GENERAL MILLS INC
ITEM 1 - Business
General Mills, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 1928. The terms “General Mills,” “Company,” “registrant,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean General Mills, Inc. and all subsidiaries included in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report unless the context indicates otherwise.
Certain terms used throughout this report are defined in a glossary in Item 8 of this report.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
We are a leading global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods sold through retail stores. We also are a leading supplier of branded and unbranded food products to the North American foodservice and commercial baking industries. We are also a leading manufacturer and marketer in the wholesome natural pet food category. We manufacture our products in 13 countries and market them in more than 100 countries. In addition to our consolidated operations, we have 50 percent interests in two strategic joint ventures that manufacture and market food products sold in more than 130 countries worldwide.
The results of our Pet operating segment include 13 months of results in fiscal 2020 as we changed the Pet operating segment’s reporting period from an April fiscal year end to a May fiscal year end to match our fiscal calendar. Fiscal 2019 included 12 months of results, and fiscal 2018 did not include results for the Pet operating segment.
We manage and review the financial results of our business under five operating segments: North America Retail; Convenience Stores & Foodservice; Europe & Australia; Asia & Latin America; and Pet. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) in Item 7 of this report for a description of our segments.
We offer a variety of food products that provide great taste, nutrition, convenience, and value for consumers around the world. Our business is focused on the following large, global categories:
snacks, including grain, fruit and savory snacks, nutrition bars, and frozen hot snacks;
ready-to-eat cereal;
convenient meals, including meal kits, ethnic meals, pizza, soup, side dish mixes, frozen breakfast, and frozen entrees;
yogurt;
wholesome natural pet food;
super-premium ice cream;
baking mixes and ingredients; and
refrigerated and frozen dough.
Our Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) joint venture with Nestlé S.A. (Nestlé) competes in the ready-to-eat cereal category in markets outside North America, and our Häagen-Dazs Japan, Inc. (HDJ) joint venture competes in the super-premium ice cream category in Japan. For net sales contributed by each class of similar products, please see Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Customers
Our primary customers are grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, drug, dollar and discount chains, e-commerce retailers, commercial and noncommercial foodservice distributors and operators, restaurants, convenience stores, and pet specialty stores. We generally sell to these customers through our direct sales force. We use broker and distribution arrangements for certain products and to serve certain types of customers. For further information on our customer credit and product return practices, please refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report. During fiscal 2020, Walmart Inc. and its affiliates (Walmart) accounted for 21 percent of our consolidated net sales and 30 percent of net sales of our North America Retail segment. No other customer accounted for 10 percent or more of our consolidated net sales. For further information on significant customers, please refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Competition
The packaged and pet food categories are highly competitive, with numerous manufacturers of varying sizes in the United States and throughout the world. The categories in which we participate also are very competitive. Our principal competitors in these categories are manufacturers, as well as retailers with their own branded products. Competitors market and sell their products through brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce. All of our principal competitors have substantial financial, marketing, and other resources. Competition in our product categories is based on product innovation, product quality, price, brand recognition and loyalty, effectiveness of marketing, promotional activity, convenient ordering and delivery to the consumer, and the ability to identify and satisfy consumer preferences. Our principal strategies for competing in each of our segments include unique consumer insights,
effective customer relationships, superior product quality, innovative advertising, product promotion, product innovation aligned with consumers’ needs, an efficient supply chain, and price. In most product categories, we compete not only with other widely advertised, branded products, but also with regional brands and with generic and private label products that are generally sold at lower prices. Internationally, we compete with both multi-national and local manufacturers, and each country includes a unique group of competitors.
Raw materials, ingredients, and packaging
The principal raw materials that we use are grains (wheat, oats, and corn), dairy products, sugar, fruits, vegetable oils, meats, nuts, vegetables, and other agricultural products. We also use substantial quantities of carton board, corrugated, plastic and metal packaging materials, operating supplies, and energy. Most of these inputs for our domestic and Canadian operations are purchased from suppliers in the United States. In our other international operations, inputs that are not locally available in adequate supply may be imported from other countries. The cost of these inputs may fluctuate widely due to external conditions such as weather, climate change, product scarcity, limited sources of supply, commodity market fluctuations, currency fluctuations, trade tariffs, pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), and changes in governmental agricultural and energy policies and regulations. We have some long-term fixed price contracts, but the majority of our inputs are purchased on the open market. We believe that we will be able to obtain an adequate supply of needed inputs. Occasionally and where possible, we make advance purchases of items significant to our business in order to ensure continuity of operations. Our objective is to procure materials meeting both our quality standards and our production needs at price levels that allow a targeted profit margin. Since these inputs generally represent the largest variable cost in manufacturing our products, to the extent possible, we often manage the risk associated with adverse price movements for some inputs using a variety of risk management strategies. We also have a grain merchandising operation that provides us efficient access to, and more informed knowledge of, various commodity markets, principally wheat and oats. This operation holds physical inventories that are carried at net realizable value and uses derivatives to manage its net inventory position and minimize its market exposures.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Our research and development resources are focused on new product development, product improvement, process design and improvement, packaging, and exploratory research in new business and technology areas. Research and development expenditures were $224 million in fiscal 2020 and $222 million in fiscal 2019.
TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS
Our products are marketed under a variety of valuable trademarks. Some of the more important trademarks used in our global operations (set forth in italics in this report) include Annie’s, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Blue Buffalo, Blue Basics, Blue Freedom, Blue Wilderness, Bugles, Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp, EPIC, Fiber One, Food Should Taste Good, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gardetto's, Go-Gurt, Gold Medal, Golden Grahams, Häagen-Dazs, Helpers, Jus-Rol, Kitano, Kix, Lärabar, Latina, Liberté, Lucky Charms, Muir Glen, Nature Valley, Oatmeal Crisp, Old El Paso, Oui, Pillsbury, Progresso, Raisin Nut Bran, Total, Totino’s, Trix, Wanchai Ferry, Wheaties, Yoki, and Yoplait. We protect these marks as appropriate through registrations in the United States and other jurisdictions. Depending on the jurisdiction, trademarks are generally valid as long as they are in use or their registrations are properly maintained and they have not been found to have become generic. Registrations of trademarks can also generally be renewed indefinitely for as long as the trademarks are in use.
Some of our products are marketed under or in combination with trademarks that have been licensed from others for both long-standing products (e.g., Reese’s Puffs for cereal, Green Giant for vegetables in certain countries, and Cinnabon for refrigerated dough, frozen pastries, and baking products) and shorter term promotional products (e.g., fruit snacks sold under various third party equities).
Our cereal trademarks are licensed to CPW and may be used in association with the Nestlé trademark. Nestlé licenses certain of its trademarks to CPW, including the Nestlé and Uncle Toby’s trademarks. The Häagen-Dazs trademark is licensed royalty-free and exclusively to Nestlé for ice cream and other frozen dessert products in the United States and Canada. The Häagen-Dazs trademark is also licensed to HDJ. The Pillsbury brand and the Pillsbury Doughboy character are subject to an exclusive, royalty-free license that was granted to a third party and its successors in the dessert mix and baking mix categories in the United States and under limited circumstances in Canada and Mexico.
The Yoplait trademark and other related trademarks are owned by Yoplait Marques SNC, an entity in which we own a 50 percent interest. These marks are licensed exclusively to Yoplait SAS, an entity in which we own a 51 percent interest. Yoplait SAS licenses these trademarks to its franchisees. The Liberté trademark and other related trademarks are owned by Liberté Marques Sàrl, an entity in which we own a 50 percent interest.
We continue our focus on developing and marketing innovative, proprietary products, many of which use proprietary expertise, recipes and formulations. We consider the collective rights under our various patents, which expire from time to time, a valuable asset, but we do not believe that our businesses are materially dependent upon any single patent or group of related patents.
SEASONALITY
In general, demand for our products is evenly balanced throughout the year. However, within our North America Retail segment demand for refrigerated dough, frozen baked goods, and baking products is stronger in the fourth calendar quarter. Demand for Progresso soup is higher during the fall and winter months. Internationally, within our Europe & Australia and Asia & Latin America segments, demand for Häagen-Dazs ice cream is higher during the summer months and demand for baking mix and dough products increases during winter months. Due to the offsetting impact of these demand trends, as well as the different seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres, our international segments’ net sales are generally evenly balanced throughout the year.
BACKLOG
Orders are generally filled within a few days of receipt and are subject to cancellation at any time prior to shipment. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we experienced increased demand in our retail businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental restrictions resulted in a significant increase in at-home food consumption. We have taken steps to increase our production capacity to meet the increased demand for our retail products, including increasing production time at our manufacturing facilities and prioritizing certain product lines to increase manufacturing efficiency. Notwithstanding these efforts, we have been, and continue to be, unable to fulfill all orders we receive from our customers.
WORKING CAPITAL
A description of our working capital is included in the Liquidity section of MD&A in Item 7 of this report. Our product return practices are described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
EMPLOYEES
As of May 31, 2020, we had approximately 35,000 full- and part-time employees.
QUALITY AND SAFETY REGULATION
The manufacture and sale of consumer and pet food products is highly regulated. In the United States, our activities are subject to regulation by various federal government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture, Federal Trade Commission, Department of Commerce, and Environmental Protection Agency, as well as various state and local agencies. Our business is also regulated by similar agencies outside of the United States.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
As of May 31, 2020, we were involved with two response actions associated with the alleged or threatened release of hazardous substances or wastes located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Moonachie, New Jersey.
Our operations are subject to the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, and all similar state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations applicable to the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Based on current facts and circumstances, we believe that neither the results of our environmental proceedings nor our compliance in general with environmental laws or regulations will have a material adverse effect upon our capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The section below provides information regarding our executive officers as of July 2, 2020:
Richard C. Allendorf, age 59, is General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Allendorf joined General Mills in 2001 from The Pillsbury Company. He was promoted to Vice President, Deputy General Counsel in 2010, first overseeing the legal affairs of the U.S. Retail segment and Consumer Food Sales and then, in 2012, overseeing the legal affairs of the International segment and Global Ethics and Compliance. He was named to his present position in February 2015. Prior to joining General Mills, he practiced law with the Shearman and Sterling and Mackall, Crounse and Moore law firms. He was in finance with General Electric prior to his legal career.
Jodi Benson, age 55, is Chief Innovation, Technology and Quality Officer. Ms. Benson joined General Mills in 2001 from The Pillsbury Company. She held a variety of positions before becoming the leader of our One Global Dairy Platform from 2011 to March 2016. She was named Vice President for our International business segment from April 2016 to March 2017, and Vice President of
the Global Innovation, Technology, and Quality Capabilities Group from April 2017 to July 2018. She was named to her current position in August 2018.
Kofi A. Bruce, age 50, is Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bruce joined General Mills in 2009 as Vice President, Treasurer after serving in a variety of senior management positions with Ecolab and Ford Motor Company. He served as Treasurer until 2010 when he was named Vice President, Finance for Yoplait. Mr. Bruce reassumed his role as Vice President, Treasurer from 2012 until 2014 when he was named Vice President, Finance for Convenience Stores & Foodservice. He was named Vice President, Controller in August 2017, Vice President, Financial Operations in September 2019, and to his present position in February 2020.
John R. Church, age 54, is Chief Supply Chain and Global Business Solutions Officer. Mr. Church joined General Mills in 1988 as a Product Developer in the Big G cereals division and held various positions before becoming Vice President, Engineering in 2003. In 2005, his role was expanded to include development of the Company’s strategy for the global sourcing of raw materials and manufacturing capabilities. He was named Vice President, Supply Chain Operations in 2007, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain in 2008, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain in 2013, and to his present position in June 2017.
Jeffrey L. Harmening, age 53, is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Harmening joined General Mills in 1994 and served in various marketing roles in the Betty Crocker, Yoplait, and Big G cereal divisions. He was named Vice President, Marketing for CPW in 2003 and Vice President of the Big G cereal division in 2007. In 2011, he was promoted to Senior Vice President for the Big G cereal division. Mr. Harmening was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Executive Officer of CPW in 2012. Mr. Harmening returned from CPW in 2014 and was named Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Retail. He became President, Chief Operating Officer in July 2016. He was named Chief Executive Officer in June 2017 and Chairman of the Board in January 2018. Mr. Harmening is a director of The Toro Company.
Dana M. McNabb, age 44, is Group President, Europe & Australia. Ms. McNabb joined General Mills in 1999 and held a variety of marketing roles in Cereal, Snacks, Meals, and New Products before becoming Vice President, Marketing for CPW in 2011 and Vice President, Marketing for the Circle of Champions Business Unit in October 2015. She was promoted to President, U.S. Cereal Operating Unit in December 2016 and named to her present position in January 2020.
Jaime Montemayor, age 56, is Chief Digital and Technology Officer. He spent 21 years at PepsiCo, Inc., serving in roles of increasing responsibility, including most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of PepsiCo’s Americas Foods segment from 2013 to October 2015, and Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Digital Innovation, Data and Analytics, PepsiCo from November 2015 to July 2016. Mr. Montemayor served as Chief Technology Officer of 7-Eleven Inc. from April 2017 until October 2017. He assumed his current role in February 2020 after founding and operating a digital technology consulting company from November 2017 until January 2020.
Jon J. Nudi, age 50, is Group President, North America Retail. Mr. Nudi joined General Mills in 1993 as a Sales Representative and held a variety of roles in Consumer Foods Sales. In 2005, he moved into marketing roles in the Meals division and was elected Vice President in 2007. Mr. Nudi was named Vice President; President, Snacks, in 2010, Senior Vice President, President, Europe/Australasia in 2014, and Senior Vice President; President, U.S. Retail in September 2016. He was named to his present position in January 2017.
Shawn P. O’Grady, age 56, is Group President, Convenience Stores & Foodservice and Chief Revenue Development Officer. Mr. O’Grady joined General Mills in 1990 and held several marketing roles in the Snacks, Meals, and Big G cereal divisions. He was promoted to Vice President in 1998 and held marketing positions in the Betty Crocker and Pillsbury USA divisions. In 2004, he moved into Consumer Foods Sales, becoming Vice President, President, U.S. Retail Sales in 2007, Senior Vice President, President, Consumer Foods Sales Division in 2010, and Senior Vice President, President, Sales & Channel Development in 2012. He was named to his current position in January 2017.
Mark A. Pallot, age 47, is Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Pallot joined General Mills in 2007 and served as Director, Financial Reporting until August 2017, when he was named Vice President, Assistant Controller. He was elected to his present position in February 2020. Prior to joining General Mills, Mr. Pallot held accounting and financial reporting positions at Residential Capital, LLC, Metris, Inc., CIT Group Inc., and Ernst & Young, LLP.
Ivan Pollard, age 58, is Global Chief Marketing Officer. Mr. Pollard assumed his current role in July 2017 when he joined General Mills from The Coca-Cola Company. At Coca-Cola, from 2011 to 2014, Mr. Pollard served as Vice President, Global Connections until he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing, a role he held until June 2017. Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company, Mr. Pollard was a global partner at Naked Communications, a connections planning company. His prior communications planning experience included work at the BMP, DDP Needham, and Wieden+Kennedy advertising agencies.
Bethany Quam, age 49, is Group President, Pet. Ms. Quam joined General Mills in 1993 and held a variety of positions before becoming Vice President, Strategic Planning in 2007. She was promoted to Vice President, Field Sales, Channels in 2012, Vice
President; President, Convenience Stores & Foodservice in 2014, and Senior Vice President; President, Europe & Australia in August 2016, and Group President; Europe & Australia in January 2017. She was named to her current position in October 2019.
Sean Walker, age 54, is Group President, Asia & Latin America. Mr. Walker joined General Mills in 1989 and held a variety of positions before becoming Vice President, President of Latin America in 2009. He was named Senior Vice President, President Latin America in 2012 and Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy in September 2016. He was named to his current position in February 2019.
Jacqueline Williams-Roll, age 51, is Chief Human Resources Officer. Ms. Williams-Roll joined General Mills in 1995. She held human resources leadership roles in Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, and Organization Effectiveness, and she also worked a large part of her career on businesses outside of the United States. She was named Vice President, Human Resources, International in 2010, and then promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources Operations in 2013. She was named to her present position in September 2014. Prior to joining General Mills, she held sales and management roles with Jenny Craig International.
WEBSITE ACCESS
Our website is www.GeneralMills.com. We make available, free of charge in the “Investors” portion of this website, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (1934 Act) as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). All such filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Reports of beneficial ownership filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act are also available on our website.
ITEM 1A - Risk Factors
Our business is subject to various risks and uncertainties. Any of the risks described below could materially, adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Global health developments and economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures being taken by governments, businesses, including us, and the public at large to limit COVID-19’s spread have had, and we expect will continue to have, certain negative impacts on our business, financial condition, and results of operations including, without limitation, the following:
We have experienced, and may continue to experience, a decrease in sales of certain of our products in markets around the world that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, sales of our products in the away-from-home food outlets across all our major markets have been negatively affected by reduced consumer traffic resulting from shelter-in-place regulations or recommendations and closings of restaurants, schools and cafeterias. If the COVID-19 pandemic persists or intensifies, its negative impacts on our sales, particularly in away-from-home food outlets, could be more prolonged and may become more severe.
Deteriorating economic and political conditions in our major markets affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as increased unemployment, decreases in disposable income, declines in consumer confidence, or economic slowdowns or recessions, could cause a decrease in demand for our products.
We have experienced minor temporary workforce disruptions in our supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have implemented employee safety measures, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization, across all our supply chain facilities, including proper hygiene, social distancing, mask use, and temperature screenings. These measures may not be sufficient to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our employees. Illness, travel restrictions, absenteeism, or other workforce disruptions could negatively affect our supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, or other business processes. We may face additional production disruptions in the future, which may place constraints on our ability to produce products in a timely manner or may increase our costs.
