BROWN FORMAN CORP (BF-B)
SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > Food And Kindred Products > SIC 2080 Beverages
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=14693. Latest filing source: 0000014693-26-000024.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3,928,000,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-06-12 |
| Net income | 715,000,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-06-12 |
| Assets | 7,894,000,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-06-12 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-06-12. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000014693.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2,994,000,000 | 3,248,000,000 | 3,324,000,000 | 3,363,000,000 | 3,461,000,000 | 3,933,000,000 | 4,228,000,000 | 4,178,000,000 | 3,975,000,000 | 3,928,000,000 |
| Net income | 669,000,000 | 717,000,000 | 835,000,000 | 827,000,000 | 903,000,000 | 838,000,000 | 783,000,000 | 1,024,000,000 | 869,000,000 | 715,000,000 |
| Operating income | 1,010,000,000 | 1,048,000,000 | 1,144,000,000 | 1,091,000,000 | 1,166,000,000 | 1,204,000,000 | 1,127,000,000 | 1,414,000,000 | 1,107,000,000 | 1,001,000,000 |
| Gross profit | 2,021,000,000 | 2,202,000,000 | 2,166,000,000 | 2,127,000,000 | 2,094,000,000 | 2,391,000,000 | 2,494,000,000 | 2,526,000,000 | 2,343,000,000 | 2,378,000,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 1.37 | 1.48 | 1.73 | 1.72 | 1.88 | 1.74 | 1.63 | 2.14 | 1.84 | 1.53 |
| Operating cash flow | 656,000,000 | 653,000,000 | 800,000,000 | 724,000,000 | 817,000,000 | 936,000,000 | 640,000,000 | 647,000,000 | 598,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 112,000,000 | 127,000,000 | 119,000,000 | 113,000,000 | 62,000,000 | 138,000,000 | 183,000,000 | 228,000,000 | 167,000,000 | 107,000,000 |
| Dividends paid | 274,000,000 | 773,000,000 | 310,000,000 | 325,000,000 | 338,000,000 | 831,000,000 | 378,000,000 | 404,000,000 | 420,000,000 | 427,000,000 |
| Share buybacks | 561,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 207,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 400,000,000 | 0.00 | 400,000,000 |
| Assets | 4,625,000,000 | 4,976,000,000 | 5,139,000,000 | 5,766,000,000 | 6,522,000,000 | 6,373,000,000 | 7,777,000,000 | 8,166,000,000 | 8,086,000,000 | 7,894,000,000 |
| Liabilities | 3,255,000,000 | 3,660,000,000 | 3,492,000,000 | 3,791,000,000 | 3,866,000,000 | 3,636,000,000 | 4,509,000,000 | 4,649,000,000 | 4,093,000,000 | 3,874,000,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 1,370,000,000 | 1,316,000,000 | 1,647,000,000 | 1,975,000,000 | 2,656,000,000 | 2,737,000,000 | 3,268,000,000 | 3,517,000,000 | 3,993,000,000 | 4,020,000,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 182,000,000 | 239,000,000 | 307,000,000 | 675,000,000 | 1,150,000,000 | 868,000,000 | 374,000,000 | 446,000,000 | 444,000,000 | 308,000,000 |
| Free cash flow | 544,000,000 | 526,000,000 | 681,000,000 | 611,000,000 | 755,000,000 | 798,000,000 | 457,000,000 | 419,000,000 | 431,000,000 | 893,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 22.34% | 22.08% | 25.12% | 24.59% | 26.09% | 21.31% | 18.52% | 24.51% | 21.86% | 18.20% |
| Operating margin | 33.73% | 32.27% | 34.42% | 32.44% | 33.69% | 30.61% | 26.66% | 33.84% | 27.85% | 25.48% |
| Return on equity | 48.83% | 54.48% | 50.70% | 41.87% | 34.00% | 30.62% | 23.96% | 29.12% | 21.76% | 17.79% |
| Return on assets | 14.46% | 14.41% | 16.25% | 14.34% | 13.85% | 13.15% | 10.07% | 12.54% | 10.75% | 9.06% |
| Liabilities / equity | 2.38 | 2.78 | 2.12 | 1.92 | 1.46 | 1.33 | 1.38 | 1.32 | 1.03 | 0.96 |
| Current ratio | 2.42 | 3.11 | 3.87 | 3.71 | 4.27 | 3.65 | 3.51 | 2.59 | 3.88 | 3.24 |
Financial Charts
