Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Overview
Objective:
The following discussion provides an analysis of our financial condition and results of operations from management's perspective and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our objective is to also provide discussion of material events and uncertainties known to management that are reasonably likely to cause reported financial information not to be indicative of future operating results or of future financial condition and to offer information that provides an understanding of our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
See below for discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for 2024 compared to 2023 and for 2023 compared to 2022.
Description of the Company:
We manufacture and market food and beverage products around the world through our eight consumer-driven product platforms: Taste Elevation, Easy Ready Meals, Hydration, Meats, Cheeses, Substantial Snacking, Desserts, Coffee, and other grocery products.
In the first quarter of 2024, we divided our International segment into three operating segments — Europe and Pacific Developed Markets (“EPDM” or “International Developed Markets”), West and East Emerging Markets (“WEEM”), and Asia Emerging Markets (“AEM”) — to enable enhanced focus on the different strategies required for each of these regions as part of our long-term strategic plan. Subsequently, we manage our operating results through four operating segments. We have two reportable segments defined by geographic region: North America and International Developed Markets. Our remaining operating segments, consisting of WEEM and AEM, are combined and disclosed as Emerging Markets.
See Note 20, Segment Reporting, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for our financial information by segment.
Items Affecting Comparability of Financial Results
Impairment Losses:
Our results of operations reflect goodwill impairment losses of $1.6 billion and intangible asset impairment losses of $2.0 billion in 2024. We recognized goodwill impairment losses of $510 million and intangible asset impairment losses of $152 million in 2023. We recognized goodwill impairment losses of $444 million, intangible asset impairment losses of $469 million, and net property, and plant, and equipment asset impairment losses of $86 million in 2022. See Note 8, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our goodwill and intangible asset impairment losses.
53rd Week:
We operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in December in each calendar year. Our 2024 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 28, 2024, our 2023 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 30, 2023, and our 2022 fiscal year was a 53-week period that ended on December 31, 2022.
Acquisitions and Divestitures:
In 2024, we closed the sale of our infant nutrition business in Russia (the “Russia Infant Transaction”) and the sale of 100% of the equity interests in our Papua New Guinea subsidiary (the “Papua New Guinea Transaction”), both within Emerging Markets. In 2022, we completed the Hemmer Acquisition within Emerging Markets, and the Just Spices Acquisition within our International Developed Markets segment. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our acquisition and divestiture activities.
Inflation and Supply Chain Impacts:
During the year ended December 28, 2024, we experienced moderate inflation in our supply chain costs compared to the prior year period, which we expect to continue through 2025. While inflationary pressures within procurement, manufacturing, and logistics costs had a negative impact on our results of operations, we experienced increased stability of these costs as compared to the prior year period. Further, we continue to take measures to mitigate the impact of this inflation through efficiency initiatives, pricing actions, and hedging strategies. However, there has been, and we expect that there could continue to be, a difference between the timing of when these beneficial actions impact our results of operations and when the cost inflation is incurred. Additionally, the pricing actions we have taken have, in some instances, negatively impacted, and could continue to negatively impact, our market share.
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Income Taxes:
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a global coalition of member countries, proposed a two-pillar plan that aims to ensure a fairer distribution of profits among countries and impose a floor on tax competition through the introduction of a global minimum tax of 15%. Many countries have enacted, or begun the process of enacting, laws based on the two-pillar plan proposals.
As part of our planning for the changes in the international tax environment, as well as to achieve greater operational synergies, we have enacted changes to our corporate entity structure which included a transfer of, and will result in the movement of, certain business operations to a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Netherlands resulting in a tax benefit of $3.0 billion recorded as a non-U.S. deferred tax asset in December 2024. The deferred tax asset was recognized as a result of the book and tax basis difference on the business transferred to the Netherlands subsidiary with the tax basis determined by reference to the fair value of the business. The determination of the estimated fair value of the transferred business is complex and requires the exercise of substantial judgment due to the use of subjective assumptions in the valuation method used by management. The associated valuation allowance of $0.6 billion is related to uncertainty in the Pillar Two legislative interpretation and is based on our latest assessment of the total tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. The recognition of our future tax benefits associated with this transaction is dependent upon the acceptance of the business valuation and tax basis step-up by the associated taxing authorities.
The legislative developments in conjunction with changes we made to our corporate entity structure are estimated to increase our cash tax rate by 2.0% to 3.0% and our effective tax rate by approximately 5.0%. The estimated rates could be impacted by the outcome of examinations by taxing authorities and future legislative developments.
Results of Operations
We disclose in this report certain non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures assist management in comparing our performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations. For additional information and reconciliations to the most closely comparable financial measures presented in our consolidated financial statements, which are calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, see Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Summary of Results:
(in millions, except per share data) (in millions, except per share data)
Net Sales:
(in millions) (in millions)
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
FiscalYear 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year 2023:
Net sales decreased 3.0% to $25.8 billion in 2024 compared to $26.6 billion in 2023, including the unfavorable impacts of foreign currency (0.7 pp) and acquisitions and divestitures (0.2 pp). Organic Net Sales decreased 2.1% to $25.9 billion in 2024 compared to $26.5 billion in 2023, primarily due to the unfavorable volume/mix (3.5 pp), which more than offset higher pricing (1.4 pp). Pricing was higher in North America and Emerging Markets, and flat in International Developed Markets. Volume/mix in North America and International Developed Markets was unfavorable, while volume/mix in Emerging Markets was favorable.
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FiscalYear 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022:
Net sales increased 0.6% to $26.6 billion in 2023 compared to $26.5 billion in 2022, including the unfavorable impacts of lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period (1.8 pp), foreign currency (0.9 pp), and acquisitions and divestitures (0.1 pp). Organic Net Sales increased 3.4% to $26.8 billion in 2023 compared to $25.9 billion in 2022, primarily driven by higher pricing (8.9 pp), which more than offset unfavorable volume/mix (5.5 pp). Pricing was higher in all segments. Volume/mix in North America and International Developed Markets was unfavorable, while volume/mix in Emerging Markets was favorable.
Net Income/(Loss):
(in millions) (in millions)
(a) Adjusted Operating Income is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
FiscalYear 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year 2023:
Operating income/(loss) decreased 63.2% to $1.7 billion in 2024 compared to $4.6 billion in 2023, due to non-cash impairment losses that were $3.0 billion higher in the current year period. The remaining change to operating income/(loss) was an increase of $118 million primarily driven by higher pricing, lower variable compensation expense, and lower procurement and logistics costs, due, in part, to the beneficial impact from our efficiency initiatives. These favorable impacts to operating income/(loss) were partially offset by unfavorable volume/mix, increased manufacturing expenses due to increased labor costs, and increased selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) due, in part, to investments in technology.
Net income/(loss) decreased 3.5% to $2.7 billion in 2024 compared to $2.8 billion in 2023. This decrease was due to unfavorable changes in operating income/(loss) factors discussed above, which more than offset a lower effective tax rate in the current period and the favorable changes in other expense/(income).
•Our effective tax rate was a benefit of 220.5% in 2024 compared to an expense of 21.7% in 2023. The year-over-year change in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the recognition of a $3.0 billion non-U.S. deferred tax asset as a result of the movement of certain business operations to a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Netherlands and the geographic mix of pre-tax income in various non-U.S. jurisdictions. This benefit to our effective tax rate was partially offset by establishing a partial valuation allowance of $0.6 billion against the Netherlands deferred tax asset, establishing a full valuation allowance against Brazil net deferred tax assets, and non-deductible goodwill impairments.
•Other expense/(income) was $85 million of income in 2024 compared to $27 million of expense in 2023. This change was primarily driven by $197 million of favorable changes in net pension and postretirement non-service cost/(benefit), partially offset by an $81 million net loss on the sale of businesses in 2024.
Adjusted Operating Income increased 1.2% to $5.4 billion in 2024 compared to $5.3 billion in 2023, primarily driven by higher pricing, lower variable compensation expense, and lower procurement and logistics costs, due, in part, to the beneficial impact from our efficiency initiatives. These favorable impacts to Adjusted Operating Income were partially offset by unfavorable volume/mix, increased manufacturing expenses due to increased labor costs, increased SG&A due, in part, to investments in technology, and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency (0.4 pp).
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FiscalYear 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022:
Operating income/(loss) increased 25.8% to $4.6 billion in 2023 compared to $3.6 billion in 2022, primarily driven by higher pricing, the beneficial impact from our efficiency initiatives, lower non-cash impairment losses in the current year period ($251 million), and the impact of the securities class action lawsuit in the prior year period. These favorable impacts to operating income/(loss) were partially offset by higher commodity costs, including the impact of realized and unrealized gains and losses on commodity hedges, higher supply chain costs, reflecting inflationary pressure in manufacturing and procurement costs, unfavorable volume/mix, increased SG&A primarily for advertising expenses, and the decrease from lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period.
Net income/(loss) increased 20.2% to $2.8 billion in 2023 compared to $2.4 billion in 2022. This increase was driven by the operating income/(loss) factors discussed above and lower interest expense, which more than offset unfavorable changes in other expense/(income) and higher tax expense.
•Interest expense was $912 million in 2023 compared to $921 million in 2022.
•Our effective tax rate was 21.7% in 2023 compared to 20.2% in 2022. The year-over-year increase in the effective tax rate was due primarily to the decrease in deferred tax liabilities due to the merger of certain foreign entities and the revaluation of deferred tax balances due to changes in state tax laws in the prior year versus the current year.
•Other expense/(income) was $27 million of expense in 2023 compared to $253 million of income in 2022. This change was primarily driven by $202 million of unfavorable changes in net pension and postretirement non-service cost/(benefit) due, in part, to the settlement of one of our U.K. defined benefit pension plans, which resulted in pre-tax losses of $162 million in 2023. Further, additional changes in other expense/(income) were driven by $179 million of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange losses/(gains). These unfavorable impacts to other expense/(income) were partially offset by $109 million of favorable changes in derivative losses/(gains).
Adjusted Operating Income increased 6.2% to $5.3 billion in 2023 compared to $5.0 billion in 2022, primarily due to higher pricing and the beneficial impact from our efficiency initiatives, which more than offset higher commodity costs, including the impact of realized gains and losses on commodity hedges; higher supply chain costs, reflecting inflationary pressure in manufacturing, procurement, and logistics; unfavorable volume/mix; increased SG&A, primarily advertising expenses; the decrease from lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period (2.2 pp); and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency (1.2 pp).
Diluted Earnings Per Share (“EPS”):
(in millions, except per share data) (in millions, except per share data)
(a) Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
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FiscalYear 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year 2023:
Diluted EPS decreased 2.2% to $2.26 in 2024 compared to $2.31 in 2023, primarily driven by the net income/(loss) factors discussed above and the favorable impact of our common stock repurchases.
Unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges (0.01) — (0.01)
Losses/(gains) on sale of business 0.05 — 0.05
Nonmonetary currency devaluation 0.01 0.02 (0.01)
Certain significant discrete income tax items (1.84) (0.01) (1.83)
Key drivers of change in Adjusted EPS(a):
Results of operations $ 0.04
Effect of common stock repurchases(b): 0.04
Other expense/(income) 0.01
Effective tax rate (0.01)
(a) Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
(b) Includes the impact of the change in the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, including dilutive effect, which is primarily due to shares purchased pursuant to our publicly announced share repurchase program. See Note 19, Earnings Per Share, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,for more information on our weighted average shares outstanding.
Adjusted EPS increased 2.7% to $3.06 in 2024 compared to $2.98 in 2023 primarily driven by higher Adjusted Operating Income, the favorable impact of our common stock repurchases, and favorable changes in other expense/(income), which more than offset higher taxes on adjusted earnings.
