J.M. Smucker 10-Q 2024-01-31

Filed 2024-02-27. 8 sections, 233K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON

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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: January 31, 2024

or

☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 1-5111


The J. M. Smucker Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Ohio34-0538550
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Strawberry Lane
Orrville,Ohio44667-0280
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:(330)682-3000
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common shares, no par valueSJMNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filerýAccelerated filer☐
Non-accelerated filer☐Smaller reporting company☐
Emerging growth company☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ý

The Company had 106,175,550 common shares outstanding on February 20, 2024.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income2
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income2
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets3
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows4
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity5
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements7
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations27
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk40
Item 4.Controls and Procedures42
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings43
Item 1A.Risk Factors43
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds45
Item 5.Other Information45
Item 6.Exhibits45
SIGNATURES46
INDEX OF EXHIBITS47

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

THE J. M. SMUCKER COMPANY

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended January 31,Nine Months Ended January 31,
Dollars in millions, except per share data2024202320242023
Net sales$2,229.2$2,216.3$5,973.0$6,294.4
Cost of products sold (A)1,406.11,460.53,770.94,285.0
Gross Profit823.1755.82,202.12,009.4
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses374.2380.91,021.31,079.0
Amortization55.755.6135.1166.8
Other special project costs (A)98.90.6105.72.7
Other operating expense (income) – net(3.1)0.840.2(30.1)
Operating Income297.4317.9899.8791.0
Interest expense – net(99.8)(37.9)(167.0)(116.7)
Other debt costs (A)——(19.5)—
Other income (expense) – net (A)(2.1)(4.6)(30.0)(4.9)
Income Before Income Taxes195.5275.4683.3669.4
Income tax expense75.166.9184.4160.0
Net Income$120.4$208.5$498.9$509.4
Earnings per common share:
Net Income$1.14$1.96$4.82$4.78
Net Income – Assuming Dilution$1.13$1.95$4.81$4.77

(A)Includes certain divestiture, acquisition, integration, and restructuring costs (“special project costs”). For more information, see Note 5: Special Project Costs, Note 6: Reportable Segments, and Note 9: Debt and Financing Arrangements.

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE J. M. SMUCKER COMPANY

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended January 31,Nine Months Ended January 31,
Dollars in millions2024202320242023
Net income$120.4$208.5$498.9$509.4
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments9.06.52.4(8.5)
Cash flow hedging derivative activity, net of tax3.02.78.27.8
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans activity, net of tax0.50.61.01.5
Available-for-sale securities activity, net of tax0.60.30.2(0.6)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)13.110.111.80.2
Comprehensive Income$133.5$218.6$510.7$509.6

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE J. M. SMUCKER COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

Dollars in millionsJanuary 31, 2024April 30, 2023
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$35.9$655.8
Trade receivables – net789.6597.6
Inventories:
Finished products601.3657.6
Raw materials386.3352.2
Total Inventory987.61,009.8
Investment in equity securities—487.8
Other current assets110.9107.7
Total Current Assets1,924.02,858.7
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Land and land improvements151.2131.0
Buildings and fixtures1,139.8956.1
Machinery and equipment2,879.62,443.5
Construction in progress874.4629.4
Gross Property, Plant, and Equipment5,045.04,160.0
Accumulated depreciation(2,040.1)(1,920.5)
Total Property, Plant, and Equipment3,004.92,239.5
Other Noncurrent Assets
Operating lease right-of-use assets182.3103.0
Goodwill7,667.85,216.9
Other intangible assets – net7,310.34,429.3
Other noncurrent assets157.9144.0
Total Other Noncurrent Assets15,318.39,893.2
Total Assets$20,247.2$14,991.4
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable$1,252.7$1,392.6
Accrued trade marketing and merchandising239.9187.7
Short-term borrowings418.0—
Current operating lease liabilities40.633.2
Other current liabilities516.2373.2
Total Current Liabilities2,467.41,986.7
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt8,121.14,314.2
Deferred income taxes1,769.31,138.9
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities151.477.2
Other noncurrent liabilities177.9183.6
Total Noncurrent Liabilities10,219.75,713.9
Total Liabilities12,687.1

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Dollars and shares in millions, unless otherwise noted, except per share data)

This discussion and analysis deals with comparisons of material changes in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023. All comparisons presented are to the corresponding period of the prior year, unless otherwise noted.

