivative Complaint was dismissed without prejudice. On February 24, 2003, plaintiffs also filed a Shareholders' Derivative Complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On May 2, 2003, plaintiffs filed an Amended Derivative Complaint. This action alleges th e same breach of fiduciary duties claim as the state court actions, and adds a claim for contribution and forfeiture against two of the individual defendants pursuant to Section 21D of the Exchange Act and Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. On July 11, 2003, plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Derivative Complaint, asserting the same claims. The complaint does not state a specific amount of damages. On August 12, 2003, defendants moved to dismiss this action. On January 26, 2004, Interpublic reached an agreement in principal to settle this derivative action pending completion of the settlement of the class action shareholder suits currently pending in federal district court in New York. The settlement is subject to the execution of a definitive settlement agreement and to approval from the federal district court judge.

The settlement of the actions discussed above are still pending and is expected to take several months. To effect this settlement, confirmatory discovery will need to be taken, and the terms of the settlements will have to be approved by the court. The Company cannot give any assurances that the proposed settlement will receive the approval of the court or as to the amount or type of consideration that Interpublic might agree to pay in connection with any settlement. In the event that a final settlement is not agreed and approved by the court, these proceedings will continue and, as with all litigations, contain elements of uncertainty and the final resolution of these actions could have a material impact on the Company's financial position, cash flows or results of operations. However, management currently believes that the amounts accrued in its Consolidated Balance Sheet are adequate to cover the amounts the Company expects to pay.

For a discussion of the litigation charge recorded principally in connection with the potential settlement, see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

SEC Investigation

Interpublic was informed in January 2003 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") staff that the Commission has issued a formal order of investigation related to the Company's restatements of earnings for periods dating back to 1997. The matters had previously been the subject of an informal inquiry. Interpublic is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Other Legal Matters

The Company is involved in other legal and administrative proceedings of various types. While any litigation contains an element of uncertainty, the Company has no reason to believe that the outcome of such proceedings or claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.

Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

          Not applicable.

Executive Officers of Interpublic

Below follows the information disclosed in accordance with Item 401 of Regulation S-K of the Commission as required by Item 10 of Form 10-K with respect to Interpublic's executive officers.

                                                               

(1)          Also a Director

There is no family relationship among any of the executive officers.

The employment histories for the past five years of Messrs. Bell and Coughlin are incorporated by reference to the "Election of Directors" section of the Proxy Statement for Interpublic's Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 18, 2004 (the "Proxy Statement").

Mr. Camera joined Interpublic in May 1993. He was elected Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary in June 1994, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in December 1995, and Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in February 2000.

Mr. Conte joined Interpublic in March 2000 as Vice President - Taxes & General Tax Counsel. He was elected Senior Vice President - Financial Services in May 2003. Prior to joining Interpublic, Mr. Conte served as Vice President - Senior Tax Counsel for Revlon Consumer Products Corporation from September 1987 to February 2000.

Mr. Dowling joined Interpublic in January 2000 as Vice President and General Auditor. He was elected Senior Vice President - Financial Administration of Interpublic in February 2001, and Senior Vice President-Chief Risk Officer in November 2002. Prior to joining Interpublic, Mr. Dowling served as Vice President and General Auditor for Avon Products, Inc. from April 1992 to December 1999.

Mr. Krakowsky joined Interpublic in January 2002 as Senior Vice President, Director of Corporate Communications. Prior to joining Interpublic, he served as Senior Vice President - Communications Director for Young & Rubicam from August 1996 to December 2000. During 2001, Mr. Krakowsky was complying with the terms of a non-competition agreement entered into with Young and Rubicam.

Mr. Thompson joined Interpublic in October 2003 as Senior Vice President-Finance. Prior to joining Interpublic, he served as Senior Vice President for Pharmacia from October 1997 to April 2003.

Code of Conduct

The Company has adopted a code of ethics, known as the Code of Conduct, which applies to all employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that members of the Board of Directors and officers (which would include the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and other persons performing similar functions) must comply with the Code of Conduct. In addition, the Corporate Governance Guidelines state that the Board will not waive any provision of the Code of Conduct for any Director or executive officer. The Code of Conduct, including future amendments, is available free of charge on Interpublic's website at http://www.interpublic.com or by writing to The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attention: Secretary.

Item 5.     Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

Price Range of Common Stock

Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "IPG." The following table provides, for the calendar quarters indicated, the high and low closing sales prices per share on the NYSE for the periods shown below as reported on the NYSE and dividends per share paid during those periods. At February 27, 2004, there were 17,674 registered holders of Interpublic common stock.

Dividend Policy

No dividend was paid during 2003. The Company's future dividend policy will be determined on a quarter-by-quarter basis and will depend on earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors. It will also be subject to the restrictions under the amended revolving credit facilities with syndicates of banks, which limit the Company's ability to declare or pay dividends. Under these facilities, the Company's future earnings performance will determine the permitted levels of dividend payments (currently the permitted level of annual dividend payments is $70 million for the Company's capital stock, of which $25 million may be used for dividend payments on the Company's common stock and share buybacks), and all limitations on dividend payments expire when earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as defined in the credit facilities, exceed $1.3 billion for four consecutive quarters. In addition, under the terms of the Company's mandatory convertible preferred stock, the Company is restricted from paying any cash dividends on its common stock if the Company is not current in its dividend payments with respect to the Company's mandatory convertible preferred stock. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financing Activities" below.

Transfer Agent and Registrar for Common Stock

The transfer agent and registrar for the Company's common stock is:

Mellon Investor Services, Inc.
44 Wall Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Tel: (877) 363-6398

Sales of Unregistered Securities

The Company has made the following acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2003 involving the issuance of Interpublic Stock:

(i) On December 12, 2003, the Registrant issued 68,842 shares of Interpublic common stock and paid $1,000,000 to two former stockholders of a company that was acquired in the fourth quarter of 1999. This represented a deferred payment of the purchase price. The 68,842 shares of Interpublic common stock had a market value of approximately $1,000,000 as of the date of issuance. The 68,842 shares of Interpublic common stock were issued by the Registrant without registration in reliance on Section 4(2) under the Securities Act, based on the sophistication of the acquired Company's former stockholders. The former stockholders had access to all the documents filed by the Registrant with the SEC, including the Registrant's (i) Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended 2002, (ii) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003, (iii) Reports on Form 8-K for 2003, and (iv) Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 20, 2003.

(ii) On November 26, 2003, the Registrant paid $2,475,000 and issued 40,409 shares of Interpublic common stock to a former shareholder of a company which was acquired on June 30, 2000. This represented a deferred payment of the purchase price. The 40.409 shares of Interpublic common stock were valued at $574,495 on the date of issuance. The 40,409 shares of Interpublic Stock were issued by the Registrant without registration in an "offshore transaction" and solely to "non-US persons" in reliance on Rule 903(b)(3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.