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FiscalYear 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022:
Diluted EPS increased 20.9% to $2.31 in 2023 compared to $1.91 in 2022, primarily driven by the net income/(loss) factors discussed above.
Unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges — 0.04 (0.04)
Certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters — 0.13 (0.13)
Losses/(gains) on sale of business — (0.01) 0.01
Other losses/(gains) related to acquisitions and divestitures — (0.02) 0.02
Nonmonetary currency devaluation 0.02 0.01 0.01
Debt prepayment and extinguishment (benefit)/costs — (0.03) 0.03
Certain significant discrete income tax items (0.01) — (0.01)
Key drivers of change in Adjusted EPS(a):
Results of operations $ 0.27
Interest expense 0.03
Other expense/(income) (0.03)
Effective tax rate (0.01)
(a) Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
Adjusted EPS increased 7.2% to $2.98 in 2023 compared to $2.78 in 2022, primarily driven by higher Adjusted Operating Income and lower interest expense, which more than offset the decrease from lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period, unfavorable changes in other expense/(income), and higher taxes on adjusted earnings.
Results of Operations by Segment
We manage our operating results through four operating segments. We have two reportable segments defined by geographic region: North America and International Developed Markets. Our remaining operating segments, consisting of WEEM and AEM, are combined and disclosed as Emerging Markets.
Management evaluates segment performance based on several factors, including net sales, Organic Net Sales, and Segment Adjusted Operating Income. In the first quarter of 2024, certain measures utilized by management to evaluate segment performance changed, including a change from Segment Adjusted EBITDA to Segment Adjusted Operating Income in order to drive a stronger connection to our long-term strategic plan. Segment Adjusted Operating Income is defined as operating income/(loss) excluding, when they occur, the impacts of restructuring activities, deal costs, unrealized gains/(losses) on commodity hedges (the unrealized gains and losses are recorded in general corporate expenses until realized; once realized, the gains and losses are recorded in the applicable segment’s operating results), impairment losses, and certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters. Segment Adjusted Operating Income for Emerging Markets, which represents the aggregation of our WEEM and AEM operating segments, is defined and presented consistently with the Segment Adjusted Operating Income of our reportable segments — North America and International Developed Markets. Segment Adjusted Operating Income is a financial measure that can assist management and investors in comparing our performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations. Management also uses Segment Adjusted Operating Income to allocate resources. We have reflected this change from Segment Adjusted EBITDA to Segment Adjusted Operating Income in all historical periods presented.
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Under highly inflationary accounting, the financial statements of a subsidiary are remeasured into our reporting currency (U.S. dollars) based on the legally available exchange rate at which we expect to settle the underlying transactions. Exchange gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in other expense/(income) on our consolidated statement of income, as nonmonetary currency devaluation, rather than accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) on our consolidated balance sheet, until such time as the economy is no longer considered highly inflationary. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information. We apply highly inflationary accounting to the results of our subsidiaries in Venezuela, Argentina, Turkey, Egypt, and Nigeria, which are all in Emerging Markets.
Net Sales:
(in millions)
Net sales:
Organic Net Sales:
(in millions) (in millions)
Organic Net Sales(a):
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
Drivers of the changes in net sales and Organic Net Sales were:
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Adjusted Operating Income:
(in millions)
Segment Adjusted Operating Income:
Restructuring activities (27) (60) (74)
Deal costs — — (9)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on commodity hedges 19 (1) (63)
Certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters — (2) (210)
Other expense/(income) (85) 27 (253)
North America:
(in millions) (in millions)
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
FiscalYear 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year 2023:
Net sales decreased 2.9% to $19.5 billion in 2024 compared to $20.1 billion in 2023, including the unfavorable impacts of foreign currency (0.1 pp). Organic Net Sales decreased 2.8% to $19.6 billion in 2024 compared to $20.1 billion in 2023, primarily due to unfavorable volume/mix (4.2 pp), which more than offset higher pricing (1.4 pp). Higher pricing was primarily driven by increases to mitigate higher input costs. Unfavorable volume/mix was primarily due to shifts in consumer behavior due to economic uncertainty, a decline in Lunchables, and a temporary plant closure.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased 1.2% to $5.1 billion in 2024 compared to $5.1 billion in 2023, primarily driven by higher pricing, lower procurement and logistics costs due, in part, to the beneficial impact from our efficiency initiatives, and lower variable compensation expense. These favorable impacts to Segment Adjusted Operating Income were partially offset by unfavorable volume/mix, increased manufacturing expenses due to increased labor cost, increased SG&A due, in part, to investments in technology, increased depreciation expense, and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency (0.1 pp).
FiscalYear 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022:
Net sales decreased 1.0% to $20.1 billion in 2023 compared to $20.3 billion in 2022, including the decrease from lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period (1.7 pp) and the unfavorable impacts of foreign currency (0.3 pp). Organic Net Sales increased 1.0% to $20.2 billion in 2023 compared to $20.0 billion in 2022, driven by higher pricing (7.5 pp), which more than offset unfavorable volume/mix (6.5 pp). Higher pricing was primarily driven by increases to mitigate higher input costs, particularly in the first half of 2023. Unfavorable volume/mix was primarily due to elasticity impacts from pricing actions and due, in part, to the reduction of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased 6.7% to $5.1 billion in 2023 compared to $4.7 billion in 2022, primarily due to higher pricing and the beneficial impact from our efficiency initiatives, which more than offset higher commodity costs, including the impact of realized gains and losses on commodity hedges; unfavorable volume/mix; increased manufacturing expenses; increased SG&A, primarily due to advertising expense; the decrease from lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period (2.3 pp); and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency (0.3 pp).
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International Developed Markets:
(in millions) (in millions)
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
FiscalYear 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year 2023:
Net sales decreased 2.4% to $3.5 billion in 2024 compared to $3.6 billion in 2023, including the favorable impacts of foreign currency (0.4 pp). Organic Net Sales decreased 2.8% to $3.5 billion in 2024 compared to $3.6 billion in 2023, primarily due to unfavorable volume/mix (2.8 pp) while pricing remained flat. Unfavorable volume/mix was primarily due to a temporary pause in shipments as a result of a contract negotiation with certain customers in our Continental Europe region, and lower sales in New Zealand due to an inventory reduction by a regional customer.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased 3.0% to $0.5 billion in 2024 compared to $0.5 billion in 2023, primarily driven by lower procurement and logistics costs due, in part, to the beneficial impact from our efficiency initiatives, lapping the prior year business disruption caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in Australia and New Zealand, lower variable compensation expense, and the favorable impact of foreign currency (1.8 pp). These favorable impacts to Segment Adjusted Operating Income were partially offset unfavorable volume/mix and increased inflationary pressures in manufacturing expenses.
FiscalYear 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022:
Net sales increased 6.5% to $3.6 billion in 2023 compared to $3.4 billion in 2022, including the unfavorable impacts of lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period (1.8 pp), acquisitions and divestitures (0.7 pp), and foreign currency (0.5 pp). Organic Net Sales increased 9.5% to $3.6 billion in 2023 compared to $3.3 billion in 2022 driven by higher pricing (15.6 pp), which more than offset unfavorable volume/mix (6.1 pp). Higher pricing included increases across markets primarily to mitigate higher input costs. Unfavorable volume/mix was primarily due to the elasticity impacts from pricing actions, particularly in our Northern Europe region.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income was flat year over year, at $522 million in both 2023 and 2022. Increases to Segment Adjusted Operating Income were primarily driven by higher pricing offset by higher supply chain costs, reflecting inflationary pressure in procurement, manufacturing, and logistics costs; unfavorable volume/mix; increased SG&A, primarily due to advertising expense; the unfavorable impact from a business disruption in Australia and New Zealand caused by Cyclone Gabrielle; the decrease from lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period (1.5 pp); and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency (0.1 pp).
Emerging Markets:
(in millions) (in millions)
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
FiscalYear 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year 2023:
Net sales decreased 4.3% to $2.8 billion in 2024 compared to $2.9 billion in 2023, including the unfavorable impacts of foreign currency (6.2 pp) and acquisitions and divestitures (2.1 pp). Organic Net Sales increased 4.0% to $2.9 billion in 2024 compared to $2.7 billion in 2023, primarily driven by higher pricing (3.5 pp) and favorable volume/mix (0.5 pp). Higher pricing was taken primarily in our Eastern Europe and Middle East and Africa (“MEA”) regions to address higher input costs, which more than offset lower pricing in Brazil as a result of maintaining price gaps to competition. Favorable volume/mix within our Eastern Europe and MEA more than offset unfavorable volume/mix in Brazil and China.
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Segment Adjusted Operating Income decreased 14.7% to $0.3 billion in 2024 compared to $0.4 billion in 2023, primarily due to higher supply chain costs reflecting inflationary pressures in our Eastern Europe and LATAM regions, the unfavorable impact of foreign currency (6.1 pp), and increased SG&A as a result of our investments in our go-to-market strategy, primarily in LATAM. These unfavorable impacts to Segment Adjusted Operating Income more than offset higher pricing, favorable volume/mix, and lower variable compensation expense.
FiscalYear 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022:
Net sales increased 5.4% to $2.9 billion in 2023 compared to $2.7 billion in 2022, including the unfavorable impacts of foreign currency (6.6 pp), lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period (1.7 pp), and acquisitions and divestitures (0.2 pp). Organic Net Sales increased 13.9% to $3.0 billion in 2023 compared to $2.6 billion in 2022, driven by higher pricing (10.9 pp) and favorable volume/mix (3.0 pp). Higher pricing included increases across markets primarily to mitigate higher input costs. Volume/mix was favorable in our Eastern European countries and LATAM region, partially offset by unfavorable volume/mix in our Asia region.
Segment Adjusted Operating Income increased 17.6% to $376 million in 2023 compared to $319 million in 2022, primarily driven by higher pricing and favorable volume/mix, partially offset by higher supply chain costs, reflecting inflationary pressure in LATAM and Eastern Europe regions; increased SG&A due, in part, to investments in advertising and research and development; the unfavorable impact of foreign currency (14.1 pp); increased depreciation expense; and the decrease from lapping a 53rd week of shipments in the prior period (2.7 pp).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe that cash generated from our operating activities, commercial paper programs, and Senior Credit Facility will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our working capital needs, repayments of long-term debt, future contractual obligations, payment of our anticipated quarterly dividends, planned capital expenditures, restructuring expenditures, and contributions to our postemployment benefit plans for the next 12 months. An additional potential source of liquidity is access to capital markets. We intend to use our cash on hand and commercial paper programs for daily funding requirements.
Acquisitions and Divestitures:
In the first quarter of 2024, we consummated the Russia Infant Transaction for total cash consideration of approximately $25 million, and the Papua New Guinea Transaction for total cash consideration of approximately $22 million, which is to be paid incrementally over two years following the transaction closing date.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we sold our business-to-business powdered cheese business to a third party, Kerry Group, for cash consideration of approximately $108 million (the “Powdered Cheese Transaction”).
In the second quarter of 2022, we acquired a majority of the outstanding equity interests of Companhia Hemmer Indústria e Comércio (“Hemmer”), a Brazilian food and beverage manufacturing company focused on the condiments and sauces category, from certain third-party shareholders (the “Hemmer Acquisition”) for cash consideration of approximately $279 million.
