Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Table of Contents
Page
Reports of Management48
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm49
Consolidated Statements of Operations50
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income51
Consolidated Balance Sheets52
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows53
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity54
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements55
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)77

REPORTS OF MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the financial information presented in this report. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, including amounts based on management’s best estimates and judgments. In management’s opinion, the consolidated financial statements fairly present the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, comprising only independent directors, meets regularly with our external auditors, the independent registered public accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), with our internal auditors, and with representatives of management to review accounting, internal control structure, and financial reporting matters. Our internal auditors and PwC have full, free access to the Audit Committee. As set forth in our Code of Conduct and Compliance Guidelines, we are firmly committed to adhering to the highest standards of moral and ethical behavior in our business activities.

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.

As of the end of our fiscal year, management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of April 30, 2017. PwC has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2017, as stated in their report.

The Company acquired The BenRiach Distillery Company Limited (BenRiach) in a purchase business combination during fiscal 2017. Based on SEC staff interpretive guidance for newly-acquired businesses, management excluded BenRiach from its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2017. BenRiach is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and total net sales represented approximately 4% and 1% respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended April 30, 2017.

Dated:June 14, 2017
By:/s/ Paul C. Varga
Paul C. Varga
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company
By:/s/ Jane C. Morreau
Jane C. Morreau
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

of Brown-Forman Corporation:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Brown- Forman Corporation and its subsidiaries at April 30, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. 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.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it presents excise taxes in fiscal year 2017.

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.

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded The BenRiach Distillery Company Limited (“BenRiach”) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2017 because BenRiach was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination during fiscal year 2017. We have also excluded BenRiach from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. BenRiach is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and total net sales represent 4% and 1%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended April 30, 2017.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Louisville, KY

June 14, 2017

BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Year Ended April 30,201520162017
Sales$4,096$4,011$3,857
Excise taxes962922863
Net sales3,1343,0892,994
Cost of sales951945973
Gross profit2,1832,1442,021
Advertising expenses437417383
Selling, general, and administrative expenses697688667
Gain on sale of business—(485)—
Other expense (income), net22(9)(18)
Operating income1,0271,533989
Interest income223
Interest expense274659
Income before income taxes1,0021,489933
Income taxes318422264
Net income$684$1,067$669
Earnings per share:
Basic$1.62$2.63$1.72
Diluted$1.60$2.61$1.71

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in millions)

Year Ended April 30,201520162017
Net income$684$1,067$669
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Currency translation adjustments(114)(23)(73)
Cash flow hedge adjustments32(17)—
Postretirement benefits adjustments(30)(10)33
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(112)(50)(40)
Comprehensive income$572$1,017$629

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in millions)

April 30,20162017
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents$263$182
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $9 in 2016 and $7 in 2017559557
Inventories:
Barreled whiskey666873
Finished goods187186
Work in process116119
Raw materials and supplies8592
Total inventories1,0541,270
Other current assets357342
Total current assets2,2332,351
Property, plant, and equipment, net629713
Goodwill590753
Other intangible assets595641
Deferred tax assets1716
Other assets119151
Total assets$4,183$4,625
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses$501$501
Accrued income taxes199
Short-term borrowings271211
Current portion of long-term debt—249
Total current liabilities791970
Long-term debt1,2301,689
Deferred tax liabilities101152
Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits353314
Other liabilities146130
Total liabilities2,6213,255
Commitments and contingencies
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock:
Class A, voting, $0.15 par value1325
Class B, nonvoting, $0.15 par value2143
Additional paid-in capital11465
Retained earnings4,0654,470
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(350)(390)
Treasury stock, at cost (59,143,000 and 70,540,000 shares in 2016 and 2017, respectively)(2,301)(2,843)
Total stockholders’ equity1,5621,370
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$4,183$4,625

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in millions)

Year Ended April 30,201520162017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$684$1,067$669
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
Gain on sale of business—(485)—
Depreciation and amortization515658
Stock-based compensation expense151514
Deferred income taxes610(10)
Other, net922
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of sale and acquisition of businesses:
Accounts receivable(50)86
Inventories(102)(127)(86)
Other current assets(30)(57)12
Accounts payable and accrued expenses6429(17)
Accrued income taxes(58)7(11)
Noncurrent assets and liabilities19(1)2
Cash provided by operating activities608524639
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of business—543—
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired——(307)
Additions to property, plant, and equipment(120)(108)(112)
Acquisition of brand names and trademarks(4)——
Computer software expenditures(1)(2)(3)
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities(125)433(422)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in short-term borrowings18380(122)
Repayment of long-term debt—(250)—
Proceeds from long-term debt—490717
Debt issuance costs—(5)(5)
Net payments related to exercise of stock-based awards(14)(17)(10)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards1815—
Acquisition of treasury stock(462)(1,107)(561)
Dividends paid(256)(266)(274)
Repayment of short-term obligation associated with acquisition of business——(30)
Cash used for financing activities(531)(1,060)(285)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(19)(4)(13)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(67)(107)(81)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period437370263
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$370$263$182
Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:
Interest$27$41$48
Income taxes$375$430$266

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Class A Common StockClass B Common StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsAOCITreasury StockTotal
Balance at April 30, 2014$13$21$81$2,894$(188)$(789)$2,032
Net income684684
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(112)(112)
Cash dividends ($0.605 per share)(256)(256)
Acquisition of treasury stock(462)(462)
Stock-based compensation expense1515
Stock issued under compensation plans2323
Loss on issuance of treasury stock issued under compensation plans(15)(22)(37)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards1818
Balance at April 30, 20151321993,300(300)(1,228)1,905
Net income1,0671,067
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(50)(50)
Cash dividends ($0.655 per share)(266)(266)
Acquisition of treasury stock(1,107)(1,107)
Stock-based compensation expense1515
Stock issued under compensation plans3434
Loss on issuance of treasury stock issued under compensation plans(15)(36)(51)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards1515
Balance at April 30, 201613211144,065(350)(2,301)1,562
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (Note 1)1010
Stock split (Note 11)1222(34)—
Net income669669
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(40)(40)
Cash dividends ($0.705 per share)(274)(274)
Acquisition of treasury stock(561)(561)
Stock-based compensation expense1414
Stock issued under compensation plans1919
Loss on issuance of treasury stock issued under compensation plans(29)(29)
Balance at April 30, 2017$25$43$65$4,470$(390)$(2,843)$1,370

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars and other currency amounts in millions, except per share data)

  1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). We also apply the following accounting policies when preparing our consolidated financial statements:

Principles of consolidation. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest. We eliminate all intercompany transactions.

Estimates. To prepare financial statements that conform with GAAP, our management must make informed estimates that affect how we report revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities, including contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include bank demand deposits and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Allowance for doubtful accounts. We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. When we are aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific allowance to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we believe will be collected. We write off the uncollectable amount against the allowance when we have exhausted our collection efforts.

Inventories. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value. Approximately 54% of our consolidated inventories are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost method, which we use for the majority of our U.S. inventories. We value the remainder of our inventories primarily using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method. FIFO cost approximates current replacement cost. If we had used the FIFO method for all inventories, they would have been $248 and $272 higher than reported at April 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Because we age most of our whiskeys in barrels for three to six years, we bottle and sell only a portion of our whiskey inventory each year. Following industry practice, we classify all barreled whiskey as a current asset. We include warehousing, insurance, ad valorem taxes, and other carrying charges applicable to barreled whiskey in inventory costs.

