Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 11- K

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

 

or

 

o                     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

 

For the transition period from            to

 

Commission file number 1-18378

 

A.                             Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

55 Corporate Drive

Bridgewater, NJ 08807-5925

 

B.                               Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

 

SANOFI-AVENTIS

174 AVENUE DE FRANCE

Paris, France 75013

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE


sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
With Report of Independent Auditors

 



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Financial Statements
and Supplemental Schedule

 

December 31, 2009 and 2008

 

Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

1

 

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

2

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

3

Notes to Financial Statements

4

 

 

Supplemental Schedule

 

 

 

Schedule H, Line 4(i) — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

20

 



Table of Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Pension Committee

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2009 is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young, LLP

 

Metropark, New Jersey

June 25, 2010

 

1



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Investments at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in Master Trust

 

$

551,135,970

 

$

461,897,774

 

Mutual funds

 

1,630,084,399

 

1,137,731,892

 

Common and commingled trusts

 

73,625,311

 

53,448,412

 

Participant loans

 

32,326,886

 

30,927,861

 

 

 

2,287,172,566

 

1,684,005,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income receivable

 

541,118

 

515,958

 

Plan conversion receivable

 

 

682,417

 

Contributions receivable — employee

 

2,961,303

 

3,210,099

 

Contributions receivable — employer

 

9,965,621

 

10,449,982

 

 

 

13,468,042

 

14,858,456

 

Total assets

 

2,300,640,608

 

1,698,864,395

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

34,010

 

32,649

 

Net assets reflecting investments at fair value

 

2,300,606,598

 

1,698,831,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

 

(10,259,172

)

4,032,465

 

Net assets available for benefits

 

$

2,290,347,426

 

$

1,702,864,211

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

2



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Investment Activity

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions:

 

 

 

 

 

Employee

 

$

122,316,886

 

$

127,771,881

 

Employer

 

102,085,969

 

100,122,504

 

Investment income:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and dividends

 

35,847,941

 

59,513,266

 

Net realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments

 

380,605,223

 

(712,105,392

)

Net investment income (loss) from Master Trust

 

62,506,328

 

(10,723,927

)

Transfer from other plans

 

31,034

 

2,099,015

 

Total additions

 

703,393,381

 

(433,322,653

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deductions

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions

 

115,154,190

 

134,381,743

 

Fees and administrative expenses

 

653,836

 

354,136

 

Transfer to other plans

 

102,140

 

252,200

 

Total deductions

 

115,910,166

 

134,988,079

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits

 

587,483,215

 

(568,310,732

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits at beginning of year

 

1,702,864,211

 

2,271,174,943

 

Net assets available for benefits at end of year

 

$

2,290,347,426

 

$

1,702,864,211

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2009

 

1. Description of the Plan

 

The following description of the sanofi-aventis U.S. Saving Plan (the Plan) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

 

Plan Description

 

The Plan is a defined contribution plan that covers substantially all employees of sanofi-aventis U.S. Inc. and sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC (the Company) as they meet the prescribed eligibility requirements. All employees are eligible to participate in the Plan beginning on the first day of employment. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

 

Master Trust

 

Effective January 1, 2008, sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, sanofi-aventis Puerto Rico Inc. and T. Rowe Price Trust Company (the Trustee) entered into an amended and restated Master Trust Agreement (the Master Trust) to serve as a funding vehicle for certain commingled assets of the Plan and the sanofi-aventis Puerto Rico Savings Plan (the Puerto Rico Savings Plan). Accordingly, certain assets of the Plan are maintained, for investment purposes only, on a commingled basis with the assets of the Puerto Rico Savings Plan. The investments included in the Master Trust are mutual funds, company stock, and guaranteed investments contracts. Neither plan has any interest in the specific assets of the Master Trust, but maintains beneficial interests in such assets. The portion of assets, net earnings, gains and/or losses and administrative expenses allocable to each plan is based upon the relationship of the Plan’s beneficial interest in the Master Trust to the total beneficial interest of all plans in the Master Trust (see Note 5).