(iii) On October 27, 2003, the Registrant paid $346,009 and issued 25,706 shares of Interpublic common stock to four former shareholders of a company which was acquired on September 8, 2000. This represented a deferred payment of the purchase price. The 25,706 shares of Interpublic common stock were valued at $346,009 on the date of issuance. The 25,706 shares of Interpublic Stock were issued by the Registrant without registration in an "offshore transaction" and solely to "non-US persons" in reliance on Rule 903(b)(3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.

(iv) On October 24, 2003, the Registrant issued 16,116 shares of Interpublic common stock to five former shareholders of a company that was acquired by the Registrant in the third quarter of 2000. This represented a deferred payment of the purchase price. The 16,116 shares of Interpublic common stock had a market value of $215,906 as of the date of issuance. The 16,116 shares of Interpublic common stock were issued by the Registrant without registration in an "offshore transaction" and solely to "non-US persons" in reliance on Rule 903(b)(3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act. The former shareholders had access to all the documents filed by the Registrant with the SEC, including the Company's (i) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, (ii) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 2003 for the period ended June 30, 2003, (iii) Current Reports on Form 8-K for 2003, and (iv) Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 20, 2003.

(v) On October 22, 2003, the Registrant paid $5,065,037 and issued 120,509 shares of Interpublic common stock to the shareholder of a company for the remaining forty percent interest. Sixty percent of the stock of this company was acquired by Registrant on September 30,1999. This represented a payment of the purchase price for the remaining forty percent. The 120,509 shares of Interpublic common stock were valued at $1,688,331 on the date of issuance. The 120,509 shares of Interpublic Stock were issued by the Registrant without registration in an "offshore transaction" and solely to "non-US persons" in reliance on Rule 903(b)(3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.

(vi) On October 21, 2003, the Registrant issued 94,409 shares of Interpublic common stock and paid $5,352,967 to two former stockholders of a company that was acquired in the second quarter of 2002. This represented a deferred payment of the purchase price. The 94,409 shares of Interpublic common stock had a market value of approximately $1,338,242 as of the date of issuance. The 94,409 shares of Interpublic common stock were issued by the Registrant without registration in reliance on Section 4(2) under the Securities Act, based on the sophistication of the acquired Company's former stockholders. The former stockholders had access to all the documents filed by the Registrant with the SEC, including the Registrant's (i) Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended 2002, (ii) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003, (iii) Reports on Form 8-K for 2003, and (iv) Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 20, 2003.

Item 6.     Selected Financial Data

The following tables set forth selected financial data concerning the Company for each of the last five years. The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("the MD&A") included elsewhere herein.

Item 7.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


When comparing performance between years, the Company discusses non-GAAP financial measures such as organic revenue growth. The nature of such amounts is described more fully in "Results of Operations" below.

OVERVIEW OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

During 2003, the Company continued to experience difficult economic conditions as evidenced by the fact that, on an organic basis, revenue declined by 3.6%. In response to the declines in revenues, the Company implemented a major restructuring program designed to bring expenses more in line with revenue. This plan, which commenced in the second quarter of 2003, is expected to result in additional charges in 2004. In addition to the restructuring plan, the Company has continued to focus on improving its balance sheet and, during 2003, raised significant amounts of cash from equity issuances, refinancing of debt, and sales of certain non-strategic assets.

Significant events during 2003 included:

OUTLOOK

The Company's results of operations are dependent upon: a) maintaining and growing its revenue, b) the ability to retain and gain new clients, c) the continuous alignment of its costs to its revenue and d) retaining and attracting key personnel. Revenue is also highly dependent on overall economic and political conditions. For a discussion of these and other factors that could affect the Company's results of operations and financial conditions, see "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure" and "Business - Risk Factors".

As discussed above, 2003 was a difficult year for the Company, reflecting continued softness in worldwide demand for advertising and marketing communications services. The decline in organic revenue versus the prior year was a decline of 3.6% for the full year. However, the Company noted a positive trend in its revenues during the latter part of 2003, particularly internationally. There was sequential improvement throughout the year as the organic revenue decline was 3.1% in the third quarter and 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 2003, in each case versus the prior year. While management expects continued progress overall in the Company's organic revenue trends, it does not expect that the progression will be linear, in particular given the cyclical nature of the Company's business.

Industry forecasters expect that there will continue to be signs of improving economic activity, on a worldwide basis, in 2004. Specifically, worldwide advertising and marketing services spending is expected to rise by 3-4%. Such a forecast confirms that, while there is no certainty as to what will ultimately occur, economic conditions in 2004 should continue to be better than 2003 for the industry as a whole.

The Company's performance in the recent past has lagged, somewhat, that of the industry and may continue to do so. Management has responded to its recent performance issues, however, by implementing a turnaround program. The program was begun in mid 2003 and is targeted to be complete by mid 2006. The first stage of the program has focused on implementing the restructuring initiatives discussed below and improving the Company's capital structure. Going forward the turnaround program will focus on achieving certain defined performance objectives based on the Company's perceived peer competitor performance levels. The objectives include those relating to:

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). When comparing performance between years, however, the Company also discusses non-GAAP financial measures such as the impact that foreign currency rate changes, acquisitions/dispositions and organic growth have on reported results.

The Company derives organic revenue by adjusting reported revenue in respect of any given period by:

Additionally, organic revenue calculations for the year ended, and each quarter of, 2003 have been adjusted to make 2003 organic revenue principally arising from public relations and sporting event arrangements more directly comparable to organic revenue arising from public relations and sporting event arrangements in periods preceding January 1, 2003, and for the impact of the deconsolidation of certain international entities. If these adjustments had been made to revenue for prior periods, there would have been neither a material effect on results in prior periods nor any effect whatsoever on operating or net income. These adjustments principally relate to "grossing up" revenues and expenses by the same amount in connection with the reimbursement of certain out of pocket expenses relating to public relations and sporting event arrangements.

Management believes that discussing organic revenue, giving effect to the above factors, provides a better understanding of the Company's revenue performance and trends than reported revenue because it allows for more meaningful comparisons of current-period revenue to that of prior periods. Management also believes that organic revenue determined on a generally comparable basis is a common measure of performance in the businesses in which it operates.

When the Company discusses amounts on a constant currency basis, the prior period results are adjusted to remove the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates during the current period that is being compared to the prior period. The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on prior period results is removed by converting the prior period results into US dollars at the average exchange rate for the current period. Management believes that discussing results on a constant currency basis allows for a more meaningful comparison of current-period results to such prior-period results.