We classify bulk wine, agave inventories, tequila, and liquid in bottling tanks as work in process.

Property, plant, and equipment. We state property, plant, and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. We calculate depreciation on a straight-line basis using our estimates of useful life, which are 20–40 years for buildings and improvements; 3–10 years for machinery, equipment, vehicles, furniture, and fixtures; and 3–7 years for capitalized software.

We assess our property, plant, and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. When we do not expect to recover the carrying value of an asset (or asset group) through undiscounted future cash flows, we write it down to its estimated fair value. We determine fair value using discounted estimated future cash flows, considering market values for similar assets when available.

When we retire or dispose of property, plant, and equipment, we remove its cost and accumulated depreciation from our balance sheet and reflect any gain or loss in operating income. We expense the costs of repairing and maintaining our property, plant, and equipment as we incur them.

Goodwill and other intangible assets. We have obtained most of our brands by acquiring other companies. When we acquire another company, we first allocate the purchase price to identifiable assets and liabilities, including intangible brand names and trademarks (“brand names”), based on estimated fair value. We then record any remaining purchase price as goodwill. We do not amortize goodwill or other intangible assets with indefinite lives. We consider all of our brand names to have indefinite lives.

We assess our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually. If an asset’s fair value is less than its book value, we write it down to its estimated fair value. For goodwill, if the book value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we measure for potential impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, determined in the same manner as in a business combination, to the goodwill’s book value. We estimate the reporting unit’s fair value using discounted estimated future cash flows or market information. We typically estimate the fair value of a brand name using the either the “relief from royalty” or “excess earnings” method. We also consider market values for similar assets when available. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value, including the selection of assumptions about future cash flows, discount rates, and royalty rates.

We have the option, before quantifying the fair value of a reporting unit or brand name, to evaluate qualitative factors to assess whether it is more likely than not that our goodwill or brand names are impaired. If we determine that is not the case, then we are not required to quantify the fair value. That assessment also takes considerable management judgment.

Foreign currency transactions and translation. We report all gains and losses from foreign currency transactions (those denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional currency) in current income. The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for most of our consolidated entities. The local currency is the functional currency for some of our consolidated foreign entities. We translate the financial statements of those foreign entities into U.S. dollars, using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date to translate assets and liabilities, and using the average exchange rate for the reporting period to translate income and expenses. We record the resulting translation adjustments in other comprehensive income (loss).

Revenue recognition. We recognize revenue when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, typically when the product is shipped. Some sales contracts contain customer acceptance provisions that grant a right of return on the basis of either subjective or objective criteria. We record revenue net of estimated sales returns, allowances, and discounts.

Excise taxes. Our sales are often subject to excise taxes that we collect from our customers and remit to governmental authorities. Effective beginning May 1, 2016, we changed our presentation of excise taxes from the gross method (included in sales and costs) to the net method (excluded from sales). As a result, the amounts presented as “net sales” in our financial statements now exclude excise taxes. We believe the change in presentation to the net method is preferable because it is more representative of the internal financial information reviewed by management in assessing our performance and more consistent with the presentation used by our major competitors in their external financial statements. Prior period financial statements have been recast to conform to the new presentation.

Cost of sales. Cost of sales includes the costs of receiving, producing, inspecting, warehousing, insuring, and shipping goods sold during the period.

Shipping and handling fees and costs. We report the amounts we bill to our customers for shipping and handling as net sales, and we report the costs we incur for shipping and handling as cost of sales.

Advertising costs. We expense the costs of advertising during the year when the advertisements first take place.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses. Selling, general, and administrative expenses include the costs associated with our sales force, administrative staff and facilities, and other expenses related to our non-manufacturing functions.

Income taxes. We base our annual provision for income taxes on the pre-tax income reflected in our consolidated statement of operations. We establish deferred tax liabilities or assets for temporary differences between GAAP and tax reporting bases and later adjust them to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. We record a valuation allowance as necessary to reduce a deferred tax asset to the amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. We do not provide deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that we expect to permanently reinvest. We record a deferred tax charge in prepaid taxes for the difference between GAAP and tax reporting bases with respect to the elimination of intercompany profit in ending inventory.

We assess our uncertain income tax positions using a two-step process. First, we evaluate whether the tax position will more likely than not, based on its technical merits, be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation. For a tax position that does not meet this first criterion, we recognize no tax benefit. For a tax position that does meet the first criterion, we recognize a tax benefit in an amount equal to the largest amount of benefit that we believe has more than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. We record interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.

Recently-adopted accounting pronouncements. During fiscal 2017, we adopted new guidance related to certain aspects of the accounting for stock-based compensation, including the income tax consequences. Under the new guidance, we recognize all tax benefits related to stock-based compensation as an income tax benefit in our statement of operations, and include all income tax cash flows within operating activities in our statement of cash flows. Under the previous accounting guidance, we recognized some of those tax benefits (excess tax benefits) as additional paid-in capital and classified that amount as a financing activity in our statement of cash flows. We adopted these provisions of the new guidance on a prospective basis as of May 1, 2016. As a result, our net income and operating cash flows for fiscal 2017 include excess tax benefits of $9. Prior period financial statements have not been adjusted.

Also, under the new guidance, we recognize the excess tax benefits during the period in which the related awards vest or are exercised. Under the previous accounting guidance, we recognized those benefits during the period in which they reduced taxes payable. We adopted this provision of the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment of $10 to retained earnings as of May 1, 2016.

During fiscal 2017, we also adopted revised disclosure guidance related to investments measured at net asset value. Under the revised guidance, investments measured at net asset value as a practical expedient are no longer categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

New accounting pronouncements to be adopted. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a new revenue recognition standard that, along with various amendments issued in 2015 and 2016, will replace substantially all existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the standard requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also requires significantly more financial statement disclosures than existing revenue standards do.

The new standard can be adopted using either of two transition options: a full retrospective transition method or a modified retrospective method. Under the full retrospective method, the guidance would be applied to each prior reporting period presented. Under the modified retrospective method, the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance would be recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for the annual reporting period that includes the date of initial application.

We are continuing to assess the potential impact of the new guidance on our financial statements. Based on our assessment to date, we currently expect our accounting for certain customer incentives to be the area most likely affected by the new recognition requirements. We also expect to disclose additional information about revenues under the new standard. As we progress in our assessment, we are also identifying and preparing to make any changes to our accounting policies and practices, systems, processes, and controls that may be required to implement the new standard. We currently expect to choose the modified retrospective method in transitioning to the new standard, which we will adopt effective May 1, 2018.