 

Trustee and Recordkeeper

 

The T. Rowe Price Trust Company is the Plan’s trustee. The Trustee is party to the Master Trust agreement discussed above which governs and maintains the Plan’s commingled assets, as well as a general trust agreement for all other Plan assets. T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services Inc. is the Plan’s recordkeeper (see Note 8).

 

4



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

 

Plan Administration

 

The sanofi-aventis U.S. Administrative Committee (the Committee), as appointed by the Company’s Pension Committee, is responsible for the general administration of the Plan. The Board of Directors has appointed the Trustee with the responsibility for the administration of the Trust Agreement and the management of the assets.

 

Participant Accounts

 

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions and allocations of the Company’s contributions and plan earnings, and is charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances. Forfeited balances of terminated participants’ nonvested accounts are used to reduce future company contributions. Unallocated forfeitures balances as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were approximately $154,852 and $753,776, respectively, and forfeitures used to reduce Company contributions for 2009 were approximately $916,641. The benefit to which a participant is entitled upon leaving the Company is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s account.

 

Contributions

 

The Plan provides that participants may make elective deferral contributions, which allows participants to save up to 30% of their eligible pay for 2009 and 2008 in whole percentages (up to the allowable IRS annual maximum — $16,500 and $15,500 for 2009 and 2008, respectively) on a pre-tax basis, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 401(k). Employees of 50 or older may make a catch-up contribution of up to $5,500 and $5,000 for 2009 and 2008, respectively. After tax contributions of up to 70% are also available.

 

Plan participants may make a direct or indirect rollover contribution to the Plan from a former employer’s tax qualified plan. Participants can also rollover IRA distributions (excluding minimum required distributions and nondeductible contributions).

 

5



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

 

Contributions (continued)

 

The Company provides a matching contribution based upon a participant’s years of service and the total amount of their pre-tax, after-tax, and catch-up contributions. The Company match contribution is up to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation in 3 tiers according to service years shown in the table below:

 

Years of Service

 

Company Match
of Employee
Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

0 – 2

 

100

%

3 – 6

 

125

%

7 years or more

 

150

%

 

Effective January 1, 2009, the Plan was amended so that years of services are adjusted in January and July of each year. There are certain defined limitations on the amount of contributions that may be credited to a participant’s account and the annual amount of the Company contribution is limited to the maximum deductible for federal income tax purposes.

 

Upon plan enrollment, a participant may direct employee contributions into any of the Plan’s fund options. Participants may change their investment options at any time. The Company’s contributions are allocated in the same manner as that of the participant’s elective contributions.

 

Vesting

 

Participants are always 100% vested in their pre-tax, catch up, and after-tax contributions accounts (contributions and related earnings). Employees who were participants on or before December 31, 2005 are 100% vested in their Company matching contribution account (contribution and related earnings). Employees hired on or after January 1, 2006 are 100% vested in their Company matching contribution account after three years of service.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

 

Distributions

 

Plan participants who leave the Company as a result of death, disability, retirement, or termination may choose one or a combination of the following distribution methods: receive the entire amount of their account balance in one lump-sum payment or receive the distribution in the form of recurring annual installments over a period of between three and fifteen years. If a participant dies, the participant’s designated beneficiary will receive the payments.

 

In-service withdrawals are available in certain limited circumstances, as defined by the Plan.

 

Participants Loans

 

Plan participants may borrow from $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of 50% of the value of their account balance or $50,000 less their highest outstanding loan balance in the preceding 12 months, subject to certain limitations described in the plan document. Loans bear interest at a rate commensurate with the prevailing market rate, as determined by the Plan Administrator. Currently, interest rates associated with participant loans range from 5.0% to 10.5%. Loan balances are payable in semi-monthly installments generally over a term of up to five years. A participant may not have more than three loans outstanding at any point in time. Extended terms of up to 15 years are available should the loan relate to the purchase of a primary residence.