Changes and volatility in consumer purchasing and consumption patterns may increase demand for our products in one quarter (such as occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020), resulting in decreased consumer demand for our products in subsequent quarters. While we experienced increased demand for our products in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, this increase may moderate or reverse if consumers alter their purchasing habits. Short term or sustained increases in consumer demand at our retail customers may exceed our production capacity or otherwise strain our supply chain.
The failure of third parties on which we rely, including those third parties who supply our ingredients, packaging, capital equipment and other necessary operating materials, contract manufacturers, distributors, contractors, commercial banks, and external business partners, to meet their obligations to us, or significant disruptions in their ability to do so, may negatively impact our operations.
Significant changes in the political conditions in markets in which we manufacture, sell, or distribute our products (including quarantines, import/export restrictions, price controls, governmental or regulatory actions, closures or other restrictions that limit or close our operating and manufacturing facilities, restrict our employees’ ability to travel or perform necessary business functions, or otherwise prevent our third-party partners, suppliers, or customers from sufficiently staffing operations, including operations necessary for the production, distribution, and sale of our products) could adversely impact our operations and results.
Actions we have taken or may take, or decisions we have made or may make, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic may result in investigations, legal claims or litigation against us.
The categories in which we participate are very competitive, and if we are not able to compete effectively, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
The consumer and pet food categories in which we participate are very competitive. Our principal competitors in these categories are manufacturers, as well as retailers with their own branded and private label products. Competitors market and sell their products through brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce. All of our principal competitors have substantial financial, marketing, and other resources. In most product categories, we compete not only with other widely advertised branded products, but also with regional brands and with generic and private label products that are generally sold at lower prices. Competition in our product categories is based on product innovation, product quality, price, brand recognition and loyalty, effectiveness of marketing, promotional activity, convenient ordering and delivery to the consumer, and the ability to identify and satisfy consumer preferences. If our large competitors were to seek an advantage through pricing or promotional changes, we could choose to do the same, which could adversely affect our margins and profitability. If we did not do the same, our revenues and market share could be adversely affected. Our market share and revenue growth could also be adversely impacted if we are not successful in introducing innovative products in response to changing consumer demands or by new product introductions of our competitors. If we are unable to build and sustain brand equity by offering recognizably superior product quality, we may be unable to maintain premium pricing over generic and private label products.
We may be unable to maintain our profit margins in the face of a consolidating retail environment.
There has been significant consolidation in the grocery industry, resulting in customers with increased purchasing power. In addition, large retail customers may seek to use their position to improve their profitability through improved efficiency, lower pricing, increased reliance on their own brand name products, increased emphasis on generic and other economy brands, and increased promotional programs. If we are unable to use our scale, marketing expertise, product innovation, knowledge of consumers’ needs, and category leadership positions to respond to these demands, our profitability and volume growth could be negatively impacted. In addition, the loss of any large customer could adversely affect our sales and profits. In fiscal 2020, Walmart accounted for 21 percent of our consolidated net sales and 30 percent of net sales of our North America Retail segment. For more information on significant customers, please see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Price changes for the commodities we depend on for raw materials, packaging, and energy may adversely affect our profitability.
The principal raw materials that we use are commodities that experience price volatility caused by external conditions such as weather, climate change, product scarcity, limited sources of supply, commodity market fluctuations, currency fluctuations, trade tariffs, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), and changes in governmental agricultural and energy policies and regulations. Commodity prices have become, and may continue to be, more volatile during the COVID-19 pandemic. Commodity price changes may result in unexpected increases in raw material, packaging, and energy costs. If we are unable to increase productivity to offset these increased costs or increase our prices, we may experience reduced margins and profitability. We do not fully hedge against changes in commodity prices, and the risk management procedures that we do use may not always work as we intend.
Volatility in the market value of derivatives we use to manage exposures to fluctuations in commodity prices will cause volatility in our gross margins and net earnings.
We utilize derivatives to manage price risk for some of our principal ingredient and energy costs, including grains (oats, wheat, and corn), oils (principally soybean), dairy products, natural gas, and diesel fuel. Changes in the values of these derivatives are recorded in earnings currently, resulting in volatility in both gross margin and net earnings. These gains and losses are reported in cost of sales in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and in unallocated corporate items outside our segment operating results until we utilize the underlying input in our manufacturing process, at which time the gains and losses are reclassified to segment operating profit. We also record our grain inventories at net realizable value. We may experience volatile earnings as a result of these accounting treatments.
If we are not efficient in our production, our profitability could suffer as a result of the highly competitive environment in which we operate.
Our future success and earnings growth depend in part on our ability to be efficient in the production and manufacture of our products in highly competitive markets. Gaining additional efficiencies may become more difficult over time. Our failure to reduce costs through productivity gains or by eliminating redundant costs resulting from acquisitions or divestitures could adversely affect our profitability and weaken our competitive position. Many productivity initiatives involve complex reorganization of manufacturing facilities and production lines. Such manufacturing realignment may result in the interruption of production, which may negatively impact product volume and margins. We periodically engage in restructuring and cost savings initiatives designed to increase our efficiency and reduce expenses. If we are unable to execute those initiatives as planned, we may not realize all or any of the anticipated benefits, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Disruption of our supply chain could adversely affect our business.
Our ability to make, move, and sell products is critical to our success. Damage or disruption to raw material supplies or our manufacturing or distribution capabilities due to weather, climate change, natural disaster, fire, terrorism, cyber-attack, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), governmental restrictions or mandates, strikes, import/export restrictions, or other factors could impair our ability to manufacture or sell our products. Many of our product lines are manufactured at a single location or sourced from a single supplier. The failure of third parties on which we rely, including those third parties who supply our ingredients, packaging, capital equipment and other necessary operating materials, contract manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and external business partners, to meet their obligations to us, or significant disruptions in their ability to do so, may negatively impact our operations. Our suppliers’ policies and practices can damage our reputation and the quality and safety of our products. Disputes with significant suppliers, including disputes regarding pricing or performance, could adversely affect our ability to supply products to our customers and could materially and adversely affect our sales, financial condition, and results of operations. Failure to take adequate steps to mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events if they occur, particularly when a product is sourced from a single location or supplier, could adversely affect our business and results of operations, as well as require additional resources to restore our supply chain.
We have experienced minor temporary workforce disruptions in our supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have implemented employee safety measures, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization, across all our supply chain facilities, including proper hygiene, social distancing, mask use, and temperature screenings. These measures may not be sufficient to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our employees. Illness, travel restrictions, absenteeism, or other workforce disruptions could negatively affect our supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, or other business processes. We may face additional production disruptions in the future, which may place constraints on our ability to produce products in a timely manner or may increase our costs.
We experienced increased demand for our products in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and were, and continue to be, unable to fill all customer orders. Short term or sustained increases in consumer demand at our retail customers may exceed our production capacity or otherwise strain our supply chain. Our failure to meet the demand for our products could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Concerns with the safety and quality of our products could cause consumers to avoid certain products or ingredients.
We could be adversely affected if consumers in our principal markets lose confidence in the safety and quality of certain of our products or ingredients. Adverse publicity about these types of concerns, whether or not valid, may discourage consumers from buying our products or cause production and delivery disruptions.
If our products become adulterated, misbranded, or mislabeled, we might need to recall those items and may experience product liability claims if consumers or their pets are injured.
We may need to recall some of our products if they become adulterated, misbranded, or mislabeled. A widespread product recall could result in significant losses due to the costs of a recall, the destruction of product inventory, and lost sales due to the unavailability of product for a period of time. We could also suffer losses from a significant product liability judgment against us. A significant product recall or product liability case could also result in adverse publicity, damage to our reputation, and a loss of consumer confidence in our products, which could have an adverse effect on our business results and the value of our brands.
We may be unable to anticipate changes in consumer preferences and trends, which may result in decreased demand for our products.
Our success depends in part on our ability to anticipate the tastes, eating habits, and purchasing behaviors of consumers and to offer products that appeal to their preferences in channels where they shop. Consumer preferences and category-level consumption may change from time to time and can be affected by a number of different trends and other factors. If we fail to anticipate, identify or react to these changes and trends, such as adapting to emerging e-commerce channels, or to introduce new and improved products on a timely basis, we may experience reduced demand for our products, which would in turn cause our revenues and profitability to suffer. Similarly, demand for our products could be affected by consumer concerns regarding the health effects of ingredients such as sodium, trans fats, genetically modified organisms, sugar, processed wheat, grain-free or legume-rich pet food, or other product ingredients or attributes.
We may be unable to grow our market share or add products that are in faster growing and more profitable categories.
The food industry’s growth potential is constrained by population growth. Our success depends in part on our ability to grow our business faster than populations are growing in the markets that we serve. One way to achieve that growth is to enhance our portfolio by adding innovative new products in faster growing and more profitable categories. Our future results will also depend on our ability to increase market share in our existing product categories. If we do not succeed in developing innovative products for new and existing categories, our growth and profitability could be adversely affected.
Economic downturns could limit consumer demand for our products.
The willingness of consumers to purchase our products depends in part on local economic conditions. In periods of economic uncertainty, consumers may purchase more generic, private label, and other economy brands and may forego certain purchases altogether. In those circumstances, we could experience a reduction in sales of higher margin products or a shift in our product mix to lower margin offerings. In addition, as a result of economic conditions or competitive actions, we may be unable to raise our prices sufficiently to protect margins. Consumers may also reduce the amount of food that they consume away from home at customers that purchase products from our Convenience Stores & Foodservice segment. Any of these events could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Deteriorating economic and political conditions in our major markets affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as increased unemployment, decreases in disposable income, declines in consumer confidence, or economic slowdowns or recessions, could cause a decrease in demand for our products.
Our results may be negatively impacted if consumers do not maintain their favorable perception of our brands.
Maintaining and continually enhancing the value of our many iconic brands is critical to the success of our business. The value of our brands is based in large part on the degree to which consumers react and respond positively to these brands. Brand value could diminish significantly due to a number of factors, including consumer perception that we have acted in an irresponsible manner, adverse publicity about our products, our failure to maintain the quality of our products, the failure of our products to deliver consistently positive consumer experiences, concerns about food safety, or our products becoming unavailable to consumers. Consumer demand for our products may also be impacted by changes in the level of advertising or promotional support. The use of social and digital media by consumers, us, and third parties increases the speed and extent that information or misinformation and opinions can be shared. Negative posts or comments about us, our brands, or our products on social or digital media could seriously damage our brands and reputation. If we do not maintain the favorable perception of our brands, our business results could be negatively impacted.
Our international operations are subject to political and economic risks.
In fiscal 2020, 24 percent of our consolidated net sales were generated outside of the United States. We are accordingly subject to a number of risks relating to doing business internationally, any of which could significantly harm our business. These risks include:
political and economic instability;
exchange controls and currency exchange rates;
tariffs on products and ingredients that we import and export;
nationalization or government control of operations;
compliance with anti-corruption regulations;
uncertainty relating to the impact of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union;
foreign tax treaties and policies; and
restriction on the transfer of funds to and from foreign countries, including potentially negative tax consequences.
Our financial performance on a U.S. dollar denominated basis is subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. These fluctuations could cause material variations in our results of operations. Our principal exposures are to the Australian dollar, Brazilian real, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, euro, Japanese yen, Mexican peso, and Swiss franc. From time to time, we enter into agreements that are intended to reduce the effects of our exposure to currency fluctuations, but these agreements may not be effective in significantly reducing our exposure.
A strengthening in the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies in the countries in which we operate, such as has generally occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic to-date, would negatively affect our reported results of operations and financial results due to currency translation losses and currency transaction losses.
New regulations or regulatory-based claims could adversely affect our business.
Our facilities and products are subject to many laws and regulations administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Federal Food and Drug Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and other federal, state, local, and foreign governmental agencies relating to the production, packaging, labelling, storage, distribution, quality, and safety of food products and the health and safety of our employees. Our failure to comply with such laws and regulations could subject us to lawsuits, administrative penalties, and civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, and recalls of our products. We advertise our products and could be the target of claims relating to alleged false or deceptive advertising under federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations. We may also be subject to new laws or regulations restricting our right to advertise our products, including restrictions on the audience to whom products are marketed. Changes in laws or regulations that impose additional regulatory requirements on us could increase our cost of doing business or restrict our actions, causing our results of operations to be adversely affected.
Significant COVID-19 related changes in the political conditions in markets in which we manufacture, sell or distribute our products (including quarantines, import/export restrictions, price controls, governmental or regulatory actions, closures or other restrictions that limit or close our operating and manufacturing facilities, restrict our employees’ ability to travel or perform necessary business functions or otherwise prevent our third-party partners, suppliers, or customers from sufficiently staffing operations, including operations necessary for the production, distribution, sale, and support of our products) could adversely impact our operations and results.
We are subject to various federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations. Our failure to comply with environmental laws and regulations could subject us to lawsuits, administrative penalties, and civil remedies. We are currently party to a variety of environmental remediation obligations. Due to regulatory complexities, uncertainties inherent in litigation, and the risk of unidentified contaminants on current and former properties of ours, the potential exists for remediation, liability, indemnification, and compliance costs to differ from our estimates. We cannot guarantee that our costs in relation to these matters, or compliance with environmental laws in general, will not exceed our established liabilities or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, which could limit financing and other options and in some cases adversely affect our ability to pay dividends.
As of May 31, 2020, we had total debt, redeemable interests, and noncontrolling interests of $14.4 billion. The agreements under which we have issued indebtedness do not prevent us from incurring additional unsecured indebtedness in the future. Our level of indebtedness may limit our:
ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, or general corporate purposes, particularly if the ratings assigned to our debt securities by rating organizations were revised downward; and
flexibility to adjust to changing business and market conditions and may make us more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions.
There are various financial covenants and other restrictions in our debt instruments and noncontrolling interests. If we fail to comply with any of these requirements, the related indebtedness, and other unrelated indebtedness, could become due and payable prior to its stated maturity and our ability to obtain additional or alternative financing may also be adversely affected.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt and other obligations will depend on our operating and financial performance, which in turn is subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business, and other factors beyond our control.
Global capital and credit market issues could negatively affect our liquidity, increase our costs of borrowing, and disrupt the operations of our suppliers and customers.
We depend on stable, liquid, and well-functioning capital and credit markets to fund our operations. Although we believe that our operating cash flows, financial assets, access to capital and credit markets, and revolving credit agreements will permit us to meet our financing needs for the foreseeable future, there can be no assurance that future volatility or disruption in the capital and credit markets will not impair our liquidity or increase our costs of borrowing. We also utilize interest rate derivatives to reduce the volatility of our financing costs. If we are not effective in hedging this volatility, we may experience an increase in our costs of borrowing. Our business could also be negatively impacted if our suppliers or customers experience disruptions resulting from tighter capital and credit markets or a slowdown in the general economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased volatility and pricing in the capital markets. We may not have access to preferred sources of liquidity when needed or on terms we find acceptable, and our borrowing costs could increase. An economic or credit crisis could occur and impair credit availability and our ability to raise capital when needed. A disruption in the financial markets may have a negative effect on our derivative counterparties and could impair our banking or other business partners, on whom we rely for access to capital and as counterparties to our derivative contracts.
From time to time, we issue variable rate securities based on interbank offered rates (IBORs) and enter into interest rate swaps that contain a variable element based on an IBOR. There is currently uncertainty whether certain IBORs will continue to be available after 2021. If certain IBORs cease to be available, we may need to amend affected agreements, and we cannot predict what alternative index would be negotiated with our counterparties and security holders. As a result, our interest expense could increase and our available cash flow for general corporate requirements may be adversely affected.
Volatility in the securities markets, interest rates, and other factors could substantially increase our defined benefit pension, other postretirement benefit, and postemployment benefit costs.
We sponsor a number of defined benefit plans for employees in the United States, Canada, and various foreign locations, including defined benefit pension, retiree health and welfare, severance, and other postemployment plans. Our major defined benefit pension plans are funded with trust assets invested in a globally diversified portfolio of securities and other investments. Changes in interest rates, mortality rates, health care costs, early retirement rates, investment returns, and the market value of plan assets can affect the funded status of our defined benefit plans and cause volatility in the net periodic benefit cost and future funding requirements of the plans. A significant increase in our obligations or future funding requirements could have a negative impact on our results of operations and cash flows from operations.
Our business operations could be disrupted if our information technology systems fail to perform adequately or are breached.
Information technology serves an important role in the efficient and effective operation of our business. We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the internet, to process, transmit, and store electronic information to manage a variety of business processes and to comply with regulatory, legal, and tax requirements. Our information technology systems and infrastructure are critical to effectively manage our key business processes including digital marketing, order entry and fulfillment, supply chain management, finance, administration, and other business processes. These technologies enable internal and external communication among our locations, employees, suppliers, customers, and others and include the receipt and storage of personal information about our employees, consumers, and proprietary business information. Our information technology systems, some of which are dependent on services provided by third parties, may be vulnerable to damage, interruption, or shutdown due to any number of causes such as catastrophic events, natural disasters, fires, power outages, systems failures, telecommunications failures, security breaches, computer viruses, hackers, employee error or malfeasance, and other causes. Increased cyber-security threats pose a potential risk to the security and viability of our information technology systems, as well as the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data stored on those systems. The failure of our information technology systems to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and result in transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, data loss, legal claims or proceedings, regulatory penalties, and the loss of sales and customers. Any interruption of our information technology systems could have operational, reputational, legal, and financial impacts that may have a material adverse effect on our business.
A change in the assumptions regarding the future performance of our businesses or a different weighted-average cost of capital used to value our reporting units or our indefinite-lived intangible assets could negatively affect our consolidated results of operations and net worth.