We are also currently evaluating the potential impact on our financial statements of the additional new accounting pronouncements described below:

•In February 2016, the FASB issued a new standard on accounting for leases. Under the new standard, a lessee should recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The standard permits an entity to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. The standard, which also requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures about leasing arrangements, will become effective for us beginning fiscal 2020. It is to be applied using a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the adoption-period financial statements.
•In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance, which addresses eight specific cash flow classification issues, is intended to reduce diversity in practice. It will become effective for us beginning fiscal 2019 and is to be applied retrospectively.
•In October 2016, the FASB issued revised guidance that requires the recognition of the income tax consequences (expense or benefit) of an intercompany transfer of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. It maintains the existing requirement to defer the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intercompany transfer of inventory until the inventory is sold to an outside party. The guidance will become effective for us beginning fiscal 2019 and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption.
•In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance that eliminates the second step of the existing two-step quantitative test of goodwill for impairment. Under the new guidance, the quantitative test will consist of a single step in which the carrying amount of the reporting unit will be compared to its fair value. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the amount of the impairment would be limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The guidance does not affect the existing option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine whether the quantitative impairment test is necessary. It will become effective for us beginning fiscal 2021 and is to be applied prospectively.
•In March 2017, the FASB issued new guidance for the presentation of the net periodic cost (NPC) associated with pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The guidance requires the service cost component of the NPC to be reported in the income statement in the same line item(s) as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of the NPC are to be presented separately from the service cost and outside of income from operations. In addition, the guidance allows only the service cost component of NPC to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. The guidance will become effective for us beginning fiscal 2019. It is to be applied retrospectively for the presentation in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of service cost.

Early application of any of the new accounting pronouncements described above is permitted. Although we have not yet determined our plans for adoption, we do not currently expect to apply any of the new guidance before their effective dates.

  1. BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

Supplemental information on our year-end balance sheets is as follows:

April 30,20162017
Other current assets:
Prepaid taxes$208$210
Other149132
$357$342
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land$76$81
Buildings468497
Equipment619659
Construction in process5496
1,2171,333
Less accumulated depreciation588620
$629$713
Accounts payable and accrued expenses:
Accounts payable, trade$121$137
Accrued expenses:
Advertising and promotion133111
Compensation and commissions10597
Excise and other non-income taxes5861
Other8495
380364
$501$501
Other liabilities:
Deferred benefit – tax (Note 13)$59$43
Other8787
$146$130
  1. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table shows the changes in goodwill (which include no accumulated impairment losses) and other intangible assets over the past two years:

GoodwillOther Intangible Assets
Balance as of April 30, 2015$607$611
Sale of business (Note 16)(16)(22)
Foreign currency translation adjustment(1)6
Balance as of April 30, 2016590595
Acquisition of business (Note 17)18365
Foreign currency translation adjustment(20)(19)
Balance as of April 30, 2017$753$641

Our other intangible assets consist of trademarks and brand names, all with indefinite useful lives.

  1. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments. We made rental payments for real estate, vehicles, and office, computer, and manufacturing equipment under operating leases of $23, $23, and $23 during 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively. We have commitments related to minimum lease payments of $17 in 2018, $13 in 2019, $9 in 2020, $5 in 2021, $3 in 2022, and $1 after 2022.

We have contracted with various growers and wineries to supply some of our future grape and bulk wine requirements. Many of these contracts call for prices to be adjusted annually up or down, according to market conditions. Some contracts set a fixed purchase price that might be higher or lower than prevailing market prices. We have total purchase obligations related to both types of contracts of $12 in 2018, $9 in 2019, $6 in 2020, $4 in 2021, $3 in 2022, and $1 after 2022.

We also have contracts for the purchase of agave, which is used to produce tequila. These contracts provide for prices to be determined based on market conditions at the time of harvest, which, although not specified, is expected to occur over the next 10 years. As of April 30, 2017, based on current market prices, obligations under these contracts total $4.

Contingencies. We operate in a litigious environment, and we are sued in the normal course of business. Sometimes plaintiffs seek substantial damages. Significant judgment is required in predicting the outcome of these suits and claims, many of which take years to adjudicate. We accrue estimated costs for a contingency when we believe that a loss is probable and we can make a reasonable estimate of the loss, and then adjust the accrual as appropriate to reflect changes in facts and circumstances. We do not believe it is reasonably possible that these existing loss contingencies, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. No material accrued loss contingencies are recorded as of April 30, 2017.

Guaranty. We have guaranteed the repayment by a third-party importer of its obligation under a bank credit facility that it uses in connection with its importation of our products in Russia. If the importer were to default on that obligation, which we believe is unlikely, our maximum possible exposure under the existing terms of the guaranty would be approximately $25 (subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates). Both the fair value and carrying amount of the guaranty are insignificant.

As of April 30, 2017, our actual exposure under the guaranty of the importer’s obligation is approximately $6. We also have accounts receivable from that importer of approximately $7 at that date, which we expect to collect in full.

Based on the financial support we provide to the importer, we believe it meets the definition of a variable interest entity. However, because we do not control this entity, it is not included in our consolidated financial statements.

  1. DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES

Our long-term debt (net of unamortized discounts and issuance costs) consisted of:

April 30,20162017
1.00% senior notes, $250 principal amount, due January 15, 2018$249$249
2.25% senior notes, $250 principal amount, due January 15, 2023248248
1.20% senior notes, €300 principal amount, due July 7, 2026—324
2.60% senior notes, £300 principal amount, due July 7, 2028—383
3.75% senior notes, $250 principal amount, due January 15, 2043248248
4.50% senior notes, $500 principal amount, due July 15, 2045485486
1,2301,938
Less current portion—249
$1,230$1,689

Debt payments required over the next five fiscal years consist of $250 in 2018, $0 in 2019, $0 in 2020, $0 in 2021, $0 in 2022, and $1,715 after 2022.

The senior notes contain terms and covenants customary of these types of unsecured securities, including limitations on the amount of secured debt we can issue.

We issued senior, unsecured notes with an aggregate principal amount of €300 in July 2016. Interest on these notes will accrue at a rate of 1.20% and be paid annually. As of April 30, 2017, the carrying amount of these notes was $324 ($327 principal, less unamortized discounts and issuance costs). These notes are due on July 7, 2026.

In addition, we issued senior, unsecured notes with an aggregate principal amount of £300 in July 2016. Interest on these notes will accrue at a rate of 2.60% and be paid annually. As of April 30, 2017, the carrying amount of these notes was $383 ($389 principal, less unamortized discounts and issuance costs). These notes are due on July 7, 2028.

As of April 30, 2016, our short-term borrowings of $271 included $269 of commercial paper, with an average interest rate of 0.53%, and an average remaining maturity of 26 days. As of April 30, 2017, our short-term borrowings of $211 included $208 of commercial paper, with an average interest rate of 1.04%, and an average remaining maturity of 22 days.

We have a committed revolving credit agreement with various U.S. and international banks for $800 that expires in November 2018. Its most restrictive quantitative covenant requires that the ratio of our consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the agreement) to consolidated interest expense not be less than 3 to 1. At April 30, 2017, with a ratio of 18 to 1, we were well within this covenant’s parameters and had no borrowing outstanding under this facility.

  1. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We categorize the fair values of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to determine those values. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are:

•Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
•Level 2 – Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
•Level 3 – Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity.