The Company has also highlighted the impact of the loss of the Chrysler account in the fourth quarter of 2000 (revenue and operating expenses related to which continued through 2001). Chrysler was a major client of True North Communications, Inc. ("True North"), which the Company acquired in a transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests in June 2001. As a result of the acquisition of True North, the Company lost accounts of Pepsi-owned brands due to client conflicts within the combined company. Management believes that adjusting for the impact of these significant client losses is relevant when comparing organic revenue performance between 2002 and 2001.

As discussed in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company is comprised of two reportable segments: the Interpublic Sports and Entertainment Group ("SEG") and Interpublic excluding SEG. SEG was formed during the second quarter of 2002 through a carve-out from the Company's other operating groups and is primarily comprised of the operations of OWW, for the Company's sports marketing business, Motorsports, for the Company's motorsports business, and Jack Morton Worldwide, for specialized marketing services including corporate events, meeting and training/learning.

SEG revenue is not material to the Company as a whole. However, due to the recording of long-lived asset impairment charges, operating difficulties and resulting higher costs principally from its Motorsports business, SEG has incurred significant operating losses. Based on certain substantial contractual obligations and revised projections for OWW, the Company does not expect that margins of SEG will converge with those of the rest of the Company and, accordingly, reports SEG as a separate reportable segment. Other than the impairment charges which are discussed below and the commitments discussed in "Other Matters", the operating results of SEG are not material to those of the Company, and therefore are not discussed in detail below.

Discontinued Operations

As discussed below and in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, on July 10, 2003, the Company completed the sale of its NFO research unit to TNS. The results of NFO are classified as a discontinued operation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, and, accordingly, the results of operations and cash flows of NFO have been removed from the Company's results of continuing operations and cash flow for all periods presented in this document.

Continuing Operations

The following table shows the Company's net income (loss) and earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001.

The following summarizes certain financial information by the two reportable segments for purposes of management's discussion and analysis:

Some of the key factors driving the financial results in 2003:

Operating Income (Loss)

REVENUE
The Company is a worldwide global marketing services company, providing clients with communications expertise in three broad areas: a) advertising and media management, b) marketing communications, which includes direct marketing and customer relationship management, public relations, sales promotion, event marketing, on-line marketing, corporate and brand identity and healthcare marketing and c) specialized marketing services, which includes sports and entertainment marketing and corporate meetings and events.

The following analysis provides further detail on revenue:

The components of the total revenue change in 2003 were:

The decrease in organic revenue of 3.6% for the year was due to continued softness in the demand for advertising and marketing services by current clients, particularly in international markets and in the Company's public relations services and other project related business. Organic revenue for SEG declined 1.8% for the year in comparison to the prior year. Coincident with the signs of an economic recovery, the Company's revenue trend improved sequentially toward the latter part of 2003. Organic revenue was a decline of 3.1% in the third quarter and 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 2003 in comparison to 2002. During the first part of the year, revenue was impacted by the uncertainty in the geopolitical environment resulting from the uncertainty associated with the war in Iraq, and, to a lesser extent, from the outbreak of the SARS virus. During the latter part of the year, the Company has seen improving revenue trends, particularly internationally, coincident with the signs of an economic recovery.

The components of the total revenue change in 2002 were:

The decrease in organic revenue was primarily the result of the overall softness in the demand for advertising and marketing services by current clients due to the weak economy, both domestically and internationally.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Salaries and Related Expenses
In 2003, the Company's expenses related to employee compensation and various employee incentive and benefit programs amounted to approximately 59% of revenue. The employee incentive programs are based primarily upon operating results. Salaries and related expenses in all periods were also impacted by salary progression.

2003 vs. 2002

Salaries and related expenses were $3,451.8 for 2003 and $3,350.0 in 2002, an increase of $101.8 or 3.0%. The increase reflects the effect of higher foreign exchange rates, primarily the Euro and Pound, versus the US Dollar. Offsetting this increase is a decrease in salaries as a result of lower headcount. Total headcount dropped by 7.5% to 43,400 at December 31, 2003 from 46,900 at December 31, 2002. The reduction accelerated towards the end of the year as the Company implemented its new restructuring program.

The components of the total change in 2003 were:

Office and General Expenses

2003 vs. 2002

Office and general expenses were $1,885.6 in 2003 and $1,880.4 in 2002, an increase of $5.2 or 0.3%. The increase reflects the effect of higher foreign exchange rates, primarily the Euro and Pound, versus the US Dollar, and the reclassification related to grossing-up expenses as previously discussed.

The reduction in office and general expenses from existing operations was due to a decrease in occupancy and overhead costs as a result of the 2003 restructuring program and a decrease in bad debt expense from improved collection activity, primarily toward the latter part of the year. Offsetting these reductions are higher professional fees resulting from the securities litigation and SEC investigation, higher audit costs and costs associated with preparation for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

The components of the total change in 2003 were:

2002 vs. 2001

Office and general expenses were $1,880.4 in 2002 and $1,896.1 in 2001, a decrease of $15.7 or 0.8%. The net decrease in operating expenses of $15.7 was due to various factors including the cost reduction initiatives from the 2001 restructuring plan that accounted for year-on-year reductions in occupancy costs of approximately $32. These reductions represent savings in 2002, the year in which substantially all of the savings from the 2001 restructuring program began to be realized. Travel and entertainment costs and office related and supplies costs also decreased. These decreases were offset by an increase in professional fees resulting from the restatements and the related securities litigation and the SEC investigation previously described, an increase in bad debt expense and higher costs related to the Company's motorsports business within SEG.

The components of the total change in 2002 were:

Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets was $11.3 in 2003, $8.9 in 2002 and $164.6 in 2001. The decrease from 2001 is primarily a result of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets ("SFAS 142").

Restructuring and Other Merger-related Costs
During 2003, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $175.6 in connection with the 2003 and 2001 restructuring programs as discussed below. The Company expects that the restructuring charges recorded to date will result in cash payments of $39.3 to be paid in 2004, $15.5 in 2005 and $6.1 in 2006 and thereafter. Approximately $85 in additional restructuring charges is expected to be incurred in the first half of 2004. The total amount of pre-tax charges the Company expects to incur, through the first half of 2004, including amounts classified in office and general expenses, will approximate $275.

The amount of salary and occupancy costs eliminated as a result of the restructuring charges recorded in 2003 is estimated to be approximately $175, a portion of which has begun to be realized during 2003 (as discussed in "Operating Expenses" above).

2003 Program
During the second quarter of 2003, the Company announced that it would undertake restructuring initiatives in response to softness in demand for advertising and marketing services. The restructuring initiatives include severance and lease terminations.

During 2003, the Company recorded pre-tax restructuring charges of $175.6, of which $163.2 related to the 2003 program. The pre-tax restructuring charge for the 2003 program was composed of severance costs of $126.2 and lease terminations costs of $37.0. Included in the $37.0 of lease termination costs was $4.8 related to the write-off of leasehold improvements on vacated properties. The charges related to leases terminated as part of the 2003 program are recorded at net present value and are net of estimated sublease income amounts. The discount relating to lease terminations will be amortized over future periods. In addition, a charge of $16.5 has been incurred in 2003 related to acceleration of amortization of leasehold improvements on premises included in the 2003 program. The charge related to such amortization is included in office and general expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations.