On January 2, 2024, we sold our Canada condiment business to TreeHouse Foods. The transaction included Bick’s pickles, Habitant pickled beets, Woodman’s horseradish, and McLarens pickled onions brands, inclusive of certain trademarks. Under our ownership, these brands generated net sales of approximately $60.0 in 2023, which were included in the International operating segment. Net proceeds from the divestiture were $25.3, net of cash transaction costs and includes a receivable related to a preliminary working capital adjustment. During the second quarter of 2024, the disposal group was classified as held for sale, and as a result, an estimated pre-tax loss of $5.2 was recognized within other operating expense (income) – net in the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income. Upon close of the transaction during the third quarter of 2024, the pre-tax loss was adjusted to $5.7, reflecting the fair value of the disposal group as of the transaction date.

On November 7, 2023, we completed a cash and stock transaction to acquire Hostess Brands. The total purchase consideration in connection with the acquisition was $5.4 billion, which reflects an exchange offer of all outstanding shares of Hostess Brands common stock at a price of $34.25 per share, consisting of $30.00 in cash and 0.03002 shares of our common shares, based on the closing stock price on September 8, 2023, that were exchanged for each share of Hostess Brands common stock as of the transaction date. The purchase price included the issuance of approximately 4.0 million of our common shares to Hostess Brands’ shareholders, valued at $450.2. In addition, we paid $3.9 billion in cash, net of cash acquired, and assumed $991.0 of

debt from Hostess Brands and $67.8 of an other debt-like item, reflecting consideration transferred for the cash payment of Hostess Brands’ employee equity awards. New debt of $5.0 billion was borrowed, consisting of $3.5 billion in Senior Notes, a $800.0 Term Loan, and $700.0 of short-term borrowings under our commercial paper program to partially fund the transaction and pay off the debt assumed as part of the acquisition. Hostess Brands is a manufacturer and marketer of sweet baked goods brands including Hostess Donettes, Twinkies, CupCakes, DingDongs, Zingers, CoffeeCakes, HoHos, Mini Muffins, and Fruit Pies, and the Voortman cookie brand. In addition to its headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas, the transaction included six manufacturing facilities located in Emporia, Kansas; Burlington, Ontario; Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Arkadelphia, Arkansas, a distribution facility in Edgerton, Kansas, and a commercial center of excellence in Chicago, Illinois. Approximately 3,000 employees transitioned with the business at the close of the transaction. We anticipate the acquired business to contribute net sales of approximately $650.0 in 2024. We anticipate cost synergies of approximately $100.0, which are expected to be achieved by the end of 2026.

On November 1, 2023, we sold our Sahale Snacks business to Second Nature. The transaction included products sold under our Sahale Snacks brand, inclusive of certain trademarks and licensing agreements; a leased manufacturing facility in Seattle, Washington; and approximately 100 employees who supported the brand. Under our ownership, the Sahale Snacks brand generated net sales of approximately $48.0 in 2023, primarily included in the U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads segment. Final net proceeds from the divestiture were $31.6, net of a working capital adjustment and cash transaction costs. During the second quarter of 2024, the disposal group was classified as held for sale, and as a result, an estimated pre-tax loss of $6.8 was recognized within other operating expense (income) – net in the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income. Upon close of the transaction during the third quarter of 2024, the pre-tax loss was adjusted to $6.7, reflecting the fair value of the disposal group as of the transaction date.

On April 28, 2023, we sold certain pet food brands to Post. The transaction included the Rachael Ray Nutrish, 9Lives, Kibbles ’n Bits, Nature’s Recipe, and Gravy Train brands, as well as our private label pet food business, inclusive of certain trademarks and licensing agreements, manufacturing and distribution facilities in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, manufacturing facilities in Meadville, Pennsylvania and Lawrence, Kansas, and approximately 1,100 employees who supported these pet food brands. Under our ownership, these brands generated net sales of $1.5 billion in 2023, primarily included in the U.S. Retail Pet Foods segment. Final net proceeds from the divestiture were $1.2 billion, consisting of $683.9 in cash, net of a working capital adjustment and cash transaction costs, and approximately 5.4 million shares of Post common stock, valued at $491.6 at the close of the transaction. We recognized a pre-tax loss of $1.0 billion upon completion of this transaction during the fourth quarter of 2023, within other operating expense (income) – net in the Statement of Consolidated Income, net of a working capital adjustment and transaction costs. During 2024, we finalized the working capital adjustment and transaction costs, which resulted in an immaterial adjustment to the pre-tax loss. Furthermore, during the first quarter of 2024, we began entering into equity forward derivative transactions under an agreement with an unrelated third party to facilitate the forward sale of the Post common stock. All 5.4 million shares of Post common stock were settled for $466.3 on November 15, 2023.