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
April 30, 2016
Assets:
Currency derivatives$—$19$—$19
Liabilities:
Currency derivatives—10—10
Short-term borrowings—271—271
Long-term debt—1,293—1,293
April 30, 2017
Assets:
Currency derivatives—25—25
Liabilities:
Currency derivatives—10—10
Short-term borrowings—211—211
Current portion of long-term debt—249—249
Long-term debt—1,752—1,752

We determine the fair values of our currency derivatives (forwards contracts) using standard valuation models. The significant inputs used in these models, which are readily available in public markets or can be derived from observable market transactions, include the applicable spot rates, forward rates, and discount rates. The discount rates are based on the historical U.S. Treasury rates.

The fair value of short-term borrowings approximates their carrying value. We determine the fair value of long-term debt primarily based on the prices at which similar debt has recently traded in the market and also considering the overall market conditions on the date of valuation.

We measure some assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, we do not measure them at fair value on an ongoing basis, but we do adjust them to fair value in some circumstances (for example, when we determine that an asset is impaired). No material nonrecurring fair value measurements were required during the periods presented in these financial statements.

  1. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The fair values of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term borrowings approximate the carrying amounts due to the short maturities of these instruments. We determine the fair values of currency derivatives and long-term debt as discussed in Note 6.

Below is a comparison of the fair values and carrying amounts of these instruments:

20162017
April 30,Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$263$263$182$182
Currency derivatives19192525
Liabilities:
Currency derivatives10101010
Short-term borrowings271271211211
Current portion of long-term debt——249249
Long-term debt1,2301,2931,6891,752
  1. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Our multinational business exposes us to global market risks, including the effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and interest rates. We use derivatives to help manage financial exposures that occur in the normal course of

business. We formally document the purpose of each derivative contract, which includes linking the contract to the financial exposure it is designed to mitigate. We do not hold or issue derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

We use currency derivative contracts to limit our exposure to the currency exchange risk that we cannot mitigate internally by using netting strategies. We designate most of these contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions (expected to occur within three years). We record all changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges (except any ineffective portion) in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) until the underlying hedged transaction occurs, at which time we reclassify that amount into earnings. We assess the effectiveness of these hedges based on changes in forward exchange rates. The ineffective portion of the changes in fair value of our hedges (recognized immediately in earnings) during the periods presented in this report was not material.

We had outstanding currency derivatives, related primarily to our euro, British pound, and Australian dollar exposures, with notional amounts totaling $1,265 and $1,188 at April 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

During fiscal 2017, we used some currency derivative forward contracts and foreign currency-denominated long-term debt as after-tax net investment hedges of our investments in certain foreign subsidiaries. Any change in value of the designated portion of the hedging instruments is recorded in AOCI, offsetting the foreign currency translation adjustment of the related net investments that is also recorded in AOCI. As of April 30, 2017, $511 of our foreign currency-denominated debt was designated as a net investment hedge. Our net investment hedges are intended to mitigate foreign exchange exposure related to non-U.S. dollar net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries against changes in foreign exchange rates. There was no ineffectiveness related to our net investment hedges.

We do not designate some of our currency derivatives and foreign currency-denominated debt as hedges because we use them to at least partially offset the immediate earnings impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on existing assets or liabilities. We immediately recognize the change in fair value of these instruments in earnings.We use forward purchase contracts with suppliers to protect against corn price volatility. We expect to physically take delivery of the corn underlying each contract and use it for production over a reasonable period of time. Accordingly, we account for these contracts as normal purchases rather than as derivative instruments.

During May 2015, we entered into interest rate derivative contracts (U.S. Treasury lock agreements) to manage the interest rate risk related to the anticipated issuance of fixed-rate senior, unsecured notes. We designated the contracts as cash flow hedges of the future interest payments associated with the anticipated notes. Upon issuance in June 2015 of an aggregate principal amount of $500 of the 4.50% notes, due July 15, 2045, we settled the contracts for a gain of $8. The entire gain was recorded to AOCI and will be amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the notes.

The following table presents the pre-tax impact that changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments and non-derivative hedging instruments had on AOCI and earnings in 2016 and 2017:

Classification in Statement of Operations20162017
Derivative Instruments
Currency derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Net gain (loss) recognized in AOCIn/a$22$41
Net gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into earningsNet sales6040
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Net gain (loss) recognized in AOCIn/a8—
Currency derivatives designated as net investment hedge:
Net gain (loss) recognized in AOCIn/a—8
Currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Net gain (loss) recognized in earningsNet sales12
Net gain (loss) recognized in earningsOther income(5)(5)
Non-Derivative Hedging Instruments
Foreign currency-denominated debt designated as net investment hedge:
Net gain (loss) recognized in AOCIn/a—2
Foreign currency-denominated debt not designated as hedging instrument:
Net gain (loss) recognized in earningsOther income—3

We expect to reclassify $12 of deferred net gains on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI as of April 30, 2017, to earnings during fiscal 2018. This reclassification would offset the anticipated earnings impact of the underlying hedged exposures. The actual amounts that we ultimately reclassify to earnings will depend on the exchange rates in effect when the underlying hedged transactions occur. The maximum term of outstanding derivative contracts was 36 months at both April 30, 2016 and 2017.

The following table presents the fair values of our derivative instruments as of April 30, 2016 and 2017:

Balance Sheet ClassificationFair Value of Derivatives in a Gain PositionFair Value of Derivatives in a Loss Position
April 30, 2016
Designated as cash flow hedges:
Currency derivativesOther current assets$23$(2)
Currency derivativesOther assets3(2)
Currency derivativesAccrued expenses4(8)
Currency derivativesOther liabilities3(9)
Not designated as hedges:
Currency derivativesOther current assets1(4)
April 30, 2017
Designated as cash flow hedges:
Currency derivativesOther current assets21(2)
Currency derivativesOther assets9(4)
Currency derivativesAccrued expenses2(8)
Currency derivativesOther liabilities1(4)
Not designated as hedges:
Currency derivativesOther current assets2(1)
Currency derivativesAccrued expenses—(1)

The fair values reflected in the above table are presented on a gross basis. However, as discussed further below, the fair values of those instruments subject to net settlement agreements are presented on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

In our statement of cash flows, we classify cash flows related to cash flow hedges in the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items.

Credit risk. We are exposed to credit-related losses if the counterparties to our derivative contracts default. This credit risk is limited to the fair value of the contracts. To manage this risk, we contract only with major financial institutions that have earned investment-grade credit ratings and with whom we have standard International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) agreements that allow for net settlement of the derivative contracts. Also, we have established counterparty credit guidelines that are regularly monitored, and we monetize contracts when we believe it is warranted. Because of these safeguards, we believe we have no derivative positions that warrant credit valuation adjustments.

Some of our derivative instruments require us to maintain a specific level of creditworthiness, which we have maintained. If our creditworthiness were to fall below that level, then the counterparties to our derivative instruments could request immediate payment or collateralization for derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivatives with creditworthiness requirements that were in a net liability position was $8 and $9 at April 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Offsetting. As noted above, our derivative contracts are governed by ISDA agreements that allow for net settlement of derivative contracts with the same counterparty. It is our policy to present the fair values of current derivatives (that is, those with a remaining term of 12 months or less) with the same counterparty on a net basis in the balance sheet. Similarly, we present the fair values of noncurrent derivatives with the same counterparty on a net basis. Current derivatives are not netted with noncurrent derivatives in the balance sheet.