A summary of the liability for restructuring charges related to the 2003 restructuring plan is as follows:

The severance and termination costs recorded to date relate to a reduction in workforce of approximately 2,900 employees worldwide. The employee groups affected include all levels and functions across the Company: executive, regional and account management and administrative, creative and media production personnel. Approximately 30% of the charge relates to severance in the US, 15% to severance in the UK, 10% to severance in France with the remainder largely relating to the rest of Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Lease termination costs, net of estimated sublease income, relate to the offices that have been or will be vacated as part of the restructuring. Fifty-five locations have already been vacated and an additional 25 are to be vacated, with substantially all actions to be completed by June 30, 2004; however, given the remaining lease terms involved, the cash portion of the charge will be paid out over a period of several years. The majority of the offices to be vacated are located in the US, with approximately one third in overseas markets, principally in Europe.

2001 Program
Following the completion of the True North acquisition in June 2001, the Company executed a wide-ranging restructuring plan that included severance, lease terminations and other actions. The total amount of the charges incurred in 2001 in connection with the plan was $634.5.

In the third quarter of 2002, the Company recorded an additional $12.1 in charges related to the 2001 restructuring plan. The additional charge was necessitated largely by increases in estimates of lease losses due to lower than anticipated sublease income in key markets, including San Francisco, Chicago, Paris and London.

During 2003, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $175.6, of which $12.4 related to additional losses on properties vacated as part of the 2001 program.

A summary of the remaining liability for restructuring and other merger related costs related to the 2001 restructuring plan is as follows:

The Company terminated approximately 7,000 employees in connection with the 2001 restructuring program. The Company downsized or vacated approximately 180 locations. Given the remaining lease terms involved, the remaining liabilities will be paid out over a period of several years. Lease termination and related costs included write-offs related to the abandonment of leasehold improvements as part of the office vacancies.

Other exit costs related principally to the impairment loss on sale or closing of certain business units in the US and Europe. In the aggregate, the businesses sold or closed represented an immaterial portion of the revenue and operating profit of the Company. The write-off amount was computed based upon the difference between the estimated sales proceeds (if any) and the carrying value of the related assets. The sales and closures had been completed by September 30, 2002.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment and Other Charges
The following table summarizes the long-lived asset impairment and other charges for 2003, 2002, and 2001:

2003 Impairments
During 2003, the Company recorded total charges of $286.9 related to the impairment of long-lived assets. This amount includes $221.0 related to goodwill at OWW and $63.8 related to the Company's Motorsports businesses.

OWW
During the third quarter of 2003, the Company performed its annual impairment review for goodwill and other intangible assets and recorded a non-cash charge of $221.0. The charge was required to reduce the carrying value of goodwill at the Company's OWW reporting unit. OWW is separate from Motorsports and offers a variety of sports marketing services including athlete representation, TV rights distribution and other marketing and consulting services.

The OWW charges reflect the reporting unit's lower than expected performance in 2003 and revised future projections indicating that the factors behind the poor 2003 performance are likely to persist. Specifically, during 2003 it became apparent that there was significant pricing pressure in both overseas and domestic TV rights distribution. Further, declining athlete pay scales are expected to result in significantly lower fees from athlete representation, and proceeds from events (including ticket revenue and sponsorship) to which the Company is committed will be lower than amounts that had been anticipated when the event rights were acquired. Various factors, including the operating loss incurred at OWW in 2003, have indicated that lower revised growth projections are required, reflecting lower projected gross margins than OWW has earned historically.

Motorsports
The Company's Motorsports unit owned and leased certain racing circuit facilities that were used for automobile, motorcycle and go-cart racing, primarily in the UK. On January 12, 2004, the Company completed the sale of a business comprising the four motorsports circuits (including Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park and Snetterton) (the "four owned circuits"), owned by its Brands Hatch subsidiaries, to MotorSport Vision Limited. The consideration for the sale was approximately 15 million Pounds, (approximately $26) before expenses. An additional contingent amount of up to 2 million Pounds, (approximately $4) may be paid to the Company depending upon the future financial results of the operations being sold. The Company and its Brands Hatch subsidiaries retain their interests and contractual commitments relating to the Silverstone circuit. The Company recognized an impairment loss related to the four owned circuits of $38.0 in the fourth quarter of 2003 and has classified the relevant assets and liabilities as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2003. See Note 16 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the Company's remaining contingent obligations related to motorsports.

In addition to the Brands Hatch impairment charge, $25.8 in charges was incurred related to the impairment of other assets, including $16.2 of current capital expenditure outlays that the Company is contractually required to spend to upgrade and maintain certain of its remaining Motorsports racing facilities, as well as an impairment of assets at other Motorsports entities. At December 31, 2003, there were additional capital expenditures commitments of approximately $25, which are expected to be impaired as incurred based on the cash flow analysis for the relevant asset groupings.

2002 Impairments
Beginning in the second quarter of 2002 and continuing in subsequent quarters, certain of the Motorsports businesses experienced significant operational difficulties, including significantly lower than anticipated attendance at the marquee British Grand Prix race in July 2002. These events and a change in management at Motorsports in the third quarter of 2002 led the Company to begin assessing its long-term strategy for Motorsports.

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142, the Company prepared a discounted cash flow analysis which indicated that the book value of Motorsports significantly exceeded its estimated fair value and that a goodwill impairment had occurred. In addition, as a result of the goodwill analysis, the Company assessed whether there had been an impairment of the Company's long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS 144. The Company concluded that the book value of certain asset groupings at Motorsports was significantly higher than their expected future cash flows and that an impairment had occurred. Accordingly, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment loss and related charge of $127.1 in 2002. The charges included $82.1 of goodwill impairment, $33.0 of fixed assets and capital expenditure write-offs, and $12.0 to record the fair value of an associated put option.

2001 Impairments
Following the completion of the True North acquisition in 2001 and the realignment of certain of the Company's businesses, the Company evaluated the realizability of various assets. In connection with this review undiscounted cash flow projections were prepared for certain investments, and the Company determined that the goodwill attributable to certain business units was stated at an amount in excess of the future estimated cash flows. As a result, an impairment charge of $303.1 was recorded in 2001. Of the total write-off, $221.4 was recorded in the second quarter, with the remainder recorded in the third quarter. The largest components of the goodwill impairment and other charges were Capita Technologies, Inc. (approximately $145) and Zentropy Partners (approximately $16), both internet services businesses. The remaining amount primarily related to several other businesses, including internet services, healthcare consulting and certain advertising offices in Europe and Asia Pacific.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $27.2 to $172.8 in 2003 primarily as a result of the issuance of $800 4.5% Notes on March 13, 2003. These proceeds were invested until early April, at which time the proceeds were used for the settlement of the tender offer for the Zero-Coupon Notes.