In the first quarter of 2022, we acquired 85% of the shares of Just Spices GmbH (“Just Spices”), a German-based company focused on direct-to-consumer sales of premium spice blends, from certain third-party shareholders (the “Just Spices Acquisition”) for cash consideration of approximately $243 million. In the third quarter of 2023, we completed the redemption of an additional 5% of the outstanding shares and in the second quarter of 2024, we completed the redemption of the remaining outstanding shares and wholly own Just Spices as of December 28, 2024.
See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our acquisitions and divestitures.
Cash Flow Activity for 2024 Compared to 2023:
Net Cash Provided by/Used for Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities was $4.2 billion for the year ended December 28, 2024 compared to $4.0 billion for the year ended December 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to lapping the prior year cash payments associated with the settlement of the consolidated securities class action lawsuit and the current year conversion of certain plan assets related to the U.S. postretirement medical plan to cash, which were partially offset by higher cash outflows for variable compensation in the 2024 period compared to the 2023 period and increased cash taxes. See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our legal proceedings and See Note 11, Postemployment Benefits, in Item 8 for more additional information on our postemployment benefit plans activities.
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Net Cash Provided by/Used for Investing Activities:
Net cash used for investing activities was $1.0 billion for the year ended December 28, 2024 compared to net cash used for investing activities of $916 million for the year ended December 30, 2023. This change was primarily driven by our payments to acquire the TGI Friday License and increased capital expenditures. This was offset by proceeds from net investment hedge settlements. Our 2024 capital expenditures were primarily driven by maintenance projects, capital investments focused on generating growth, including capacity expansion, digital projects, and cost improvement projects, as well as capital investments in technology. We expect 2025 capital expenditures to be approximately $1.0 billion.
Net Cash Provided by/Used for Financing Activities:
Net cash used for financing activities was $3.0 billion for the year ended December 28, 2024 compared to $2.7 billion for the year ended December 30, 2023. This change was primarily due to increased common stock repurchases pursuant to our publicly announced share repurchase program, partially offset by reduced debt repayments in the current year period compared to the prior year.
Cash Flow Activity for 2023 Compared to 2022:
Net Cash Provided by/Used for Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities was $4.0 billion for the year ended December 30, 2023 compared to $2.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily driven by lower cash outflows in the current year for inventories, primarily related to stock rebuilding in the prior year, lower cash outflows in the current year for cash tax payments driven by cash taxes paid in 2022 related to the Cheese Transaction, higher Adjusted Operating Income in 2023, and lower interest payments in the current period due to the reduction of long-term debt throughout 2022. These impacts were partially offset by cash payments associated with the settlement of the consolidated securities class action lawsuit. See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our legal proceedings.
Net Cash Provided by/Used for Investing Activities:
Net cash used for investing activities was $916 million for the year ended December 30, 2023 compared to net cash used for investing activities of $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022. This change was primarily driven by payments for the Just Spices Acquisition and Hemmer Acquisition in 2022, partially offset by higher proceeds from the settlement of net investment hedges in the prior year period, proceeds from the Powdered Cheese Transaction in 2022, and higher capital expenditures in the current year period. We had 2023 capital expenditures of $1.0 billion compared to 2022 capital expenditures of $916 million.
Net Cash Provided by/Used for Financing Activities:
Net cash used for financing activities was $2.7 billion for the year ended December 30, 2023 compared to $3.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022. This change was primarily due to proceeds from the issuance of 600 million euro aggregate principal amount floating rate senior notes in 2023 and lower repayments of long-term debt in the current year period, partially offset by increased common stock repurchases primarily driven by our share repurchase program.
See Note 16, Debt, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our debt transactions and Note 18, Capital Stock, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our share repurchase program.
Cash Held by International Subsidiaries:
Of the $1.3 billion cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet at December 28, 2024, $781 million was held by international subsidiaries.
Subsequent to January 1, 2018, we consider the unremitted earnings of certain international subsidiaries that impose local country taxes on dividends to be indefinitely reinvested. For those undistributed earnings considered to be indefinitely reinvested, our intent is to reinvest these funds in our international operations, and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate the accumulated earnings to fund our U.S. cash requirements. The amount of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities for local country withholding taxes that would be owed, if repatriated, related to our 2018 through 2024 accumulated earnings of certain international subsidiaries is approximately $80 million. Our undistributed historical earnings in foreign subsidiaries through December 31, 2017 are currently not considered to be indefinitely reinvested. Our deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed historical earnings was insignificant at December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, and relates to local withholding taxes that will be owed when this cash is distributed.
Trade Payables Programs:
In order to manage our cash flow and related liquidity, we work with our suppliers to optimize our terms and conditions, which
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include the extension of payment terms. We maintain agreements with third-party administrators that allow participating suppliers to track payment obligations from us, and, at the sole discretion of the supplier, sell one or more of those payment obligations to participating financial institutions. Our obligations to our suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment terms, are not impacted. Our current payment terms with our suppliers, which we deem to be commercially reasonable, generally range from 0 to 250 days. All amounts due to participating suppliers are paid to the third party on the original invoice due dates, regardless of whether a particular invoice was sold. The amounts outstanding under these programs were $745 million at December 28, 2024 and $819 million at December 30, 2023. The amounts were included in trade payables on our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 14, Financing Arrangements, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our trade payables programs.
Borrowing Arrangements:
From time to time, we obtain funding through our commercial paper programs. We had no commercial paper outstanding at December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022. We had no commercial paper outstanding during the year ended December 28, 2024, and the maximum amount of commercial paper outstanding was $150 million during the year ended December 30, 2023 and $198 million during the year ended December 31, 2022.
In July 2022, together with KHFC, our 100% owned operating subsidiary, we entered into a new credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for a five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount of $4.0 billion (the “Senior Credit Facility”) and replaced our then-existing credit facility (the “Previous Senior Credit Facility”). On September 27, 2024, we entered into an agreement to extend the maturity date of our Senior Credit Facility from July 8, 2028 to July 8, 2029. Subject to certain conditions, we may increase the amount of revolving commitments and/or add tranches of term loans in a combined aggregate amount of up to $1.0 billion.
No amounts were drawn on our Senior Credit Facility at December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, or December 31, 2022. No amounts were drawn on our Senior Credit Facility during the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022, or on the Previous Senior Credit Facility during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Our credit agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants that are typical for these types of facilities and could, upon the occurrence of certain events of default, restrict our ability to access our Senior Credit Facility. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 28, 2024.
Long-Term Debt:
Our long-term debt, including the current portion, was $19.9 billion at December 28, 2024, $20.0 billion at December 30, 2023, and $20.1 billion at December 31, 2022. The decrease of debt in 2024 was primarily due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our foreign-denominated debt, as well as the 550 million euro aggregate principle amount of senior notes that were repaid at maturity in May 2024, partially offset by the issuance of the 2024 Notes. The decrease of debt in 2023 was primarily due to the repayment of 750 million euro aggregate principal amount of senior notes due in June 2023, which more than offset the issuance of 600 million euro aggregate principal amount of floating rate senior notes issued in May 2023.
We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through redemptions, tender offers, cash purchases, prepayments, refinancing, exchange offers, open market or privately negotiated transactions, Rule 10b5-1 plans, or otherwise.
Our long-term debt contains customary representations, covenants, and events of default. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 28, 2024.
See Note 16, Debt, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our long-term debt activity.
Equity and Dividends:
We paid dividends on our common stock of $1.9 billion in 2024, and $2.0 billion in 2023 and 2022. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2025, our Board declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock, which is payable on March 28, 2025 to stockholders of record on March 7, 2025.
The declaration of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board and depends on various factors, including our net income, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors that our Board deems relevant to its analysis and decision making.
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On November 27, 2023, we announced that the Board approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase up to $3.0 billion, exclusive of fees, of the Company’s common stock through December 26, 2026. We are not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares and the program may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time. Under the program, shares may be repurchased in open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, privately negotiated transactions, transactions structured through investment banking institutions, or other means. As of December 28, 2024, we had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of approximately $1.9 billion. The share repurchase program is in addition to our share repurchases to offset the dilutive effect of equity-based compensation.
Aggregate Contractual Obligations:
Related to our current and long-term material cash requirements, the following table summarizes our aggregate contractual obligations at December 28, 2024, which we expect to primarily fund with cash from operating activities (in millions):
Material Cash Requirements
(a) Amounts represent the expected cash payments of our long-term debt, including interest on variable and fixed rate long-term debt. Interest on variable rate long-term debt is calculated based on interest rates at December 28, 2024.
(b) Amounts represent the expected cash payments of our finance leases, including expected cash payments of interest expense.
(c) Operating leases represent the minimum rental commitments under non-cancellable operating leases net of sublease income.
(d) We have purchase obligations for materials, supplies, property, plant and equipment, and co-packing, storage, and distribution services based on projected needs to be utilized in the normal course of business. Other purchase obligations include commitments for marketing, advertising, capital expenditures, information technology, and professional services. Arrangements are considered purchase obligations if a contract specifies all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, a pricing structure, and approximate timing of the transaction. Several of these obligations are long-term and are based on minimum purchase requirements. Certain purchase obligations contain variable pricing components, and, as a result, actual cash payments are expected to fluctuate based on changes in these variable components. Due to the proprietary nature of some of our materials and processes, certain supply contracts contain penalty provisions for early terminations. We do not believe that a material amount of penalties is reasonably likely to be incurred under these contracts based upon historical experience and current expectations.
(e) Other long-term liabilities primarily consist of estimated payments for the one-time toll charge related to 2017 U.S. tax reform, as well as postretirement benefit commitments. Certain other long-term liabilities related to income taxes, insurance accruals, and other accruals included on the consolidated balance sheet are excluded from the above table as we are unable to estimate the timing of payments for these items.
Pension plan contributions were $7 million in 2024. We estimate that 2025 pension plan contributions will be approximately $6 million. Postretirement benefit plan contributions were $11 million in 2024. We estimate that 2025 postretirement benefit plan contributions will be approximately $11 million. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we amended our U.S. postretirement medical plan to establish a sub-trust to permit the payment of certain postretirement benefit plan contributions for active union employees using $150 million of the retiree plan surplus. See Note 11, Postemployment Benefits, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our pension and postretirement plans.
Estimated future contributions take into consideration current economic conditions, which at this time are expected to have minimal impact on expected contributions for 2025. Beyond 2025, we are unable to reliably estimate the timing of contributions to our pension or postretirement plans. Our actual contributions and plans may change due to many factors, including changes in tax, employee benefit, or other laws and regulations, tax deductibility, significant differences between expected and actual pension or postretirement asset performance or interest rates, or other factors. As such, estimated pension and postretirement plan contributions for 2025 have been excluded from the above table.
At December 28, 2024, the amount of net unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, including an accrual of related interest and penalties along with positions only impacting the timing of tax benefits, was approximately $481 million. The timing of payments will depend on the progress of examinations with tax authorities. We are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate as to if or when any significant cash settlements with taxing authorities may occur; therefore, we have excluded the amount of net unrecognized tax benefits from the above table.
Supplemental Guarantor Information:
The Kraft Heinz Company (as the “Parent Guarantor”) fully and unconditionally guarantees all the senior unsecured registered notes (collectively, the “KHFC Senior Notes”) issued by KHFC, our 100% owned operating subsidiary (the “Guarantee”). See Note 16, Debt, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional descriptions of these guarantees.
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The payment of the principal, premium, and interest on the KHFC Senior Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Parent Guarantor, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the applicable indenture. None of the Parent Guarantor’s subsidiaries guarantee the KHFC Senior Notes.