On January 31, 2022, we sold the natural beverage and grains businesses to Nexus. The transaction included products sold under the R.W. Knudsen and TruRoots brands, inclusive of certain trademarks, a licensing agreement for Santa Cruz Organic beverages, dedicated manufacturing and distribution facilities in Chico, California and Havre de Grace, Maryland, and approximately 150 employees who supported the natural beverage and grains businesses. The transaction did not include Santa Cruz Organic nut butters, fruit spreads, syrups, or applesauce. Final net proceeds from the divestiture were $98.7, net of a working capital adjustment and cash transaction costs. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $28.3 related to the natural beverage and grains businesses, of which $1.6 was recognized during the first quarter of 2023, within other operating expense (income) – net in the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income, upon finalization of the working capital adjustment.

For additional information, see Note 3: Acquisition and Note 4: Divestitures.

We are the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for the following, which are used under license: Dunkin’ is a trademark of DD IP Holder LLC used under three licenses (the “Dunkin’ Licenses”) for packaged coffee products, including K-Cup® pods, sold in retail channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, e-commerce, and drug stores, as well as in certain away from home channels. The Dunkin’ Licenses do not pertain to coffee or other products for sale in Dunkin’ restaurants. K-Cup® is a trademark of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., used with permission.

Trends Affecting our Business

During the first nine months of 2024, we continued to experience a dynamic macroeconomic environment, which we anticipate will persist through the remainder of 2024, although with less volatility than experienced in 2023. In addition, we ant

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

(Dollars in millions, unless otherwise noted)

The following discussions about our market risk disclosures involve forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates, commodity prices, and foreign currency exchange rates.

Interest Rate Risk: The fair value of our cash and cash equivalents at January 31, 2024, approximates carrying value. We are exposed to interest rate risk with regard to existing debt consisting of fixed- and variable-rate maturities. Our interest rate exposure primarily includes U.S. Treasury rates, SOFR, and commercial paper rates in the U.S.

From time to time, we utilize derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk associated with anticipated debt transactions, as well as to manage changes in the fair value of our long-term debt. At the inception of an interest rate contract, the instrument is evaluated and documented for qualifying hedge accounting treatment. If the contract is designated as a cash flow hedge, the mark-to-market gains or losses on the contract are deferred and included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and generally reclassified to interest expense in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. If the contract is designated as a fair value hedge, the contract is recognized at fair value on the balance sheet and changes in the fair value are recognized in interest expense. Generally, changes in the fair value of the contract are equal to changes in the fair value of the underlying debt and have no net impact on earnings.

In November 2023, we terminated interest rate contracts for $42.5 concurrent with the payment of the debt assumed with the acquisition of Hostess Brands. The interest rate contracts were designated as cash flow hedges and were used to manage exposure to changes in cash flows associated with variable rate debt.

In 2020, we terminated all outstanding interest rate contracts concurrent with the pricing of the Senior Notes due March 15, 2030, and March 15, 2050. The contracts were designated as cash flow hedges and were used to manage our exposure to interest rate volatility associated with the anticipated debt financing. The termination resulted in a pre-tax loss of $239.8, which was deferred and included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is being amortized as interest expense over the life of the debt.

In measuring interest rate risk by the amount of net change in the fair value of our financial liabilities, a hypothetical 100 basis-point decrease in interest rates at January 31, 2024, would increase the fair value of our long-term debt by $663.6.

Commodity Price Risk: We use certain raw materials and other commodities that are subject to price volatility caused by supply and demand conditions, political and economic variables, weather, investor speculation, and other unpredictable factors. To manage the volatility related to anticipated commodity purchases, we use derivatives with maturities of generally less than one year. We do not qualify commodity derivatives for hedge accounting treatment. As a result, the gains and losses on all commodity derivatives are immediately recognized in cost of products sold.

The following sensitivity analysis presents our potential loss (gain) of fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10 percent change in market prices related to commodities.