Interest expense decreased by $19.0 to $145.6 in 2002 due to lower debt levels, lower interest rates paid on short-term borrowings and the issuance and sale of the Zero-Coupon Notes in December 2001. The Company used the net proceeds of $563.2 from the Zero-Coupon Notes to repay indebtedness under the Company's credit facilities.

Debt Prepayment Penalty
During the third quarter of 2003, the Company repaid all of its outstanding borrowings under the Prudential Agreements. This transaction required repaying $142.5 principal amount of its outstanding debt. In connection with this transaction, a prepayment penalty of $24.8 was recorded.

Interest Income
Interest income was $38.9 in 2003, $29.8 in 2002 and $41.8 in 2001. The increase in 2003 is primarily due to higher cash balances resulting from the issuance of the 4.5% Notes in March, the proceeds from the sale of NFO in July and the proceeds from the equity offerings in December 2003. The decrease in 2002 is primarily due to lower interest rates.

Other Income
The following table sets forth the components of other income:

See Investing Activities in "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below for a discussion of proceeds from sales of businesses.

Investment Impairments
During 2003, the Company recorded $84.9 in investment impairment charges related to 21 investments. The charge related principally to investments in the Middle East, Latin America, and Japan with additional amounts in Canada, Europe, and the United States. The majority of the charge related to impairments arising from deteriorating economic conditions in the countries in which the entity operates.

During 2002, the Company recorded $39.7 of investment impairment primarily related to certain investments of OWW, the Company's sports marketing business.

During 2001, the Company recorded total investment impairment charges of $210.8. The charge included $160.1 related to the impairment of investments primarily in publicly traded internet-related companies, including marchFIRST, Inc. (an internet professional services firm), which had filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code in April 2001. The remaining charge included write-offs for investments in non-internet companies, certain venture funds and other investments. In addition, the Company recorded a charge of $2.5 to record the fair value of a put option. The impairment charges adjusted the carrying value of investments to the estimated market value where an other than temporary impairment had occurred.

Litigation Charges
During 2003, the Company recorded litigation charges of $127.6 for various legal matters, of which $115 relates to a tentative settlement of the shareholder suits discussed in Note 16. The settlement is subject to the execution of a definitive settlement agreement and to approval from the federal district court judge. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, the Company will pay $115, of which $20 will be paid in cash and $95 will be paid in shares of the Company's common stock at an estimated value of $14.50 per share (which translates into 6,551,725 shares). In the event that the price of the Company's common stock falls below $8.70 per share before final approval of the settlement, the Company will either, at its sole discretion, issue additional shares of common stock or pay cash so that the consideration for the stock portion of the settlement will have a total value of $57. The ultimate amount of the litigation charge related to the settlement will depend upon the Company's stock price at the ti me a settlement is concluded. The Company believes that, if the settlement is concluded as expected, the amounts accrued would be adequate to cover all pending shareholder suits.

OTHER ITEMS
Effective Income Tax Rate
The Company's effective income tax rate was an expense of 94.4% in 2003, an expense of 55.8% in 2002 and a benefit of 11.3% in 2001. The Company's effective income tax rate for 2003, 2002 and 2001 was negatively impacted by the restructuring charges, non-deductible long-lived asset impairment charges and non-deductible investment impairment charges relating to unconsolidated affiliates. In addition, the tax rate in 2003 was negatively impacted by the establishment of valuation allowances on certain deferred tax assets as well as losses incurred in non-US jurisdictions with tax benefits at rates lower than the US statutory rates. The difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory federal rate of 35% is also due to state and local taxes and the effect of non-US operations. All of these factors contributed to the Company's recording of a tax provision of $254.0 on a pre-tax loss of $269.0 for 2003.

The increased tax rate in 2002 reflects a higher proportion of earnings derived from the US where it is taxed at higher rates, as well as losses incurred in non-US jurisdictions with tax benefits at rates lower than the US statutory rates.

The difference between the 2002 and 2001 effective tax rates is primarily attributable to the elimination of certain non-deductible accounting charges resulting from our adoption of SFAS 142 (see Note 1). The 2001 effective income tax rate reflects the impact of goodwill amortization.

Valuation Allowance
As required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes ("SFAS 109"), the Company is required to evaluate on a quarterly basis the realizability of its deferred tax assets. SFAS 109 requires a valuation allowance be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. In circumstances where there is sufficient negative evidence, establishment of a valuation allowance must be considered. The Company believes that cumulative losses in the most recent three-year period represent sufficient negative evidence under the provisions of SFAS 109 and, as a result, the Company determined that certain of its deferred tax assets required the establishment of a valuation allowance. The deferred tax assets for which an allowance was established relate primarily to foreign net operating and US capital loss carryforwards. During 2003, a valuation allowance of $53.9 was established in continuing operations on existing defe rred tax assets. In addition, $26.8 of valuation allowances were established in continuing operations for current year losses incurred in jurisdictions where a benefit is not currently expected, and $3.7 of valuation allowances were established in continuing operations for certain US capital and other loss carryforwards. The total valuation allowance as of December 31, 2003 was $171.0.

The realization of the remaining deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on forecasted future taxable income. Any reduction in estimated forecasted future taxable income, including but not limited to any future restructuring activities may require that we record additional valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets on which a valuation allowance has not previously been established. The valuation allowance that has been established will be maintained until there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized. An ongoing pattern of profitability will generally be considered as sufficient positive evidence. Our income tax expense recorded in the future will be reduced to the extent of offsetting decreases in our valuation allowance. The establishment or reversal of valuation allowances could have a significant negative or positive impact on future earnings.

Minority Interest
Income applicable to minority interests was virtually unchanged at $30.9 in 2003, $30.5 in 2002 and $29.4 in 2001.

Unconsolidated Affiliates
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates was income of $1.0 in 2003, income of $5.0 in 2002 and a loss of $0.4 in 2001. The decrease in 2003 was primarily due to reduced earnings in unconsolidated affiliates in Europe and Brazil. The increase in 2002 was primarily due to increased earnings of unconsolidated affiliates in the US, partially offset by the sale of unconsolidated affiliates in Europe and the US.

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company enters into interest rate swaps, hedges of net investments in foreign operations and forward contracts.

Interest Rate Swaps
As of December 31, 2003, the Company had no outstanding interest rate swap agreements.

During 2002, the Company had outstanding interest rate swap agreements covering $400.0 of the $500.0, 7.875% notes due October 2005. The swaps had the same term as the debt and effectively converted the fixed rate on the debt to a variable rate based on 6 month LIBOR. The swaps were accounted for as hedges of the fair value of the related debt and were recorded as an asset or liability as appropriate.