 

Fees and Administrative Expenses

 

All expenses incidental to the maintenance and administration of the Plan are paid by the Plan, unless they are paid by the Company.

 

Transfers from/to Other Plans

 

The Plan allows transfers between plans within the Plan sponsor. Transfers from the former Roussel Corporation Savings Plan to the Plan were $13,363 and $682,417 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Transfers from the Plan to the Puerto Rico Savings Plan were $102,140 and $252,200 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the transfer to the Plan from Puerto Rico Savings Plan was $17,671. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the transfer to the Plan from the former sanofi-aventis Hourly Savings Plan was $1,416,598.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Accounting

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting.

 

Benefit Payments

 

Benefits are recorded when paid.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes and supplemental schedule. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Reporting of Fully Benefit Responsive Investment Contracts

 

Investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan, such as those that are part of the Stable Value Fund investment option of the Plan included in the Master Trust, are required to be reported at fair value rather than contract value, with an offsetting asset or liability in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits to reflect the investment at contract value. The Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, however, is prepared on a contract value basis because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to transfer amounts out of this investment option or receive a distribution from the Plan. The contract value of the fully-benefit responsive investment contracts represents contributions plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.

 

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition

 

The fair value of the Plan’s interest in the Master Trust is based on the beginning of year value of the Plan’s interest in the trust plus actual contributions and allocated investment income or loss less actual distributions and allocated administrative expenses. Quoted market prices are used to value mutual fund investments in the Master Trust.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition (continued)

 

The Plan’s investments in mutual funds and common and commingled trusts are stated at fair value. Quoted market prices are used to value mutual fund investments. Shares of mutual funds are valued at the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year-end. Common and commingled trusts are valued at the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year end for the underlying securities in all of the Master Trust’s commingled accounts. Participant loans are valued at their outstanding balances, which are not materially different from fair value. Securities transactions are recorded on the trade-date (the day the order to buy or sell is executed). Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

The Stable Value Fund, which is included in the Master Trust, invests primarily in investment contracts issued by high-quality insurance companies and banks as rated by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (the advisor to the Master Trust’s sponsor). These are interest bearing contracts in which the principal and interest are guaranteed by the issuing companies. The contracts are considered fully benefit-responsive and comprised of Guaranteed Investment Contracts (“GICs”) and Synthetic GICs. The investments in Synthetic GICs are presented at fair value on the table of the investments held in the Master Trust (see Note 5). The fair value of GICs equals the total of the fair value of the underlying assets calculated using the present value of contract cash flows. The fair value of Synthetic GICs equals the total of the fair value of the underlying assets plus the total wrap rebid value. The wrapper rebid value is $468,988 and $434,639 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

The Stable Value Fund is credited with earnings on the underlying investments and charged for participant withdrawals and administrative expenses. The issuers of the Synthetic GICs are contractually obligated to repay the principal and a specified interest rate that is guaranteed to the Plan. The fund deposits a lump sum with the issuer and receives a guaranteed interest rate for a specified time. Interest is accrued on either a simple interest or fully compounded basis and paid either periodically or at the end of the contract term. There are currently no reserves against contract values for credit risk of the contract issuers or otherwise.

 

Certain events could limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuer. Such events include the following: (i) amendments to the plan documents (including complete or partial plan termination or merger with another plan); (ii) changes to plan’s prohibition on competing investment options or deletion of equity wash provisions; (iii) bankruptcy of the plan sponsor or other plan sponsor events (e.g. divestures or spin-offs of a subsidiary) which cause a

 

9


 


Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition (continued)

 

significant withdrawal from the Plan or (iv) the failure of the trust to qualify for exemption from federal income taxes or any required prohibited transaction exemption under ERISA. The Plan Administrator does not believe that the occurrence of any such event, which would limit the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with participants, is probable.

