UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 October 22, 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) FORTUNE BRANDS, INC. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-9076 13-3295276 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 300 Tower Parkway, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (847) 484-4400 ---------------- Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): __ Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) __ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) __ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) __ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition. ---------- ---------------------------------------------- Registrant is furnishing its press release dated October 22, 2004, which reports Registrant's third quarter 2004 results. The press release is included herewith as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated herein by reference. Pursuant to general instruction B.2 to Form 8-K, the information furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. ---------- ---------------------------------- (c) Exhibits. --------- 99. Press release of Registrant dated October 22, 2004, is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02. SIGNATURE --------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. FORTUNE BRANDS, INC. -------------------- (Registrant) By /s/ C. P. Omtvedt ------------------------- C. P. Omtvedt Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Date: October 22, 2004 EXHIBIT INDEX Sequentially Exhibit Numbered Page ------- ------------- 99. Press release of Registrant dated October 22, 2004, which is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02.