The Guarantee is the Parent Guarantor’s senior unsecured obligation and is: (i) pari passu in right of payment with all of the Parent Guarantor’s existing and future senior indebtedness; (ii) senior in right of payment to all of the Parent Guarantor’s future subordinated indebtedness; (iii) effectively subordinated to all of the Parent Guarantor’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets secured by that indebtedness; and (iv) effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the Parent Guarantor’s subsidiaries.
The KHFC Senior Notes are obligations exclusively of KHFC and the Parent Guarantor and not of any of the Parent Guarantor’s other subsidiaries. Substantially all of the Parent Guarantor’s operations are conducted through its subsidiaries. The Parent Guarantor’s other subsidiaries are separate legal entities that have no obligation to pay any amounts due under the KHFC Senior Notes or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans, or other payments. Except to the extent the Parent Guarantor is a creditor with recognized claims against its subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) and holders of preferred stock, if any, of its subsidiaries will have priority with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries over its claims (and therefore the claims of its creditors, including holders of the KHFC Senior Notes). Consequently, the KHFC Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to all liabilities of the Parent Guarantor’s subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that it may in the future acquire or establish. The obligations of the Parent Guarantor will terminate and be of no further force or effect in the following circumstances: (i) (a) KHFC’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or, except in the case of a guarantee of any direct or indirect parent of KHFC, covenant defeasance option in accordance with the applicable indenture, or KHFC’s obligations under the applicable indenture have been discharged in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture or (b) as specified in a supplemental indenture to the applicable indenture; and (ii) the Parent Guarantor has delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the applicable indenture have been complied with. The Guarantee is limited by its terms to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Parent Guarantor and KHFC (as subsidiary issuer of the KHFC Senior Notes) (together, the “Obligor Group”), on a combined basis after the elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions between the Parent Guarantor and subsidiary issuer and investments in any subsidiary that is a non-guarantor.
Summarized Statement of Income
For the Year Ended
Gross profit(a) 6,489
Intercompany service fees and other recharges 4,635
Operating income/(loss) 1,053
Equity in earnings/(losses) of subsidiaries 2,552
Net income/(loss) 2,744
Net income/(loss) attributable to common shareholders 2,744
(a) In 2024, the Obligor Group recorded $455 million of net sales to the non-guarantor subsidiaries and $63 million of purchases from the non-guarantor subsidiaries.
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Summarized Balance Sheets
ASSETS
Current assets $ 4,506
Current assets due from affiliates(a) 445
Non-current assets 5,848
Intangible assets, net 1,881
Non-current assets due from affiliates(b) 28
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities $ 5,563
Current liabilities due to affiliates(a) 1,924
Non-current liabilities 22,846
Non-current liabilities due to affiliates(b) 194
(a) Represents receivables and short-term lending due from and payables and short-term lending due to non-guarantor subsidiaries.
(b) Represents long-term lending due from and long-term borrowings due to non-guarantor subsidiaries.
Commodity Trends
We purchase and use large quantities of commodities, including dairy products, meat products, tomato products, sugar and other sweeteners, soybean and vegetable oils, coffee beans, wheat and processed grains, eggs, and other fruits and vegetables to manufacture our products. In addition, we purchase and use significant quantities of plastics, cardboard, resin, glass, and metal to package our products, and we use electricity, diesel fuel, and natural gas in the manufacturing and distribution of our products. We continuously monitor worldwide supply and cost trends of these commodities.
During the year ended December 28, 2024, we experienced increases in certain commodity costs, particularly for tomato products, and soybean and vegetable oils, while costs for dairy products and coffee decreased. We manage commodity cost volatility primarily through pricing and risk management strategies including utilizing a range of commodity hedging techniques in an effort to limit the impact of price fluctuations on many of our principal raw materials. However, we do not fully hedge against changes in commodity prices, and our hedging strategies may not protect us from increases in specific raw material costs. As a result of these risk management strategies, our commodity costs may not immediately correlate with market price trends.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, includes a summary of the significant accounting policies we used to prepare our consolidated financial statements. The following is a review of the more significant assumptions and estimates as well as accounting policies we used to prepare our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition:
Our revenues are primarily derived from customer orders for the purchase of our products. We recognize revenues as performance obligations are fulfilled when control passes to our customers. We record revenues net of variable consideration, including consumer incentives and performance obligations related to trade promotions, excluding taxes, and including all shipping and handling charges billed to customers (accounting for shipping and handling charges that occur after the transfer of control as fulfillment costs). We also record a refund liability for estimated product returns and customer allowances as reductions to revenues within the same period that the revenue is recognized. We base these estimates principally on historical and current period experience factors. We recognize costs paid to third-party brokers to obtain contracts as expenses as our contracts are generally less than one year.
Advertising, Consumer Incentives, and Trade Promotions:
We promote our products with advertising, consumer incentives, and performance obligations related to trade promotions. Consumer incentives and trade promotions include, but are not limited to, discounts, coupons, rebates, performance-based in-store display activities, and volume-based incentives. Variable consideration related to consumer incentive and trade promotion activities is recorded as a reduction to revenues based on amounts estimated as being due to customers and consumers at the end of a period. We base these estimates principally on historical utilization, redemption rates, and/or current period experience factors. We review and adjust these estimates at least quarterly based on actual experience and other information.
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Advertising expenses are recorded in SG&A. For interim reporting purposes, we charge advertising to operations as a percentage of estimated full year sales activity and marketing costs. We then review and adjust these estimates each quarter based on actual experience and other information. Our definition of advertising expenses includes advertising production costs, in-store advertising costs, agency fees, brand promotions and events, and sponsorships, in addition to costs to obtain advertising in television, radio, print, digital, and social channels. We recorded advertising expenses of $1,031 million in 2024, $1,071 million in 2023, and $945 million in 2022. We also incur market research costs, which are recorded in SG&A but are excluded from advertising expenses.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets:
As of December 28, 2024, we maintain 12 reporting units, eight of which comprise our goodwill balance. These eight reporting units had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $28.7 billion at December 28, 2024. Our indefinite-lived intangible asset balance primarily consists of a number of individual brands, which had an aggregate carrying amount of $36.5 billion as of December 28, 2024.
We test our reporting units and brands for impairment annually as of the first day of our third quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or brand is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include a sustained decrease in our market capitalization, increased competition or unexpected loss of market share, increased input costs beyond projections, disposals of significant brands or components of our business, unexpected business disruptions (for example due to a natural disaster, pandemic, or loss of a customer, supplier, or other significant business relationship), unexpected significant declines in operating results, significant adverse changes in the markets in which we operate, changes in income tax rates, changes in interest rates, or changes in management strategy. We test reporting units for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount. We test brands for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each brand with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit or brand exceeds its estimated fair value, we record an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount, in the case of reporting units, not to exceed the associated carrying amount of goodwill.
Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates, and market factors. Estimating the fair value of individual reporting units and brands requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, as well as industry, economic, and regulatory conditions. These assumptions and estimates include estimated future annual net cash flows (including net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, depreciation and amortization, working capital, and capital expenditures), income tax considerations, discount rates, long-term growth rates, royalty rates, contributory asset charges, and other market factors. If current expectations of future growth rates and margins are not met, if market factors outside of our control, such as discount rates, market capitalization, income tax rates, foreign currency exchange rates, or inflation, change, or if management’s expectations or plans otherwise change, including updates to our long-term operating plans, then one or more of our reporting units or brands might become impaired in the future. Additionally, any decisions to divest certain non-strategic assets has led, and could in the future lead, to goodwill or intangible asset impairments.
As detailed in Note 8, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, we recorded impairment losses related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Our reporting units and brands that were impaired in 2024, 2023, and 2022 were written down to their respective fair values resulting in zero excess fair value over carrying amount as of the applicable impairment test dates. Accordingly, these and other reporting units and brands that had 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount as of the 2024 annual impairment test have a heightened risk of future impairments if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors change in the future.
Reporting units with 10% or less fair value over carrying amount, including reporting units that were impaired as part of the 2024 annual impairment test, resulting in zero excess fair value over carrying value, had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount after impairment of $22.4 billion as of the 2024 annual impairment test and included Taste Elevation, Ready Meals and Snacking (“TMS”), Away from Home & Kraft Heinz Ingredients (“AFH”), Meat & Cheese (“MC”), Canada and North America Coffee (“CNAC”), and Continental Europe. Our Northern Europe reporting unit had 10-20% fair value over carrying amount with an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $1.7 billion as of the 2024 annual impairment test. Our Hydration & Desserts (“HD”) and Asia reporting units had between 20-50% fair value over carrying amount with an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $4.6 billion as of the 2024 annual impairment test. Our reporting units that have less than 5% excess fair value over carrying amount as of the 2024 annual impairment test are considered at a heightened risk of future impairments and include our TMS, Continental Europe, and AFH reporting units, which had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $19.0 billion. Our four remaining reporting units had no goodwill carrying amount at the time of the 2024 annual impairment test.
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Our indefinite-lived brands with 10% or less fair value over carrying amount, comprised entirely of brands that were impaired within 2024, resulting in zero excess fair value over carrying amount, had an aggregate carrying amount of $2.6 billion as of the latest test for each brand and included Oscar Mayer, Lunchables, Claussen, and Wattie’s. Brands with 10-20% fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate carrying amount of $14.2 billion as of the latest test for each brand and included Kraft,Velveeta, A1, and Bagel Bites.The aggregate carrying amount of brands with fair value over carrying amount between 20-50% was $2.8 billion as of the latest test for each brand. Although the remaining brands, with a carrying amount of $16.9 billion, have more than 50% excess fair value over carrying amount as of the latest test for each brand, these amounts are also susceptible to impairments if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors significantly change in the future. Our brands that have less than 5% excess fair value over carrying amount as of the latest test for each brand are considered at a heightened risk of future impairments and include our Oscar Mayer, Lunchables, Claussen, and Wattie’s brands, which had an aggregate carrying amount of $2.6 billion.
We generally utilize the discounted cash flow method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in estimating the fair values include the estimated future annual net cash flows for each reporting unit (including net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, depreciation and amortization, working capital, and capital expenditures), income tax rates, long-term growth rates, royalty rates, a discount rate that appropriately reflects the risks inherent in each future cash flow stream, and other market factors. We selected the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, management’s plans, and guideline companies.
We utilize the excess earnings method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of certain of our largest brands. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in estimating the fair values include the estimated future annual net cash flows for each brand (including net sales, cost of products sold, and SG&A), contributory asset charges, income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, a discount rate that reflects the level of risk associated with the future earnings attributable to the brand, management’s intent to invest in the brand indefinitely, and other market factors. We selected the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, management’s plans, and guideline companies.
We utilize the relief from royalty method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of our remaining brands. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in estimating the fair values include the estimated future annual net sales for each brand, royalty rates (as a percentage of net sales that would hypothetically be charged by a licensor of the brand to an unrelated licensee), income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, a discount rate that reflects the level of risk associated with the future cost savings attributable to the brand, and management’s intent to invest in the brand indefinitely. We selected the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, management’s plans, and guideline companies.
The discount rates, long-term growth rates, and royalty rates (for our brands valued utilizing the relief from royalty method) used to estimate the fair values of our reporting units and our brands with 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount, as well as the goodwill or brand carrying amounts, as of the latest test for each reporting unit and brand were as follows:
Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
Brands(excess earnings method) 13.2 8.3 % 8.6 % 1.3 % 1.8 %
Assumptions used in impairment testing are made at a point in time and require significant judgment; therefore, they are subject to change based on the facts and circumstances present at each annual and interim impairment test date. Additionally, these assumptions are generally interdependent and do not change in isolation. However, as it is reasonably possible that changes in assumptions could occur, as a sensitivity measure, we have presented the estimated effects of isolated changes in discount rates, long-term growth rates, and royalty rates (for our brands valued utilizing the relief from royalty method) on the fair values of our reporting units and brands with 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount. These estimated changes in fair value are not necessarily representative of the actual impairment that would be recorded in the event of a fair value decline.
