Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report and the risk factors noted below, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I.—Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report and herein are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and/or future results. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors included in our Annual Report.
Weak, or weakening of, economic or other negative conditions in the markets in which we do business, including reductions in discretionary consumer spending, could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
Beer consumption in many of our markets is closely tied to general economic conditions and a significant portion of our portfolio consists of premium and above premium brands. Difficult macroeconomic conditions in our markets, such as further decreases in per capita income and level of disposable income driven by increases to inflation, income (and other) taxes, the cost of living, increased and prolonged continued unemployment or a further decline in consumer confidence, in each case, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic or otherwise, as well as limited or significantly reduced points of access of our product, political or economic instability or other country-specific factors could continue to have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products. For example, a trend towards value brands in certain of our markets or deterioration of the current economic conditions could result in a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
A significant portion of our consolidated net sales are concentrated in the U.S., Canada and countries in Europe, and accordingly represent the majority of net sales within our Americas and EMEA&APAC segments, respectively. Therefore, unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, such as a recession or continued slowed economic growth, in the U.S., Canada or countries in Europe could negatively affect consumer demand for our product in these important markets, which consequently, may negatively affect the results of operations in our Americas and EMEA&APAC segments. Under difficult economic conditions, consumers may seek to reduce discretionary spending by forgoing purchases of our products, by shifting away from our above premium products to lower-priced products offered by us or other companies or by shifting to off-premise from on-premise consumption, negatively impacting our net sales and margins. Softer consumer demand for our products could reduce our profitability and could negatively affect our overall financial performance.
In addition, geopolitical risks, including those arising from trade tension and/or the imposition of trade tariffs, terrorist activity or acts of civil or international hostility, are increasing. For instance, the Russia-Ukraine Conflict has already adversely affected the global economy, resulted in heightened economic sanctions from the U.S., the U.K., the European Union and the international community and could result in geopolitical instability. As a result of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict, we have suspended all exports of any MCBC brands to Russia and we suspended the license to produce any of our brands in Russia. Even though our sales in Russia have historically been limited, representing less than 0.2% of our 2021 annual sales, and as we have no physical assets in Russia, the impact of these government measures and our temporary suspensions, as well as any further retaliatory actions taken by Russia and the U.S. and foreign government bodies has caused a negative impact to the global economy, including further increases to cost inflation, driving increases to the cost of transportation, energy and supplies which have had and could continue to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, supply chain, intellectual property, partners, customers or employees and may expose us to adverse legal proceedings in Russia in the future. Further escalation of geopolitical tensions related to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict, including increased trade barriers or restrictions on global trade, could result in, among other things, broader impacts that expand into other markets, cyberattacks, supply chain and logistics disruptions, lower consumer demand, and changes to foreign exchange rates and financial markets, any of which may adversely affect our business and supply chain. In addition, the effects of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine Conflict could heighten many of our known risks described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2022. Future changes to U.S. or foreign tax and trade, policies, impositions of new or increased tariffs, other trade restrictions or other government actions, including any government shutdown, foreign currency fluctuations, including devaluations and fear of exposure to or actual impacts of a widespread disease outbreak, such as the coronavirus pandemic, may lead to continuation of such risks and uncertainty. Uncertain economic and financial market conditions may also adversely affect the financial condition of our customers, suppliers and other business partners. Any significant decrease in consumers' purchases of our products or our inability to collect accounts receivable, resulting from an adverse impact of the global markets on consumers' financial condition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Due to a high concentration of workers represented by unions or trade councils, we could be significantly affected by labor strikes, work stoppages or other employee-related issues.
As of December 31, 2021, approximately 32% and 26% of our Americas and EMEA&APAC workforces, respectively, are represented by trade unions or councils. Stringent labor laws in certain of our key markets expose us to a greater risk of loss
should we experience labor disruptions in those markets. A prolonged labor strike, work stoppage or other employee-related issues, could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. For example, in the first few months of 2021, we experienced a labor disruption with our Toronto brewery unionized employees resulting from on-going negotiations of the collective bargaining agreement. This labor disruption resulted in slightly slower than expected production at the Toronto brewery in the first few months of 2021. From time to time, our collective bargaining agreements come due for renegotiation, and, if we are unable to timely complete negotiations, affected employees may strike, which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.
There are four collective bargaining agreements in Québec that expired at the end of 2021. In late 2021 and 2022, we began negotiating one of these collective bargaining agreements with our Montreal unionized distribution and brewery employees. At the end of March through mid-June 2022, approximately 400 unionized employees in our Montreal/Longueuil, Québec brewery and distribution centers went on strike, which adversely affected our business and operations during the second quarter of 2022, and may continue to impact our operations in the second half of 2022 as we restart these brewery operations, rebuild inventory and replenish retail shelves. In addition, we have successfully negotiated one of the remaining three collective bargaining agreements in Québec that expired at the end of 2021, and have also begun to negotiate the remaining two collective bargaining agreements, but there is no guarantee we will enter into new collective bargaining agreements with these employees on acceptable terms or at all. Although our objective is to maintain constructive relations with the labor unions that represent our Québec employees, the employees subject to the remaining two collective bargaining agreements being negotiated may still strike which could adversely affect our business and financial results, including distribution impacts and loss of customers.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table presents information with respect to Class B common stock purchases made by our Company , during the three months ended June 30, 2022:
| Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of shares purchased | Average price paid per share | Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs**(1)** | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 1, 2022 through April 30, 2022 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 185,893,376 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| May 1, 2022 through May 31, 2022 | 230,000 | $ | 52.59 | 230,000 | $ | 173,797,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 173,797,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 230,000 | $ | 52.59 | 230,000 | $ | 173,797,147 |
(1)On February 17, 2022, our Company's Board of Directors ("the Board") approved a share repurchase program to repurchase up to an aggregate of $200 million of our Company's Class B common stock through March 31, 2026, with repurchases primarily intended to offset annual employee equity award grants. The number, price, structure and timing of the repurchases, if any, will be at our sole discretion and future repurchases will be evaluated by us depending on market conditions, liquidity needs, restrictions under our debt arrangements and other factors. Share repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase authorization does not oblige us to acquire any particular amount of our Class B common stock. The Board may suspend, modify or terminate the repurchase program at any time without prior notice.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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