As of May 31, 2020, we had $20.5 billion of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Goodwill for each of our reporting units is tested for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. We compare the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, impairment has occurred. Our estimates of fair value are determined based on a discounted cash flow model. Growth rates for sales and profits are determined using inputs from our long-range planning process. We also make estimates of discount rates, perpetuity growth assumptions, market comparables, and other factors. If current expectations for growth rates for sales and profits are not met, or other market factors and macroeconomic conditions that could be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise were to change, then our reporting units could become significantly impaired. Our Europe & Australia reporting unit had experienced declining business performance, and we continue to monitor this business. While we currently believe that our goodwill is not impaired, different assumptions regarding the future performance of our businesses could result in significant impairment losses.
We evaluate the useful lives of our intangible assets, primarily intangible assets associated with the Blue Buffalo, Pillsbury, Totino’s, Progresso, Yoplait, Old El Paso, Yoki, Häagen-Dazs, and Annie’s brands, to determine if they are finite or indefinite-lived. Reaching a determination on useful life requires significant judgments and assumptions regarding the future effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, other economic factors (such as the stability of the industry, known technological advances, legislative action that results in an uncertain or changing regulatory environment, and expected changes in distribution channels), the level of required maintenance expenditures, and the expected lives of other related groups of assets.
Our indefinite-lived intangible assets are also tested for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Our estimate of the fair value of the brands is based on a discounted cash flow model using inputs including projected revenues from our long-range plan, assumed royalty rates which could be payable if we did not own the brands, and a discount rate. If current expectations for growth rates for sales and margins are not met, or other market factors and macroeconomic conditions that could be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise were to change, then our indefinite-lived intangible assets could become significantly impaired. Our Pillsbury and Progresso brands had experienced declining business performance, and we continue to monitor these businesses.
For further information on goodwill and intangible assets, please refer to Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
Our failure to successfully integrate acquisitions into our existing operations could adversely affect our financial results.
From time to time, we evaluate potential acquisitions or joint ventures that would further our strategic objectives. Our success depends, in part, upon our ability to integrate acquired and existing operations. If we are unable to successfully integrate acquisitions, our financial results could suffer. Additional potential risks associated with acquisitions include additional debt leverage, the loss of key employees and customers of the acquired business, the assumption of unknown liabilities, the inherent risk associated with entering a geographic area or line of business in which we have no or limited prior experience, failure to achieve anticipated synergies, and the impairment of goodwill or other acquisition-related intangible assets.
ITEM 1B - Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
ITEM 2 - Properties
We own our principal executive offices and main research facilities, which are located in the Minneapolis, Minnesota metropolitan area. We operate numerous manufacturing facilities and maintain many sales and administrative offices, warehouses, and distribution centers around the world.
As of May 31, 2020, we operated 47 facilities for the production of a wide variety of food products. Of these facilities, 24 are located in the United States (1 of which is leased), 4 in the Greater China region, 1 in the Asia/Middle East/Africa Region, 2 in Canada (1 of which is leased), 8 in Europe/Australia, and 8 in Latin America and Mexico. The following is a list of the locations of our principal production facilities, which primarily support the segment noted:
North America Retail
• St. Hyacinthe, Canada
• Irapuato, Mexico
• Buffalo, New York
• Covington, Georgia
• Reed City, Michigan
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Belvidere, Illinois
• Fridley, Minnesota
• Wellston, Ohio
• Geneva, Illinois
• Hannibal, Missouri
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
• Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Convenience Stores & Foodservice
• Chanhassen, Minnesota
• Joplin, Missouri
Europe & Australia
• Rooty Hill, Australia
• Le Mans, France
• Inofita, Greece
• Arras, France
• Moneteau, France
• San Adrian, Spain
• Labatut, France
• Vienne, France
Asia & Latin America
• Cambara, Brazil
• Recife, Brazil
• Shanghai, China
• Campo Novo do Pareceis, Brazil
• Ribeirao Claro, Brazil
• Nashik, India
• Nova Prata, Brazil
• Guangzhou, China
• Paranavai, Brazil
• Nanjing, China
• Pouso Alegre, Brazil
• Sanhe, China
Pet
• Joplin, Missouri
• Richmond, Indiana
We operate numerous grain elevators in the United States in support of our domestic manufacturing activities. We also utilize approximately 15 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space, nearly all of which is leased, that primarily supports our North America Retail segment. We own and lease a number of dedicated sales and administrative offices around the world, totaling approximately 3 million square feet. We have additional warehouse, distribution, and office space in our plant locations.
As part of our Häagen-Dazs business in our Europe & Australia and Asia & Latin America segments, we operate 500 (all leased) and franchise 358 branded ice cream parlors in various countries around the world, all outside of the United States and Canada.
ITEM 3 - Legal Proceedings
We are the subject of various pending or threatened legal actions in the ordinary course of our business. All such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance. In our opinion, there were no claims or litigation pending as of May 31, 2020, that were reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. See the information contained under the section entitled “Environmental Matters” in Item 1 of this report for a discussion of environmental matters in which we are involved.
ITEM 4 - Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
PART II
ITEM 5 - Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GIS.” On June 15, 2020, there were approximately 27,000 record holders of our common stock.
ITEM 6 - Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth selected financial data for each of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended May 31, 2020:
(a)Fiscal 2020 was a 53-week year; all other fiscal years were 52 weeks.
(b)See “Glossary” in Item 8 of this report for definition.
(c)See “Non-GAAP Measures” in
ITEM 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
We are a global packaged foods company. We develop distinctive value-added food products and market them under unique brand names. We work continuously to improve our core products and to create new products that meet consumers’ evolving needs and preferences. In addition, we build the equity of our brands over time with strong consumer-directed marketing, innovative new products, and effective merchandising. We believe our brand-building strategy is the key to winning and sustaining leading share positions in markets around the globe.
Our fundamental financial goal is to generate superior returns for our shareholders over the long term. We believe achieving that goal requires us to generate a consistent balance of net sales growth, margin expansion, cash conversion, and cash return to shareholders over time.
Fiscal 2020 was a year of significant challenge and change in the external environment, and we adapted and executed to deliver strong financial results while remaining focused on the health and safety of our employees and our company purpose of making food the world loves. Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we expected to meet or exceed each of our key fiscal 2020 financial targets. The virus outbreak had a profound impact on consumer demand across our major markets, including driving an unprecedented increase in demand for food at home and a corresponding decrease in demand for away-from-home food, resulting from efforts to reduce virus transmission. After the onset of the pandemic, elevated at-home food demand accelerated net sales growth in the fourth quarter in the North America Retail segment, where a significant share of net sales comes from categories that were most impacted by at-home eating, including meals, baking, and cereal. The impact of elevated at-home demand was less pronounced in the Europe & Australia segment, reflecting its lower proportion of net sales in those categories. The Pet segment experienced increased demand early in the fourth quarter from stock-up purchasing, which partially unwound by the end of the quarter. Lower away-from-home food demand reduced growth for the Convenience Stores & Foodservice and Asia & Latin America segments. Consequently, our full-year results significantly exceeded our initial annual targets for organic net sales growth, constant-currency growth in adjusted operating profit and adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS), and free cash flow conversion.
We delivered on the three key priorities we outlined at the beginning of fiscal 2020:
First, we accelerated our organic net sales growth rate compared to our fiscal 2019 performance, driven by strong execution to meet elevated demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthy levels of innovation, and a significant increase in capabilities and brand-building investment. We experienced robust growth in organic net sales in North America Retail, aided by our ability to meet the pandemic-related increase in demand for meals and baking categories during the fourth quarter, as well as consistently strong results in U.S. cereal and important improvements in U.S. snack bars and U.S. yogurt throughout the year. We exceeded our organic net sales growth goal for our Pet segment, driven by a successful expansion of BLUE into additional customer outlets and a significant increase in household penetration for the brand. Organic net sales results in our Convenience Stores & Foodservice, Europe & Australia, and Asia & Latin America segments were below fiscal 2019 levels, due to a slow start to the year in each of those segments, as well as the pandemic-related headwinds impacting Convenience Stores & Foodservice and Asia & Latin America in the second half of the year.
Second, we maintained our strong adjusted operating profit margins. The combination of our continued strong levels of Holistic Margin Management (HMM) savings, volume growth, and positive net price realization and mix offset input cost inflation and increased investments in brand building and capabilities, resulting in significant growth in constant-currency adjusted operating profit and adjusted diluted EPS.
Third, we reduced our leverage. Our continued cash discipline delivered a significant reduction in core working capital and strong free cash flow conversion, resulting in reduced debt and an important decrease in our leverage ratio.
Our consolidated net sales for fiscal 2020 rose 5 percent to $17.6 billion. On an organic basis, net sales increased 4 percent compared to year-ago levels. Operating profit of $3.0 billion increased 17 percent. Adjusted operating profit of $3.0 billion increased 7 percent on a constant-currency basis. Diluted EPS of $3.56 was up 23 percent compared to fiscal 2019 results. Adjusted diluted EPS of $3.61 increased 12 percent on a constant-currency basis (See the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for a description of our use of measures not defined by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)).
Net cash provided by operations totaled $3.7 billion in fiscal 2020 representing a conversion rate of 166 percent of net earnings, including earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrolling interests. This cash generation supported capital investments totaling $461 million, and our resulting free cash flow was $3.2 billion at a conversion rate of 143 percent of adjusted net earnings, including earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrolling interests. We also returned cash to shareholders through dividends totaling $1.2 billion and reduced total debt outstanding by $1.0 billion. Our ratio of net debt-to-operating cash flow was 3.2 in fiscal 2020, and our
net debt-to-adjusted earnings before net interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA) ratio was 3.2, which was favorable to our fiscal 2020 target of 3.5 (See the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for a description of our use of measures not defined by GAAP).
A detailed review of our fiscal 2020 performance compared to fiscal 2019 appears below in the section titled “Fiscal 2020 Consolidated Results of Operations.” A detailed review of our fiscal 2019 performance compared to our fiscal 2018 performance is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2019 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Fiscal 2019 Results of Consolidated Operations,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
We have outlined three key priorities for fiscal 2021 that we expect will allow us to generate competitive performance while continuing to advance our long-term goals:
1)Compete effectively, everywhere we play, leading to increased brand penetration, competitive service levels, strengthened customer partnerships, and market share gains in our key categories. We expect net sales growth in fiscal 2021 will be positively impacted by superior execution as well as elevated at-home food demand, relative to the pre-pandemic period. We anticipate headwinds to fiscal 2021 net sales growth from comparisons against the 53rd week, the extra month of Pet segment results, and the pandemic-related increase in demand in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Additionally, fiscal 2021 net sales growth may be negatively impacted by a potential reduction in consumers’ at-home food inventory, which has been elevated during the pandemic.
2)Drive efficiency to fuel investment. We anticipate that the combination of benefits from our HMM initiatives and volume leverage and headwinds from input cost inflation, increased investment in our brands and capabilities, higher costs to service elevated demand, and higher ongoing health and safety-related expenses will result in an adjusted operating profit margin that is approximately in line with fiscal 2020 levels.
3)Reduce leverage to increase financial flexibility. We expect to make further progress in fiscal 2021 in reducing our net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio.
We expect the largest factor impacting our fiscal 2021 performance will be relative balance of at-home versus away-from-home consumer food demand. This balance will be determined by factors such as consumers’ ability and willingness to eat in restaurants, the proportion of people working from home, the reopening of schools, and changes in consumers’ income levels. While the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced each of these factors in recent months, the magnitude and duration of its future impact remains highly uncertain.
We expect consumer concerns about COVID-19 virus transmission and the recession to drive elevated demand for food at home, relative to pre-pandemic levels. We are tracking the level of virus control, the possibility of a second-wave outbreak, the availability of a vaccine, GDP growth, unemployment rates, consumer confidence, and wage growth, among other factors, to assess the likely magnitude and duration of elevated at-home food demand.
Certain terms used throughout this report are defined in a glossary in Item 8 of this report.
FISCAL 2020 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal 2020 had 53 weeks compared to 52 weeks in fiscal 2019. Fiscal 2020 includes 13 months of Pet operating segment results as we changed the Pet operating segment’s reporting period from an April fiscal year end to a May fiscal year end to match our fiscal calendar. Fiscal 2019 included 12 months of Pet operating segment results.
In fiscal 2020, net sales increased 5 percent compared to last year and organic net sales increased 4 percent compared to last year. Operating profit margin of 16.8 percent was up 190 basis points from year-ago levels primarily driven by favorable net price realization and mix in fiscal 2020, impairment charges recorded for certain intangible and manufacturing assets in fiscal 2019, and the impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2020, partially offset by higher selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses in fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating profit margin increased 40 basis points to 17.3 percent, primarily driven by favorable net price realization and mix in fiscal 2020, the impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2020, and the purchase accounting inventory adjustment in fiscal 2019 related to our acquisition of Blue Buffalo Products, Inc. (Blue Buffalo), partially offset by higher SG&A expenses in fiscal 2020. Diluted earnings per share of $3.56 increased 23 percent compared to fiscal 2019. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.61 increased 12 percent on a constant-currency basis (see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for a description of our use of measures not defined by GAAP).
A summary of our consolidated financial results for fiscal 2020 follows:
Consolidated net sales were as follows:
The 5 percent increase in net sales in fiscal 2020 reflects higher contributions from volume growth and favorable net price realization and mix, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange. The 53rd week in fiscal 2020 contributed 2 percentage points of net sales growth, reflecting 2 percentage points of growth from volume. The fiscal 2020 increase in net sales growth includes approximately 3 points of net sales growth due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Components of organic net sales growth are shown in the following table:
Organic net sales in fiscal 2020 increased 4 percent compared to fiscal 2019, driven by increased contributions from organic volume growth and favorable organic net price realization and mix. The increase in organic net sales growth includes approximately 3 points of organic net sales growth due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The disclosed impacts attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic on net sales and organic net sales were calculated based upon net sales in excess of our expectations prior to the net increase in demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The impacts disclosed are approximate and reflect our best estimate of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cost of sales increased $388 million in fiscal 2020 to $11,497 million. The increase was primarily driven by a $397 million increase due to higher volume. In fiscal 2020, we recorded a $19 million charge related to a product recall in our international Green Giant business, an $18 million increase in certain compensation and benefits expenses, and a $1 million increase attributable to product rate and mix. In fiscal 2019, we recorded a $53 million charge related to the fair value adjustment of inventory acquired in the Blue Buffalo acquisition. We recorded a $25 million net increase in cost of sales related to mark-to-market valuation of certain commodity positions and grain inventories in fiscal 2020 compared to a net increase of $36 million in fiscal 2019 (please see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for additional information). In fiscal 2020, we recorded $26 million of
restructuring charges in cost of sales compared to $10 million in fiscal 2019. We also recorded $2 million of restructuring initiative project-related costs in cost of sales in fiscal 2020 compared to $1 million in fiscal 2019 (please see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for additional information).
Gross margin increased 6 percent in fiscal 2020 versus fiscal 2019. Gross margin as a percent of net sales increased 70 basis points to 34.8 percent compared to fiscal 2019.
SG&A expenses increased $216 million to $3,152 million in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019. The increase in SG&A expenses primarily reflects increased compensation and benefits expenses and media and advertising expenses, partially offset by lower other consumer-related expenses. SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales in fiscal 2020 increased 50 basis points compared to fiscal 2019.
Divestitures loss totaled $30 million in fiscal 2019 from the sale of our La Salteña fresh pasta and refrigerated dough business in Argentina and the sale of our yogurt business in China.
Restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs totaled $24 million in fiscal 2020 compared to $275 million in fiscal 2019. We did not undertake any new restructuring actions in fiscal 2020. In fiscal 2019, we recorded $193 million of impairment charges related to certain brand intangible assets and a $15 million charge related to the impairment of certain manufacturing assets in our North America Retail and Asia & Latin America segments. In fiscal 2019, we also recorded $80 million of restructuring charges related to actions to drive efficiencies in targeted areas of our global supply chain. Please see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for additional information.
Benefit plan non-service income totaled $113 million in fiscal 2020 compared to $88 million in fiscal 2019, primarily reflecting lower interest costs (please see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for additional information).
Interest, net for fiscal 2020 totaled $466 million, $56 million lower than fiscal 2019, primarily driven by lower average debt levels.
Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 was 18.5 percent compared to 17.7 percent in fiscal 2019. The 0.8 percentage point increase was primarily due to certain nonrecurring discrete tax benefits in fiscal 2019, partially offset by the benefit from the reorganization of certain wholly-owned subsidiaries and favorable changes in earnings mix by jurisdiction in fiscal 2020. Our adjusted effective tax rate was 20.7 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to 21.8 percent in fiscal 2019 (see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for a description of our use of measures not defined by GAAP).
After-tax earnings from joint ventures increased 27 percent to $91 million in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, primarily driven by higher net sales at CPW partially reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the month of March and our share of lower after-tax restructuring charges compared to fiscal 2019. On a constant-currency basis, after-tax earnings from joint ventures increased 31 percent (see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for a description of our use of measures not defined by GAAP). The components of our joint ventures’ net sales growth are shown in the following table:
Average diluted shares outstanding increased by 8 million in fiscal 2020 from fiscal 2019 due to option exercises.
RESULTS OF SEGMENT OPERATIONS
Our businesses are organized into five operating segments: North America Retail; Convenience Stores & Foodservice; Europe & Australia; Asia & Latin America; and Pet. Fiscal 2020 includes 13 months of Pet operating segment results as we changed the Pet operating segment’s reporting period from an April fiscal year end to a May fiscal year end to match our fiscal calendar. Fiscal 2019 included 12 months of results.
The following tables provide the dollar amount and percentage of net sales and operating profit from each segment for fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019:
Segment operating profit as reviewed by our executive management excludes unallocated corporate items, net gain/loss on divestitures, and restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs that are centrally managed.
NORTH AMERICA RETAIL SEGMENT
Our North America Retail operating segment reflects business with a wide variety of grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, drug, dollar and discount chains, and e-commerce grocery providers. Our product categories in this business segment are ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit snacks, savory snacks, and a wide variety of organic products including ready-to-eat cereal, frozen and shelf-stable vegetables, meal kits, fruit snacks, snack bars, and refrigerated yogurt.
North America Retail net sales were as follows:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
The 8 percent increase in North America Retail net sales for fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in net sales includes an increase in contributions from volume growth, including 2 percentage points resulting from the 53rd week, partially offset by unfavorable net price realization and mix.
The components of North America Retail organic net sales growth are shown in the following table:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
North America Retail organic net sales increased 6 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, primarily driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in organic net sales includes an increase in contributions from organic volume growth, partially offset by unfavorable organic net price realization and mix.
Net sales for our North America Retail operating units are shown in the following table:
(a) On a constant currency basis, Canada operating unit net sales increased 5 percent in fiscal 2020. See the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for our use of this measure not defined by GAAP.
Segment operating profit increased 15 percent to $2,627 million in fiscal 2020, compared to $2,277 million in fiscal 2019, primarily driven by higher contributions from volume growth and the impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2020. Segment operating profit increased 15 percent on a constant-currency basis in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 (see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for our use of this measure not defined by GAAP).
EUROPE & AUSTRALIA SEGMENT
Our Europe & Australia operating segment reflects retail and foodservice businesses in the greater Europe and Australia regions. Our product categories include refrigerated yogurt, meal kits, snack bars, super-premium ice cream, refrigerated and frozen dough products, shelf stable vegetables, and dessert and baking mixes. Revenues from franchise fees are reported in the region or country where the franchisee is located.
Europe & Australia net sales were as follows:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
The 3 percent decrease in Europe & Australia net sales in fiscal 2020 was driven by unfavorable foreign currency exchange, partially offset by favorable net price realization and mix. Fiscal 2020 net sales includes growth from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The components of Europe & Australia organic net sales growth are shown in the following table:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
The 1 percent decrease in Europe & Australia organic net sales growth in fiscal 2020 was driven by a decrease in contributions from organic volume growth, partially offset by favorable organic net price realization and mix. Fiscal 2020 organic net sales includes growth from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Segment operating profit decreased 8 percent to $114 million in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, primarily driven by higher input costs and lower contributions from volume growth, partially offset by favorable net price realization and mix. Segment operating profit decreased 3 percent on a constant-currency basis in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 (see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for our use of this measure not defined by GAAP).
CONVENIENCE STORES & FOODSERVICE SEGMENT
Our major product categories in our Convenience Stores & Foodservice operating segment are ready-to-eat cereals, snacks, refrigerated yogurt, frozen meals, unbaked and fully baked frozen dough products, baking mixes, and bakery flour. Many products we sell are branded to the consumer and nearly all are branded to our customers. We sell to distributors and operators in many customer channels including foodservice, convenience stores, vending, and supermarket bakeries in the United States.
Convenience Stores & Foodservice net sales were as follows:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
Convenience Stores & Foodservice net sales decreased 8 percent in fiscal 2020 primarily driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on away-from-home channels. The decrease in net sales includes a decrease in contributions from volume growth and unfavorable net price realization and mix.
The components of Convenience Stores & Foodservice organic net sales growth are shown in the following table:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
The 9 percent decrease in Convenience Stores & Foodservice organic net sales growth in fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in organic net sales growth includes a decrease in contributions from organic volume growth and unfavorable organic net price realization and mix.
Segment operating profit decreased 20 percent to $337 million in fiscal 2020, compared to $420 million in fiscal 2019, primarily driven by lower contributions from volume growth and unfavorable net price realization and mix.
PET SEGMENT
Our Pet operating segment includes pet food products sold primarily in the United States in national pet superstore chains, e-commerce retailers, grocery stores, regional pet store chains, mass merchandisers, and veterinary clinics and hospitals. Our product categories include dog and cat food (dry foods, wet foods, and treats) made with whole meats, fruits, and vegetables and other high-quality natural ingredients. Our tailored pet product offerings address specific dietary, lifestyle, and life-stage needs and span different product types, diet types, breed sizes for dogs, lifestages, flavors, product functions and textures, and cuts for wet foods.
Fiscal 2020 includes 13 months of Pet operating segment results as we changed the Pet operating segment’s reporting period from an April fiscal year end to a May fiscal year end to match our fiscal calendar. Fiscal 2019 included 12 months of results.
Pet net sales were as follows:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
Pet net sales increased 18 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, driven by an increase in contributions from volume growth, including the impact of an extra month in the period, and favorable net price realization and mix. Fiscal 2020 net sales includes growth from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The components of Pet organic net sales growth are shown in the following table:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
The 18 percent increase in Pet organic net sales growth in fiscal 2020 was driven by an increase in contributions from organic volume growth, including the impact of an extra month in the period, and favorable organic net price realization and mix. Fiscal 2020 organic net sales includes growth from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pet operating profit increased 46 percent to $391 million in fiscal 2020, compared to $268 million in fiscal 2019, primarily driven by a $53 million purchase accounting adjustment related to inventory acquired in fiscal 2019, an increase in contributions from volume growth, favorable net price realization and mix, and the impact of an extra month in the period, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses.
ASIA & LATIN AMERICA SEGMENT
Our Asia & Latin America operating segment consists of retail and foodservice businesses in the greater Asia and South America regions. Our product categories include super-premium ice cream and frozen desserts, meal kits, dessert and baking mixes, snack bars, salty snacks, refrigerated and frozen dough products, and wellness beverages. We also sell super-premium ice cream and frozen desserts directly to consumers through owned retail shops. Our Asia & Latin America segment also includes products manufactured in the United States for export, mainly to Caribbean and Latin American markets, as well as products we manufacture for sale to our international joint ventures. Revenues from export activities and franchise fees are reported in the region or country where the end customer or franchisee is located.
Asia & Latin America net sales were as follows:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
Asia & Latin America net sales decreased 8 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, primarily driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in net sales includes unfavorable foreign currency exchange, a decrease in contributions from volume growth, and unfavorable net price realization and mix.
The components of Asia & Latin America organic net sales growth are shown in the following table:
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
(a) Measured in tons based on the stated weight of our product shipments.
(b) Impact of the divestiture of our La Salteña business in Argentina and our Yoplait business in China.
The 2 percent decrease in Asia & Latin America organic net sales in fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in organic net sales growth includes unfavorable organic net price realization and mix and a decrease in contributions from organic volume growth.
Segment operating profit decreased 74 percent to $19 million in fiscal 2020, compared to $72 million in fiscal 2019, primarily driven by an increase in input costs and lower contributions from volume growth. Segment operating profit decreased 73 percent on a constant-currency basis in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 (see the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for our use of this measure not defined by GAAP).
UNALLOCATED CORPORATE ITEMS
Unallocated corporate items include corporate overhead expenses, variances to planned domestic employee benefits and incentives, contributions to the General Mills Foundation, asset and liability remeasurement impact of hyperinflationary economies, restructuring initiative project-related costs, and other items that are not part of our measurement of segment operating performance. This includes gains and losses from the mark-to-market valuation of certain commodity positions until passed back to our operating segments in accordance with our policy as discussed in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
In fiscal 2020, unallocated corporate expense increased $169 million to $509 million compared to $340 million last year, primarily driven by compensation and benefits expenses. In fiscal 2020, we recorded a $25 million net increase in expense related to mark-to-market valuation of certain commodity positions and grain inventories compared to a $36 million net increase in expense in the prior year. In addition, we recorded $26 million of restructuring charges, and $2 million of restructuring initiative project-related costs in cost of sales in fiscal 2020, compared to $10 million of restructuring charges and $1 million of restructuring initiative project-related costs in cost of sales in fiscal 2019. We also recorded a $19 million charge related to a product recall in our international Green Giant business in fiscal 2020. In fiscal 2020, we recorded $8 million of net losses related to certain investment valuation adjustments and the loss on sale of certain corporate investments, compared to $23 million of gains in fiscal 2019. In fiscal 2019, we recorded a $16 million gain from a legal recovery related to our Yoplait SAS subsidiary and $26 million of integration costs related to our acquisition of Blue Buffalo. In addition, we recorded a $3 million loss related to the impact of hyperinflationary accounting for our Argentina subsidiary in fiscal 2019.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
We experienced input cost inflation of 4 percent in fiscal 2020 and 4 percent in fiscal 2019, primarily on commodity inputs. We expect input cost inflation of approximately 3 percent in fiscal 2021. We attempt to minimize the effects of inflation through HMM, planning, and operating practices. Our risk management practices are discussed in
ITEM 7A - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk stemming from changes in interest and foreign exchange rates and commodity and equity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in our earnings and cash flows. In the normal course of business, we actively manage our exposure to these market risks by entering into various hedging transactions, authorized under established policies that place clear controls on these activities. The counterparties in these transactions are generally highly rated institutions. We establish credit limits for each counterparty. Our hedging transactions include but are not limited to a variety of derivative financial instruments. For information on interest rate, foreign exchange, commodity price, and equity instrument risk, please see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in
ITEM 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The management of General Mills, Inc. is responsible for the fairness and accuracy of the consolidated financial statements. The statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States, using management’s best estimates and judgments where appropriate. The financial information throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K is consistent with our consolidated financial statements.
Management has established a system of internal controls that provides reasonable assurance that assets are adequately safeguarded and transactions are recorded accurately in all material respects, in accordance with management’s authorization. We maintain a strong audit program that independently evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls. Our internal controls provide for appropriate separation of duties and responsibilities, and there are documented policies regarding use of our assets and proper financial reporting. These formally stated and regularly communicated policies demand highly ethical conduct from all employees.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors meets regularly with management, internal auditors, and our independent registered public accounting firm to review internal control, auditing, and financial reporting matters. The independent registered public accounting firm, internal auditors, and employees have full and free access to the Audit Committee at any time.
The Audit Committee reviewed and approved the Company’s annual financial statements. The Audit Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors approved, that the consolidated financial statements be included in the Annual Report. The Audit Committee also appointed KPMG LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2021.
/s/ J. L. Harmening/s/ K. A. Bruce
J. L. HarmeningK. A. Bruce
Chief Executive OfficerChief Financial Officer
July 2, 2020
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
General Mills, Inc.:
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of General Mills, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of May 31, 2020 and May 26, 2019, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, total equity and redeemable interest, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended May 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule II (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of May 31, 2020 and May 26, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended May 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2020 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of May 27, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and related amendments.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Evaluation of valuation of goodwill and brands and other indefinite-lived intangible assets
As discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the goodwill and brand and other indefinite-lived intangibles balances as of May 31, 2020 were $13,923.2 million and $6,561.4 million, respectively. The impairment tests for these assets, which are performed annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred, require the Company to estimate the fair value of the reporting units to which goodwill is assigned as well as the brand and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. The fair value estimates are derived from discounted cash flow analyses that require the Company to make judgments about highly subjective matters, including future operating results, including revenue growth rates and operating margins, and an estimate of the discount rates and royalty rates.
We identified the evaluation of valuation of goodwill and brands and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as a critical audit matter. There was a significant degree of judgment required in evaluating audit evidence, which consists primarily of forward looking assumptions about future operating results, specifically the revenue growth rates, operating margins, royalty rates and subjective inputs used to estimate the discount rates.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of internal controls related to the critical audit matter. This included controls related to the assumptions about future operating results and the discount and royalty rates used to measure the reporting unit and brand and other intangible fair values. We performed sensitivity analyses over the revenue growth rates, operating margins, brand royalty rates and discount rates to assess the impact of other points within a range of potential assumptions. We evaluated the revenue growth rates and operating margin assumptions by comparing them to recent financial performance and external market and industry data. We evaluated whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the Company’s discount rates and royalty rates by comparing them against rate ranges that were independently developed using publicly available market data for comparable entities.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1928.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 2, 2020
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
GENERAL MILLS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND RECLASSIFICATIONS
Basis of Presentation
Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of General Mills, Inc. and all subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and accounts, including any noncontrolling and redeemable interests’ share of those transactions, are eliminated in consolidation.
Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in May. Fiscal year 2020 consisted of 53 weeks, while fiscal years 2019 and 2018 consisted of 52 weeks.
Certain reclassifications to our previously reported financial information have been made to conform to the current period presentation. See Note 2 for additional information.
Change in Reporting Period
As part of a long-term plan to conform the fiscal year ends of all our operations, in fiscal 2020 we changed the reporting period of our Pet segment from an April fiscal year-end to a May fiscal year-end to match our fiscal calendar. Accordingly, our fiscal 2020 results include 13 months of Pet segment results compared to 12 months in fiscal 2019. The impact of this change was not material to our consolidated results of operations and, therefore, we did not restate prior period financial statements for comparability. Our India business is on an April fiscal year end.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventories
All inventories in the United States other than grain are valued at the lower of cost, using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market. Grain inventories are valued at net realizable value, and all related cash contracts and derivatives are valued at fair value, with all net changes in value recorded in earnings currently.
Inventories outside of the United States are generally valued at the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, or net realizable value.
Shipping costs associated with the distribution of finished product to our customers are recorded as cost of sales, and are recognized when the related finished product is shipped to and accepted by the customer.
Land, Buildings, Equipment, and Depreciation
Land is recorded at historical cost. Buildings and equipment, including capitalized interest and internal engineering costs, are recorded at cost and depreciated over estimated useful lives, primarily using the straight-line method. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to cost of sales. Buildings are usually depreciated over 40 years, and equipment, furniture, and software are usually depreciated over 3 to 10 years. Fully depreciated assets are retained in buildings and equipment until disposal. When an item is sold or retired, the accounts are relieved of its cost and related accumulated depreciation and the resulting gains and losses, if any, are recognized in earnings. As of May 31, 2020, assets held for sale were insignificant.
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (or asset group) may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the operation and disposition of the asset group are less than the carrying amount of the asset group. Asset groups have identifiable cash flows and are largely independent of other asset groups. Measurement of an impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. Fair value is measured using a discounted cash flow model or independent appraisals, as appropriate.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill is not subject to amortization and is tested for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. We perform our annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment test as of the first day of the second quarter of the fiscal year. Impairment testing is performed for each of our reporting units. We compare the carrying value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, to the fair value of the unit. Carrying value is based on the assets and liabilities associated with the operations of that reporting unit, which often requires allocation of shared or corporate items among reporting units. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, impairment has occurred. We recognize an
impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value up to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Our estimates of fair value are determined based on a discounted cash flow model. Growth rates for sales and profits are determined using inputs from our long-range planning process. We also make estimates of discount rates, perpetuity growth assumptions, market comparables, and other factors.
We evaluate the useful lives of our other intangible assets, mainly brands, to determine if they are finite or indefinite-lived. Reaching a determination on useful life requires significant judgments and assumptions regarding the future effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, other economic factors (such as the stability of the industry, known technological advances, legislative action that results in an uncertain or changing regulatory environment, and expected changes in distribution channels), the level of required maintenance expenditures, and the expected lives of other related groups of assets. Intangible assets that are deemed to have finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis, over their useful lives, generally ranging from 4 to 30 years.
Our indefinite-lived intangible assets, mainly intangible assets primarily associated with the Blue Buffalo, Pillsbury, Totino’s, Yoplait, Old El Paso, Progresso, Annie’s, Häagen-Dazs, and Yoki brands, are also tested for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Our estimate of the fair value of the brands is based on a discounted cash flow model using inputs which included projected revenues from our long-range plan, assumed royalty rates that could be payable if we did not own the brands, and a discount rate.
Our finite-lived intangible assets, primarily acquired franchise agreements and customer relationships, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the operation and disposition of the asset are less than the carrying amount of the asset. Assets generally have identifiable cash flows and are largely independent of other assets. Measurement of an impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. Fair value is measured using a discounted cash flow model or other similar valuation model, as appropriate.
Leases
We determine whether an arrangement is a lease at inception. When our lease arrangements include lease and non-lease components, we account for lease and non-lease components (e.g. common area maintenance) separately based on their relative standalone prices.
Any lease arrangements with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, and we recognize lease costs for these lease arrangements on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Many of our lease arrangements provide us with options to exercise one or more renewal terms or to terminate the lease arrangement. We include these options when we are reasonably certain to exercise them in the lease term used to establish our right of use assets and lease liabilities. Generally, our lease agreements do not include an option to purchase the leased asset, residual value guarantees, or material restrictive covenants.
We have certain lease arrangements with variable rental payments. Our lease arrangements for our Häagen-Dazs retail shops often include rental payments that are based on a percentage of retail sales. We have other lease arrangements that are adjusted periodically based on an inflation index or rate. The future variability of these payments and adjustments are unknown, and therefore they are not included as minimum lease payments used to determine our right of use assets and lease liabilities. Variable rental payments are recognized in the period in which the obligation is incurred.
As most of our lease arrangements do not provide an implicit interest rate, we apply an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date of the lease arrangement to determine the present value of lease payments.
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
Our investments in companies over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are stated at cost plus our share of undistributed earnings or losses. We receive royalty income from certain joint ventures, incur various expenses (primarily research and development), and record the tax impact of certain joint venture operations that are structured as partnerships. In addition, we make advances to our joint ventures in the form of loans or capital investments. We also sell certain raw materials, semi-finished goods, and finished goods to the joint ventures, generally at market prices.
In addition, we assess our investments in our joint ventures if we have reason to believe an impairment may have occurred including, but not limited to, as a result of ongoing operating losses, projected decreases in earnings, increases in the weighted-average cost of capital, or significant business disruptions. The significant assumptions used to estimate fair value include revenue growth and profitability, royalty rates, capital spending, depreciation and taxes, foreign currency exchange rates, and a discount rate. By their nature, these projections and assumptions are uncertain. If we were to determine the current fair value of our investment was less than the carrying value of the investment, then we would assess if the shortfall was of a temporary or permanent nature and write down the investment to its fair value if we concluded the impairment is other than temporary.
Redeemable Interest
We have a 51 percent controlling interest in Yoplait SAS, a consolidated entity. Sodiaal International (Sodiaal) holds the remaining 49
percent interest in Yoplait SAS. Sodiaal has the ability to put all or a portion of its redeemable interest to us at fair value once per year, up to three times before December 2024. This put option requires us to classify Sodiaal’s interest as a redeemable interest outside of equity on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for as long as the put is exercisable by Sodiaal. When the put is no longer exercisable, the redeemable interest will be reclassified to noncontrolling interests on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We adjust the value of the redeemable interest through additional paid-in capital on our Consolidated Balance Sheets quarterly to the redeemable interest’s redemption value, which approximates its fair value. The significant assumptions used to estimate the redemption value include projected revenue growth and profitability from our long-range plan, capital spending, depreciation, taxes, foreign currency exchange rates, and a discount rate.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues primarily result from contracts with customers, which are generally short-term and have a single performance obligation - the delivery of product. We recognize revenue for the sale of packaged foods at the point in time when our performance obligation has been satisfied and control of the product has transferred to our customer, which generally occurs when the shipment is accepted by our customer. Sales include shipping and handling charges billed to the customer and are reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including trade promotion, consumer coupon redemption and other reductions to the transaction price, including estimated allowances for returns, unsalable product, and prompt pay discounts. Sales, use, value-added, and other excise taxes are not included in revenue. Trade promotions are recorded using significant judgment of estimated participation and performance levels for offered programs at the time of sale. Differences between estimated and actual reductions to the transaction price are recognized as a change in estimate in a subsequent period. We generally do not allow a right of return. However, on a limited case-by-case basis with prior approval, we may allow customers to return product. In limited circumstances, product returned in saleable condition is resold to other customers or outlets. Receivables from customers generally do not bear interest. Payment terms and collection patterns vary around the world and by channel, and are short-term, and as such, we do not have any significant financing components. Our allowance for doubtful accounts represents our estimate of probable non-payments and credit losses in our existing receivables, as determined based on a review of past due balances and other specific account data. Account balances are written off against the allowance when we deem the amount is uncollectible. Please see Note 17 for a disaggregation of our revenue into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. We do not have material contract assets or liabilities arising from our contracts with customers.
Environmental Costs
Environmental costs relating to existing conditions caused by past operations that do not contribute to current or future revenues are expensed. Liabilities for anticipated remediation costs are recorded on an undiscounted basis when they are probable and reasonably estimable, generally no later than the completion of feasibility studies or our commitment to a plan of action.
Advertising Production Costs
We expense the production costs of advertising the first time that the advertising takes place.
Research and Development
All expenditures for research and development (R&D) are charged against earnings in the period incurred. R&D includes expenditures for new product and manufacturing process innovation, and the annual expenditures are comprised primarily of internal salaries, wages, consulting, and supplies attributable to R&D activities. Other costs include depreciation and maintenance of research facilities, including assets at facilities that are engaged in pilot plant activities.
Foreign Currency Translation
For all significant foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at the period-end exchange rates. Income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments are reflected within accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCI) in stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net earnings for the period, except for gains and losses on investments in subsidiaries for which settlement is not planned for the foreseeable future and foreign exchange gains and losses on instruments designated as net investment hedges. These gains and losses are recorded in AOCI.
Derivative Instruments
All derivatives are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value based on quoted market prices or our estimate of their fair value, and are recorded in either current or noncurrent assets or liabilities based on their maturity. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded in net earnings or other comprehensive income, based on whether the instrument is designated and effective as a hedge transaction and, if so, the type of hedge transaction. Gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in AOCI are reclassified to earnings in the period the hedged item affects earnings. If the underlying hedged transaction ceases to exist, any associated amounts reported in AOCI are reclassified to earnings at that time.
Stock-based Compensation
We generally measure compensation expense for grants of restricted stock units and performance share units using the value of a share of our stock on the date of grant. We estimate the value of stock option grants using a Black-Scholes valuation model. Generally,
stock-based compensation is recognized straight line over the vesting period. Our stock-based compensation expense is recorded in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and cost of sales in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and allocated to each reportable segment in our segment results.
Certain equity-based compensation plans contain provisions that accelerate vesting of awards upon retirement, termination, or death of eligible employees and directors. We consider a stock-based award to be vested when the employee’s or director’s retention of the award is no longer contingent on providing subsequent service. Accordingly, the related compensation cost is generally recognized immediately for awards granted to retirement-eligible individuals or over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, if less than the stated vesting period.
We report the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost as an operating cash flow.
Defined Benefit Pension, Other Postretirement Benefit, and Postemployment Benefit Plans
We sponsor several domestic and foreign defined benefit plans to provide pension, health care, and other welfare benefits to retired employees. Under certain circumstances, we also provide accruable benefits, primarily severance, to former or inactive employees in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. We recognize an obligation for any of these benefits that vest or accumulate with service. Postemployment benefits that do not vest or accumulate with service (such as severance based solely on annual pay rather than years of service) are charged to expense when incurred. Our postemployment benefit plans are unfunded.
We recognize the underfunded or overfunded status of a defined benefit pension plan as an asset or liability and recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through AOCI.
Use of Estimates
Preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates include our accounting for revenue recognition, valuation of long-lived assets, intangible assets, redeemable interest, stock-based compensation, income taxes, and defined benefit pension, other postretirement benefit and postemployment benefit plans. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
New Accounting Standards
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we adopted new accounting requirements related to the annual disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The new standard modifies specific disclosures to improve usefulness to financial statement users. We adopted the requirements of the new standard using a retrospective approach. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our results of operations or financial position.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we adopted new accounting requirements for hedge accounting. The new standard amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements to better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting. The new standard also simplifies the application of hedge accounting guidance. The adoption did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we adopted new requirements for the accounting, presentation, and classification of leases. This results in certain leases being capitalized as a right of use asset with a related liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We performed a review of our lease portfolio, implemented lease accounting software, and developed a centralized business process with corresponding controls. We adopted this guidance utilizing the cumulative effect adjustment approach, which required application of the guidance at the adoption date, and elected certain practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, including not reassessing whether existing contracts contain leases and carrying forward the historical classification of those leases. In addition, we elected not to recognize leases with an initial term of 12 months or less on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and to continue our historical treatment of land easements, under permitted elections. This guidance did not have a material impact on retained earnings, our Consolidated Statements of Earnings, or our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the impact to our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we adopted new accounting requirements related to the presentation of net periodic defined benefit pension expense, net periodic postretirement benefit expense, and net periodic postemployment benefit expense (collectively “net periodic benefit expense”). The new standard requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit expense to be recorded in the same line items as other employee compensation costs within our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Other components of net periodic benefit expense must be presented separately outside of operating profit in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. In addition, the new standard requires that only the service cost component of net periodic benefit expense is eligible for capitalization. The new standard requires retrospective adoption of the presentation of net periodic benefit expense and prospective application of the capitalization of the service cost component. The impact of the adoption of this standard on our results of operations was a decrease to our operating profit of $87.9 million and $89.4 million and a corresponding increase to benefit plan non-service income of $87.9
million and $89.4 million for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively. There were no changes to our reported segment operating profit.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we adopted new accounting requirements for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Under the new standard, we apply a principles-based five step model to recognize revenue upon the transfer of control of promised goods to customers and in an amount that reflects the consideration for which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods. We did not identify any material differences resulting from applying the new requirements to our revenue contracts. Additionally, we did not identify any significant changes to our business processes, systems, and controls to support recognition and disclosure requirements under the new guidance. We adopted the requirements of the new standard and subsequent amendments to all contracts in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 using the cumulative effect approach. We recorded a $33.9 million cumulative effect adjustment net of income tax effects to the opening balance of fiscal 2019 retained earnings, a decrease to deferred income taxes of $11.4 million, and an increase to other current liabilities of $45.3 million related to the timing of recognition of certain promotional expenditures.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2018, we adopted new accounting requirements that codify Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, as it relates to allowing for recognition of provisional amounts related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in the event that the accounting is not complete and a reasonable estimate can be made. Where necessary information is not available, prepared, or analyzed to determine a reasonable estimate, no provisional amount should be recorded. The guidance allows for a measurement period of up to one year from the enactment date to finalize the accounting related to the TCJA. In fiscal 2019, we completed our accounting for the tax effects of the TCJA.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2018, we adopted new accounting requirements that provide the option to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the TCJA from AOCI to retained earnings. We elected to reclassify the stranded income tax effects of the TCJA of $329.4 million from AOCI to retained earnings. This reclassification consisted of deferred taxes originally recorded in AOCI that exceeded the newly enacted federal corporate tax rate. The new accounting requirements allowed for adjustments to reclassification amounts in subsequent periods as a result of changes to the provisional amounts recorded.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we adopted new requirements for the accounting and presentation of stock-based payments. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the prospective recognition of realized windfall and shortfall tax benefits related to the exercise or vesting of stock-based awards in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings instead of additional paid-in capital within our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We retrospectively adopted the guidance related to reclassification of realized windfall tax benefits, which resulted in reclassifications of cash provided by financing activities to operating activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Additionally, we retrospectively adopted the guidance related to reclassification of employee tax withholdings, which resulted in reclassifications of cash used by operating activities to financing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Stock-based compensation expense continues to reflect estimated forfeitures.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we adopted new accounting requirements that permit reporting entities to measure a goodwill impairment loss by the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. Previously, goodwill impairment losses were required to be measured by determining the implied fair value of goodwill. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our results of operations or financial position.
NOTE 3. DIVESTITURES
During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we sold our La Salteña fresh pasta and refrigerated dough business in Argentina, and recorded a pre-tax loss of $35.4 million. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we sold our yogurt business in China and simultaneously entered into a new Yoplait license agreement with the purchaser for their use of the Yoplait brand. We recorded a pre-tax gain of $5.4 million.
NOTE 4. RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT, AND OTHER EXIT COSTS
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS
In fiscal 2019, we recorded a $192.6 million charge related to the impairment of our Progresso, Food Should Taste Good, and Mountain High brand intangible assets in restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs.
In fiscal 2019, we recorded a $14.8 million charge in restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs related to the impairment of certain manufacturing assets in our North America Retail and Asia & Latin America segments.
In fiscal 2018, we recorded a $96.9 million charge related to the impairment of our Yoki, Mountain High, and Immaculate Baking brand intangible assets in restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs.
RESTRUCTURING INITIATIVES
We view our restructuring activities as actions that help us meet our long-term growth targets. Activities we undertake must meet internal rate of return and net present value targets. Each restructuring action normally takes one to two years to complete. At completion (or as each major stage is completed in the case of multi-year programs), the project begins to deliver cash savings and/or reduced depreciation. These activities result in various restructuring costs, including asset write-offs, exit charges including severance, contract termination fees, and decommissioning and other costs. Accelerated depreciation associated with restructured assets, as used in the context of our disclosures regarding restructuring activity, refers to the increase in depreciation expense caused by shortening the useful life or updating the salvage value of depreciable fixed assets to coincide with the end of production under an approved restructuring plan. Any impairment of the asset is recognized immediately in the period the plan is approved.
In fiscal 2020, we did not undertake any new restructuring actions and recorded $50.2 million of restructuring charges for previously announced restructuring actions.
In fiscal 2019, we recorded $77.6 million of restructuring charges primarily related to approved restructuring actions to drive efficiencies in targeted areas of our global supply chain. In fiscal 2020, we increased the estimate of expected severance charges by $3 million and decreased the estimate of other exit costs related to these actions by $4 million. We now expect to spend a total of approximately $24 million of cash related to these actions. Certain actions are subject to union negotiations and works counsel consultations, where required. We expect these actions to be completed by the end of fiscal 2022. The remaining expense to be incurred is approximately $8 million of other exit costs.
We paid net $6.6 million of cash related to restructuring actions previously announced in fiscal 2020, compared to $49.3 million in fiscal 2019.
Charges recorded in fiscal 2019 were as follows:
Charges recorded in fiscal 2018 were as follows:
Restructuring and impairment charges and project-related costs are classified in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows:
The roll forward of our restructuring and other exit cost reserves, included in other current liabilities, is as follows:
The charges recognized in the roll forward of our reserves for restructuring and other exit costs do not include items charged directly to expense (e.g., asset impairment charges, the gain or loss on the sale of restructured assets, and the write-off of spare parts) and other periodic exit costs recognized as incurred, as those items are not reflected in our restructuring and other exit cost reserves on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
NOTE 5. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES
We have a 50 percent interest in Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW), which manufactures and markets ready-to-eat cereal products in more than 130 countries outside the United States and Canada. CPW also markets cereal bars in several European countries and manufactures private label cereals for customers in the United Kingdom. We have guaranteed a portion of CPW’s debt and its pension obligation in the United Kingdom.
We also have a 50 percent interest in Häagen-Dazs Japan, Inc. (HDJ). This joint venture manufactures and markets Häagen-Dazs ice cream products and frozen novelties.
Results from our CPW and HDJ joint ventures are reported for the 12 months ended March 31.
Joint venture related balance sheet activity is as follows:
Joint venture earnings and cash flow activity is as follows:
Summary combined financial information for the joint ventures on a 100 percent basis is as follows:
NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The components of goodwill and other intangible assets are as follows:
Based on the carrying value of finite-lived intangible assets as of May 31, 2020, amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years is estimated to be approximately $40 million.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for fiscal 2018, 2019, and 2020 are as follows:
The changes in the carrying amount of other intangible assets for fiscal 2018, 2019, and 2020 are as follows:
Our annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment test was performed on the first day of the second quarter of fiscal 2020, and we determined there was no impairment of our intangible assets as their related fair values were substantially in excess of the carrying values, except for the Europe & Australia reporting unit and the Progresso brand intangible asset.
The excess fair values as of the fiscal 2020 test date of the Europe & Australia reporting unit and the Progresso brand intangible asset were as follows:
In addition, while having significant coverage as of our fiscal 2020 assessment date, the Pillsbury brand intangible asset had risk of decreasing coverage. We will continue to monitor these businesses for potential impairment.
We did not identify any indicators of impairment, including impacts of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, for any goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets as of May 31, 2020.
In fiscal 2019, as a result of lower sales projections in our long-range plans for the businesses supporting the Progresso, Food Should Taste Good, and Mountain High brand intangible assets, we recorded a $192.6 million impairment charge in restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs. In fiscal 2018, we recorded a $96.9 million charge related to the impairment of our Yoki, Mountain High, and Immaculate Baking brand intangible assets in restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs. Significant assumptions used in these assessments included our long-range cash flow projections for the businesses, royalty rates, weighted-average cost of capital rates, and tax rates.
NOTE 7. LEASES
Our lease portfolio primarily consists of operating lease arrangements for certain warehouse and distribution space, office space, retail shops, production facilities, rail cars, production and distribution equipment, automobiles, and office equipment. Our lease costs associated with finance leases and sale-leaseback transactions and our lease income associated with lessor and sublease arrangements are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Components of our lease cost are as follows:
Rent expense under all operating leases from continuing operations was $184.9 million in fiscal 2019 and $189.4 million in fiscal 2018.
Maturities of our operating and finance lease obligations by fiscal year are as follows:
The lease payments presented in the table above exclude $46.2 million of minimum lease payments for operating leases we have committed to but have not yet commenced as of May 31, 2020.
Noncancelable future operating lease commitments as of May 26, 2019, were as follows:
The weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate for our operating leases are as follows:
Supplemental operating cash flow information and non-cash activity related to our operating leases are as follows:
NOTE 8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, AND FAIR VALUES
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, other current liabilities, and notes payable approximate fair value. Marketable securities are carried at fair value. As of May 31, 2020, and May 26, 2019, a comparison of cost and market values of our marketable debt and equity securities is as follows:
During fiscal 2020, we received $16.0 million of proceeds and recorded $4.0 million of realized losses from the sale of marketable securities. There were no realized gains or losses from sales of marketable securities in fiscal 2019. Gains and losses are determined by specific identification. Classification of marketable securities as current or noncurrent is dependent upon our intended holding period and the security’s maturity date. The aggregate unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax effects, are classified in AOCI within stockholders’ equity.
Scheduled maturities of our marketable securities are as follows:
As of May 31, 2020, we had $2.3 million of marketable debt securities and $15.9 million of cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral for derivative contracts. As of May 31, 2020, $43.5 million of certain accounts receivable were pledged as collateral against a foreign uncommitted line of credit.
The fair value and carrying amounts of long-term debt, including the current portion, were $14,538.4 million and $13,260.5 million, respectively, as of May 31, 2020. The fair value of long-term debt was estimated using market quotations and discounted cash flows based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of instruments. Long-term debt is a Level 2 liability in the fair value hierarchy.
RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
As a part of our ongoing operations, we are exposed to market risks such as changes in interest and foreign currency exchange rates and commodity and equity prices. To manage these risks, we may enter into various derivative transactions (e.g., futures, options, and swaps) pursuant to our established policies.
COMMODITY PRICE RISK
Many commodities we use in the production and distribution of our products are exposed to market price risks. We utilize derivatives to manage price risk for our principal ingredients and energy costs, including grains (oats, wheat, and corn), oils (principally soybean), dairy products, natural gas, and diesel fuel. Our primary objective when entering into these derivative contracts is to achieve certainty with regard to the future price of commodities purchased for use in our supply chain. We manage our exposures through a combination of purchase orders, long-term contracts with suppliers, exchange-traded futures and options, and over-the-counter options and swaps. We offset our exposures based on current and projected market conditions and generally seek to acquire the inputs at as close to our planned cost as possible.
We use derivatives to manage our exposure to changes in commodity prices. We do not perform the assessments required to achieve hedge accounting for commodity derivative positions. Accordingly, the changes in the values of these derivatives are recorded currently in cost of sales in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Although we do not meet the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting, we believe that these instruments are effective in achieving our objective of providing certainty in the future price of commodities purchased for use in our supply chain. Accordingly, for purposes of measuring segment operating performance these gains and losses are reported in unallocated corporate items outside of segment operating results until such time that the exposure we are managing affects earnings. At that time we reclassify the gain or loss from unallocated corporate items to segment operating profit, allowing our operating segments to realize the economic effects of the derivative without experiencing any resulting mark-to-market volatility, which remains in unallocated corporate items.
Unallocated corporate items for fiscal 2020, 2019, and 2018 included:
As of May 31, 2020, the net notional value of commodity derivatives was $234.5 million, of which $159.4 million related to agricultural inputs and $75.1 million related to energy inputs. These contracts relate to inputs that generally will be utilized within the next 12 months.
INTEREST RATE RISK
We are exposed to interest rate volatility with regard to future issuances of fixed-rate debt, and existing and future issuances of floating-rate debt. Primary exposures include U.S. Treasury rates, LIBOR, Euribor, and commercial paper rates in the United States and Europe. We use interest rate swaps, forward-starting interest rate swaps, and treasury locks to hedge our exposure to interest rate changes, to reduce the volatility of our financing costs, and to achieve a desired proportion of fixed rate versus floating-rate debt, based on current and projected market conditions. Generally under these swaps, we agree with a counterparty to exchange the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts based on an agreed upon notional principal amount.
Floating Interest Rate Exposures - Floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges, as are all hedges of forecasted issuances of debt. Effectiveness is assessed based on either the perfectly effective hypothetical derivative method or changes in the present value of interest payments on the underlying debt. Effective gains and losses deferred to AOCI are reclassified into earnings over the life of the associated debt.
Fixed Interest Rate Exposures - Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps are accounted for as fair value hedges with effectiveness assessed based on changes in the fair value of the underlying debt and derivatives, using incremental borrowing rates currently available on loans with similar terms and maturities.
In advance of planned debt financing, we entered into $750.0 million notional amount of treasury locks due April 02, 2020 with an average fixed rate of 0.67 percent. All of these treasury locks were cash settled for $1.4 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, concurrent with the issuance of our $750.0 million 10-year fixed rate notes.
In advance of planned debt financing, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we entered into $300.0 million notional amount of treasury locks due January 13, 2022 with an average fixed rate of 0.85 percent.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we entered into a €600.0 million notional amount interest rate swap to convert our €600.0 million fixed rate notes due January 15, 2026, to a floating rate.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we entered into a $500.0 million notional amount interest rate swap to convert a portion of our $850.0 million floating-rate notes due April 16, 2021, to a fixed rate.
As of May 31, 2020, the pre-tax amount of cash-settled interest rate hedge gain or loss remaining in AOCI, which will be reclassified to earnings over the remaining term of the related underlying debt, follows:
The following table summarizes the notional amounts and weighted-average interest rates of our interest rate derivatives. Average floating rates are based on rates as of the end of the reporting period.
The floating rate swap contracts outstanding as of May 31, 2020, mature in fiscal 2021. The fixed rate swap contracts outstanding as of May 31, 2020, mature in fiscal 2026.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK
Foreign currency fluctuations affect our net investments in foreign subsidiaries and foreign currency cash flows related to third party purchases, intercompany loans, product shipments, and foreign-denominated debt. We are also exposed to the translation of foreign currency earnings to the U.S. dollar. Our principal exposures are to the Australian dollar, Brazilian real, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, euro, Japanese yen, Mexican peso, and Swiss franc. We primarily use foreign currency forward contracts to selectively hedge our foreign currency cash flow exposures. We also generally swap our foreign-denominated commercial paper borrowings and nonfunctional currency intercompany loans back to U.S. dollars or the functional currency of the entity with foreign exchange exposure. The gains or losses on these derivatives offset the foreign currency revaluation gains or losses recorded in earnings on the associated borrowings. We generally do not hedge more than 18 months in advance.
As of May 31, 2020, the net notional value of foreign exchange derivatives was $967.2 million.
We also have net investments in foreign subsidiaries that are denominated in euros. We previously hedged a portion of these net investments by issuing euro-denominated commercial paper and foreign exchange forward contracts. As of May 31, 2020, we hedged
a portion of these net investments with €2,200.0 million of euro denominated bonds. As of May 31, 2020, we had deferred net foreign currency transaction losses of $29.9 million in AOCI associated with net investment hedging activity.
EQUITY INSTRUMENTS
Equity price movements affect our compensation expense as certain investments made by our employees in our deferred compensation plan are revalued. We use equity swaps to manage this risk. As of May 31, 2020, the net notional amount of our equity swaps was $146.9 million. These swap contracts mature in fiscal 2021.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
The fair values of our assets, liabilities, and derivative positions recorded at fair value and their respective levels in the fair value hierarchy as of May 31, 2020, and May 26, 2019, were as follows:
(a)These contracts and investments are recorded as prepaid expenses and other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities or other liabilities, as appropriate, based on whether in a gain or loss position. Certain marketable investments are recorded as cash and cash equivalents.
(b) Based on LIBOR and swap rates. As of May 31, 2020, the carrying amount of hedged debt designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge was $670.9 million and was classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheet within long-term debt. As of May 31, 2020, the cumulative amount of fair value hedging basis adjustments was $4.8 million.
(c)Based on observable market transactions of spot currency rates and forward currency prices.
(d)Based on prices of futures exchanges and recently reported transactions in the marketplace.
(e) Based on prices of common stock and bond matrix pricing.
(a)These contracts and investments are recorded as prepaid expenses and other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities or other liabilities, as appropriate, based on whether in a gain or loss position. Certain marketable investments are recorded as cash and cash equivalents.
(b) Based on LIBOR and swap rates. As of May 26, 2019, the carrying amount of hedged debt designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge was $493.3 million and was classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheet within the current portion of long-term debt. As of May 26, 2019, the cumulative amount of fair value hedging basis adjustments was $6.7 million.
(c)Based on observable market transactions of spot currency rates and forward currency prices.
(d) Based on prices of futures exchanges and recently reported transactions in the marketplace.
(e)Based on prices of common stock and bond matrix pricing.
(f)We recorded $61.2 million in non-cash impairment charges in fiscal 2019 to write down certain long-lived assets to their fair value. Fair value was based on recently reported transactions for similar assets in the marketplace. These assets had a carrying value of $80.2 million and were associated with the restructuring actions described in Note 4.
(g)See Note 6.
We did not significantly change our valuation techniques from prior periods.
Information related to our cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, and other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020, and May 26, 2019, follows:
(a)Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in interest, net for interest rate swaps and in cost of sales and SG&A expenses for foreign exchange contracts. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, the amount of gain reclassified from AOCI into cost of sales was $5.1 million and the amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into SG&A was $0.5 million. For the fiscal year ended May 26, 2019, the amount of gain reclassified from AOCI into cost of sales was $10.5 million and the amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into SG&A was $2.1 million.
(b)Gain recognized in earnings is related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationship, reported in SG&A expenses for foreign exchange contracts and interest, net for interest rate contracts. No amounts were reported as a result of being excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
(c)Gain (loss) recognized in earnings is reported in interest, net for interest rate contracts, in cost of sales for commodity contracts, and in SG&A expenses for equity contracts and foreign exchange contracts.
The following tables reconcile the net fair values of assets and liabilities subject to offsetting arrangements that are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets to the net fair values that could be reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets:
(a) Includes related collateral offset in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(b) Net fair value as recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(c) Fair value of assets that could be reported net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(d)Fair value of liabilities that could be reported net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(e)Fair value of assets and liabilities reported on a gross basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
AMOUNTS RECORDED IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
As of May 31, 2020, the after-tax amounts of unrealized gains and losses in AOCI related to hedge derivatives follows:
The net amount of pre-tax gains and losses in AOCI as of May 31, 2020, that we expect to be reclassified into net earnings within the next 12 months is a $12.9 million net gain.
CREDIT-RISK-RELATED CONTINGENT FEATURES
Certain of our derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to maintain an investment grade credit rating on our debt from each of the major credit rating agencies. If our debt were to fall below investment grade, the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request full collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position on May 31, 2020, was $31.4 million. We have posted no collateral under these contracts. If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements had been triggered on May 31, 2020, we would have been required to post $31.4 million of collateral to counterparties.
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT AND COUNTERPARTY CREDIT RISK
During fiscal 2020, customer concentration was as follows:
No customer other than Walmart accounted for 10 percent or more of our consolidated net sales.
We enter into interest rate, foreign exchange, and certain commodity and equity derivatives, primarily with a diversified group of highly rated counterparties. We continually monitor our positions and the credit ratings of the counterparties involved and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure to any one party. These transactions may expose us to potential losses due to the risk of nonperformance by these counterparties; however, we have not incurred a material loss. We also enter into commodity futures transactions through various regulated exchanges.
The amount of loss due to the credit risk of the counterparties, should the counterparties fail to perform according to the terms of the contracts, is $14.2 million, against which we do not hold collateral. Under the terms of our swap agreements, some of our transactions require collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to threshold levels of exposure and counterparty credit risk. Collateral assets are either cash or U.S. Treasury instruments and are held in a trust account that we may access if the counterparty defaults.
We offer certain suppliers access to third party services that allow them to view our scheduled payments online. The third party services also allow suppliers to finance advances on our scheduled payments at the sole discretion of the supplier and the third party. We have no economic interest in these financing arrangements and no direct relationship with the suppliers, the third parties, or any financial institutions concerning this service. All of our accounts payable remain as obligations to our suppliers as stated in our supplier agreements. As of May 31, 2020, $1,328.9 million of our accounts payable is payable to suppliers who utilize these third party services.
NOTE 9. DEBT
NOTES PAYABLE
The components of notes payable and their respective weighted-average interest rates at the end of the periods were as follows:
To ensure availability of funds, we maintain bank credit lines and have commercial paper programs available to us in the United States and Europe. We also have uncommitted and asset-backed credit lines that support our foreign operations.
The following table details the fee-paid committed and uncommitted credit lines we had available as of May 31, 2020:
The credit facilities contain covenants, including a requirement to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 2.5 times. We were in compliance with all credit facility covenants as of May 31, 2020.
LONG-TERM DEBT
In April 2020, we issued $750.0 million of 2.875 percent fixed-rate notes due April 15, 2030. We used the net proceeds to repay a portion of our outstanding commercial paper and for general corporate purposes.
In January 2020, we issued €600.0 million of 0.45 percent fixed-rate notes due January 15, 2026 and €200.0 million of 0.0 percent fixed-rate notes due November 16, 2020. We used the net proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay €500.0 million of floating rate notes and €300.0 million of 0.0 percent fixed-rate notes.
In October 2019, we repaid $500.0 million of 2.20 percent fixed-rate notes with proceeds from commercial paper.
In March 2019, we issued €300.0 million of 0.0 percent fixed-rate notes due January 15, 2020. We used the net proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay our €300.0 million floating rate notes.
In February 2019, we repaid $1,150.0 million of 5.65 percent fixed-rate notes with proceeds from commercial paper.
A summary of our long-term debt is as follows:
Principal payments due on long-term debt and finance leases in the next five fiscal years based on stated contractual maturities, our intent to redeem, or put rights of certain note holders are as follows:
Certain of our long-term debt agreements contain restrictive covenants. As of May 31, 2020, we were in compliance with all of these covenants.
As of May 31, 2020, the $35.7 million pre-tax loss recorded in AOCI associated with our previously designated interest rate swaps will be reclassified to net interest over the remaining lives of the hedged transactions. The amount expected to be reclassified from AOCI to net interest in fiscal 2021 is a $9.4 million pre-tax loss.
NOTE 10. REDEEMABLE AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Our principal redeemable and noncontrolling interests relate to our Yoplait SAS, Yoplait Marques SNC, Liberté Marques Sàrl, and General Mills Cereals, LLC (GMC) subsidiaries. In addition, we have 4 foreign subsidiaries that have noncontrolling interests totaling $4.7 million as of May 31, 2020.
We have a 51 percent controlling interest in Yoplait SAS and a 50 percent interest in Yoplait Marques SNC and Liberté Marques Sàrl. Sodiaal holds the remaining interests in each of the entities. On the acquisition date, we recorded the $904.4 million fair value of Sodiaal’s 49 percent euro-denominated interest in Yoplait SAS as a redeemable interest on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Sodiaal has the ability to put all or a portion of its redeemable interest to us at fair value once per year, up to three times before December 2024. We adjust the value of the redeemable interest through additional paid-in capital on our Consolidated Balance Sheets quarterly to the redeemable interest’s redemption value, which approximates its fair value. Yoplait SAS pays dividends annually if it meets certain financial metrics set forth in its shareholders’ agreement. As of May 31, 2020, the redemption value of the euro-denominated redeemable interest was $544.6 million.
On the acquisition dates, we recorded the $281.4 million fair value of Sodiaal’s 50 percent euro-denominated interest in Yoplait Marques SNC and 50 percent Canadian dollar-denominated interest in Liberté Marques Sàrl as noncontrolling interests on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Yoplait Marques SNC earns a royalty stream through a licensing agreement with Yoplait SAS for the rights to Yoplait and related trademarks. Liberté Marques Sàrl earns a royalty stream through licensing agreements with certain Yoplait group companies for the rights to Liberté and related trademarks. These entities pay dividends annually based on their available cash as of their fiscal year end.
We paid dividends of $56.9 million in fiscal 2020 and $22.0 million in fiscal 2019 to Sodiaal under the terms of the Yoplait SAS, Yoplait Marques SNC, and Liberté Marques Sàrl shareholder agreements.
A subsidiary of Yoplait SAS has entered into an exclusive milk supply agreement for its European operations with Sodiaal at market-determined prices through July 1, 2021. Net purchases totaled $201.8 million for fiscal 2020 and $210.8 million for fiscal 2019.
During fiscal 2019, Sodiaal invested $55.7 million in Yoplait SAS.
The holder of the GMC Class A Interests receives quarterly preferred distributions from available net income based on the application of a floating preferred return rate to the holder’s capital account balance established in the most recent mark-to-market valuation (currently $251.5 million). On June 1, 2018, the floating preferred return rate on GMC’s Class A interests was reset to the sum of three-month LIBOR plus 142.5 basis points. The preferred return rate is adjusted every three years through a negotiated agreement with the Class A Interest holder or through a remarketing auction.
For financial reporting purposes, the assets, liabilities, results of operations, and cash flows of our non-wholly owned consolidated subsidiaries are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The third-party investor’s share of the net earnings of these subsidiaries is reflected in net earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrolling interests in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Our noncontrolling interests contain restrictive covenants. As of May 31, 2020, we were in compliance with all of these covenants.
NOTE 11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Cumulative preference stock of 5.0 million shares, without par value, is authorized but unissued.
On May 6, 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 100 million shares of our common stock. Purchases under the authorization can be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, including the use of call options and other derivative instruments, Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, and accelerated repurchase programs. The authorization has no specified termination date.
On March 27, 2018, we issued 22.7 million shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.10 per share, at a public offering price of $44.00 per share for total proceeds of $1.0 billion. We paid $30.1 million in issuance costs that were recorded in additional paid-in capital. The net proceeds of $969.9 million were used to finance a portion of the acquisition of Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc. (“Blue Buffalo”).
Share repurchases were as follows:
The following table provides details of total comprehensive income:
(a)Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in interest, net for interest rate swaps and in cost of sales and SG&A expenses for foreign exchange contracts.
(b) Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in benefit plan non-service income. Please refer to Note 2.
(a)Gain reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in interest, net for securities.
(b)Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in interest, net for interest rate swaps and in cost of sales and SG&A expenses for foreign exchange contracts.
(c) Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in benefit plan non-service income. Please refer to Note 2.
(a)Gain reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in interest, net for securities.
(b)Loss (gain) reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in interest, net for interest rate swaps and in cost of sales and SG&A expenses for foreign exchange contracts.
(c) Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in benefit plan non-service income. Please refer to Note 2.
In fiscal 2020, 2019, and 2018, except for reclassifications to earnings, changes in other comprehensive income (loss) were primarily non-cash items.
Accumulated other comprehensive loss balances, net of tax effects, were as follows:
In fiscal 2018, we adopted new accounting requirements that provide the option to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the TCJA from AOCI to retained earnings. We elected to reclassify the stranded income tax effects of the TCJA of $329.4 million from AOCI to retained earnings. Please see Note 15 for additional information.
NOTE 12. STOCK PLANS
We use broad-based stock plans to help ensure that management’s interests are aligned with those of our shareholders. As of May 31, 2020, a total of 26.4 million shares were available for grant in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and shares of unrestricted stock under the 2017 Stock Compensation Plan (2017 Plan). The 2017 Plan also provides for the issuance of cash-settled share-based units, stock appreciation rights, and performance-based stock awards. Stock-based awards now outstanding include some granted under the 2009 and 2011 stock plans and the 2006 and 2011 compensation plans for non-employee directors, under which no further awards may be granted. The stock plans provide for potential accelerated vesting of awards upon retirement, termination, or death of eligible employees and directors.
Stock Options
The estimated fair values of stock options granted and the assumptions used for the Black-Scholes option-pricing model were as follows:
We estimate the fair value of each option on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires us to make predictive assumptions regarding future stock price volatility, employee exercise behavior, dividend yield, and the forfeiture rate. We estimate our future stock price volatility using the historical volatility over the expected term of the option, excluding time periods of volatility we believe a marketplace participant would exclude in estimating our stock price volatility. We also have considered, but did not use, implied volatility in our estimate, because trading activity in options on our stock, especially those with tenors of greater than 6 months, is insufficient to provide a reliable measure of expected volatility.
Our expected term represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding based on historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model. Separate groups of employees have similar historical exercise behavior and therefore were aggregated into a single pool for valuation purposes. The weighted-average expected term for all employee groups is presented in the table above. The risk-free interest rate for periods during the expected term of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
Any corporate income tax benefit realized upon exercise or vesting of an award in excess of that previously recognized in earnings (referred to as a windfall tax benefit) is presented in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as an operating cash flow. Realized windfall tax benefits and shortfall tax deficiencies related to the exercise or vesting of stock-based awards are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. We recognized windfall tax benefits from stock-based payments in income tax expense in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings of $27.3 million in fiscal 2020, $24.5 million in fiscal 2019, and $25.5 million in fiscal 2018.
Options may be priced at 100 percent or more of the fair market value on the date of grant, and generally vest four years after the date of grant. Options generally expire within 10 years and one month after the date of grant.
Information on stock option activity follows:
Stock-based compensation expense related to stock option awards was $13.4 million in fiscal 2020, $14.7 million in fiscal 2019, and $15.5 million in fiscal 2018. Compensation expense related to stock-based payments recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings includes amounts recognized in restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs for fiscal 2018.
Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options less shares used for minimum withholding taxes and the intrinsic value of options exercised were as follows:
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Share Units
Stock and units settled in stock subject to a restricted period and a purchase price, if any (as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors), may be granted to key employees under the 2017 Plan. Restricted stock and restricted stock units generally vest and become unrestricted four years after the date of grant. Performance share units are earned primarily based on our future achievement of three-year goals for average organic net sales growth and cumulative free cash flow. Performance share units are settled in common stock and are generally subject to a three year performance and vesting period. The sale or transfer of these awards is restricted during the vesting period. Participants holding restricted stock, but not restricted stock units or performance share units, are entitled to vote on matters submitted to holders of common stock for a vote. These awards accumulate dividends from the date of grant, but participants only receive payment if the awards vest.
Information on restricted stock unit and performance share unit activity follows:
The total grant-date fair value of restricted stock unit awards that vested was $59.7 million in fiscal 2020 and $47.1 million in fiscal 2019.
As of May 31, 2020, unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options, restricted stock units, and performance share units was $104.0 million. This expense will be recognized over 20 months, on average.
Stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units and performance share units was $81.5 million for fiscal 2020, $70.2 million for fiscal 2019, and $62.4 million for fiscal 2018. Compensation expense related to stock-based payments recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings includes amounts recognized in restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs for fiscal 2019 and 2018.
NOTE 13. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic and diluted EPS were calculated using the following:
(a) Incremental shares from stock options, restricted stock units, and performance share units are computed by the treasury stock method. Stock options, restricted stock units, and performance share units excluded from our computation of diluted EPS because they were not dilutive were as follows:
NOTE 14. RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
We have defined benefit pension plans covering many employees in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, France, and the United Kingdom. Benefits for salaried employees are based on length of service and final average compensation. Benefits for hourly employees include various monthly amounts for each year of credited service. Our funding policy is consistent with the requirements of applicable laws. We made no voluntary contributions to our principal U.S. plans in fiscal 2020 or fiscal 2019. We do not expect to be required to make any contributions in fiscal 2021. Our principal domestic retirement plan covering salaried employees has a provision that any excess pension assets would be allocated to active participants if the plan is terminated within five years of a change in control. All salaried employees hired on or after June 1, 2013, are eligible for a retirement program that does not include a defined benefit pension plan.
In fiscal 2018, we approved an amendment to reorganize the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plans and the supplemental pension plans that resulted in the spinoff of a portion of the General Mills Pension Plan (the Plan) and the 2005 Supplemental Retirement Plan and the Supplemental Retirement Plan (Grandfathered) (together, the Supplemental Plans) into new plans effective May 31, 2018. The benefits offered to the plans’ participants were unchanged. The result of the reorganization was the creation of the General Mills Pension Plan I (Plan I) and the 2005 Supplemental Retirement Plan I and the Supplemental Retirement Plan I (Grandfathered) (together, the Supplemental Plans I). The reorganization was made to facilitate a targeted investment strategy over time and to provide additional flexibility in evaluating opportunities to reduce risk and volatility. Actuarial gains and losses associated with the Plan and the Supplemental Plans are amortized over the average remaining service life of the active participants. Actuarial gains and losses associated with the Plan I and the Supplemental Plans I are amortized over the average remaining life of the participants.
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
We also sponsor plans that provide health care benefits to many of our retirees in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. The United States salaried health care benefit plan is contributory, with retiree contributions based on years of service. We make decisions to fund related trusts for certain employees and retirees on an annual basis. We made no voluntary contributions to these plans in fiscal 2020 or fiscal 2019. We do not expect to be required to make any contributions in fiscal 2021.
Health Care Cost Trend Rates
Assumed health care cost trends are as follows:
We review our health care cost trend rates annually. Our review is based on data we collect about our health care claims experience and information provided by our actuaries. This information includes recent plan experience, plan design, overall industry experience and projections, and assumptions used by other similar organizations. Our initial health care cost trend rate is adjusted as necessary to remain consistent with this review, recent experiences, and short-term expectations. Our initial health care cost trend rate assumption is 6.5 percent for retirees age 65 and over and 6.2 percent for retirees under age 65 at the end of fiscal 2020. Rates are graded down annually until the ultimate trend rate of 4.5 percent is reached in 2029 for all retirees. The trend rates are applicable for calculations only if the retirees’ benefits increase as a result of health care inflation. The ultimate trend rate is adjusted annually, as necessary, to approximate the current economic view on the rate of long-term inflation plus an appropriate health care cost premium. Assumed trend rates for health care costs have an important effect on the amounts reported for the other postretirement benefit plans.
Postemployment Benefit Plans
Under certain circumstances, we also provide accruable benefits, primarily severance, to former or inactive employees in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. We recognize an obligation for any of these benefits that vest or accumulate with service. Postemployment benefits that do not vest or accumulate with service (such as severance based solely on annual pay rather than years of service) are charged to expense when incurred. Our postemployment benefit plans are unfunded.
Summarized financial information about defined benefit pension, other postretirement benefit, and postemployment benefit plans is presented below:
During fiscal 2020, the increase in defined benefit pension benefit obligations was primarily driven by actuarial losses due to a decrease in the discount rate and an update in mortality rates. The decrease in other postretirement obligations was primarily driven by a decrease in expected future claims, partially offset by losses due to a decrease in the discount rate.
During fiscal 2019, the increase in defined benefit pension benefit obligations was primarily driven by actuarial losses due to a decrease in the discount rate. The decrease in other postretirement obligations was primarily driven by a decrease in expected future claims, partially offset by losses due to a decrease in the discount rate.
As of May 31, 2020, other postretirement benefit plans had benefit obligations of $479.4 million that exceeded plan assets of $248.0 million. As of May 26, 2019, other postretirement benefit plans had benefit obligations of $498.4 million that exceeded plan assets of $233.7 million. Postemployment benefit plans are not funded and had benefit obligations of $150.3 million and $128.0 million as of May 31, 2020 and May 26, 2019, respectively.
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $7,285.2 million as of May 31, 2020, and $6,436.9 million as of May 26, 2019.
Amounts recognized in AOCI as of May 31, 2020 and May 26, 2019, are as follows:
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of May 31, 2020 and May 26, 2019 are as follows:
Components of net periodic benefit expense are as follows:
Assumptions
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine fiscal year-end benefit obligations are as follows:
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine fiscal year net periodic benefit expense are as follows:
Discount Rates
We estimate the service and interest cost components of the net periodic benefit expense for our United States and most of our international defined benefit pension, other postretirement benefit, and postemployment benefit plans utilizing a full yield curve approach by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used to determine the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. Our discount rate assumptions are determined annually as of May 31 for our defined benefit pension, other postretirement benefit, and postemployment benefit plan obligations. We also use discount rates as of May 31 to determine defined benefit pension, other postretirement benefit, and postemployment benefit plan income and expense for the following fiscal year. We work with our outside actuaries to determine the timing and amount of expected future cash outflows to plan participants and, using the Aa Above Median corporate bond yield, to develop a forward interest rate curve, including a margin to that index based on our credit risk. This forward interest rate curve is applied to our expected future cash outflows to determine our discount rate assumptions.
Fair Value of Plan Assets
The fair values of our pension and postretirement benefit plans’ assets and their respective levels in the fair value hierarchy by asset category were as follows:
(a)Primarily publicly traded common stock for purposes of total return and to maintain equity exposure consistent with policy allocations. Investments include: United States and international equity securities, mutual funds, and equity futures valued at closing prices from national exchanges, and commingled funds valued at unit values provided by the investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments.
(b) Primarily government and corporate debt securities and futures for purposes of total return, managing fixed income exposure to policy allocations, and duration targets. Investments include: fixed income securities and bond futures generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges, fixed income pricing models, and independent financial analysts; and fixed income commingled funds valued at unit values provided by the investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments.
(c) Publicly traded common stocks in energy, real estate, and infrastructure for the purpose of total return. Investments include: energy, real estate, and infrastructure securities generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges, and commingled funds valued at unit values provided by the investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments.
(d)Insurance and annuity contracts to provide a stable stream of income for pension retirees. Fair values are based on the fair value of the underlying investments and contract fair values established by the providers.
(e)Primarily private investments and common collective trusts that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient and have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
(f)Plan assets and obligations are measured as of May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019.
There were no material changes in our level 3 investments in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019.
Expected Rate of Return on Plan Assets
Our expected rate of return on plan assets is determined by our asset allocation, our historical long-term investment performance, our estimate of future long-term returns by asset class (using input from our actuaries, investment services, and investment managers), and long-term inflation assumptions. We review this assumption annually for each plan; however, our annual investment performance for one particular year does not, by itself, significantly influence our evaluation.
Weighted-average asset allocations for our defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans are as follows:
The investment objective for our defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans is to secure the benefit obligations to participants at a reasonable cost to us. Our goal is to optimize the long-term return on plan assets at a moderate level of risk. The defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan portfolios are broadly diversified across asset classes. Within asset classes, the portfolios are further diversified across investment styles and investment organizations. For the U.S. defined benefit pension plans, the long-term investment policy allocation is: 17 percent to equities in the United States; 11 percent to international equities; 9 percent to private equities; 50 percent to fixed income; and 13 percent to real assets (real estate, energy, and infrastructure). For other U.S. postretirement benefit plans, the long-term investment policy allocations are: 18 percent to equities in the United States; 10 percent to international equities; 4 percent to private equities; 65 percent to fixed income; and 3 percent to real assets (real estate, energy, and timber). The actual allocations to these asset classes may vary tactically around the long-term policy allocations based on relative market valuations.
Contributions and Future Benefit Payments
We do not expect to be required to make contributions to our defined benefit pension, other postretirement benefit, and postemployment benefit plans in fiscal 2021. Actual fiscal 2021 contributions could exceed our current projections, as influenced by our decision to undertake discretionary funding of our benefit trusts and future changes in regulatory requirements. Estimated benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2030 as follows:
Defined Contribution Plans
The General Mills Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan that covers domestic salaried, hourly, nonunion, and certain union employees. This plan is a 401(k) savings plan that includes a number of investment funds, including a Company stock fund and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). We sponsor another money purchase plan for certain domestic hourly employees with net assets of $20.6 million as of May 31, 2020, and $22.3 million as of May 26, 2019. We also sponsor defined contribution plans in many of our foreign locations. Our total recognized expense related to defined contribution plans was $90.1 million in fiscal 2020, $52.7 million in fiscal 2019, and $49.2 million in fiscal 2018.
We match a percentage of employee contributions to the General Mills Savings Plan. The Company match is directed to investment options of the participant’s choosing. The number of shares of our common stock allocated to participants in the ESOP was 4.6 million as of May 31, 2020, and 5.1 million as of May 26, 2019. The ESOP’s only assets are our common stock and temporary cash balances.
The Company stock fund and the ESOP collectively held $464.8 million and $410.1 million of Company common stock as of May 31, 2020, and May 26, 2019, respectively.
NOTE 15. INCOME TAXES
The components of earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings from joint ventures and the corresponding income taxes thereon are as follows:
The following table reconciles the United States statutory income tax rate with our effective income tax rate:
(a)During fiscal 2020, we recorded a $53.1 million decrease to our deferred income tax liabilities associated with the reorganization of certain wholly owned subsidiaries.
(b)During fiscal 2019, we recorded a discrete benefit related to a capital loss carryback of $72.9 million.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
We have established a valuation allowance against certain of the categories of deferred tax assets described above as current evidence does not suggest we will realize sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character (e.g., ordinary income versus capital gain income) within the carryforward period to allow us to realize these deferred tax benefits.
Information about our valuation allowance follows:
As of May 31, 2020, we believe it is more-likely-than-not that the remainder of our deferred tax assets are realizable.
Information about our tax loss carryforwards follows:
Our foreign loss carryforwards expire as follows:
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act and related notices include several significant provisions, including delaying certain payroll tax payments and estimated income tax payments that we expect to defer to future periods. We expect the deferral of certain payroll tax payments to continue into fiscal 2021. We do not currently expect the CARES Act to have a material impact on our financial results, including on our annual estimated effective tax rate or on our liquidity. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact the CARES Act and similar legislation in other countries may have on our business and financial results.
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was signed into law. The TCJA resulted in significant revisions to the U.S. corporate income tax system, including a reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate, implementation of a territorial system, and a one-time deemed repatriation tax on untaxed foreign earnings. As a result of the TCJA, we recorded a provisional benefit of $523.5 million during fiscal 2018. During fiscal 2019, we completed our accounting for the tax effects of the TCJA and recorded a benefit of $7.2 million which included adjustments to the transition tax and the measurement of our net U.S. deferred tax liability. While our accounting for the recorded impact of the TCJA is deemed to be complete, these amounts were based on prevailing regulations and currently available information, and any additional guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could impact the aforementioned amounts in future periods.
The legislation also included provisions that affected our fiscal 2019 and forward results, including but not limited to: a reduction in the U.S. corporate tax rate on domestic operations; the creation of a new minimum tax called the base erosion anti-abuse tax; a new provision that taxes U.S. allocated expenses as well as currently taxes certain income from foreign operations (Global Intangible Low Tax Income or GILTI); a new limitation on deductible interest expense; the repeal of the domestic manufacturing deduction; and limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation.
As of May 31, 2020, we have not recognized a deferred tax liability for unremitted earnings of approximately $2.3 billion from our foreign operations because we currently believe our subsidiaries have invested the undistributed earnings indefinitely or the earnings will be remitted in a tax-neutral transaction. It is not practicable for us to determine the amount of unrecognized tax expense on these reinvested earnings. Deferred taxes are recorded for earnings of our foreign operations when we determine that such earnings are no longer indefinitely reinvested. As a result of the TCJA, we re-evaluated our assertion and have concluded that although earnings prior to fiscal 2018 will remain permanently reinvested, we will no longer make a permanent reinvestment assertion beginning with our fiscal 2018 earnings. As part of the accounting for the TCJA, we recorded local country withholding taxes related to certain entities from which we began repatriating undistributed earnings and will continue to record local country withholding taxes on all future earnings.
We are subject to federal income taxes in the United States as well as various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and finally resolved. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax position, we believe that our liabilities for income taxes reflect the most likely outcome. We adjust these liabilities, as well as the related interest, in light of changing facts and circumstances. Settlement of any particular position would usually require the use of cash.
The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. Our major taxing jurisdiction is the United States (federal and state). Various tax examinations by United States state taxing authorities could be conducted for any open tax year, which vary by jurisdiction, but are generally from 3 to 5 years.
Several state and foreign examinations are currently in progress. We do not expect these examinations to result in a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. We have effectively settled all issues with the IRS for fiscal years 2015 and prior.
During fiscal 2017, the Brazilian tax authority, Secretaria da Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB), concluded audits of our 2012 and 2013 tax return years. These audits included a review of our determinations of amortization of certain goodwill arising from the acquisition of Yoki Alimentos S.A. The RFB has proposed adjustments that effectively eliminate the goodwill amortization benefits related to this transaction. During fiscal 2020, we received proposed adjustments related to the goodwill amortization benefits for our 2014 and 2015 tax return years. We believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to contest the disallowance.
We apply a more-likely-than-not threshold to the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions. Accordingly, we recognize the amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being ultimately realized upon settlement. Future changes in judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions will affect earnings in the period of such change.
The following table sets forth changes in our total gross unrecognized tax benefit liabilities, excluding accrued interest, for fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019. Approximately $79.3 million of this total in fiscal 2020 represents the amount that, if recognized, would affect our effective income tax rate in future periods. This amount differs from the gross unrecognized tax benefits presented in the table because certain of the liabilities below would impact deferred taxes if recognized. We also would record a decrease in U.S. federal income taxes upon recognition of the state tax benefits included therein.
As of May 31, 2020, we expect to pay approximately $0.1 million of unrecognized tax benefit liabilities and accrued interest within the next 12 months. We are not able to reasonably estimate the timing of future cash flows beyond 12 months due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes. The remaining amount of our unrecognized tax liability was classified in other liabilities.
We report accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefit liabilities in income tax expense. For fiscal 2020, we recognized $3.2 million of tax-related net interest and penalties, and had $27.9 million of accrued interest and penalties as of May 31, 2020. For fiscal 2019, we recognized $0.5 million of tax-related net interest and penalties, and had $26.0 million of accrued interest and penalties as of May 26, 2019.
NOTE 16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
As of May 31, 2020, we have issued guarantees and comfort letters of $129.8 million for the debt and other obligations of non-consolidated affiliates, mainly CPW. Off-balance sheet arrangements were not material as of May 31, 2020.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we received notice from the tax authorities of the State of São Paulo, Brazil regarding our compliance with its state sales tax requirements. As a result, we have been assessed additional state sales taxes, interest, and penalties. We believe that we have meritorious defenses against this claim and will vigorously defend our position. As of May 31, 2020, we are unable to estimate any possible loss and have not recorded a loss contingency for this matter.
NOTE 17. BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
We operate in the packaged foods industry. Our operating segments are as follows: North America Retail; Convenience Stores & Foodservice; Europe & Australia; Asia & Latin America; and Pet.
Our North America Retail operating segment reflects business with a wide variety of grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, drug, dollar and discount chains, and e-commerce grocery providers. Our product categories in this business segment are ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit snacks, savory snacks, and a wide variety of organic products including ready-to-eat cereal, frozen and shelf-stable vegetables, meal kits, fruit snacks, snack bars, and refrigerated yogurt.
Our Europe & Australia operating segment reflects retail and foodservice businesses in the greater Europe and Australia regions. Our product categories include refrigerated yogurt, meal kits, snack bars, super-premium ice cream, refrigerated and frozen dough products, shelf stable vegetables, and dessert and baking mixes. Revenues from franchise fees are reported in the region or country where the franchisee is located.
Our major product categories in our Convenience Stores & Foodservice operating segment are ready-to-eat cereals, snacks, refrigerated yogurt, frozen meals, unbaked and fully baked frozen dough products, baking mixes, and bakery flour. Many products we
sell are branded to the consumer and nearly all are branded to our customers. We sell to distributors and operators in many customer channels including foodservice, convenience stores, vending, and supermarket bakeries in the United States.
Our Pet operating segment includes pet food products sold primarily in the United States in national pet superstore chains, e-commerce retailers, grocery stores, regional pet store chains, mass merchandisers, and veterinary clinics and hospitals. Our product categories include dog and cat food (dry foods, wet foods, and treats) made with whole meats, fruits, and vegetables and other high-quality natural ingredients. Our tailored pet product offerings address specific dietary, lifestyle, and life-stage needs and span different product types, diet types, breed sizes for dogs, lifestages, flavors, product functions and textures, and cuts for wet foods.
Fiscal 2020 includes 13 months of Pet operating segment results as we changed the Pet operating segment’s reporting period from an April fiscal year end to a May fiscal year end to match our fiscal calendar. Fiscal 2019 included 12 months of results.
Our Asia & Latin America operating segment consists of retail and foodservice businesses in the greater Asia and South America regions. Our product categories include super-premium ice cream and frozen desserts, meal kits, dessert and baking mixes, snack bars, salty snacks, refrigerated and frozen dough products, and wellness beverages. We also sell super-premium ice cream and frozen desserts directly to consumers through owned retail shops. Our Asia & Latin America segment also includes products manufactured in the United States for export, mainly to Caribbean and Latin American markets, as well as products we manufacture for sale to our international joint ventures. Revenues from export activities and franchise fees are reported in the region or country where the end customer or franchisee is located.
Operating profit for these segments excludes unallocated corporate items, gain or loss on divestitures, and restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs. Unallocated corporate items include corporate overhead expenses, variances to planned North American employee benefits and incentives, contributions to the General Mills Foundation, asset and liability remeasurement impact of hyperinflationary economies, restructuring initiative project-related costs, and other items that are not part of our measurement of segment operating performance. These include gains and losses arising from the revaluation of certain grain inventories and gains and losses from mark-to-market valuation of certain commodity positions until passed back to our operating segments. These items affecting operating profit are centrally managed at the corporate level and are excluded from the measure of segment profitability reviewed by executive management. Under our supply chain organization, our manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution activities are substantially integrated across our operations in order to maximize efficiency and productivity. As a result, fixed assets and depreciation and amortization expenses are neither maintained nor available by operating segment.
Our operating segment results were as follows:
Net sales for our North America Retail operating units were as follows:
Net sales by class of similar products were as follows:
During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we made certain changes in the classification of products and updated fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 net sales figures to match the current-year presentation.
The following tables provide financial information by geographic area:
NOTE 18. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The components of certain Consolidated Balance Sheet accounts are as follows:
(a) Inventories of $892.6 million as of May 31, 2020, and $974.8 million as of May 26, 2019, were valued at LIFO. The difference between replacement cost and the stated LIFO inventory value is not materially different from the reserve for the LIFO valuation method.
Certain Consolidated Statements of Earnings amounts are as follows:
The components of interest, net are as follows:
Certain Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows amounts are as follows:
NOTE 19. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
Summarized quarterly data for fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 follows:
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we changed the reporting period of our Pet segment from an April fiscal year end to a May fiscal year end to match our fiscal calendar. Accordingly, our fiscal 2020 fourth quarter results include 4 months of Pet segment results compared to 3 months in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 also included an additional week of results across all other segments. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we recorded $19.3 million of expense due to a product recall related to our international Green Giant business and $11.5 million of restructuring charges.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we sold our yogurt business in China and simultaneously entered into a new Yoplait license agreement with the purchaser for their use of the Yoplait brand. We recorded a gain of $5.4 million. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we recorded restructuring and impairment charges of $7.4 million. We recorded $4.3 million of integration costs related to the acquisition of Blue Buffalo and $9.8 million of gains related to an investment valuation adjustment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. We also recorded a tax benefit of $72.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Please see Note 15 for more information.
Glossary
Accelerated depreciation associated with restructured assets. The increase in depreciation expense caused by updating the salvage value and shortening the useful life of depreciable fixed assets to coincide with the end of production under an approved restructuring plan, but only if impairment is not present.
AOCI. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Adjusted diluted EPS. Diluted EPS adjusted for certain items affecting year-to-year comparability.
Adjusted EBITDA. The calculation of earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings from joint ventures, net interest, and depreciation and amortization adjusted for certain items affecting year-to-year comparability.
Adjusted operating profit. Operating profit adjusted for certain items affecting year-to-year comparability.
Adjusted operating profit margin. Operating profit adjusted for certain items affecting year-to-year comparability, divided by net sales.
Constant currency. Financial results translated to United States dollars using constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the comparable prior-year period. To present this information, current period results for entities reporting in currencies other than United States dollars are translated into United States dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, rather than the actual average exchange rates in effect during the current fiscal year. Therefore, the foreign currency impact is equal to current year results in local currencies multiplied by the change in the average foreign currency exchange rate between the current fiscal period and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Core working capital. Accounts receivable plus inventories less accounts payable, all as of the last day of our fiscal year.
COVID-19. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
Derivatives. Financial instruments such as futures, swaps, options, and forward contracts that we use to manage our risk arising from changes in commodity prices, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and equity prices.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). The calculation of earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings from joint ventures, net interest, depreciation and amortization.
Euribor. European Interbank Offered Rate.
Fair value hierarchy. For purposes of fair value measurement, we categorize assets and liabilities into one of three levels based on the assumptions (inputs) used in valuing the asset or liability. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1:Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets.
Level 3:Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.
Focus 6 platforms. The Focus 6 platforms for the Convenience Stores & Foodservice segment consist of cereal, yogurt, snacks, frozen meals, frozen biscuits, and frozen baked goods.
Free cash flow. Net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of land, buildings, and equipment.
Free cash flow conversion rate. Free cash flow divided by our net earnings, including earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrolling interests adjusted for certain items affecting year-to-year comparability.
GDP. Gross domestic product.
Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Guidelines, procedures, and practices that we are required to use in recording and reporting accounting information in our financial statements.
Goodwill. The difference between the purchase price of acquired companies plus the fair value of any redeemable and noncontrolling interests and the related fair values of net assets acquired.
Gross margin. Net sales less cost of sales.
Hedge accounting. Accounting for qualifying hedges that allows changes in a hedging instrument’s fair value to offset corresponding changes in the hedged item in the same reporting period. Hedge accounting is permitted for certain hedging instruments and hedged items only if the hedging relationship is highly effective, and only prospectively from the date a hedging relationship is formally documented.
Holistic Margin Management (HMM). Company-wide initiative to use productivity savings, mix management, and price realization to offset input cost inflation, protect margins, and generate funds to reinvest in sales-generating activities.
Interest bearing instruments. Notes payable, long-term debt, including current portion, cash and cash equivalents, and certain interest bearing investments classified within prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets.
LIBOR. London Interbank Offered Rate.
Mark-to-market. The act of determining a value for financial instruments, commodity contracts, and related assets or liabilities based on the current market price for that item.
Net debt. Long-term debt, current portion of long-term debt, and notes payable, less cash and cash equivalents.
Net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio. Net debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA.
Net mark-to-market valuation of certain commodity positions. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts that will be allocated to segment operating profit when the exposure we are hedging affects earnings.
Net price realization. The impact of list and promoted price changes, net of trade and other price promotion costs.
Net realizable value. The estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.
Noncontrolling interests. Interests of consolidated subsidiaries held by third parties.
Notional principal amount. The principal amount on which fixed-rate or floating-rate interest payments are calculated.
OCI. Other comprehensive income (loss).
Operating cash flow conversion rate. Net cash provided by operating activities, divided by net earnings, including earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrolling interests.
Operating cash flow to net debt ratio. Net debt divided by cash provided by operating activities.
Organic net sales growth. Net sales growth adjusted for foreign currency translation, as well as acquisitions, divestitures, and a 53rd week impact, when applicable.
Project-related costs. Costs incurred related to our restructuring initiatives not included in restructuring charges.
Redeemable interest. Interest of consolidated subsidiaries held by a third party that can be redeemed outside of our control and therefore cannot be classified as a noncontrolling interest in equity.
Reporting unit. An operating segment or a business one level below an operating segment.
Strategic Revenue Management (SRM). A company-wide capability focused on generating sustainable benefits from net price realization and mix by identifying and executing against specific opportunities to apply tools including pricing, sizing, mix management, and promotion optimization across each of our businesses.
Supply chain input costs. Costs incurred to produce and deliver product, including costs for ingredients and conversion, inventory management, logistics, and warehousing.
TCJA. U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which was signed into law on December 22, 2017.
Total debt. Notes payable and long-term debt, including current portion.
Translation adjustments. The impact of the conversion of our foreign affiliates’ financial statements to United States dollars for the purpose of consolidating our financial statements.
Variable interest entities (VIEs). A legal structure that is used for business purposes that either (1) does not have equity investors that have voting rights and share in all the entity’s profits and losses or (2) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources to support the entity’s activities.
Working capital. Current assets and current liabilities, all as of the last day of our fiscal year.
ITEM 9 - Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
ITEM 9A Controls and Procedures
We, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the 1934 Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of May 31, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the 1934 Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the 1934 Act) during our fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of General Mills, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the 1934 Act. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and the Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013).
Based on our assessment using the criteria set forth by COSO in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of May 31, 2020.
KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued a report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ J. L. Harmening/s/ K. A. Bruce
J. L. HarmeningK. A. Bruce
Chief Executive OfficerChief Financial Officer
July 2, 2020
Our independent registered public accounting firm’s attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting is included in the “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in Item 8 of this report.
ITEM 9B - Other Information
None.
PART III
ITEM 10 - Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information contained in the sections entitled “Proposal Number 1 - Election of Directors,” “Shareholder Director Nominations,” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” contained in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding our executive officers is set forth in Item 1 of this report.
The information regarding our Audit Committee, including the members of the Audit Committee and audit committee financial experts, set forth in the section entitled “Board Committees and Their Functions” contained in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
We have adopted a Code of Conduct applicable to all employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer. A copy of the Code of Conduct is available on our website at www.GeneralMills.com. We intend to post on our website any amendments to our Code of Conduct and any waivers from our Code of Conduct for principal officers.
ITEM 11 - Executive Compensation
The information contained in the sections entitled “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” and “Overseeing Risk Management” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information contained in the section entitled “Ownership of General Mills Common Stock by Directors, Officers and Certain Beneficial Owners” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides certain information as of May 31, 2020, with respect to our equity compensation plans:
(a)Only includes the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, whose weighted-average term is 5.53 years.
(b)Includes 18,164,592 stock options, 3,914,054 restricted stock units, 1,114,783 performance share units (assuming pay out for target performance), and 2,438,852 restricted stock units that have vested and been deferred.
(c)Includes 115,477 restricted stock units that have vested and been deferred. These awards were made in lieu of salary increases and certain other compensation and benefits. We granted these awards under our 1998 Employee Stock Plan, which provided for the issuance of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units to attract and retain employees and to align their interests with those of shareholders. We discontinued the 1998 Employee Stock Plan in September 2003, and no future awards may be granted under that plan.
(d)Includes stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, shares of unrestricted stock, stock appreciation rights, and performance awards that we may award under our 2017 Stock Compensation Plan, which had 26,444,888 shares available for grant at May 31, 2020.
ITEM 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information set forth in the section entitled “Board Independence and Related Person Transactions” contained in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14 - Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information contained in the section entitled “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15 - Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
1.Financial Statements:
The following financial statements are included in Item 8 of this report:
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020, May 26, 2019, and May 27, 2018.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020, May 26, 2019, and May 27, 2018.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2020 and May 26, 2019.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020, May 26, 2019, and May 27, 2018.
Consolidated Statements of Total Equity and Redeemable Interest for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020, May 26, 2019, and May 27, 2018.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Report of Management Responsibilities.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
2.Financial Statement Schedule:
For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020, May 26, 2019, and May 27, 2018:
II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
3.Exhibits:
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009).
3.2
By-laws of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 8, 2016).
4.1
Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1996, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (f/k/a First Trust of Illinois, National Association) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed February 6, 1996 (File no. 333-00745)).
4.2
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2009, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009).
4.3
Description of the Company’s registered securities.
10.1*
2001 Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 29, 2010).
10.2*
2006 Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 29, 2010).
10.3*
2007 Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 29, 2010).
10.4*
10.5*
10.6*
2009 Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 29, 2010).
2011 Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015).
2011 Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 27, 2011).
10.7*
2016 Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 27, 2016).
10.8*
Executive Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 28, 2010).
10.9*
Separation Pay and Benefits Program for Officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 23, 2020).
10.10*
Supplemental Savings Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 22, 2009).
10.11*
Supplemental Retirement Plan (Grandfathered) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2018).
10.12*
2005 Supplemental Retirement Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2018).
10.13*
Deferred Compensation Plan (Grandfathered) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 22, 2009).
10.14*
2005 Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 22, 2009).
10.15*
Executive Survivor Income Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005).
10.16*
Supplemental Benefits Trust Agreement, amended and restated as of September 26, 1988, between the Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 27, 2011).
10.17*
Supplemental Benefits Trust Agreement, dated September 26, 1988, between the Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 27, 2011).
10.18*
Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2018).
10.19*
Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2018).
10.20*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2018).
10.21*
Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 26, 2017).
10.22*
2017 Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 26, 2017).
10.23*
Supplemental Retirement Plan I (Grandfathered) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2018).
10.24*
Supplemental Retirement Plan I (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2018).
10.25
Agreements, dated November 29, 1989, by and between the Company and Nestle S.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2000).
10.26
Protocol of Cereal Partners Worldwide, dated November 21, 1989, and Addendum No. 1 to Protocol, dated February 9, 1990, between the Company and Nestle S.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2001).
10.27
Addendum No. 2 to the Protocol of Cereal Partners Worldwide, dated March 16, 1993, between the Company and Nestle S.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 30, 2004).
10.28
Addendum No. 3 to the Protocol of Cereal Partners Worldwide, effective as of March 15, 1993, between the Company and Nestle S.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2000).
10.29+
Addendum No. 4, effective as August 1, 1998, and Addendum No. 5, effective as April 1, 2000, to the Protocol of Cereal Partners Worldwide between the Company and Nestle S.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009).
10.30
Addendum No. 10 to the Protocol of Cereal Partners Worldwide, effective January 1, 2010, among the Company, Nestle S.A., and CPW S.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2010).
10.31+
Addendum No. 11 to the Protocol of Cereal Partners Worldwide, effective July 17, 2012, among the Company, Nestle S.A., and CPW S.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 26, 2012).
10.32
Five-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2016, among the Company, the several financial institutions from time to time party to the agreement, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 18, 2016).
10.33
Extension Agreement, dated April 26, 2017, among the Company, the several financial institutions from time to time party to the agreement, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 1, 2017).
10.34
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2018, among the Company, the several financial institutions from time to time party to the agreement, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2018).
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Company.
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
The following materials from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Total Equity and Redeemable Interest; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements; and (vii) Schedule II - Valuation of Qualifying Accounts.
Cover Page, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language and contained in Exhibit 101.
______________
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15 of Form 10-K.
+Confidential information has been omitted from the exhibit and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of our long-term debt are not filed and, in lieu thereof, we agree to furnish copies to the SEC upon request.
ITEM 16 - Form 10-K Summary
Not Applicable.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
Date:July 2, 2020
By/s/ Mark A. Pallot
Name:Mark A. Pallot
Title:Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Jeffrey L Harmening
Jeffrey L. Harmening
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
July 2, 2020
/s/ Kofi A. Bruce
Kofi A. Bruce
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
July 2, 2020
/s/ Mark A. Pallot
Mark A. Pallot
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
July 2, 2020
/s/ R. Kerry Clark
R. Kerry Clark
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ David M. Cordani
David M. Cordani
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ Roger W. Ferguson Jr.
Roger W. Ferguson Jr.
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ Maria G. Henry
Maria G. Henry
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ Jo Ann Jenkins
Jo Ann Jenkins
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ Elizabeth C. Lempres
Elizabeth C. Lempres
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ Diane L. Neal
Diane L. Neal
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ Steve Odland
Steve Odland
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ Maria A. Sastre
Maria A. Sastre
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ Eric D. Sprunk
Eric D. Sprunk
Director
July 2, 2020
/s/ Jorge A. Uribe
Jorge A. Uribe
Director
July 2, 2020