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If we had changed the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our reporting units and brands with 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount, as a result of the latest test for each of these reporting units and brands, these isolated changes, which are reasonably possible to occur, would have led to the following increase/(decrease) in the aggregate fair value of these reporting units and brands (in billions):
Discount Rate Long-Term Growth Rate Royalty Rate
50-Basis-Point 25-Basis-Point 100-Basis-Point
Increase Decrease Increase Decrease Increase Decrease
Reporting units $ (4.0) $ 4.7 $ 2.0 $ (1.8)
Brands (excess earnings method) (1.0) 1.1 0.4 $ (0.4)
Brands (relief from royalty method) (0.2) 0.3 0.1 (0.1) $ 0.3 $ (0.3)
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods benefited. We review definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when conditions exist that indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Such conditions could include significant adverse changes in the business climate, current-period operating or cash flow losses, significant declines in forecasted operations, or a current expectation that an asset group will be disposed of before the end of its useful life. We perform undiscounted operating cash flow analyses to determine if an impairment exists. When testing for impairment of definite-lived intangible assets held for use, we group assets at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identifiable. If an impairment is determined to exist, the loss is calculated based on estimated fair value. Impairment losses on definite-lived intangible assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less costs of disposal.
See Note 8, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for our impairment testing results.
Postemployment Benefit Plans:
We maintain various retirement plans for the majority of our employees. These include pension benefits, postretirement health care benefits, and defined contribution benefits. The cost of these plans is charged to expense over an appropriate term based on, among other things, the cost component and whether the plan is active or inactive. Changes in the fair value of our plan assets result in net actuarial gains or losses. These net actuarial gains and losses are deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) and amortized within other expense/(income) in future periods using the corridor approach. The corridor is 10% of the greater of the market-related value of the plan’s asset or projected benefit obligation. Any actuarial gains and losses in excess of the corridor are then amortized over an appropriate term based on whether the plan is active or inactive.
For our postretirement benefit plans, our 2025 health care cost trend rate assumption will be 6.2%. We established this rate based upon our most recent experience as well as our expectation for health care trend rates going forward. We anticipate the weighted average assumed ultimate trend rate will be 4.8%. The year in which the ultimate trend rate is reached varies by plan, ranging between the years 2027 and 2035. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.
Our 2025 discount rate assumption will be 5.6% for service cost and 5.2% for interest cost for our postretirement plans. Our 2025 discount rate assumption will be 6.0% for service cost and 5.5% for interest cost for our U.S. pension plans and 5.9% for service cost and 5.3% for interest cost for our non-U.S. pension plans. We model these discount rates using a portfolio of high quality, fixed-income debt instruments with durations that match the expected future cash flows of the plans. Changes in our discount rates were primarily the result of changes in bond yields year-over-year.
Our 2025 expected return on plan assets will be 6.3% (net of applicable taxes) for our postretirement plans. Our 2025 expected rate of return on plan assets will be 7.0% for our U.S. pension plans and 6.3% for our non-U.S. pension plans. We determine our expected rate of return on plan assets from the plan assets’ historical long-term investment performance, current and future asset allocation, and estimates of future long-term returns by asset class. We attempt to maintain our target asset allocation by re-balancing between asset classes as we make contributions and monthly benefit payments.
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While we do not anticipate further changes in the 2025 assumptions for our U.S. and non-U.S. pension and postretirement benefit plans, as a sensitivity measure, a 100-basis-point change in our discount rate or a 100-basis-point change in the expected rate of return on plan assets would have the following effects, increase/(decrease) in cost (in millions):
U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans
100-Basis-Point 100-Basis-Point
Increase Decrease Increase Decrease
Effect of change in discount rate on pension costs $ 8 $ (10) $ (3) $ 3
Effect of change in discount rate on postretirement costs — — (1) 1
Income Taxes:
We compute our annual tax rate based on the statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we earn income. Significant judgment is required in determining our annual tax rate and in evaluating the uncertainty of our tax positions. We recognize a benefit for tax positions that we believe will more likely than not be sustained upon examination. The amount of benefit recognized is the largest amount of benefit that we believe has more than a 50% probability of being realized upon settlement. We regularly monitor our tax positions and adjust the amount of recognized tax benefit based on our evaluation of information that has become available since the end of our last financial reporting period. The annual tax rate includes the impact of these changes in recognized tax benefits. When adjusting the amount of recognized tax benefits, we do not consider information that has become available after the balance sheet date, however we do disclose the effects of new information whenever those effects would be material to our financial statements. Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between the amount of benefit taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the amount of benefit recognized for financial reporting. These unrecognized tax benefits are recorded primarily within other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
We record valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. When assessing the need for valuation allowances, we consider future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the realizability of deferred tax assets in future years, we would adjust related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or decrease to income. The resolution of tax reserves and changes in valuation allowances could be material to our results of operations for any period but is not expected to be material to our financial position.
As part of our planning for the changes in the international tax environment, as well as to achieve greater operational synergies, we have enacted changes to our corporate entity structure which included a transfer of and will result in the movement of certain business operations to a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Netherlands resulting in a tax benefit of $3.0 billion recorded as a non-U.S. deferred tax asset in December 2024. The deferred tax asset was recognized as a result of the book and tax basis difference on the business transferred to the Netherlands subsidiary with the tax basis determined by reference to the fair value of the business. In determining the fair value of the business transferred the Company utilized the discounted cash flow method under the income approach and in doing so, we made assumptions that have a significant impact on the fair value including, but not limited to, estimated future annual net cash flows (most significantly estimated future annual net sales), a discount rate that reflects the level of risk associated with the future cash flows of the business, long-term growth rates, income tax rates and other market factors. The associated valuation allowance of $0.6 billion is related to uncertainty in the Pillar Two legislative interpretation and is based on our latest assessment of the total tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. The recognition of our future tax benefits associated with this transaction is dependent upon the acceptance of the business valuation and tax basis step-up by the associated taxing authorities.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 3, New Accounting Standards, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.
Contingencies
See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for a discussion of our contingencies.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The non-GAAP financial measures we provide in this report should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
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To supplement the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have presented Organic Net Sales, Adjusted Operating Income, and Adjusted EPS, which are considered non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented may differ from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, and other companies may not define these non-GAAP financial measures in the same way. These measures are not substitutes for their comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, such as net sales, net income/(loss), operating income(loss), diluted EPS, or other measures prescribed by U.S. GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures.
Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to assist in comparing our performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision making by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations. We believe that Organic Net Sales, Adjusted Operating Income, and Adjusted EPS provide important comparability of underlying operating results, allowing investors and management to assess the Company’s operating performance on a consistent basis.
Management believes that presenting our non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors because it (i) provides investors with meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain items, (ii) permits investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate historical performance, and (iii) otherwise provides supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating our results. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those measures, provides investors with additional understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business than could be obtained absent these disclosures.
Organic Net Sales is defined as net sales excluding, when they occur, the impact of currency, acquisitions and divestitures, and a 53rd week of shipments. We calculate the impact of currency on net sales by holding exchange rates constant at the previous year’s exchange rate, with the exception of highly inflationary subsidiaries, for which we calculate the previous year’s results using the current year’s exchange rate.
Adjusted Operating Income is defined as operating income excluding, when they occur, the impacts restructuring activities, deal costs, unrealized gains/(losses) on commodity hedges (the unrealized gains and losses are recorded in general corporate expenses until realized; once realized, the gains and losses are recorded in the applicable segment’s operating results), impairment losses, and certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters.
Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted EPS excluding, when they occur, the impacts of restructuring activities, deal costs, unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges, impairment losses, certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters, losses/(gains) on the sale of a business, other losses/(gains) related to acquisitions and divestitures (e.g., tax and hedging impacts), nonmonetary currency devaluation (e.g., remeasurement gains and losses), debt prepayment and extinguishment (benefit)/costs, and certain significant discrete income tax items, and including, when they occur, adjustments to reflect preferred stock dividend payments on an accrual basis.
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Reconciliation of Net Sales to Organic Net Sales
(dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
International Developed Markets 3,623 — — 3,623
Year-over-year growth rates
North America (2.9) % (0.1) pp 0.0 pp (2.8) % 1.4 pp (4.2) pp
International Developed Markets (2.4) % 0.4 pp 0.0 pp (2.8) % 0.0 pp (2.8) pp
Emerging Markets (4.3) % (6.2) pp (2.1) pp 4.0 % 3.5 pp 0.5 pp
Kraft Heinz (3.0) % (0.7) pp (0.2) pp (2.1) % 1.4 pp (3.5) pp
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Year-over-year growth rates
47
The Kraft Heinz Company
Reconciliation of Operating Income/(Loss) to Adjusted Operating Income
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
Restructuring activities 27 60 74
Deal costs — — 9
Unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges (19) 1 63
Certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters — 2 210
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Reconciliation of Diluted EPS to Adjusted EPS
(Unaudited)
Unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges(b) (0.01) — 0.04
Certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters(d) — — 0.13
Losses/(gains) on sale of business(e) 0.05 — (0.01)
Other losses/(gains) related to acquisitions and divestitures(f) — — (0.02)
Nonmonetary currency devaluation(g) 0.01 0.02 0.01
Debt prepayment and extinguishment (benefit)/costs(h) — — (0.03)
Certain significant discrete income tax items(i) (1.84) (0.01) —
(a) Gross expenses/(income) included in restructuring activities were expenses of $20 million ($18 million after-tax) in 2024, $225 million ($193 million after-tax) in 2023 and $74 million ($56 million after-tax) in 2022 and were recorded in the following income statement line items:
•Cost of products sold included expenses of $8 million in 2024, $57 million in 2023 and $27 million in 2022;
•SG&A included expenses of $19 million in 2024, $3 million in 2023, and $47 million in 2022; and
•Other expense/(income) included income of $7 million in 2024 and expenses of $165 million in 2023. The 2024 income and 2023 expenses primarily relate to the settlement of one of our U.K. defined benefit pension plans. See Note 11, Postemployment Benefits, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information.
(b) Gross expenses/(income) included in unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges were income of $19 million ($15 million after-tax) in 2024, expenses of $1 million ($1 million after-tax) in 2023 and expenses of $63 million ($48 million after-tax) in 2022 and were recorded in cost of products sold.
(c) Gross impairment losses included the following:
•Goodwill impairment losses of $1.6 billion ($1.6 billion after-tax) in 2024, $510 million ($510 million after-tax) in 2023, and $444 million ($444 million after-tax) in 2022, which were recorded in SG&A;
•Intangible asset impairment losses of $2.0 billion ($1.6 billion after-tax) in 2024, $152 million ($116 million after-tax) in 2023, and $469 million ($358 million after-tax) in 2022, which were recorded in SG&A; and
•Property, plant and equipment asset impairment losses of $86 million ($65 million after-tax) in 2022, which were recorded in cost of products sold.
(d) Gross expenses included in certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters were $2 million ($2 million after-tax) in 2023, and $210 million ($161 million after-tax) in 2022 and were recorded in SG&A. See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information.
(e) Gross expenses/(income) included in losses/(gains) on sale of business were expenses of $81 million ($60 million after-tax) in 2024, income of $4 million (expenses of $3 million after-tax) in 2023, and income of $25 million ($17 million after-tax) in 2022 and were recorded in other expense/(income).