The following table summarizes the gross and net amounts of our derivative contracts:

Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)Gross Amounts Offset in Balance SheetNet Amounts Presented in Balance SheetGross Amounts Not Offset in Balance SheetNet Amounts
April 30, 2016
Derivative assets$34$(15)$19$(6)$13
Derivative liabilities(25)15(10)6(4)
April 30, 2017
Derivative assets35(10)25(1)24
Derivative liabilities(20)10(10)1(9)

No cash collateral was received or pledged related to our derivative contracts as of April 30, 2016 or 2017.

  1. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans as well as postretirement plans providing retiree health care and retiree life insurance benefits. Below, we discuss our obligations related to these plans, the assets dedicated to meeting the obligations, and the amounts we recognized in our financial statements as a result of sponsoring these plans.

Obligations. We provide eligible employees with pension and other postretirement benefits based on factors such as years of service and compensation level during employment. The pension obligation shown below (“projected benefit obligation”) consists of: (a) benefits earned by employees to date based on current salary levels (“accumulated benefit obligation”); and (b) benefits to be received by employees as a result of expected future salary increases. (The obligation for medical and life insurance benefits is not affected by future salary increases.) The following table shows how the present value of our obligation changed during each of the last two years.

Pension BenefitsMedical and Life Insurance Benefits
2016201720162017
Obligation at beginning of year$887$898$57$56
Service cost262611
Interest cost353522
Net actuarial loss (gain)8(14)(1)—
Plan amendments—1—(4)
Retiree contributions——11
Benefits paid(58)(53)(4)(4)
Obligation at end of year$898$893$56$52

Service cost represents the present value of the benefits attributed to service rendered by employees during the year. Interest cost is the increase in the present value of the obligation due to the passage of time. Net actuarial loss (gain) is the change in value of the obligation resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption. (We discuss actuarial assumptions used at the end of this note.) Plan amendments may also change the value of the obligation.

As shown in the previous table, the change in the value of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations also includes the effect of benefit payments and retiree contributions. Expected benefit payments (net of retiree contributions) over the next 10 years are as follows:

Pension BenefitsMedical and Life Insurance Benefits
2018$52$3
2019533
2020543
2021553
2022583
2023 – 202730916

Assets. We invest in specific assets to fund our pension benefit obligations. Our investment goal is to earn a total return that, over time, will grow assets sufficiently to fund our plans’ liabilities, after providing appropriate levels of contributions and accepting prudent levels of investment risk. To achieve this goal, plan assets are invested primarily in funds or portfolios of funds managed by outside managers. Investment risk is managed by company policies that require diversification of asset classes, manager styles, and individual holdings. We measure and monitor investment risk through quarterly and annual performance reviews, and through periodic asset/liability studies.

Asset allocation is the most important method for achieving our investment goals and is based on our assessment of the plans’ long-term return objectives and the appropriate balances needed for liquidity, stability, and diversification. As of April 30, 2017, our target asset allocation is a mix of 46% public equity investments, 33% fixed income investments, 20% alternative investments, and 1% cash equivalents.

The following table shows the fair value of pension plan assets by category as of the end of the last two years. (Fair value levels are defined in Note 6.)

Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
April 30, 2016
Equity securities$78$—$—$78
Limited partnership interests1——2929
$78$—$29107
Investments measured at net asset value:
Commingled trust funds2:
Equity funds197
Fixed income funds197
Real estate funds59
Short-term investments4
Hedge funds330
Total$594
April 30, 2017
Equity securities$78$—$—$78
Limited partnership interests1——3232
$78$—$32110
Investments measured at net asset value:
Commingled trust funds2:
Equity funds206
Fixed income funds229
Real estate funds63
Short-term investments7
Hedge funds38
Total$623

1Limited partnership interests are valued at the percentage ownership of total partnership equity as determined by the general partner. These valuations require significant judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of these investments.

2Commingled trust fund valuations are based on the net asset value (NAV) of the funds as determined by the fund administrators and reviewed by us. NAV represents the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus liabilities and divided by the number of shares or units outstanding.

3Hedge fund valuations are based primarily on the NAV of the funds as determined by fund administrators and reviewed by us. During our review, we determine whether it is necessary to adjust a valuation for inherent liquidity and redemption issues that may exist within a fund’s underlying assets or fund unit values.

The following table shows how the fair value of the Level 3 assets changed during each of the last two years. There were no transfers of assets between Level 3 and either of the other two levels.

Level 3
Balance as of April 30, 2015$26
Return on assets held at end of year1
Purchases and settlements5
Sales and settlements(3)
Balance as of April 30, 201629
Return on assets held at end of year1
Purchases and settlements5
Sales and settlements(3)
Balance as of April 30, 2017$32

The following table shows how the total fair value of all pension plan assets changed during each of the last two years. (We do not have assets set aside for postretirement medical or life insurance benefits.)

Pension BenefitsMedical and Life Insurance Benefits
2016201720162017
Assets at beginning of year$626$594$—$—
Actual return on assets251——
Retiree contributions——11
Company contributions243133
Benefits paid(58)(53)(4)(4)
Assets at end of year$594$623$—$—

We currently expect to contribute $35 to our pension plans and $3 to our postretirement medical and life insurance benefit plans during 2018.

Funded status. The funded status of a plan refers to the difference between its assets and its obligations. The following table shows the funded status of our plans.

Pension BenefitsMedical and Life Insurance Benefits
April 30,2016201720162017
Assets$594$623$—$—
Obligations(898)(893)(56)(52)
Funded status$(304)$(270)$(56)$(52)

The funded status reflected above includes obligations attributable to our non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan that is not funded with those plan assets presented above. However, we have set aside investments in corporate-owned life insurance policies to cover these obligations. The value of those investments, which are included in “other assets” on the accompanying balance sheets, is $64 and $81 as of April 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

The funded status is recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:

Pension BenefitsMedical and Life Insurance Benefits
April 30,2016201720162017
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(4)(5)(3)(3)
Accrued postretirement benefits(300)(265)(53)(49)
Net liability$(304)$(270)$(56)$(52)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Net actuarial gain (loss)$(372)$(322)$(13)$(13)
Prior service credit (cost)(4)(4)1517
$(376)$(326)$2$4

The following table compares our pension plans whose assets exceed their accumulated benefit obligations with those whose obligations exceed their assets. (As discussed above, we have no assets set aside for postretirement medical or life insurance benefits.)

Plan AssetsAccumulated Benefit ObligationProjected Benefit Obligation
April 30,201620172016201720162017
Plans with assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligation$—$48$—$47$—$48
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of assets594575776729898845
Total$594$623$776$776$898$893

Pension expense. The following table shows the components of the pension expense recognized during each of the last three years. The amount for each year includes amortization of the prior service cost/credit and net actuarial loss/gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of the beginning of the year.

Pension Benefits
201520162017
Service cost$22$26$26
Interest cost343535
Expected return on assets(41)(40)(41)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (credit)111
Net actuarial loss (gain)222725
Settlement loss——1
Net expense$38$49$47

The prior service cost/credit, which represents the effect of plan amendments on benefit obligations, is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of the employees expected to receive the benefits. The net actuarial loss/gain results from experience different from that assumed or from a change in actuarial assumptions (including the difference between actual and expected return on plan assets), and is amortized over at least that same period. The estimated amount of prior service cost and net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into pension expense in 2018 is $1 and $21, respectively.