January 31, 2024April 30, 2023
High$29.2$53.9
Low(4.3)21.6
Average14.339.7

The estimated fair value was determined using quoted market prices and was based on our net derivative position by commodity for the previous four quarters. The calculations are not intended to represent actual losses in fair value that we expect to incur. In practice, as markets move, we actively manage our risk and adjust hedging strategies as appropriate. The commodities hedged have a high inverse correlation to price changes of the derivative instrument. Thus, we would expect that over time any gain or loss in the estimated fair value of its derivatives would generally be offset by an increase or decrease in the estimated fair value of the underlying exposures.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk: We have operations outside the U.S. with foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, primarily denominated in Canadian currency. Because we have foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, financial exposure may result, primarily from the timing of transactions and the movement of exchange rates. The foreign currency balance sheet exposures as of January 31, 2024, are not expected to result in a significant impact on future earnings or cash flows.

We utilize foreign currency derivatives to manage the effect of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on future cash payments primarily related to purchases of certain raw materials and finished goods. The contracts generally have maturities of less than one year. We do not qualify instruments used to manage foreign currency exchange exposures for hedge accounting treatment. Therefore, the change in value of these instruments is immediately recognized in cost of products sold. Based on our hedged foreign currency positions as of January 31, 2024, a hypothetical 10 percent change in exchange rates would not materially impact the fair value.

Revenues from customers outside the U.S., subject to foreign currency exchange, represented 6 percent of net sales during the nine months ended January 31, 2024. Thus, certain revenues and expenses have been, and are expected to be, subject to the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, and these fluctuations may have an impact on operating results.

Certain Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. The forward-looking statements may include statements concerning our current expectations, estimates, assumptions, and beliefs concerning future events, conditions, plans, and strategies that are not historical fact. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “will,” “plan,” and similar phrases.

Federal securities laws provide a safe harbor for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information. We are providing this cautionary statement in connection with the safe harbor provisions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such statements are by nature subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and from our historical results and experience. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • our ability to successfully integrate Hostess Brands’ operations and employees and to implement plans and achieve financial forecasts with respect to the Hostess Brands’ business;

  • our ability to realize the anticipated benefits, including synergies and cost savings, related to the Hostess Brands acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period;

  • disruption from the acquisition of Hostess Brands by diverting the attention of our management and making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships;

  • the negative effects of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on the market price of our common shares;

  • the amount of the costs, fees, expenses, and charges and the risk of litigation related to the acquisition of Hostess Brands;

  • the effect of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on our business relationships, operating results, ability to hire and retain key talent, and business generally;

  • the effect of the sale of certain pet food brands on our ability to retain key personnel and to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, and other business partners;

  • disruptions or inefficiencies in our operations or supply chain, including any impact caused by product recalls, political instability, terrorism, armed hostilities (including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine), extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, pandemics (including the novel coronavirus), work stoppages or labor shortages, or other calamities;

  • risks related to the availability, and cost inflation in, supply chain inputs, including labor, raw materials, commodities, packaging, and transportation;

  • the impact of food security concerns involving either our products or our competitors’ products, including changes in consumer preference, consumer litigation, actions by the FDA or other agencies, and product recalls;

  • risks associated with derivative and purchasing strategies we employ to manage commodity pricing and interest rate risks;

  • the availability of reliable transportation on acceptable terms;

  • our ability to achieve cost savings related to our restructuring and cost management programs in the amounts and within the time frames currently anticipated;

  • our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to continue operating under our capital deployment model, including capital expenditures, debt repayment to meet our deleveraging objectives, dividend payments, and share repurchases;

  • a change in outlook or downgrade in our public credit ratings by a rating agency below investment grade;

  • our ability to implement and realize the full benefit of price changes, and the impact of the timing of the price changes to profits and cash flow in a particular period;

  • the success and cost of marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in our business, including product innovation;

  • general competitive activity in the market, including competitors’ pricing practices and promotional spending levels;

  • our ability to attract and retain key talent;

  • the concentration of certain of our businesses with key customers and suppliers, including single-source suppliers of certain key raw materials and finished goods, and our ability to manage and maintain key relationships;

  • impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets or changes in the useful lives of other intangible assets or other long-lived assets;

  • the impact of new or changes to existing governmental laws and regulations and their application;

  • the outcome of tax examinations, changes in tax laws, and other tax matters;

  • a disruption, failure, or security breach of our or our suppliers’ information technology systems, including, but not limited to, ransomware attacks;

  • foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations; and

  • risks related to other factors described under “Risk Factors” in other reports and statements we have filed with the SEC.

Readers are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances subsequent to the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: Management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of January 31, 2024 (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls: There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the nine months ended January 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, except as noted below.