As of December 31, 2002, the Company had terminated all of the interest rate swap agreements covering the $500.0, 7.875% notes due October 2005. In connection with the termination of the interest rate swap agreements transaction, the Company received $45.7 in cash which will be recorded as an offset to interest expense over the remaining life of the related debt.

Hedges of Net Investments
As of December 31, 2003, the Company had no loans designated as hedges of net investments.

The Company has significant foreign operations and conducts business in various foreign currencies. In order to hedge the value of its investments in Japan, the Company had designated the Yen borrowings under its $375.0 Revolving Credit Facility (in the amount of $36.5) as a hedge of its net investment. The amount deferred in 2002 was not material.

On August 15, 2003, the Company repaid $36.5 Yen borrowing under its $375.0 Revolving Credit Facility that had been designated as a hedge of a net investment.

Forward Contracts
The Company has entered into foreign currency transactions in which foreign currencies (principally the Euro, Pounds and the Yen) are bought or sold forward. The contracts were entered into to meet currency requirements arising from specific transactions. The changes in value of these forward contracts were reflected in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2002 the Company had contracts covering approximately $37 of notional amount of currency and the fair value of the forward contracts was a gain of $5.1. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had contracts covering $2.4 of notional amount of currency and the fair value of the forward contracts was negligible.

Other
The Company has two embedded derivative instruments under the terms of the offering of Zero-Coupon Notes as discussed in Note 8. At December 31, 2002, the fair value of the two derivatives was negligible. As of April 2003, substantially all of the Zero-Coupon Notes were redeemed. In connection with the issuance and sale of the 4.5% Convertible Senior Notes in March 2003, two embedded derivatives were created. The fair value of the two derivatives on December 31, 2003 was negligible.

As discussed in "Payments for Prior Acquisitions" below, the Company has entered into various put and call options related to acquisitions. The exercise price of such options is generally based upon the achievement of projected operating performance targets and approximate fair value.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At December 31, 2003, cash and cash equivalents were $2,005.7, an increase of $1,072.7 from December 31, 2002. Total debt at December 31, 2003 was $2,474.3, a decrease of $163.7 from December 31, 2002. The Company collects funds from clients on behalf of media outlets resulting in cash receipts and disbursements at levels substantially exceeding its revenue. Therefore, the working capital amounts reported on its balance sheet and cash flows from operating activities reflect the "pass-through" of these items.

The Company's cash and debt positions were positively impacted by its 2003 debt and equity offerings, as discussed below, the sale of NFO, and cash flow from operations.

During the third quarter of 2003, the Company filed a universal shelf registration in the amount of $1,800, $721.4 of which was used in concurrent common stock and mandatorily convertible preferred stock offerings in 2003.

Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $502.0, $855.9 and $128.1 in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in 2003 was primarily attributable to the lower earnings level in 2003 resulting from continued softness in client demand for advertising and marketing services and the Company's restructuring program. The Company expects to continue to generate cash from operations in 2004. Offsetting the additional cash expected to be provided in 2004 are cash uses related to the Company's restructuring program, funding of pension liabilities and amounts required to exit the Company's remaining motorsports commitments.

The increase in cash provided in 2002 was the result of improved working capital management, particularly with regard to receivables, and the timing of international media payments at year end, and includes reduced payments of incentives in 2002.

Investing Activities
Historically the Company has pursued acquisitions to complement and enhance its service offerings. In addition, the Company has also sought to acquire businesses similar to those already owned to expand its geographic scope to better serve new and existing clients. Acquisitions have historically been funded using stock, cash or a combination of both. Currently, the Company has certain restrictions by the terms of its Revolving Credit Facilities from making acquisitions or investments that are funded with cash. The Company's permitted level of annual expenditures for new acquisitions funded with cash is $100 in the aggregate. See "Financing Activities" for further discussion.

During 2003, 2002, and 2001, the Company paid $224.6, $276.8 and $308.8, respectively, in cash for new acquisitions and earn out payments for previous acquisitions. The reduction in payments in 2002 and 2003 reflects the Company's reduced level of acquisition activity.

In 2003, the Company sold certain non-core assets. The Company completed the sale of NFO for $415.6 in cash ($376.7 net of cash sold and expenses) and approximately 11.7 million of shares of TNS stock which were sold in December for net proceeds of approximately $42; sold approximately 11 million of the shares it owned as an equity investment in Modem Media, Inc. for net proceeds of approximately $57 million; and, in January 2004, sold four of the motorsport circuits for approximately $26 in cash.

The Company's capital expenditures were $159.6, $171.4, and $257.5 during 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. The primary purposes of these expenditures were to upgrade computer and telecommunications systems and to modernize offices. Currently, the Company is restricted in making capital expenditures by the terms of its Revolving Credit Facilities. The Company's permitted level of annual capital expenditures is $175.0. See "Financing Activities" for further discussion.

In 2004, the Company expects to continue to make certain selective new acquisitions, payments for earn outs due from previous acquisitions, and other capital expenditures. Given the restrictions on these expenditures, discussed above, the Company does not expect these payments to exceed approximately $400 spent in 2003.

Financing Activities
Total cash on hand at December 31, 2003 was $2,005.7, an increase of $1,072.7 from December 31, 2002. Total debt at December 31, 2003 was $2,474.3, a decrease of $163.7 from December 31, 2002. The Company's cash and debt positions were positively impacted by its 2003 debt and equity offerings, as discussed below, the sale of NFO, cash flow from operations and international cash and debt pooling arrangements that were put in place to optimize the net debt balances in certain markets.

Revolving Credit Agreements
On June 27, 2000, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks providing for a term of five years and for borrowings of up to $375.0 (the "Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility"). On May 16, 2002, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks providing for a term of 364 days and for borrowings of up to $500.0 (the "Old 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility"). The Company replaced the Old 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility with a new 364-day revolving credit facility, which it entered into with a syndicate of banks on May 15, 2003 (the "New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility" and, together with the Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility, both as amended from time to time, the "Revolving Credit Facilities"). The New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings of up to $500.0, $200.0 of which are available to the Company for the issuance of letters of credit. The New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility expires on May 13, 2004. However, the Comp any has the option to extend the maturity of amounts outstanding on the termination date under the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility for a period of one year, if EBITDA, as defined in the agreements, for the four fiscal quarters most recently ended was at least $831.0 (for purposes of this EBITDA calculation, only $125.0 of non-recurring restructuring charges may be added back to EBITDA). The Revolving Credit Facilities are used for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2003, $160.1 was utilized under the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility for the issuance of letters of credit, $0.0 was borrowed under the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility and $0.0 was borrowed under the Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 12, 2004, $136.0 was obligated under the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility for the issuance of letters of credit, $0.0 was borrowed under the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility and $0.0 of the $375.0 available was borrowed under the Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility .

The Revolving Credit Facilities bear interest at variable rates based on either LIBOR or a bank's base rate, at the Company's option. The interest rates on base rate loans and LIBOR loans under the Revolving Credit Facilities are affected by the facilities' utilization levels and the Company's credit ratings. In connection with the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility, the Company agreed to new pricing under the Revolving Credit Facilities that increased the interest spread payable on loans under the Revolving Credit Facilities by 25 basis points. Based on the Company's current credit ratings, interest rates on loans under the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility are currently calculated by adding 175 basis points to LIBOR or 25 basis points to the applicable bank base rate, and interest rates on loans under the Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility are currently calculated by adding 170 basis points to LIBOR or 25 basis points to the applicable bank base rate.

The Company's Revolving Credit Facilities include financial covenants that set (i) maximum levels of debt for borrowed money as a function of EBITDA, (ii) minimum levels of EBITDA as a function of interest expense and (iii) minimum levels of EBITDA (in each case, as defined in those agreements).

As of December 31, 2003, the Company was, and expects to continue to be, in compliance with all of the covenants (including the financial covenants, as amended) contained in the Revolving Credit Facilities.

On February 10, 2003, certain defined terms relating to financial covenants contained in the Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility and the Old 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility were amended effective as of December 31, 2002 to include in the definition of debt for borrowed money the Company's 1.8% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004 and 1.87% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006. In addition, the definition of Interest Expense was also amended to include all interest with respect to these Subordinated Notes.

In connection with entering into the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility, the definition of EBITDA in the Revolving Credit Facilities was amended to include (i) up to $161.4 of non-cash, non-recurring charges taken in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002; (ii) up to $200.0 of non-recurring restructuring charges (up to $175.0 of which may be cash charges) taken in the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003; (iii) up to $70.0 of non-cash, non-recurring charges taken with respect to the impairment of the remaining book value of the Company's Motorsports business; and (iv) all impairment charges taken with respect to capital expenditures made on or after January 1, 2003 with respect to the Company's Motorsports business, and to exclude the gain realized by the Company upon the sale of NFO. The corresponding financial covenant ratio levels in the Revolving Credit Facilities were also amended.

As of September 29, 2003, these additions to the definition of EBITDA were replaced with the following items: (i) up to $161.4 of non-cash, non-recurring charges taken in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002; (ii) up to $275.0 of non-recurring restructuring charges (up to $240.0 of which may be cash charges) taken in the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2003 and each of the fiscal periods ending June 30, 2003, September 30, 2003, December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004; (iii) up to $70.0 of non-cash, non-recurring charges taken with respect to the impairment of the remaining book value of the Company's Motorsports business; (iv) all impairment charges taken with respect to capital expenditures made on or after January 1, 2003 with respect to the Company's Motorsports business; (v) up to $300.0 of non-cash, non-recurring goodwill or investment impairment charges taken in the fiscal periods ending September 30, 2003, December 31, 2003, March 31, 2004, June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2004; (vi) up to $135.0 in pa yments made by the Company (up to $40.0 of which may be in cash) with respect to the fiscal periods ending September 30, 2003, December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004, relating to the settlement of certain litigation matters; (vii) $24.8 in respect of the early repayment by the Company of all amounts outstanding under the Prudential Agreements with respect to the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003; and (viii) non-cash charges related to the adoption by the Company of the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148. The definition of EBITDA was also separately amended to give the Company flexibility to settle its commitments under certain leasing and Motorsports event contractual arrangements. The Company paid a fee of 10 basis points of the total commitments under each of the Revolving Credit Facilities in consideration for these amendments to the de finition of EBITDA.

In determining the Company's compliance with the financial covenants as of December 31, 2003, the following charges were added back to the definition of EBITDA: (i) $176.2 of restructuring charges ($153.5 of which were cash charges), (ii) $47.4 of non-cash charges with respect to the impairment of the remaining book value of the Company's Motorsports business, (iii) $16.2 of impairment charges taken with respect to capital expenditures of the Company's Motorsports businesses, (iv) $293.9 of goodwill or investment impairment charges and (v) $115.0 of charges (primarily non-cash) relating to certain litigation matters. Since these charges and payments were added back to the definition of EBITDA, they do not affect the ability of the Company to comply with its financial covenants. Any charges incurred by the Company as a result of its restructuring program after March 31, 2004 will not be added back to EBITDA in determining whether the Company is in compliance with its financial covenants.

The terms of the Revolving Credit Facilities restrict the Company's ability to declare or pay dividends, repurchase shares of common stock, make cash acquisitions or investments and make capital expenditures, as well as the ability of the Company's domestic subsidiaries to incur additional debt in excess of $65.0. Certain of these limitations were modified upon the Company's issuance on March 13, 2003 of 4.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the "4.5% Notes") in an aggregate principal amount of $800.0, from which the Company received net cash proceeds equal to approximately $778. In addition, pursuant to a tender offer that expired on April 4, 2003, the Company purchased $700.5 in aggregate principal amount at maturity of its Zero-Coupon Convertible Senior Notes due 2021 (the "Zero-Coupon Notes"). As a result of these transactions, the Company's permitted level of annual new cash acquisition

spending has increased to $100.0 and the permitted level of annual share buybacks and dividend payments not related solely to preferred stock has increased to $25.0. All limitations on dividend payments and share buybacks expire when EBITDA (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facilities) is at least $1,300.0 for four consecutive quarters. The Company's permitted level of annual capital expenditures is $175.0.

On November 18, 2003, the Revolving Credit Facilities were further amended to permit the Company to pay up to $45.0 in annual cash dividends with respect to preferred stock that is convertible into common stock of the Company within 48 months following its issuance. This $45.0 allowance is in addition to the Company's current $25.0 permitted level of annual share buybacks and general dividend payments discussed above.

As a result of the issuance of the 4.5% Notes in the first quarter of 2003 and the settlement of the tender offer for the Zero-Coupon Notes in the second quarter of 2003, both the 4.5% Notes and the Zero-Coupon Notes were outstanding at March 31, 2003. Therefore, the Company amended the Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility and the Old 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility, as of March 13, 2003, to exclude the Zero-Coupon Notes in calculating the ratio of debt for borrowed money to consolidated EBITDA for the period ended March 31, 2003 (this exclusion is also contained in the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility).

On February 26, 2003, the Company obtained waivers of certain defaults under the Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility and the Old 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility relating to the restatement of the Company's historical Consolidated Financial Statements in the aggregate amount of $118.7. The waivers covered certain financial reporting requirements related to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2002. No financial covenants were breached as a result of this restatement.

The Company does not anticipate that any waivers will be needed under the Revolving Credit Facilities prior to, or in connection with, the refinancing of the New 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility.