(f) Gross expenses/(income) included in other losses/(gains) related to acquisitions and divestitures were income of $38 million ($29 million after-tax) in 2022 and were recorded in other expense/(income).
(g) Gross expenses included in nonmonetary currency devaluation were $16 million ($16 million after-tax) in 2024, $28 million ($28 million after-tax) in 2023, and $17 million ($17 million after-tax) in 2022 and were recorded in other expense/(income).
(h) Gross expenses/(income) included in debt prepayment and extinguishment (benefit)/costs were income of $38 million ($35 million after-tax) in 2022 and were recorded in interest expense.
(i) Certain significant discrete income tax items were a benefit of $2.2 billion in 2024 and $17 million in 2023. The benefit in 2024 represents the recognition of a foreign deferred tax asset ($3.0 billion) and an associated valuation allowance ($0.6 billion) related to the transfer of business operations to a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Netherlands, partially offset by establishing a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in our subsidiary in Brazil. The benefit in 2023 represents the reversal of uncertain tax position reserves related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act resulting from a conclusion of the IRS’s income tax examination for the year 2017 and the lapsing of the statute of limitations for such year.
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risks from adverse changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, and interest rates. We monitor and manage these exposures as part of our overall risk management program. Our risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that volatility in these markets may have on our operating results. We maintain risk management policies that principally use derivative financial instruments to reduce significant, unanticipated fluctuations in earnings and cash flows that may arise from variations in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. We manage market risk by incorporating parameters within our risk management strategy that limit the types of derivative instruments, the derivative strategies we use, and the degree of market risk that we hedge with derivative instruments. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 12, Financial Instruments, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for details of our market risk management policies and the financial instruments used to hedge those exposures.
When we use financial instruments, we are exposed to credit risk that a counterparty might fail to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of our agreement. We minimize our credit risk by entering into transactions with counterparties with investment grade credit ratings, limiting the amount of exposure we have with each counterparty, and monitoring the financial condition of our counterparties. We maintain a policy of requiring that all significant, non-exchange traded derivative contracts are governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreement. By policy, we do not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor do we hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
Effect of Hypothetical 10% Fluctuation in Market Prices:
The potential gain or loss on the fair value of our outstanding commodity contracts, foreign exchange contracts, and cross-currency swap contracts, assuming a hypothetical 10% fluctuation in commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates, would have been (in millions):
Commodity contracts $ 81 $ 77
Foreign currency contracts 165 37
Cross-currency swap contracts 71 115
It should be noted that any change in the fair value of our derivative contracts, real or hypothetical, would be significantly offset by an inverse change in the value of the underlying hedged items. In relation to foreign currency contracts, this hypothetical calculation assumes that each exchange rate would change in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar. Our utilization of financial instruments in managing market risk exposures described above is consistent with the prior year. Changes in our portfolio of financial instruments are a function of our results of operations, debt repayments and debt issuances, market effects on debt and foreign currency, and our acquisition and divestiture activities.
Effect of Hypothetical 1% Fluctuation in EURIBOR:
Based on our current variable rate debt balance as of December 28, 2024, a hypothetical 1% increase in EURIBOR would have an insignificant impact on our annual interest expense.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of The Kraft Heinz Company
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Kraft Heinz Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, and the related consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income, of equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 28, 2024, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 28, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
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 Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and 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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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.
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Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters 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 matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Interim and Annual Goodwill Impairment Assessments for Certain Reporting Units
As described in Notes 2 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s goodwill balance was $28.7 billion as of December 28, 2024, a significant portion of which related to certain reporting units, Taste Elevation, Ready Meals, and Snacking (TMS), Away from Home & Kraft Heinz Ingredients (AFH), Meat & Cheese (MC), Canada and North America Coffee (CNAC), and Continental Europe (CE). Management tests reporting units for impairment annually as of the first day of the third quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Reporting units are tested for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recorded based on the difference between the fair value and carrying amount, not to exceed the associated carrying amount of goodwill. Management recognized non-cash goodwill impairment losses of $1.6 billion for the year ended December 28, 2024, a significant portion of which related to the AFH, MC, and CE reporting units. Management utilizes the discounted cash flow method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of reporting units. Management’s cash flow projections included significant assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, selling, general, and administrative costs (SG&A), depreciation and amortization, working capital, capital expenditures, income tax rates, discount rates, long-term growth rates, royalty rates, and other market factors.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the interim goodwill impairment assessments (for TMS, AFH, and MC) and annual goodwill impairment assessments (for TMS, AFH, MC, CNAC, and CE) is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value estimate of the reporting units; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, discount rate, long-term growth rate, and royalty rate, as applicable to the reporting unit; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment assessments, including controls over the valuation of the TMS, AFH, MC, CNAC, and CE reporting units. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimate of the reporting units; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow method used by management; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the method; and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, discount rate, long-term growth rate, and royalty rate, as applicable to the reporting unit. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, royalty rates, discount rates, and long-term growth rates involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the reporting units; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) 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 evaluating (i) the appropriateness of the Company’s discounted cash flow method and (ii) the reasonableness of the discount rate and long-term growth rate assumptions, as applicable to the reporting unit.
Annual Impairment Assessments for Certain Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets– Individual Brands
As described in Notes 2 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, which consists primarily of individual brands, was $36.5 billion as of December 28, 2024, a portion of which related to certain brands, Kraft, Velveeta, Oscar Mayer, and Lunchables. Management tests brands for impairment annually as of the first day of the third quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a brand is less than its carrying amount. Brands are tested for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each brand with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a brand exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recorded based on the difference between the fair value and carrying amount. As a result of its annual impairment test, management recognized non-cash indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment losses of $0.6 billion for the year ended December 28, 2024. As disclosed by management, management utilizes either an excess earnings method or relief from royalty method to estimate the fair value of its brands. Using the excess earnings method, management’s cash flow projections included significant
52
assumptions relating to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, contributory asset charges, income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, discount rates, and other market factors. Using the relief from royalty method, management’s cash flow projections included significant assumptions related to net sales, royalty rates, income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, discount rates, and other market factors.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the annual indefinite-lived intangible impairment assessments (for Kraft, Velveeta, Oscar Mayer, and Lunchables) is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value estimate of the brands; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to (a) net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, and long-term growth rates, as applicable to the brand, for the excess earnings method and (b) net sales and royalty rates, as applicable to the brand, for the relief from royalty method; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment assessment, including controls over the valuation of the Kraft, Velveeta, Oscar Mayer, and Lunchables brands. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimate of the brands; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the excess earnings and relief from royalty methods used by management; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the methods; and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management related to (a) net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, and long-term growth rates, as applicable to the brand, used for the excess earnings method and (b) net sales and royalty rates, as applicable to the brand, used for the relief from royalty method. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, and long-term growth rates for the excess earnings method and net sales and royalty rates for the relief from royalty method involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the brand; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) 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 evaluating (i) the appropriateness of the Company’s excess earnings and relief from royalty methods and (ii) the reasonableness of the long-term growth rate assumption for the excess earnings method and the reasonableness of the royalty rates assumption for the relief from royalty method.
Valuation of Non-US Deferred Tax Asset Related to the Change in Entity Structure
As described in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company enacted changes to its corporate entity structure, which included a transfer of and will result in the movement of certain business operations to a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Netherlands, resulting in a tax benefit of $3 billion recorded as a non-U.S. deferred tax asset in December 2024. The deferred tax asset was recognized as a result of the book and tax basis difference on the business transferred, with the tax basis determined by reference to the fair value of the business. As disclosed by management, management used the discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of the business and made significant assumptions related to net sales, discount rate, long-term growth rate, income tax rates, and other market factors. The recognition of the future tax benefits associated with the transaction are dependent upon the acceptance of the business valuation and tax step-up by the associated taxing authorities.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of the non-US deferred tax asset related to the change in entity structure is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value estimate of the business and related value of the deferred tax asset; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating the recognition of future tax benefits and management’s significant assumptions related to net sales, discount rate, long-term growth rate, and income tax rates; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s assessment of the valuation of the non-US deferred tax asset related to the change in entity structure, including controls over the valuation of the business transferred. These procedures also included, among others (i) evaluating the positive and negative evidence available to assess management’s assessment of the realizability of the deferred tax asset related to the change in entity structure; (ii) testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimate of the business, (iii) evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow method; (iv) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the method; and (v) evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management related to net sales, discount rate, long term growth rate, and income tax rates. Evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to net sales, discount rate, and long-term growth rate involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the transferred business; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) 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 evaluating (i) the appropriateness of the Company’s
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discounted cash flow method; (ii) the reasonableness of the discount rate, income tax rates, and long-term growth rate assumptions; and (iii) the recognition of future tax benefits associated with this transaction.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 13, 2025
We have served as the Company’s or its predecessors' auditor since 1979.
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in millions, except per share data)
Selling, general and administrative expenses 7,285 4,354 4,488
Other expense/(income) (85) 27 (253)
Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes (1,890) 787 598
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 2 (9) 5
Net income/(loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 2,744 $ 2,855 $ 2,363
Per share data applicable to common shareholders:
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
55
The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in millions)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (513) 309 (914)
Net deferred gains/(losses) on net investment hedges 121 (119) 343
Net deferred gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges 21 3 (72)
Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of cash flow hedges 6 19 14
Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of fair value hedges (23) — —
Net actuarial gains/(losses) arising during the period 35 (70) (386)
Prior service credits/(costs) arising during the period (7) — —
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) (338) 208 (993)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (25) (7) (2)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions, except per share data)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,334 $ 1,400
Property, plant and equipment, net 7,152 7,122
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt 654 638
Accrued postemployment costs 135 143
Other non-current liabilities 1,306 1,418
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 6 34
Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) (2,915) (2,604)
Noncontrolling interest 134 162
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(in millions)
Dividends declared-common stock ($1.60 per share) — (1,779) (193) — — — (1,972)
Dividends declared-noncontrolling interest ($100.30 per share) — — — — — (7) (7)
Dividends declared-common stock ($1.60 per share) — — (1,977) — — — (1,977)
Dividends declared-common stock ($1.60 per share) — — (1,940) — — — (1,940)
Repurchase of common stock — — — — (939) — (939)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in millions)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to operating cash flows:
Divestiture-related license income (54) (54) (56)
Deferred income tax provision/(benefit) (2,857) 17 (278)
Postemployment benefit plan asset transfers/(contributions) 161 (22) (23)
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment losses 3,669 662 913
Nonmonetary currency devaluation 16 28 17
Loss/(gain) on sale of business 81 (4) (25)
Loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt — — (38)
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Other current liabilities (98) (562) 28
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities 4,184 3,976 2,469
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments to acquire business, net of cash acquired — — (481)
Payments to acquire intangible assets (140) — —
Settlement of net investment hedges 75 31 208
Other investing activities, net 58 66 10
Net cash provided by/(used for) investing activities (1,023) (916) (1,091)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 594 657 —
Debt prepayment and extinguishment benefit/(costs) — — 10
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper — 150 228
Repayments of commercial paper — (150) (228)
Other financing activities, net (65) (67) (19)
Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities (3,008) (2,678) (3,714)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
Organization
On July 2, 2015 (the “2015 Merger Date”), through a series of transactions, we consummated the merger of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (“Kraft”) with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz”) (the “2015 Merger”). At the closing of the 2015 Merger, Heinz was renamed The Kraft Heinz Company.
We operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in December in each calendar year. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to years and quarters contained herein pertain to our fiscal years and fiscal quarters. Our 2024 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 28, 2024, our 2023 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 30, 2023, and our 2022 fiscal year was a 53-week period that ended on December 31, 2022.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include The Kraft Heinz Company and all of our controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions are eliminated.