Other postretirement benefit expense. The following table shows the components of the postretirement medical and life insurance benefit expense that we recognized during each of the last three years.

Medical and Life Insurance Benefits
201520162017
Service cost$1$1$1
Interest cost322
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (credit)(2)(2)(3)
Net actuarial loss (gain)111
Net expense$3$2$1

The estimated amount of prior service credit and net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into postretirement medical and life insurance benefit expense in 2018 is $3 and $1, respectively.

Other comprehensive income (loss). Prior service cost/credit and net actuarial loss/gain are recognized in other comprehensive income or loss (OCI) during the period in which they arise. These amounts are later amortized from accumulated OCI into pension and other postretirement benefit expense over future periods as described above. The following table shows the pre-tax effect of these amounts on OCI during each of the last three years.

Pension BenefitsMedical and Life Insurance Benefits
201520162017201520162017
Prior service credit (cost)$—$—$(1)$16$—$4
Net actuarial gain (loss)(80)(46)24(3)1—
Amortization reclassified to earnings:
Prior service cost (credit)111(2)(2)(3)
Net actuarial loss (gain)222726111
Net amount recognized in OCI$(57)$(18)$50$12$—$2

Assumptions and sensitivity. We use various assumptions to determine the obligations and expense related to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The weighted-average assumptions used in computing benefit plan obligations as of the end of the last two years were as follows:

Pension BenefitsMedical and Life Insurance Benefits
2016201720162017
Discount rate4.02%4.09%3.96%4.04%
Rate of salary increase4.00%4.00%n/an/a

The weighted-average assumptions used in computing benefit plan expense during each of the last three years were as follows:

Pension BenefitsMedical and Life Insurance Benefits
201520162017201520162017
Discount rate4.46%4.09%4.02%4.67%4.09%3.96%
Rate of salary increase4.00%4.00%4.00%n/an/an/a
Expected return on plan assets7.50%7.00%7.00%n/an/an/a

The discount rate represents the interest rate used to discount the cash-flow stream of benefit payments to a net present value as of the calculation date. A lower assumed discount rate increases the present value of the benefit obligation. We determined the discount rate using a yield curve based on the interest rates of high-quality debt securities with maturities corresponding to the expected timing of our benefit payments.

The assumed rate of salary increase reflects the expected average annual increase in salaries as a result of inflation, merit increases, and promotions over the service period of the plan participants. A lower assumed rate decreases the present value of the benefit obligation.

The expected return on plan assets represents the long-term rate of return that we assume will be earned over the life of the pension assets. The assumption reflects expected capital market returns for each asset class, which are based on historical returns, adjusted for the expected effects of diversification and active management (net of fees).

The assumed health care cost trend rates as of the end of the last two years were as follows:

Medical and Life Insurance Benefits
20162017
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year7.25%7.25%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)5.00%5.00%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate20242025

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would not have significantly changed the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of April 30, 2017, or the aggregate service and interest costs for 2017.

Savings plans. We also sponsor various defined contribution benefit plans that together cover substantially all U.S. employees. Employees can make voluntary contributions in accordance with their respective plans, which include a 401(k) tax deferral option. We match a percentage of each employee’s contributions in accordance with plan terms. We expensed $10, $11, and $11 for matching contributions during 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively.

International plans. The information presented above for defined benefit plans and defined contribution benefit plans reflects amounts for U.S. plans only. Information about similar international plans is not presented due to immateriality.

  1. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Brown-Forman 2013 Omnibus Compensation Plan is our incentive compensation plan, which is designed to reward its participants (including our eligible officers, employees, and non-employee directors) for company performance. Under the Plan, we can grant stock-based incentive awards for up to 16,600,000 shares of common stock to eligible participants until July 28, 2023. As of April 30, 2017, awards for approximately 12,710,000 shares remain available for issuance under the Plan. We try to limit the source of shares delivered to participants under the Plan to treasury shares that we purchase from time to time on the open market (at times in connection with a publicly announced share repurchase program), in private transactions, or otherwise.

The following table presents information about stock options and stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SSARs) granted under the Plan (or its predecessor plans) as of April 30, 2017, and for the year then ended.

Number of Underlying Shares (in thousands)Weighted Average Exercise Price per AwardWeighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at April 30, 20166,852$28.42
Granted77949.01
Exercised(1,005)19.49
Forfeited or expired(11)46.79
Outstanding at April 30, 20176,615$32.175.0$104
Exercisable at April 30, 20174,390$23.753.6$103

The total intrinsic value of options and SSARs exercised during 2015, 2016, and 2017 was $35, $47, and $28, respectively.

We grant stock options and SSARs at an exercise price equal to the market price of the underlying stock on the grant date. Stock options and SSARs become exercisable after three years from the first day of the fiscal year of grant and expire seven years after that date. The grant-date fair values of these awards granted during 2015, 2016, and 2017 were $9.84, $9.53, and $7.16 per award, respectively. We estimated the fair values using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions:

201520162017
Risk-free interest rate2.2%2.1%1.4%
Expected volatility22.3%19.1%16.3%
Expected dividend yield1.7%1.6%1.6%
Expected term (years)6.756.757.00

We have also granted restricted stock units (RSUs), deferred stock units (DSUs), and shares of performance-based restricted stock (PBRS) under the Plan (or its predecessor plans). Approximately 492,000 shares underlying these awards, with a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.2 years, were nonvested at April 30, 2017. The following table summarizes the changes in the number of shares underlying these awards during 2017.

Number of Underlying Shares (in thousands)Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date
Nonvested at April 30, 2016547$42.61
Granted13448.44
Adjusted for dividends or performance(31)47.45
Vested(153)36.71
Forfeited(5)44.27
Nonvested at April 30, 2017492$45.71

For PBRS awards, performance is measured based on the relative ranking of the total shareholder return of our Class B common stock during the three-year performance period compared to that of the companies within the Standard & Poor’s Consumer Staples Index at the end of the performance period, with specific payout levels ranging from 50% to 150%.

The total fair value of RSUs, PBRS awards, and DSUs vested during 2015, 2016, and 2017 was $11, $10, and $8, respectively.

The accompanying consolidated statements of operations reflect compensation expense related to stock-based incentive awards on a pre-tax basis of $15 in 2015, $15 in 2016, and $14 in 2017, partially offset by deferred income tax benefits of $6 in 2015, $6 in 2016, and $5 in 2017. As of April 30, 2017, there was $10 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

  1. COMMON STOCK

The following table shows the change in outstanding common shares during each of the last three years:

(Shares in thousands)Class AClass BTotal
Balance at April 30, 2014168,924257,986426,910
Acquisition of treasury stock(171)(10,069)(10,240)
Stock issued under compensation plans173557730
Balance at April 30, 2015168,926248,474417,400
Acquisition of treasury stock(114)(22,714)(22,828)
Stock issued under compensation plans248664912
Balance at April 30, 2016169,060226,424395,484
Acquisition of treasury stock(77)(11,799)(11,876)
Stock issued under compensation plans68410478
Balance at April 30, 2017169,051215,035384,086

Stock split. On May 26, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split for our Class A and Class B common stock, subject to stockholder approval of an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The amendment, which was approved by stockholders on July 28, 2016, increased the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock from 85,000,000 to 170,000,000. The amendment did not change the number of authorized Class B common shares, which remains at 400,000,000.