 

The Synthetic GICs do not permit the insurance companies to terminate the agreement prior to the scheduled maturity date. Each contract is subject to early termination penalties that may be significant.

 

The average crediting rate for the investment contracts was 4.66% and 4.27% and the average yield was 4.33% and 3.68% during 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Plan’s interest in the GICs within the Master Trust was approximately 99% at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly (FSP 157-4). FSP 157-4 amended FASB Statement No. 157 (codified as Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820) to provide additional guidance on estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to its normal market activity. FSP 157-4 also provided additional guidance on circumstances that may indicate that a transaction is not orderly and on defining major categories of debt and equity securities to comply with the disclosure requirements of ASC 820. The Plan adopted the guidance in FSP 157-4 for the reporting period ended December 31, 2009. Adoption of FSP 157-4 did not have a material effect on the Plan’s net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 165, Subsequent Events, which was codified into ASC 855, Subsequent Events, to provide general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the statement of net assets available for benefits date, but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. ASC 855 was amended in February 2010. The Plan has adopted ASC 855, as amended.

 

10



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

New Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

 

In September 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-12, Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (ASU 2009-12). ASU 2009-12 amended ASC 820 to allow entities to use net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent), as a practical expedient, to measure fair value when the investment does not have a readily determinable fair value and the net asset value is calculated in a manner consistent with investment company accounting. The Plan adopted the guidance in ASU 2009-12 for the reporting period ended December 31, 2009 and has utilized the practical expedient to measure the fair value of its common and commingled trusts investments which are within the scope of this guidance based on the investment’s NAV. In addition, as a result of adopting ASU 2009-12, the Plan has provided additional disclosures regarding the nature and risks of investments within the scope of this guidance (refer to Note 3). Adoption of ASU 2009-12 did not have a material effect on the Plan’s net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, (ASU 2010-06). ASU 2010-06 amended ASC 820 to clarify certain existing fair value disclosures and require a number of additional disclosures. The guidance in ASU 2010-06 clarified that disclosures should be presented separately for each “class” of assets and liabilities measured at fair value and provided guidance on how to determine the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities to be presented. ASU 2010-06 also clarified the requirement for entities to disclose information about both the valuation techniques and inputs used in estimating Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. In addition, ASU 2010-06 introduced new requirements to disclose the amounts (on a gross basis) and reasons for any significant transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy and present information regarding the purchases, sales, issuances and settlements of Level 3 assets and liabilities on a gross basis. With the exception of the requirement to present changes in Level 3 measurements on a gross basis, which is delayed until 2011, the guidance in ASU 2010-06 becomes effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. Plan management is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of ASU 2010-06 will have on the Plan’s financial statements.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Plan provides for various investment options representing varied combinations of stocks, bonds, fixed income securities, mutual funds and other investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market volatility and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.

 

3. Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., an exit price). The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.

 

Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

 

·                  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

·                  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

 

·                  Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;

 

·                  Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

12



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3. Fair Value Measurement (continued)

 

Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 3 inputs include management’s own assumption about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

 

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The valuation technique used needs to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

 

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2009.

 

Mutual funds: Valued at the net asset value (“NAV”) of shares held by the Plan at year end, which are based on quoted market prices.

 

Participant loans: Valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

 

Guaranteed investment contracts: Valued at fair value by discounting the related cash flows based on current yields of a similar instrument with comparable durations considering the credit-worthiness of the issuer (See Note 2 regarding the Stable Value fund).

 

Company stock: Valued at the net asset value (“NAV”) of shares held by the Plan at year end for the underlying publicly traded securities held in all of the Master Trust’s separate accounts.

 

Common and commingled trusts: Valued at the net asset value (“NAV”) of shares held by the Plan at year end for the underlying securities held in all of the Master Trust’s commingled accounts.