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-06-12. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000014693.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q1 | 2022-07-31 | 0.52 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2022-10-31 | 0.47 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-01-31 | 0.21 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q1 | 2023-07-31 | 1,038,000,000 | 231,000,000 | 0.48 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2023-07-31 | 231,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2023-10-31 | 1,107,000,000 | 0.50 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2023-10-31 | 242,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-01-31 | 1,069,000,000 | 0.60 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-04-30 | 964,000,000 | 266,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2024-07-31 | 951,000,000 | 195,000,000 | 0.41 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2024-07-31 | 195,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q2 | 2024-10-31 | 1,095,000,000 | 0.55 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2024-10-31 | 258,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-01-31 | 1,035,000,000 | 0.57 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-04-30 | 894,000,000 | 146,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2025-07-31 | 924,000,000 | 170,000,000 | 0.36 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2026-Q2 | 2025-07-31 | 170,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2026-Q2 | 2025-10-31 | 1,036,000,000 | 0.47 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2026-Q3 | 2025-10-31 | 224,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2026-Q3 | 2026-01-31 | 1,056,000,000 | 0.58 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2026-Q4 | 2026-04-30 | 912,000,000 | 54,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD |
Quarterly Charts
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0000014693-26-000010.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with both our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025 (2025 Form 10-K). Note that the results of operations for the nine months ended January 31, 2026, are not necessarily indicative of future or annual results. In this Item, “we,” “us,” “our,” “Brown-Forman,” and the “Company” refer to Brown-Forman Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, collectively.
Presentation Basis
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Additionally, we use some financial measures in this report that are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. These non-GAAP measures, defined below, should be viewed as supplements to (not substitutes for) our results of operations and other measures reported under GAAP. Other companies may define or calculate these non-GAAP measures differently.
“Organic change” in measures of statements of operations. We present changes in certain measures, or line items, of the statements of operations that are adjusted to an “organic” basis. We use “organic change” for the following measures: (a) organic net sales; (b) organic cost of sales; (c) organic gross profit; (d) organic advertising expenses; (e) organic selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses; (f) organic other expense (income), net; (g) organic operating expenses1; and (h) organic operating income. To calculate these measures, we adjust, as applicable, for (1) acquisitions and divestitures, (2) other items, and (3) foreign exchange. We explain these adjustments below.
•“Acquisitions and divestitures.” This adjustment removes (a) the gain or loss recognized on sale of divested brands and certain assets, (b) any non-recurring effects related to our acquisitions and divestitures (e.g., transaction, transition, and integration costs), (c) the effects of operating activity related to acquired and divested brands, including certain divested agency brands, for periods not comparable year over year (non-comparable periods), and (d) fair value changes to contingent consideration liabilities. Excluding non-comparable periods allows us to include the effects of acquired and divested brands only to the extent that results are comparable year over year. For the first, second, and third quarters of fiscal 2026, we had the following acquisitions and divestitures adjustments:
During fiscal 2023, we acquired Gin Mare Brand, S.L.U. and Mareliquid Vantguard, S.L.U., which owned the Gin Mare brand (Gin Mare). This adjustment removes the fair value adjustments to Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability that is payable in cash no later than July 2027 from our other expense (income), net and operating income.