Other Committed and Uncommitted Facilities
In addition to the Revolving Credit Facilities, at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, the Company had $0.8 and $157.8 of committed lines of credit, all of which were provided by overseas banks that participate in the Revolving Credit Facilities. The decrease in the committed lines of credit was partially offset by the increase in the uncommitted lines of credit. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, $0.0 and $3.1 were outstanding under these lines of credit.

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, the Company also had $744.8 and $707.9 of uncommitted lines of credit, 68.0% and 66.8% of which were provided by banks that participate in the Revolving Credit Agreements. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, $38.1 and $213.2 were outstanding under these uncommitted lines of credit. The Company's uncommitted borrowings are repayable upon demand.

Prudential Agreements
On May 26, 1994, April 28, 1995, October 31, 1996, August 19, 1997 and January 21, 1999, the Company entered into five note purchase agreements, respectively, with The Prudential Insurance Company of America. The notes issued pursuant to the Prudential Agreements were repayable on May 2004, April 2005, October 2006, August 2007 and January 2009, respectively, and had interest rates of 10.01%, 9.95%, 9.41%, 9.09% and 8.05%, respectively.

Due to the high interest rates on the notes issued under the Prudential Agreements and the restrictive financial covenants contained in these agreements, the Company repaid the total principal amount and interest outstanding under the Prudential Agreements on August 8, 2003, including a prepayment penalty that resulted in a net charge of $24.8.

UBS Facility
On February 10, 2003, the Company received from UBS AG a commitment for an interim credit facility providing for $500.0 maturing no later than July 31, 2004 and available to the Company beginning May 15, 2003, subject to certain conditions. This commitment terminated in accordance with its terms when the Company received net cash proceeds in excess of $400.0 from its sale of the 4.5% Notes. The fees associated with the commitment were not material to the Company's financial position, cash flows or results of operation.

Other Debt Instruments

                (i)  Convertible Senior Notes - 4.5%

In March 2003 the Company completed the issuance and sale of $800.0 aggregate principal amount of the 4.5% Notes. In April 2003, the Company used approximately $581 of the net proceeds of this offering to repurchase the Zero-Coupon Notes tendered in its concurrent tender offer and is using the remaining proceeds for the repayment of other indebtedness, general corporate purposes and working capital. The 4.5% Notes are unsecured, senior securities that may be converted into common shares if the price of the Company's common stock reaches a specified threshold, at an initial conversion rate of 80.5153 shares per one thousand dollars principal amount, equal to a conversion price of $12.42 per share, subject to adjustment. This threshold will initially be 120% of the conversion price and will decline 1/2% each year until it reaches 110% at maturity in 2023.

The 4.5% Notes may also be converted, regardless of the price of the Company's common stock, if: (i) the credit ratings assigned to the 4.5% Notes by any two of Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings are lower than Ba2, BB and BB, respectively, or the 4.5% Notes are no longer rated by at least two of these ratings services, (ii) the Company calls the 4.5% Notes for redemption, (iii) the Company makes specified distributions to shareholders or (iv) the Company becomes a party to a consolidation, merger or binding share exchange pursuant to which its common stock would be converted into cash or property (other than securities).

The Company, at the investor's option, may be required to redeem the 4.5% Notes for cash on March 15, 2008. The Company may also be required to redeem the 4.5% Notes at the investor's option on March 15, 2013 and March 15, 2018, for cash or common stock or a combination of both, at the Company's election. Additionally, investors may require the Company to redeem the 4.5% Notes in the event of certain change of control events that occur prior to May 15, 2008, for cash or common stock or a combination of both, at the Company's election. The Company at its option may redeem the 4.5% Notes on or after May 15, 2008 for cash. The redemption price in each of these instances will be 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. If at any time on or after March 13, 2003 the Company pays cash dividends on its common stock, the Company will pay contingent interest per 4.5% Note in an amount equal to 100% of the per share cash dividend paid on the common stock multip lied by the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of a 4.5% Note.

               (ii) Zero-Coupon Convertible Senior Notes

In December 2001, the Company completed the issuance and sale of approximately $702 of aggregate principal amount of Zero-Coupon Convertible Senior Notes due 2021. In April 2003, the Company used approximately $581 of the proceeds received from the issuance and sale of the 4.5% Notes to repurchase $700.5 in aggregate principal amount at maturity of its Zero-Coupon Notes. As of December 31, 2003, no Zero-Coupon Notes remained outstanding.

               (iii) Senior Unsecured Notes - 7.25%

On August 22, 2001, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $500.0 principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2011. The notes bear interest at a rate of 7.25% per annum. The Company used the net proceeds of approximately $493 from the sale of the notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under its Revolving Credit Facilities.

               (iv) Senior Unsecured Notes - 7.875%

On October 20, 2000, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $500.0 principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2005. The notes bear an interest rate of 7.875% per annum. The Company used the net proceeds of approximately $496 from the sale of the notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under its revolving credit facilities. 

               (v) Convertible Subordinated Notes - 1.87%

On June 1, 1999, the Company issued $361.0 face amount of Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006 with a cash coupon rate of 1.87% and a yield to maturity of 4.75%. The 2006 notes were issued at an original price of 83% of the face amount, generating proceeds of approximately $300. The notes are convertible into 6.4 million shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion rate of 17.616 shares per one thousand dollars face amount. Since June 2002, the Company has had the option to redeem the notes for cash.

              (vi) Convertible Subordinated Notes - 1.80%

On September 16, 1997, the Company issued $250.0 face amount of Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004 ("2004 Notes") with a coupon rate of 1.80% and a yield to maturity of 5.25%. The 2004 Notes were issued at an original price of 80% of the face amount, generating proceeds of approximately $200, and were convertible into 6.7 million shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion rate of 26.772 shares per one thousand dollars face amount. On January 20, 2004, the Company exercised its right to redeem all of the 2004 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $250 at an aggregate price of approximately $246 (96.6813% of the principal amount of the notes plus original issue discount accrued to the redemption date, or $978.10 per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest to the redemption date). None of the 2004 Notes remain outstanding as of March 12, 2004.

Short-Term Debt at December 31, 2003 and 2002

The Company and its subsidiaries have short-term lines of credit with various banks that permit borrowings at variable interest rates. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, all borrowings under these facilities were by the Company's subsidiaries and totaled $38.1 and $216.3, respectively. Where required, the Company has guaranteed the repayment of borrowings by its subsidiaries.

As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, 68% and 66.8% of these short-term facilities were provided by banks that participate in the Company's Revolving Credit Facilities. The weighted-average interest rates on outstanding balances under the committed and uncommitted short-term facilities at December 31, 2003 and 2002 were approximately 5% in each year.

The following table summarizes the Company's short-term debt as of December 31, 2003 and 2002.