The stock split, which was effected as a stock dividend, resulted in the issuance of one new share of Class A common stock for each share of Class A common stock outstanding and one new share of Class B common stock for each share of Class B common stock outstanding. The stock split was also applied to our treasury shares. Thus, the stock split increased the number of Class A shares issued from 85,000,000 to 170,000,000, and increased the number of Class B shares issued from 142,313,000 to 284,626,000. The new shares were distributed on August 18, 2016, to shareholders of record as of August 8, 2016.

As a result of the stock split, we reclassified approximately $34 from additional paid-in capital to common stock during fiscal 2017. The $34 represents the $0.15 par value per share of the new shares issued in the stock split.

All share and per share amounts reported in these financial statements and related notes are presented on a split-adjusted basis.

  1. EARNINGS PER SHARE

We calculate basic earnings per share by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share further includes the dilutive effect of stock-based compensation awards. We calculate that dilutive effect using the “treasury stock method” (as defined by GAAP).

The following table presents information concerning basic and diluted earnings per share:

201520162017
Net income available to common stockholders$684$1,067$669
Share data (in thousands):
Basic average common shares outstanding423,185405,953387,708
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards2,9802,6072,753
Diluted average common shares outstanding426,165408,560390,461
Basic earnings per share$1.62$2.63$1.72
Diluted earnings per share$1.60$2.61$1.71

We excluded common stock-based awards for approximately 723,000 shares, 905,000 shares, and 1,716,000 shares from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively, because they were not dilutive for those periods under the treasury stock method.

  1. INCOME TAXES

We incur income taxes on the earnings of our U.S. and foreign operations. The following table, based on the locations of the taxable entities from which sales were derived (rather than the location of customers), presents the U.S. and foreign components of our income before income taxes:

201520162017
United States$912$1,184$806
Foreign90305127
$1,002$1,489$933

The income shown above was determined according to GAAP. Because those standards sometimes differ from the tax rules used to calculate taxable income, there are differences between: (a) the amount of taxable income and pretax financial income for a year; and (b) the tax bases of assets or liabilities and their amounts as recorded in our financial statements. As a result, we recognize a current tax liability for the estimated income tax payable on the current tax return, and deferred tax liabilities (income tax payable on income that will be recognized on future tax returns) and deferred tax assets (income tax refunds from deductions that will be recognized on future tax returns) for the estimated effects of the differences mentioned above.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of the end of each of the last two years were as follows:

April 30,20162017
Deferred tax assets:
Postretirement and other benefits$183$173
Accrued liabilities and other1017
Inventories2627
Loss and credit carryforwards3944
Valuation allowance(25)(30)
Total deferred tax assets, net233231
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets(225)(262)
Property, plant, and equipment(83)(90)
Other(9)(15)
Total deferred tax liabilities(317)(367)
Net deferred tax liability$(84)$(136)

As of April 30, 2017, the gross amounts of loss carryforwards include a $49 net operating loss in Brazil (no expiration); a U.K. non-trading loss of $27 (no expiration); a $65 net operating loss in Finland (expires in varying amounts between 2024 and 2027); and other foreign and domestic net operating, capital, and non-trading losses of $43 ($14 that do not expire and $29 that expire in varying amounts between 2018 and 2028).

The $30 valuation allowance at April 30, 2017 ($25 at April 30, 2016), relates primarily to a $17 ($12 at April 30, 2016) net operating loss in Brazil. Although the losses in Brazil can be carried forward indefinitely, it is uncertain that we will realize sufficient taxable income to allow us to use these losses. The valuation allowance also includes $8 ($7 at April 30, 2016) related to other foreign net operating and non-trading losses,$2 that do not expire and $6 that expire between 2018 and 2028. The remaining valuation allowance relates to a $5 ($6 at April 30, 2016) non-trading loss carryforward in the United Kingdom that was generated during 2009. Although the non-trading losses can be carried forward indefinitely, we know of no significant transactions that will let us use them.

During 2014, we deferred a tax benefit of $95 that resulted primarily from the release of certain deferred tax liabilities in connection with an intercompany transfer of assets, composed primarily of an intangible asset. We are amortizing the deferred benefit to tax expense over approximately six years for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) 740-10-25-3(e) (Income Taxes) and ASC 810-45-8 (Consolidation), resulting in a tax benefit of $5 in 2014, $15 in 2015, $16 in 2016, and $16 in 2017. The remaining balance of the deferred benefit, which is included in “other liabilities” on the accompanying balance sheet, was $43 as of April 30, 2017. As discussed in Note 1, revised accounting guidance issued in October 2016 will require the recognition of income tax consequences of intercompany transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Our adoption of this revised guidance will result in the balance of the deferred tax benefit as of the beginning of fiscal 2019 ($27) being recognized as an increase in retained earnings rather than as a reduction in income tax expense.

Deferred tax liabilities were not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries ($1,005 and $1,053 at April 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively) because we expect these undistributed earnings to be reinvested indefinitely outside the United States. If these amounts were not considered permanently reinvested, additional deferred tax liabilities of approximately $222 would have been provided at both April 30, 2016 and 2017.

Total income tax expense for a year includes the tax associated with the current tax return (“current tax expense”) and the change in the net deferred tax asset or liability (“deferred tax expense”). Our total income tax expense for each of the last three years was as follows:

201520162017
Current:
U.S. federal$259$347$226
Foreign424740
State and local11188
312412274
Deferred:
U.S. federal$15$24$(1)
Foreign(11)(17)(9)
State and local23—
610(10)
$318$422$264

Our consolidated effective tax rate usually differs from current statutory rates due to the recognition of amounts for events or transactions with no tax consequences. The following table reconciles our effective tax rate to the federal statutory tax rate in the United States:

Percent of Income Before Taxes
201520162017
U.S. federal statutory rate35.0%35.0%35.0%
State taxes, net of U.S. federal tax benefit1.0%1.0%0.9%
Income taxed at other than U.S. federal statutory rate(0.5%)(2.5%)(1.7%)
Tax benefit from U.S. manufacturing(2.5%)(2.4%)(2.4%)
Tax impact of sale of business—%(1.1%)—%
Amortization of deferred tax benefit from intercompany transactions(1.6%)(1.6%)(1.7%)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards—%—%(1.0%)
Other, net0.3%(0.1%)(0.8%)
Effective rate31.7%28.3%28.3%

At April 30, 2017, we had $9 of gross unrecognized tax benefits, $6 of which would reduce our effective income tax rate if recognized. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits follows:

201520162017
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year$11$13$9
Additions for tax positions provided in prior periods212
Additions for tax positions provided in current period1——
Decreases for tax positions provided in prior years(1)(4)(2)
Settlements of tax positions in the current period—(1)—
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year$13$9$9

We file income tax returns in the United States, including several state and local jurisdictions, as well as in several other countries in which we conduct business. The major jurisdictions and their earliest fiscal years that are currently open for tax examinations are 2011 for one state in the United States; 2015 in the United Kingdom; 2013 in Australia; 2012 in the Netherlands, Finland, and Mexico; and 2011 in Brazil, Germany, and Poland. The audit of our fiscal 2015 U.S. federal tax return was concluded in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. In addition, we are participating in the Internal Revenue Service’s Compliance Assurance Program for our fiscal 2017 tax year.