On November 7, 2023, we acquired Hostess Brands, as discussed in Note 3: Acquisition in Part I, Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. As part of the purchase price allocation process, procedures were performed to validate the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including existence testing and a preliminary valuation of the tangible and intangible assets acquired. We are currently integrating Hostess Brands into our operations and internal control processes, and, as permitted by the SEC rules and regulations, we have not yet included Hostess Brands in our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Hostess Brands constituted $6,332.0 of our consolidated total assets at January 31, 2024. For the three months ended January 31, 2024, Hostess Brands net sales was $300.3 and operating income was $34.7, which excludes special project costs recognized within the segment. We anticipate Hostess Brands will be included in management’s evaluation of internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2025.

Furthermore, as a result of the divested Sahale Snacks and Canada condiment businesses on November 1, 2023, and January 2, 2024, respectively, new controls were executed during the third quarter of 2024.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to the discussion in Note 16: Contingencies in Part I, Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our business, operations, and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The risk factors described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2023, should be carefully considered, together with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC, in connection with evaluating the Company, our business, and the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may affect us. The occurrence of any of these known or unknown risks could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The risk factors described below update the risk factors disclosed in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2023, to include information on the recent acquisition of Hostess Brands and related debt financing.

Our operations are subject to the general risks associated with acquisitions, divestitures, and restructurings. Specifically, we may not realize all of the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Hostess Brands, or those benefits may take longer to realize than expected. We may also encounter significant unexpected difficulties in integrating the Hostess Brands business.

Our stated strategic vision is to engage, delight, and inspire consumers by building brands they love and leading in growing categories. We have historically made strategic acquisitions of brands and businesses and intend to do so in the future in support of this strategy. If we are unable to complete acquisitions or to successfully integrate and develop acquired businesses, including the effective management of integration and related restructuring costs, we could fail to achieve the anticipated synergies and cost savings, or the expected increases in revenues and operating results. Additional acquisition risks include the diversion of management attention from our existing business, potential loss of key employees, suppliers, or consumers from the acquired business, assumption of unknown risks and liabilities, and greater than anticipated operating costs of the acquired business. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

In particular, our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Hostess Brands will depend, to a large extent, on our ability to integrate the Hostess Brands business into the Company. The combination of two independent businesses is a complex, costly, and time-consuming process. As a result, we will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating Hostess Brands’ business practices and operations with our business practices and operations. The integration process may disrupt the businesses and, if implemented ineffectively or if impacted by unforeseen negative economic or market conditions or other factors, we may not realize the full anticipated benefits of the acquisition. Our failure to meet the challenges involved in integrating the two businesses to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition could cause an interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, our activities and could adversely affect our results of operations, or cash flows,

cause dilution to our earnings per share, decrease or delay any accretive effect of the transactions, and negatively impact the price of our common shares.

Specifically, the difficulties of combining the operations of Hostess Brands with our business include, among others:

  • the diversion of management’s attention to integration matters;

  • difficulties in achieving anticipated cost savings, synergies, business opportunities, and growth prospects from combining the Hostess Brands business with our business;

  • difficulties in the integration of operations and systems;

  • difficulties in managing the expanded operations of a significantly larger and more complex company;

  • challenges in keeping existing customers and obtaining new customers;

  • challenges in attracting and retaining key personnel;

  • unanticipated expenses resulting from integration activities and disputes with third parties; and

  • unanticipated liabilities, such as environmental liabilities resulting from contamination at our properties or those of third parties.

In addition, we have made strategic divestitures of brands and businesses, including the recently divested Sahale Snacks and Canada condiment businesses, which closed during the third quarter of 2024, as well as past divestitures of certain pet food brands, the natural beverage and grains, and private label dry pet food businesses, and we may do so in the future. If we are unable to complete divestitures or successfully transition divested businesses, including the effective management of the related separation and stranded overhead costs, transition services, and the maintenance of relationships with customers, suppliers, and other business partners, our business and financial results could be negatively impacted. Further, we may incur asset impairment charges related to divestitures that reduce our profitability. Divestitures and related restructuring costs, such as the restructuring plan entered into in 2021, and concluded in 2023, require a significant amount of management and operational resources. These additional demands could divert management’s attention from core business operations, potentially adversely impacting existing business relationships and employee morale, resulting in negative impacts on our financial performance. For more information, see Note 4: Divestitures and Note 5: Special Project Costs.

Our business could be harmed by strikes or work stoppages.