Reportable Segments
In the first quarter of 2024, we divided our International segment into three operating segments — Europe and Pacific Developed Markets (“EPDM” or “International Developed Markets”), West and East Emerging Markets (“WEEM”), and Asia Emerging Markets (“AEM”) — to enable enhanced focus on the different strategies required for each of these regions as part of our long-term strategic plan.
Subsequently, we manage our operating results through four operating segments. We have two reportable segments defined by geographic region: North America and International Developed Markets. Our remaining operating segments, consisting of WEEM and AEM, are combined and disclosed as Emerging Markets.
Use of Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which requires us to make accounting policy elections, estimates, and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, reserves, and expenses. These accounting policy elections, estimates, and assumptions are based on our best estimates and judgments. We evaluate our policy elections, estimates, and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. We believe these estimates to be reasonable given the current facts available. We adjust our policy elections, estimates, and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Market volatility, including foreign currency exchange rates, increases the uncertainty inherent in our estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from estimates. If actual amounts differ from estimates, we include the revisions in our consolidated results of operations in the period the actual amounts become known. Historically, the aggregate differences, if any, between our estimates and actual amounts in any year have not had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
We made reclassifications and adjustments to certain previously reported financial information to conform to our current period presentation.
Held for Sale
At December 28, 2024, assets classified as held for sale were insignificant. At December 30, 2023, we classified certain assets as held for sale recorded in other current assets in our consolidated balance sheet, primarily relating to land use rights across the globe.
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Cash, CashEquivalents, andRestrictedCash
Cash equivalents include term deposits with banks, money market funds, and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The fair value of cash equivalents approximates the carrying amount. Cash and cash equivalents that are legally restricted as to withdrawal or usage are classified in other current assets or other non-current assets, as applicable, on the consolidated balance sheets. At December 28, 2024, we had restricted cash of $31 million recorded in other current assets and restricted cash of $121 million recorded in other non-current assets. At December 30, 2023, we had restricted cash of $3 million recorded in other current assets and restricted cash of $1 million recorded in other non-current assets. The year-over-year increase was due to the conversion of certain assets related to the U.S. postretirement medical plan to cash. See Note 11, Postemployment Benefits, for additional information. Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash was $1,486 million at December 28, 2024 and $1,404 million at December 30, 2023.
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition:
Our revenues are primarily derived from customer orders for the purchase of our products. We recognize revenues as performance obligations are fulfilled when control passes to our customers. We record revenues net of variable consideration, including consumer incentives and performance obligations related to trade promotions, excluding taxes, and including all shipping and handling charges billed to customers (accounting for shipping and handling charges that occur after the transfer of control as fulfillment costs). We also record a refund liability for estimated product returns and customer allowances as reductions to revenues within the same period that the revenue is recognized. We base these estimates principally on historical and current period experience factors. We recognize costs paid to third-party brokers to obtain contracts as expenses as our contracts are generally less than one year.
Advertising, Consumer Incentives, and Trade Promotions:
We promote our products with advertising, consumer incentives, and performance obligations related to trade promotions. Consumer incentives and trade promotions include, but are not limited to, discounts, coupons, rebates, performance-based in-store display activities, and volume-based incentives. Variable consideration related to consumer incentive and trade promotion activities is recorded as a reduction to revenues based on amounts estimated as being due to customers and consumers at the end of a period. We base these estimates principally on historical utilization, redemption rates, and/or current period experience factors. We review and adjust these estimates at least quarterly based on actual experience and other information.
Advertising expenses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”). For interim reporting purposes, we charge advertising to operations as a percentage of estimated full year sales activity and marketing costs. We then review and adjust these estimates each quarter based on actual experience and other information. Our definition of advertising expenses includes advertising production costs, in-store advertising costs, agency fees, brand promotions and events, and sponsorships, in addition to costs to obtain advertising in television, radio, print, digital, and social channels. We recorded advertising expenses of $1,031 million in 2024, $1,071 million in 2023, and $945 million in 2022. We also incur market research costs, which are recorded in SG&A but are excluded from advertising expenses.
Research and Development Expense:
We expense costs as incurred for product research and development within SG&A. Research and development expenses were approximately $150 million in 2024, $147 million in 2023, and $127 million in 2022.
Stock-Based Compensation:
We recognize compensation costs related to equity awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award, which is generally three to five years, or on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the awards. These costs are primarily recognized within SG&A. We estimate expected forfeitures rather than recognizing forfeitures as they occur in determining our equity award compensation costs. We classify equity award compensation costs primarily within general corporate expenses. See Note 10, Employees’ Stock Incentive Plans, for additional information.
Divestiture-Related License Income
In 2020, we entered into a definitive agreement with a third party, an affiliate of Groupe Lactalis (“Lactalis”) to sell certain assets in our global cheese business, as well as to license the Kraft, Velveeta and Philadelphia trademarks, for a total consideration of approximately $3.3 billion. Of the $3.3 billion total consideration, approximately $1.6 billion was attributed to the licensing of the Kraft, Velveeta and Philadelphia trademarks based on the estimated fair value of the licensed portion of each brand. The license income related to the perpetual licenses of the Kraft and Velveeta brands are recognized over a period of approximately 30 years. The license income related to the transitional license of the Philadelphia brand was recognized over a period of approximately three years. We recognized license income of approximately $54 million in 2024 and 2023, and $56 million in 2022, which is recorded as a reduction to SG&A. Related to this agreement, we have recorded approximately $1.4 billion in long-term deferred income and $54 million in other current liabilities at December 28, 2024, and $1.4 billion in long-term deferred income and $55 million in other current liabilities at December 30, 2023 on the consolidated balance sheet.
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Postemployment Benefit Plans:
We maintain various retirement plans for the majority of our employees. These include pension benefits, postretirement health care benefits, and defined contribution benefits. The cost of these plans is charged to expense over an appropriate term based on, among other things, the cost component and whether the plan is active or inactive. Changes in the fair value of our plan assets result in net actuarial gains or losses. These net actuarial gains and losses are deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) and amortized within other expense/(income) in future periods using the corridor approach. The corridor is 10% of the greater of the market-related value of the plan’s asset or projected benefit obligation. Any actuarial gains and losses in excess of the corridor are then amortized over an appropriate term based on whether the plan is active or inactive. See Note 11, Postemployment Benefits, for additional information.
Income Taxes:
We recognize income taxes based on amounts refundable or payable for the current year and record deferred tax assets or liabilities for any difference between the financial reporting and tax basis of our assets and liabilities. We also recognize deferred tax assets for temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards, and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are included in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Inherent in determining our annual tax rate are judgments regarding business plans, planning opportunities, and expectations about future outcomes. Realization of certain deferred tax assets, primarily net operating loss and other carryforwards, is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction prior to the expiration of the carryforward periods.
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 our results in the period of such change.
We record valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. When assessing the need for valuation allowances, we consider future taxable income, future legislative developments, and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the realizability of deferred tax assets in future years, we would adjust related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding adjustment to our provision for/(benefit from) income taxes. The resolution of tax reserves and changes in valuation allowances could be material to our results of operations for any period, but is not expected to be material to our financial position.
Common Stock and Preferred Stock Dividends:
Dividends are recorded as a reduction to retained earnings. When we have an accumulated retained deficit, dividends are recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
Inventories:
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We value inventories primarily using the average cost method.
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost and depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over periods ranging from three years to 20 years and buildings and improvements over periods up to 40 years. Capitalized software costs are included in property, plant and equipment if we have the contractual right to take possession of the software at any time and it is feasible for us to either run the software on our own hardware or contract with a third party to host the software. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software, which do not exceed seven years. We review long-lived assets for impairment when conditions exist that indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Such conditions could include significant adverse changes in the business climate, current-period operating or cash flow losses, significant declines in forecasted operations, or a current expectation that an asset group will be disposed of before the end of its useful life. We perform undiscounted operating cash flow analyses to determine if an impairment exists. When testing for impairment of assets held for use, we group assets at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identifiable. If an impairment is determined to exist, the loss is calculated based on estimated fair value. Impairment losses on assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less costs of disposal.
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Hosted Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract:
Deferred implementation costs for hosted cloud computing service arrangements are stated at historical cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the hosting arrangement that the implementation costs relate to. Deferred implementation costs to be amortized during the next 12 months for these arrangements are included in prepaid expenses and amortized to SG&A. All remaining amounts to be amortized are included in other non-current assets. The corresponding cash flows related to these arrangements will be reported within operating activities. We review the deferred implementation costs for impairment when we believe the deferred costs may no longer be recoverable. Such conditions could include situations where the arrangement is not expected to provide substantive service potential, a significant change occurs in the manner in which the arrangement is used or expected to be used, including early cancellation or termination of the arrangement, or situations where the arrangement has had, or will have, a significant change made to it. In instances where we have concluded that an impairment exists, we accelerate the deferred costs on the consolidated balance sheet for immediate expense recognition in SG&A.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets:
We maintain 12 reporting units, eight of which comprise our goodwill balance. Our indefinite-lived intangible asset balance primarily consists of a number of individual brands. We test our reporting units and brands for impairment annually as of the first day of our third quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or brand is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include a sustained decrease in our market capitalization, increased competition or unexpected loss of market share, increased input costs beyond projections, disposals of significant brands or components of our business, unexpected business disruptions (for example due to a natural disaster, pandemic, or loss of a customer, supplier, or other significant business relationship), unexpected significant declines in operating results, significant adverse changes in the markets in which we operate, changes in income tax rates, changes in interest rates, or changes in management strategy. We test reporting units for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount. We test brands for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each brand with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit or brand exceeds its estimated fair value, we record an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount, in the case of reporting units, not to exceed the associated carrying amount of goodwill.
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods benefited. We review definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when conditions exist that indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Such conditions could include significant adverse changes in the business climate, current-period operating or cash flow losses, significant declines in forecasted operations, or a current expectation that an asset group will be disposed of before the end of its useful life. We perform undiscounted operating cash flow analyses to determine if an impairment exists. When testing for impairment of definite-lived intangible assets held for use, we group assets at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identifiable. If an impairment is determined to exist, the loss is calculated based on estimated fair value. Impairment losses on definite-lived intangible assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less costs of disposal.
See Note 8, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information.
Leases:
We determine whether a contract is or contains a lease at contract inception based on the presence of identified assets and our right to obtain substantially all the economic benefit from and to direct the use of such assets. When we determine a lease exists, we record a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and corresponding lease liability on our consolidated balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term. Lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are recognized at the lease commencement date at the value of the lease liability and are adjusted for any prepayments, lease incentives received, and initial direct costs incurred. Lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term. As the discount rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable in most of our leases, we use our incremental borrowing rate (dependent on tenor and currency and adjusted to reflect collateralization) based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Our lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.
We do not record lease contracts with a term of 12 months or less on our consolidated balance sheets.
We recognize fixed lease expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, we recognize amortization expense over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the underlying assets or the lease term. In instances of title transfer, expense is recognized over the useful life. Interest expense on a finance lease is recognized using the effective interest method over the lease term.
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We have lease agreements with non-lease components that relate to the lease components (e.g., common area maintenance such as cleaning or landscaping, insurance, etc.). We generally account for each lease and any non-lease components associated with that lease as a single lease component for all underlying asset classes. Accordingly, all costs associated with a lease contract are accounted for as lease costs.