We believe there will be no material change in our gross unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.

  1. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table summarizes the change in each component of AOCI, net of tax, during 2017:

Currency Translation AdjustmentsCash Flow Hedge AdjustmentsPostretirement Benefits AdjustmentsTotal AOCI
Balance at April 30, 2016$(131)$11$(230)$(350)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(73)—33(40)
Balance at April 30, 2017$(204)$11$(197)$(390)

The following table presents the components of net other comprehensive income (loss) during each of the last three years:

Pre-TaxTaxNet
Year Ended April 30, 2015
Currency translation adjustments:
Net gain (loss) on currency translation$(120)$6$(114)
Reclassification to earnings———
Other comprehensive income (loss), net(120)6(114)
Cash flow hedge adjustments:
Net gain (loss) on hedging instruments96(40)56
Reclassification to earnings1(41)17(24)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net55(23)32
Postretirement benefits adjustments:
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service cost(70)26(44)
Reclassification to earnings222(8)14
Other comprehensive income (loss), net(48)18(30)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net$(113)$1$(112)
Year Ended April 30, 2016
Currency translation adjustments:
Net gain (loss) on currency translation$(22)$(1)$(23)
Reclassification to earnings———
Other comprehensive income (loss), net(22)(1)(23)
Cash flow hedge adjustments:
Net gain (loss) on hedging instruments30(10)20
Reclassification to earnings1(60)23(37)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net(30)13(17)
Postretirement benefits adjustments:
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service cost(47)19(28)
Reclassification to earnings230(12)18
Other comprehensive income (loss), net(17)7(10)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net$(69)$19$(50)
Pre-TaxTaxNet
Year Ended April 30, 2017
Currency translation adjustments:
Net gain (loss) on currency translation$(71)$(4)$(75)
Reclassification to earnings3(1)2
Other comprehensive income (loss), net(68)(5)(73)
Cash flow hedge adjustments:
Net gain (loss) on hedging instruments41(17)24
Reclassification to earnings1(40)16(24)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net1(1)—
Postretirement benefits adjustments:
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service cost28(10)18
Reclassification to earnings225(10)15
Other comprehensive income (loss), net53(20)33
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net$(14)$(26)$(40)

1Pre-tax amount is classified as net sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

2Pre-tax amount is a component of pension and other postretirement benefit expense (as shown in Note 9, except for amounts related to non-U.S. benefit plans, about which no information is presented in Note 9 due to immateriality).

  1. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The following table presents net sales by product category:

201520162017
Net sales:
Spirits$2,955$2,901$2,805
Wine179188189
$3,134$3,089$2,994

The following table presents net sales by geography:

201520162017
Net sales:
United States$1,445$1,491$1,444
Europe847834770
Australia175153151
Other667611629
$3,134$3,089$2,994

Net sales are attributed to countries based on where customers are located.

The net book value of property, plant, and equipment located outside the United States was $59 and $96 as of April 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Other long-lived assets located outside the United States are not significant.

We have concluded that our business constitutes a single operating segment.

  1. GAIN ON SALE OF BUSINESS

On March 1, 2016, we sold our Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands to Sazerac Company, Inc. for $543 in cash. The total book value of the related business assets included in the sale was $49, and consisted of $11 in inventories, $16 in goodwill, and $22 in other intangible assets. As a result of the sale, we recognized a gain of $485 (net of transaction costs of $9) during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

  1. ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS

On June 1, 2016, we acquired The BenRiach Distillery Company Limited (BenRiach) for aggregate consideration of $407, consisting of a purchase price of $341 and $66 in assumed debt and transaction-related obligations that we have since paid. The acquisition, which brought three single malt Scotch whisky brands into our portfolio, included brand trademarks, inventories, three malt distilleries, a bottling plant, and BenRiach’s headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The purchase price of $341 included cash of $307 paid at the acquisition date for 90% of the voting interests in BenRiach and a liability of $34 related to a put and call option agreement for the remaining 10% equity shares. Under that agreement, we could choose (or be required) to purchase the remaining 10% for £24 ($34 at the exchange rate on June 1, 2016) during the one-year period ending November 14, 2017.

The purchase price of $341 was allocated based on management’s estimates and independent appraisals as follows:

June 1, 2016
Accounts receivable$11
Inventories158
Other current assets1
Property, plant, and equipment19
Goodwill183
Trademarks and brand names65
Total assets437
Accounts payable and accrued expenses12
Short-term borrowings59
Deferred tax liabilities25
Total liabilities96
Net assets acquired$341

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired. The goodwill resulting from this acquisition is primarily attributable to: (a) the value of leveraging our distribution network and brand-building expertise to grow global sales of the existing single malt Scotch whisky brands acquired, (b) the valuable opportunity to develop new products and line extensions in the especially attractive premium Scotch whisky category, and (c) the accumulated knowledge and expertise of the organized workforce employed by the acquired business. None of the goodwill amount of $183 is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

BenRiach’s results of operations, which have been included in our financial statements since the acquisition date, were not material for fiscal 2017. Pro forma results are not presented due to immateriality.

On November 17, 2016, we purchased the remaining 10% interest in BenRiach for cash of £24 ($30 at the exchange rate on that date) by exercising the call option described above. That cash payment is classified as a financing activity in the accompanying statement of cash flows.

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

(Expressed in millions, except per share amounts)

Fiscal 2016Fiscal 2017
First QuarterSecond QuarterThird QuarterFourth QuarterYearFirst QuarterSecond QuarterThird QuarterFourth QuarterYear
Sales$900$1,096$1,083$933$4,011$856$1,055$1,059$887$3,857
Excise taxes201242274204922195225251193863
Net sales6998548097293,0896618308086942,994
Gross profit4915865555132,1444535525364802,021
Net income1562001905221,067144197182144669
Basic EPS0.380.490.471.312.630.370.510.470.381.72
Diluted EPS0.370.490.471.302.610.360.500.470.371.71
Cash dividends per share:
Declared0.3150—0.3400—0.65500.3400—0.3650—0.7050
Paid0.15750.15750.17000.17000.65500.17000.17000.18250.18250.7050
Market price per share:
Class A high59.7561.1558.7756.1261.1554.2854.4549.3250.0554.45
Class A low46.5552.9449.7550.2046.5550.7847.0045.6246.3645.62
Class B high54.2155.4153.4451.7055.4150.4051.0647.0448.9551.06
Class B low45.3347.6145.3046.6345.3046.9544.6643.9645.0143.96

Notes:

1.Quarterly amounts may not add to amounts for the year due to rounding. Further, quarterly earnings per share (EPS) amounts may not add to amounts for the year because quarterly and annual EPS calculations are performed separately.
2.Results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 include a gain of $485 million on the divestiture of our Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands.
3.Per share amounts have been adjusted for a 2-for-1 stock split that occurred in August 2016.

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