As of January 31, 2024, 28 percent of our full-time employees, located at 11 manufacturing locations, are covered by collective bargaining agreements, inclusive of Hostess Brands employees. These contracts vary in term depending on location, with no contracts expiring in 2024. We cannot assure that we will be able to renew these collective bargaining agreements on the same or more favorable terms as the current agreements, or at all, without production interruptions caused by labor stoppages. If a strike or work stoppage were to occur in connection with negotiations of new collective bargaining agreements or as a result of disputes under collective bargaining agreements with labor unions, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

A material impairment in the carrying value of acquired goodwill or other intangible assets could negatively affect our consolidated operating results and net worth.

A significant portion of our assets is composed of goodwill and other intangible assets, the majority of which are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment at least annually on February 1, and more often if indicators of impairment exist. At January 31, 2024, the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets totaled $15.0 billion, compared to total assets of $20.3 billion and total shareholders’ equity of $7.6 billion. If the carrying value of these assets exceeds the current estimated fair value, the asset would be considered impaired, and this would result in a noncash charge to earnings, which could be material. Events and conditions that could result in impairment include a sustained drop in the market price of our common shares, increased competition or loss of market share, obsolescence, product claims that result in a significant loss of sales or profitability over the product life, deterioration in macroeconomic conditions, declining financial performance in comparison to projected results, increased input costs beyond projections, or divestitures of significant brands.

As of January 31, 2024, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets totaled $7.7 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively. The carrying values of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets were $1.6 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, within the U.S. Retail Pet Foods segment; $2.1 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, within the U.S. Retail Coffee segment; and $2.5 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, within the Sweet Baked Snacks segment, which represent approximately 85 percent of the total goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of January 31, 2024.

The goodwill within the U.S. Retail Pet Foods segment remains susceptible to future impairment charges due to narrow differences between fair value and carrying value, which is primarily attributable to the recognition of these assets at fair value resulting from impairment charges and divestitures in recent years. Further, the goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks within

the Sweet Baked Snacks reportable segment were based on their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. Since carrying value represents the estimated fair value, these assets could be more susceptible to future impairment. A change to the assumptions regarding future performance of the business, or a portion of it, or a change to other assumptions, could result in significant impairment losses in the future.

As of April 30, 2023, the estimated fair value was substantially in excess of the carrying value for all reporting units and material indefinite-lived intangible assets, and in all such instances, the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value by greater than 10 percent.

While we concluded there were no indicators of impairment as of January 31, 2024, any significant sustained adverse change in consumer purchasing behaviors, financial results, or macroeconomic conditions could result in future impairment.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers: The following table presents the total number of shares of common stock purchased during the third quarter of 2024, the average price paid per share, the number of shares that were purchased as part of a publicly announced repurchase program, if any, and the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs:

Period(a)(b)(c)(d)
Total Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid Per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or ProgramsMaximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
November 1, 2023 - November 30, 202321$113.47—1,111,472
December 1, 2023 - December 31, 202342116.12—1,111,472
January 1, 2024 - January 31, 20241,038126.55—1,111,472
Total1,101$125.90—1,111,472

(a)Shares in this column include shares repurchased from stock plan recipients in lieu of cash payments.

(c)During the first nine months of 2024, we repurchased approximately 2.4 million common shares under our repurchase program, as discussed in Note 17: Common Shares.

(d) As of January 31, 2024, there were approximately 1.1 million common shares remaining available for repurchase pursuant to the Board’s authorizations.

Item 5. Other Information.

(c) Trading Plans

During the first nine months of 2024, no director or Section 16 officer adopted, modified, or terminated any Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements.

Item 6. Exhibits.

See the Index of Exhibits that appears on Page No. 47 of this report.

SIGNATURES

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

February 27, 2024THE J. M. SMUCKER COMPANY
/s/ Mark T. Smucker
By: MARK T. SMUCKER
Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Tucker H. Marshall
By: TUCKER H. MARSHALL
Chief Financial Officer

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are either attached or incorporated herein by reference to another filing with the SEC.

Exhibit NumberExhibit Description
2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among The J.M. Smucker Company, Hostess Brands, Inc. and SSF Holdings, Inc. dated as of September 10, 2023
31.1Certifications of Mark T. Smucker pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended
31.2Certifications of Tucker H. Marshall pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended
32Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INSXBRL Instance Document – The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
104The cover page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL
  • Identifies exhibits that consist of a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.