Certain leasing arrangements require variable payments that are dependent on usage or output or may vary for other reasons, such as insurance and tax payments. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate are excluded from lease payments in the measurement of the ROU asset and lease liability and are recognized as expense in the period in which the payment occurs.
Our lease agreements typically do not include significant restrictions or covenants, and residual value guarantees are generally not included within our leases.
See Note 17, Leases, for additional information.
Financial Instruments:
As we source our commodities on global markets and periodically enter into financing or other arrangements abroad, we use a variety of risk management strategies and financial instruments to manage commodity price, foreign currency exchange rate, and interest rate risks. Our risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on our operating results. One way we do this is through actively hedging our risks through the use of derivative instruments. As a matter of policy, we do not use highly leveraged derivative instruments, nor do we use financial instruments for speculative purposes.
Derivatives are recorded on our consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value, which fluctuates based on changing market conditions.
Certain derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges and qualify for hedge accounting treatment, while others are not designated as hedging instruments and are marked to market through net income/(loss). The gains and losses on cash flow hedges are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) and are recognized in net income/(loss) at the time the hedged item affects net income/(loss), in the same line item as the underlying hedged item. The gains/(losses) on fair value hedges are recognized in net income/(loss) at the time the hedged item affects net income/(loss), in the same line item as the underlying hedged item. The excluded component on cash flow hedges and fair value hedges is recognized in net income/(loss) over the life of the hedging relationship in the same income statement line item as the underlying hedged item. We also designate certain derivatives and non-derivatives as net investment hedges to hedge the net assets of certain foreign subsidiaries which are exposed to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in the value of these derivatives and remeasurements of our non-derivatives designated as net investment hedges are calculated each period using the spot method, with changes reported in foreign currency translation adjustments within accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses). Such amounts will remain in accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) until the complete or substantially complete liquidation of our investment in the underlying foreign operations. The excluded component on derivatives designated as net investment hedges is recognized in net income/(loss) within interest expense. The income statement classification of gains and losses related to derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments is determined based on the underlying intent of the contracts. Cash flows related to the settlement of derivative instruments designated as net investment hedges of foreign operations are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows within investing activities. All other cash flows related to derivative instruments are classified in the same line item as the cash flows of the related hedged item, which can be within operating, investing, or financing activities.
To qualify for hedge accounting, a specified level of hedging effectiveness between the hedging instrument and the item being hedged must be achieved at inception and maintained throughout the hedged period. When a hedging instrument no longer meets the specified level of hedging effectiveness, we reclassify the related hedge gains or losses previously deferred into other comprehensive income/(losses) to net income/(loss) within other expense/(income). We formally document our risk management objectives, our strategies for undertaking the various hedge transactions, the nature of and relationships between the hedging instruments and hedged items, and the method for assessing hedge effectiveness. Additionally, for qualified hedges of forecasted transactions, we specifically identify the significant characteristics and expected terms of the forecasted transactions. If it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, the hedge will no longer be effective and all of the derivative gains or losses would be recognized in net income/(loss) in the current period.
Unrealized gains and losses on our commodity derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recorded in cost of products sold and are included within general corporate expenses until realized. Once realized, the gains and losses are included within the applicable segment operating results.
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Our designated and undesignated derivative contracts include:
•Net investment hedges. We have numerous investments in our foreign subsidiaries, the net assets of which are exposed to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. We manage this risk by utilizing derivative and non-derivative instruments, including cross-currency swap contracts, foreign exchange contracts, and certain foreign currency denominated debt designated as net investment hedges. We exclude the interest accruals and any off-market values on cross-currency swap contracts and the forward points on foreign exchange forward contracts from the assessment and measurement of hedge effectiveness. We recognize the interest accruals and any amortization of off-market values on cross-currency swap contracts in net income/(loss) within interest expense. We amortize the forward points on foreign exchange contracts into net income/(loss) within interest expense over the life of the hedging relationship.
•Foreign currency cash flow hedges. We use various financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to changes in exchange rates from third-party and intercompany actual and forecasted transactions. Our principal foreign currency exposures that are hedged include the euro, Canadian dollar, and British pound sterling. These instruments include cross-currency swap contracts and foreign exchange forward and option contracts. Substantially all of these derivative instruments are highly effective and qualify for hedge accounting treatment. We exclude the interest accruals on cross-currency swap contracts (when interest is not a hedged item) and the forward points and option premiums or discounts on foreign exchange contracts from the assessment and measurement of hedge effectiveness and amortize such amounts into net income/(loss) in the same line item as the underlying hedged item over the life of the hedging relationship.
•Interest rate cash flow hedges. From time to time, we have used derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps and treasury locks, as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. We have primarily used interest rate swaps and treasury locks to hedge the variability of interest payment cash flows on a portion of our future debt obligations.
•Foreign currency fair value hedges. We use derivative instruments to hedge changes in the fair value of foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities due to changes in exchange rates. These instruments may include cross-currency swap contracts and foreign exchange forward contracts. The gains/(losses) on the hedged item, driven by changes in foreign exchange rates, are economically offset by fair value movements on the effective portion of our derivative instrument, which is reported in the same income statement line item in the same period. The amounts excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in earnings over the life of the hedge on a systematic and rational basis in the same line item as the hedged item.
•Commodity derivatives. We are exposed to price risk related to forecasted purchases of certain commodities that we primarily use as raw materials. We enter into commodity purchase contracts primarily for dairy products, vegetable oils, coffee beans, corn, wheat products, sugar cane and meat products. These commodity purchase contracts generally are not subject to the accounting requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities under the normal purchases and normal sales exception. We also use commodity futures, options, and swaps to economically hedge the price of certain commodity costs, including the commodities noted above, as well as diesel fuel, packaging products, and natural gas. We do not designate these commodity contracts as hedging instruments. We also occasionally use futures to economically cross hedge a commodity exposure.
See Note 12, Financial Instruments, for additional information.
Translation of Foreign Currencies:
For all significant foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each period end. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) on our consolidated balance sheet. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net income/(loss) for the period.
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Highly Inflationary Accounting:
We apply highly inflationary accounting if the cumulative inflation rate in an economy for a three-year period meets or exceeds 100%. Under highly inflationary accounting, the financial statements of a subsidiary are remeasured into our reporting currency (U.S. dollars) based on the legally available exchange rate at which we expect to settle the underlying transactions. Exchange gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in other expense/(income) on our consolidated statement of income, rather than accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) on our consolidated balance sheet, until such time as the economy is no longer considered highly inflationary. Certain non-monetary assets and liabilities are recorded at the applicable historical exchange rates. In 2024, we applied highly inflationary accounting to the results of our subsidiaries in Turkey, Venezuela, Argentina, Egypt, and Nigeria which resulted in nonmonetary currency devaluation losses in other expense/(income) of $16 million as of December 28, 2024. In 2023 and 2022, we applied highly inflationary accounting to the results of our subsidiaries in Turkey, Venezuela, and Argentina which resulted in nonmonetary currency devaluation losses in other expense/(income) of $28 million as of December 30, 2023, and $17 million as of December 31, 2022. The net monetary assets of each of our subsidiaries in Turkey, Venezuela, Argentina, Egypt, and Nigeria were insignificant at December 28, 2024. Our results of operations in Turkey, Venezuela, Argentina, Egypt, and Nigeria reflect those of controlled subsidiaries.
Note 3. New Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Year
Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures:
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07 to improve segment disclosure requirements under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, Segment Reporting, through enhancing disclosures about significant segment expenses. The guidance requires entities to provide significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and other segment expenses included in each reported measure of segment profitability. This ASU also enhances interim segment reporting requirements by aligning interim disclosures with information that must be disclosed annually in accordance with ASC 280. We adopted this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2024 and added certain disclosures in Note 20, Segment Reporting. The disclosures were applied retrospectively and impacted all prior periods presented. There was no other impact to our financial statement disclosures as a result of adopting this ASU.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures:
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 to improve income tax disclosure requirements under ASC 740, Income Taxes. The guidance requires entities to provide separate information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation and about income taxes paid. This ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. While the standard will require additional disclosures related to the Company’s income taxes, we do not expect this ASU to have an impact on our financial statements.
Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40):
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 to improve financial reporting under ASC 220, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income. The guidance requires entities to disclose additional information about specific expense categories related to cost of sales and SG&A in the notes to financial statements at interim and annual reporting periods. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. We are still evaluating the impacts this ASU will have on our financial statements and related disclosures.
Note 4. Acquisitions and Divestitures
Acquisitions
Hemmer Acquisition:
On March 31, 2022 (the “Hemmer Acquisition Date”), we acquired a majority of the outstanding equity interests of Companhia Hemmer Indústria e Comércio (“Hemmer”), a Brazilian food and beverage manufacturing company focused on the condiments and sauces category, from certain third-party shareholders (the “Hemmer Acquisition”).
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The Hemmer Acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Total cash consideration related to the Hemmer Acquisition was approximately 1.3 billion Brazilian reais (approximately $279 million at the Hemmer Acquisition Date). A noncontrolling interest was recognized at fair value, which was determined to be the noncontrolling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets, as of the Hemmer Acquisition Date. As of the Hemmer Acquisition Date, we acquired 94% of the outstanding shares of Hemmer. In the third quarter of 2022, we completed the redemption of the remaining outstanding shares and own 100% of the controlling interest in Hemmer.
We entered into foreign exchange derivative contracts to economically hedge the foreign currency exposure related to the cash consideration for the Hemmer Acquisition. See Note 12, Financial Instruments, for additional information.
We utilized fair values at the Hemmer Acquisition Date to allocate the total consideration exchanged to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
The purchase price allocation for the Hemmer Acquisition was final as of the first quarter of 2023.
The final purchase price allocation to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Hemmer Acquisition was (in millions):
Final Allocation
Cash $ 1
Trade receivables 13
Inventories 17
Other current assets 2
Property, plant and equipment, net 14
Identifiable intangible assets 122
Other non-current assets 17
Short-term debt (9)
Trade payables (11)
Other current liabilities (31)
Long-term debt (11)
Other non-current liabilities (44)
Net assets acquired 80
Noncontrolling interest (16)
Goodwill on acquisition 215
Total consideration $ 279
The Hemmer Acquisition preliminarily resulted in $219 million of non-tax deductible goodwill relating principally to Hemmer’s long-term experience and large presence operating in emerging markets. This goodwill was assigned to the Latin America (“LATAM”) reporting unit within Emerging Markets. In 2022, certain insignificant measurement period adjustments were made to the initial allocation, and the final amount of goodwill was adjusted to $215 million. In the fourth quarter of 2022, a portion of the goodwill became tax deductible following the merger of Hemmer into our existing legal entity structure. As part of our 2024 annual impairment test, we fully impaired the goodwill related to our LATAM reporting unit, and there is no goodwill carrying value remaining as of December 28, 2024. See Note 8, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information.
The final purchase price allocation to identifiable intangible assets acquired in the Hemmer Acquisition was:
Fair Value(in millions of dollars) Weighted Average Life(in years)
Definite-lived trademarks $ 101 13
Customer-related assets 21 15
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We valued trademarks using the relief from royalty method and customer-related assets using the distributor method. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in developing the valuations included the estimated annual net cash flows for each definite-lived intangible asset (including net sales, cost of products sold, selling and marketing costs, and working capital/contributory asset charges), the discount rate that appropriately reflects the risk inherent in each future cash flow stream, the assessment of each asset’s life cycle, and competitive trends, as well as other factors. We determined the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, management’s plans, and market comparables.
We used carrying values as of the Hemmer Acquisition Date to value certain current and non-current assets and liabilities, as we determined that they represented the fair value of those items at such date.
Just Spices Acquisition: