Congoleum Expects $7.3M Charge Next Quarter

Mercerville, N.J, Nov. 21--Congoleum Corp. expects to record a charge to other comprehensive income of $7.3 million in the fourth quarter to adjust its minimum pension liability, according to its quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If the pension plans' year end asset values are the same as they were on September 30, the company anticipates it will record the charge, according to the filing released by the SEC. The company said the pension plans' recent rates of return on investments have been below both actual longer term and future assumed rates of returns. As a result, the company anticipates pension expense and funding requirements will increase in 2003 as well.