 

The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

 

13



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

The following tables sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively:

 

 

 

Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifecycle funds(a)

 

$

954,861,188

 

 

 

 

 

$

954,861,188

 

U.S. equities and bonds

 

675,223,211

 

 

 

 

 

675,223,211

 

Common and commingled trusts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wellington Lg Cap Research Fund(b)

 

 

 

$

73,625,311

 

 

 

73,625,311

 

Participant loans

 

 

 

 

 

$

32,326,886

 

32,326,886

 

Total assets at fair value

 

$

1,630,084,399

 

$

73,625,311

 

$

32,326,886

 

$

1,736,036,596

 

 

 

 

Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifecycle funds(a)

 

$

673,548,989

 

 

 

 

 

$

673,548,989

 

U.S. equities and bonds

 

464,182,903

 

 

 

 

 

464,182,903

 

Common and commingled trusts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wellington Lg Cap Research Fund(b)

 

 

 

$

53,448,412

 

 

 

53,448,412

 

Participant loans

 

 

 

 

 

$

30,927,861

 

30,927,861

 

Total assets at fair value

 

$

1,137,731,892

 

$

53,448,412

 

$

30,927,861

 

$

1,222,108,165

 

 


(a)          This category includes investments in highly diversified funds designed to remain appropriate for investors in terms of risk throughout a variety of life circumstances.

(b)         This common/collective trust has the goal of first growing and then later preserving principal and contains a mix of U.S. common stocks, U.S. issued bonds and cash. There are currently no redemption restrictions on this investment. The fair value of the investment in this category has been estimated using the net asset value per share.

 

14



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sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Plan’s level 3 assets.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

2009
Participant
Loans

 

2008
Participant
Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

30,927,861

 

$

28,790,672

 

Purchase, sales, issuances and settlements (net)

 

1,399,025

 

2,137,189

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

32,326,886

 

$

30,927,861

 

 

4. Investments

 

The following table presents the fair value of investments that represent 5 percent or more of the net assets available for benefits:

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Master Trust

 

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed investment contracts**

 

$

329,625,409

 

$

311,792,563

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mutual Funds

 

 

 

 

 

AF Growth of America

 

126,860,396

 

*

 

PIMCO Total Return Fund

 

130,783,806

 

95,312,621

 

Retirement 2020

 

156,596,174

 

111,619,393

 

Retirement 2025

 

165,382,025

 

116,612,616

 

Retirement 2030

 

190,506,371

 

130,548,514

 

Retirement 2035

 

130,741,482

 

*

 

T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund

 

118,576,856

 

*

 

 


*                       Asset balances did not represent 5% or more of the net assets available for benefits

**                No individual contract accounts for more than 5% of net assets available for benefits.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

4. Investments (continued)

 

The Plan’s investments (including investments bought, sold, and held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mutual funds

 

$

363,277,418

 

$

(673,904,034

)

Common and commingled trusts

 

17,327,805

 

(38,201,358

)

 

 

$

380,605,223

 

$

(712,105,392

)

 

5. Master Trust

 

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Plan’s interest in the Master Trust was approximately 98.9% and 98.7%, respectively.

 

The following table presents the fair value of investments held in the Master Trust:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Company stock

 

$

82,232,794

 

$

66,155,567

 

Mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

 

International equities

 

100,134,450

 

60,974,304

 

Stable value fund:(a)

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment fund(b)

 

40,669,224

 

23,996,183

 

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

320,738,143

 

292,958,497

 

Guaranteed investment contracts

 

13,706,592

 

23,870,616

 

Total assets

 

557,481,203

 

467,955,167

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

 

(10,409,172

)

4,097,610

 

 

 

$

547,072,031

 

$

472,052,777

 

 


(a)     This category includes a common/collective trust fund that is designed to deliver safety and stability by preserving principal and accumulating earnings. This fund is primarily invested in guaranteed investment contracts and synthetic investment contracts. Participant-directed redemptions have no restrictions; however, the Plan is required to provide a one-year redemption notice to liquidate its entire share in the fund. The fair value of this fund has been estimated based on the fair value of the underlying investment contracts in the fund as reported by the issuer of the fund. The fair value differs from the contract value. As previously described in Note 2, contract value is the relevant measurement basis attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.

(b)    This category includes a common/collective trust fund that is designed to protect capital with low-risk investments and includes cash, bank notes, corporate notes, government bills and various short-term debt instruments. There are currently no redemption restrictions on this investment. The fair value of the investment in this category has been estimated using the net asset value per share.

 

16



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5. Master Trust (continued)

 

The following table presents the investment income (loss) for the Master Trust:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

$

2,316,320

 

$

2,458,806

 

Interest

 

14,284,462

 

14,090,787

 

Net depreciation in fair value of Common stock and Mutual funds

 

46,333,284

 

(27,282,562

)

 

 

$

62,934,066

 

$

(10,732,969

)

 

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Master Trust assets at fair value as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively:

 

 

 

Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company stock

 

$

82,232,794

 

 

 

 

 

$

82,232,794

 

Mutual fund:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International equities

 

 

 

$

100,134,450

 

 

 

100,134,450

 

Stable value fund:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment fund

 

40,669,224

 

 

 

 

 

40,669,224

 

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

 

320,738,143

 

 

 

320,738,143

 

Guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

 

 

 

$

13,706,592

 

13,706,592

 

Total assets at fair value

 

$

122,902,018

 

$

420,872,593

 

$

13,706,592

 

$

557,481,203

 

 

 

 

Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company stock

 

$

66,155,567

 

 

 

 

 

$

66,155,567

 

Mutual fund:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International equities

 

 

 

$

60,974,304

 

 

 

60,974,304

 

Stable value fund:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment fund

 

23,996,183

 

 

 

 

 

23,996,183

 

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

 

292,958,497

 

 

 

292,958,497

 

Guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

 

 

 

$

23,870,616

 

23,870,616

 

Total assets at fair value

 

$

90,151,750

 

$

353,932,801

 

$

23,870,616

 

$

467,955,167

 

 

17



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5. Master Trust (continued)

 

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Master Trust level 3 assets for the year ended:

 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

23,870,616

 

$

46,445,095

 

Realized gain (losses)

 

195,083

 

972,681

 

Unrealized gain relating to instruments still held at the reporting date

 

(2,487

)

112,674

 

Purchase, sales, issuances and settlements (net)

 

(10,432,724

)

(23,659,834

)

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit responsive investment contracts

 

76,104

 

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

13,706,592

 

$

23,870,616

 

 

6. Income Tax Status

 

The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated July 20, 2009, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the IRC and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the Internal Revenue Service, the Plan was amended. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the IRC to maintain its qualification. The plan administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC and, therefore, believes that the Plan, as amended, is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.

 

7. Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

 

GICs and Synthetic GICs are reported at fair value for Form 5500 purposes. For financial statement purposes, such items are recorded at gross fair value and adjusted to net contract value. Such differing treatments result in a reconciling item between the total net assets available for benefits recorded on the Form 5500 and the total net assets available for benefits included in the accompanying financial statements.

 

18



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

7. Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500 (continued)

 

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements

 

$

2,290,347,426

 

$

1,702,864,211

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

 

10,259,172

 

(4,032,465

)

Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500

 

$

2,300,606,598

 

$

1,698,831,746

 

 

8. Party-In-Interest Transactions

 

Certain Plan investments are shares of mutual funds managed by T. Rowe Price Trust Company, the Trustee of the Plan. T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services Inc. is the recordkeeper of the Plan. Therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

 

The Plan also invests in shares of the Company. The Company is the plan sponsor and, therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

 

9. Termination of the Plan

 

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. Upon such termination of the Plan, the interest of each participant in the trust fund will be distributed to such participant or his or her beneficiary at the time prescribed by the Plan terms and the IRC.

 

10. Subsequent Event

 

Subsequent to December 31, 2009, the Master Trust Agreement was amended such that the Sanofi Pasteur Inc. 401(k) Plan will become a participant in the Master Trust effective July 1, 2010.

 

19



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Supplemental Schedule

 



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

EIN: #36-4406953 Plan: #005

 

Schedule H, Line 4(i) — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

 

December 31, 2009

 

(a)

 

(b)
Identity of Issue, Borrower,
Lessor, or Similar Party

 

(c)
Description of
Investment

 

(d)
Cost

 

(e)
Current
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mutual Funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Summit Cash Reserves Fund

 

Mutual fund 740,386 shares

 

**

 

$

740,386

 

*

 

AF Growth of America

 

Mutual fund 4,650,308 shares

 

**

 

126,860,396

 

*

 

PIMCO Total Return Fund

 

Mutual fund 12,109,612 shares

 

**

 

130,783,806

 

*

 

Principal U.S. Property Fund

 

Mutual fund 21 shares

 

**

 

9,141

 

*

 

Retirement 2005

 

Mutual fund 1,635,160 shares

 

**

 

17,071,072

 

*

 

Retirement 2010

 

Mutual fund 4,417,344 shares

 

**

 

61,621,944

 

*

 

Retirement 2015

 

Mutual fund 8,544,427 shares

 

**

 

91,169,035

 

*

 

Retirement 2020

 

Mutual fund 10,725,765 shares

 

**

 

156,596,174

 

*

 

Retirement 2025

 

Mutual fund 15,587,373 shares

 

**

 

165,382,025

 

*

 

Retirement 2030

 

Mutual fund 12,599,628 shares

 

**

 

190,506,369

 

*

 

Retirement 2035

 

Mutual fund 12,276,196 shares

 

**

 

130,741,482

 

*

 

Retirement 2040

 

Mutual fund 6,146,277 shares

 

**

 

93,116,103

 

*

 

Retirement 2045

 

Mutual fund 2,740,357 shares

 

**

 

27,677,605

 

*

 

Retirement 2050

 

Mutual fund 400,204 shares

 

**

 

3,393,726

 

*

 

Retirement Income Fund

 

Mutual fund 1,440,266 shares

 

**

 

17,585,651

 

*

 

Tradelink Investments

 

Mutual fund N/A shares

 

**

 

45,440,384

 

*

 

T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Stock Fund

 

Mutual fund 4,401,517 shares

 

**

 

118,576,856

 

*

 

Vanguard Inst Index Fund

 

Mutual fund 802,919 shares

 

**

 

81,881,697

 

*

 

Vanguard Mid-Cap Index, Inst

 

Mutual fund 6,074,660 shares

 

**

 

99,624,423

 

*

 

Vanguard Windsor II Admiral

 

Mutual fund 1,696,553 shares

 

**

 

71,306,124

 

 

 

Total Mutual Funds

 

 

 

 

 

$

 1,630,084,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common and Commingled Trusts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Wellington Management Large-Cap Research Fund

 

Commingled fund 8,300,486 shares

 

**

 

73,625,311

 

 

 

Total Common and Commingled Trusts

 

 

 

 

 

$

 73,625,311

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Participant loans

 

Participant loans interest rates ranging from 5.0% to 10.5%

 

**

 

$

32,326,886

 

 


*

 

Indicates party-in-interest to the Plan.

 

 

 

**

 

As permitted, cost information has been omitted for participant directed investments as the Plan maintains individual accounts for each participant.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Plan administrator has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. SAVINGS PLAN

 

 

 

 

Date:  June 25, 2010

By:

/s/ Liz Donnelly

 

 

Liz Donnelly, for the

 

 

Retirement Plan Administrative

 

 

Committee, Plan Administrator

 

21



Table of Contents

 

Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Document

 

 

 

23

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Ernst & Young LLP

 

22