During fiscal 2024, we sold our Finlandia vodka and Sonoma-Cutrer wine businesses and entered into related transition services agreements (TSAs) for these businesses. This adjustment removes the net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, and operating income recognized pursuant to the TSAs related to distribution services in certain markets for the non-comparable period, which is activity from the first, second, and third quarters of fiscal 2025.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, we recognized a gain of $12 million on the sale of the Alabama cooperage. This adjustment removes the gain from our other expense (income), net and operating income.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, we ended our sales, marketing, and distribution relationship with Korbel Champagne Cellars (Korbel relationship), effective June 30, 2025. This adjustment removes the net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, and operating income for the non-comparable period, which is July through January of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026.
•“Other items.” Other items include the additional items outlined below.
“Franchise tax refund.” During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, we recognized a $13 million franchise tax refund due to a change in franchise tax calculation methodology for the state of Tennessee. This modification lowered our annual franchise tax obligation and was retroactively applied to franchise taxes paid during fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2023. This adjustment removes the franchise tax refund from our other expense (income), net and operating income.
“Restructuring initiative.” During the third quarter of fiscal 2025, our Board of Directors approved a plan to reduce our structural cost base and realign resources toward future sources of growth. This included reducing our workforce by approximately 12% and closing the Louisville-based Brown-Forman Cooperage. We also offered a special, one-time early retirement benefit to qualifying U.S. employees. During the first nine months of fiscal 2026, we incurred
1Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, restructuring and other charges, and other expense (income), net.
21
$19 million in restructuring and other charges associated with this initiative and completed the sale of the Brown-Forman Cooperage facility and related assets. Comparatively, we incurred $33 million in related restructuring and other charges in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2025. This adjustment removes the restructuring initiative impact from our operating expenses and operating income for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2025 and the first nine months of fiscal 2026. See Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
“Substitution drawback claims.” During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, we recognized a net benefit of $18 million related to the collection of substitution drawback claims filed with the U.S. Government between fiscal 2016 and 2019. As of the first quarter of fiscal 2026, all claims have been collected. This adjustment removes the benefit from our other expense (income), net and operating income.
•“Foreign exchange.” We calculate the percentage change in certain line items of the statements of operations in accordance with GAAP and adjust to exclude the cost or benefit of currency fluctuations. Adjusting for foreign exchange allows us to understand our business on a constant-dollar basis, as fluctuations in exchange rates can distort the organic trend both positively and negatively. (In this report, “dollar” means the U.S. dollar unless stated otherwise.) To eliminate the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations when comparing across periods, we translate current-year results at prior-year rates and remove transactional and hedging foreign exchange gains and losses from current- and prior-year periods.
We use the non-GAAP measure “organic change,” along with other metrics, to: (a) understand our performance from period to period on a consistent basis; (b) compare our performance to that of our competitors; (c) calculate components of management incentive compensation; (d) plan and forecast; and (e) communicate our financial performance to the Board of Directors, stockholders, and investment community. We provide reconciliations of the “organic change” in certain line items of the statements of operations to their nearest GAAP measures in the tables under “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2026 Year-to-Date Highlights” and “Results of Operations - Year-Over-Year Period Comparisons.” We have consistently applied the adjustments within our reconciliations in arriving at each non-GAAP measure. We believe these non-GAAP measures are useful to readers and investors because they enhance the understanding of our historical financial performance and comparability between periods. When we provide guidance for organic change in certain measures of the statements of operations we do not provide guidance for the corresponding GAAP change, as the GAAP measure will include items that are difficult to quantify or predict with reasonable certainty, such as foreign exchange, which could have a significant impact to our GAAP income statement measures.
Definitions
Aggregations.
From time to time, to explain our results of operations or to highlight trends and uncertainties affecting our business, we aggregate markets according to stage of economic development as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and we aggregate brands by beverage alcohol category. Below, we define the geographic and brand aggregations used in this report.
Geographic Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2026 Year-to-Date Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top markets ranked by percentage of net sales. In addition to markets listed by country name, we include the following aggregations:
•“Developed International” markets are “advanced economies” as defined by the IMF, excluding the United States. Our top developed international markets were Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Emerging” markets are “emerging and developing economies” as defined by the IMF. Our top emerging markets were Mexico, Poland, Brazil, and Türkiye. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Brazil” includes Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and certain other surrounding territories.
•“Travel Retail” represents our net sales of branded products to global duty-free customers, other travel retail customers, and the U.S. military, regardless of customer location.
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bottling services, and non-branded bulk whiskey, regardless of customer location.
22
Brand Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2026 Year-to-Date Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top brands ranked by percentage of net sales. In addition to brands listed by name, we include the following aggregations outlined below.
•“Whiskey” includes all whiskey spirits and whiskey-based flavored liqueurs. The brands included in this category are the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below), the Woodford Reserve family of brands (Woodford Reserve), the Old Forester family of brands (Old Forester), The Glendronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, and Slane Irish Whiskey.
•“American whiskey” includes the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below), Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester.
•“Super-premium American whiskey” includes Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack, and other super-premium Jack Daniel’s expressions.
•“Ready-to-Drink” includes all ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-pour (RTP) products. The brands included in this category are Jack Daniel’s RTD and RTP products (JD RTD/RTP), New Mix, and other RTD/RTP products.
•“Jack Daniel’s RTD/RTP” products include all RTD line extensions of Jack Daniel’s, such as Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Double Jack, Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails (JDCC)1, and other malt- and spirit-based Jack Daniel’s RTDs, along with Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack RTP.
•“Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD” includes all Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD products and Jack Daniel’s bulk whiskey shipments for the production of these products.
•“Tequila” includes el Jimador, the Herradura family of brands (Herradura), and other tequilas.
•“Rest of Portfolio” includes Korbel California Champagnes2, Diplomático, Chambord, Gin Mare, Sonoma-Cutrer (which was divested on April 30, 2024), Finlandia Vodka (which was divested on November 1, 2023), Korbel Brandy2, Fords Gin, and other agency brands (brands we do not own, but sell in certain markets).
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bo
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to help the reader better understand Brown-Forman, our operations, our financial results, and our current business environment. Please read this MD&A in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Consolidated Financial Statements).
Our MD&A is organized as follows:
| Table of Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Presentation basis | 30 |
| Significant developments | 34 |
| Executive summary | 36 |
| Results of operations | 38 |
| Liquidity and capital resources | 45 |
| Critical accounting policies and estimates | 47 |
Presentation Basis
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Additionally, we use some financial measures in this report that are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. These non-GAAP measures, defined below, should be viewed as supplements to (not substitutes for) our results of operations and other measures reported under GAAP. Other companies may define or calculate these non-GAAP measures differently.
“Organic change” in measures of statements of operations. We present changes in certain measures, or line items, of the statements of operations that are adjusted to an “organic” basis. We use “organic change” for the following measures: (a) organic net sales; (b) organic cost of sales; (c) organic gross profit; (d) organic advertising expenses; (e) organic selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses; (f) organic other expense (income), net; (g) organic operating expenses1; and (h) organic operating income. To calculate these measures, we adjust, as applicable, for (1) acquisitions and divestitures, (2) impairment charges, (3) other items, and (4) foreign exchange. We explain these adjustments below.
•“Acquisitions and divestitures.” This adjustment removes (a) the gain or loss recognized on the sale of divested brands and certain assets, (b) any non-recurring effects related to our acquisitions and divestitures (e.g., transaction, transition, and integration costs), (c) the effects of operating activity related to acquired and divested brands, including certain divested agency brands, for periods not comparable year over year (non-comparable periods), and (d) fair value changes to contingent consideration liabilities. Excluding non-comparable periods allows us to include the effects of acquired and divested brands only to the extent that results are comparable year over year. For the periods presented, we had the following acquisitions and divestitures adjustments:
During fiscal 2023, we acquired the Gin Mare brand (Gin Mare). The purchase price consisted of cash paid at the acquisition date plus contingent consideration that is payable in cash upon exercise by the sellers no later than July 2027. We recognized $43 million and $15 million in favorable fair value adjustments to Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability during fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, respectively. This adjustment removes the fair value impact from our other expense (income), net and operating income for the periods presented.
During fiscal 2024, we sold our Finlandia vodka and Sonoma-Cutrer wine businesses and entered into transition services agreements (TSAs) related to distribution services in certain markets for these businesses. This adjustment removes the net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, and operating income recognized pursuant to the TSAs for the non-comparable period, which is activity from fiscal 2025.
During fiscal 2025, we recognized a gain of $12 million on the sale of the Alabama cooperage. This adjustment removes the gain from our other expense (income), net and operating income.
1Operating expenses include advertising expenses, SG&A expenses, restructuring and other charges, other intangible assets impairment, and other expense (income), net.
30
During fiscal 2026, we ended our sales, marketing, and distribution relationship with Korbel Champagne Cellars (Korbel relationship), effective June 30, 2025. This adjustment removes the net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, and operating income for the non-comparable period, which is activity from July through April of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026.
See Notes 5, 14, and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
•“Impairment Charges.” This adjustment removes the impact of impairment charges from our results of operations.
During fiscal 2025, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $47 million for the Gin Mare brand name. During fiscal 2026, we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $45 million and $87 million for the Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names, respectively. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below and Notes 4 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
•“Other Items.” Other Items include the additional items outlined below.
“Franchise tax refund.” During fiscal 2025, we recognized a $13 million franchise tax refund due to a change in franchise tax calculation methodology for the state of Tennessee. This modification lowered our annual franchise tax obligation and was retroactively applied to franchise taxes paid during fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2023. This adjustment removes the franchise tax refund from our other expense (income), net and operating income.
“Restructuring initiative.” During fiscal 2025, our Board of Directors approved a plan to reduce our structural cost base and realign resources toward future sources of growth. This included reducing our workforce by approximately 12% and closing the Louisville-based Brown-Forman Cooperage. We also offered a special, one-time early retirement benefit to qualifying U.S. employees. In fiscal 2025, we incurred $63 million1 in charges related to the restructuring initiative. During fiscal 2026, we incurred $19 million in restructuring and other charges associated with this initiative and completed the sale of Brown-Forman Cooperage facility and related assets. This adjustment removes the restructuring initiative impact from our cost of sales, operating expenses and operating income for the periods presented. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
“Substitution drawback claims.” During fiscal 2026, we recognized a net benefit of $18 million related to the collection of substitution drawback claims filed with the U.S. Government between fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2019. As of the first quarter of fiscal 2026, all claims had been collected. Comparatively, we recognized an immaterial net benefit in fiscal 2025 related to the collection of substitution drawback claims. This adjustment removes the benefit from our other expense (income), net and operating income for the periods presented.
•“Foreign exchange.” We calculate the percentage change in certain line items of the statements of operations in accordance with GAAP and adjust to exclude the cost or benefit of currency fluctuations. Adjusting for foreign exchange allows us to understand our business on a constant-dollar basis, as fluctuations in exchange rates can distort the organic trend both positively and negatively. (In this report, “dollar” means the U.S. dollar unless stated otherwise.) To eliminate the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations when comparing across periods, we translate current-year results at prior-year rates and remove transactional and hedging foreign exchange gains and losses from current- and prior-year periods.
We use the non-GAAP measure “organic change,” along with other metrics, to: (a) understand our performance from period to period on a consistent basis; (b) compare our performance to that of our competitors; (c) calculate components of management incentive compensation; (d) plan and forecast; and (e) communicate our financial performance to the Board of Directors, stockholders, and the investment community. We provide reconciliations of the “organic change” in certain line items of the statements of operations to their nearest GAAP measures in the tables under “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2026 Brand Highlights,” “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2026 Market Highlights,” and “Results of Operations - Year-Over-Year Comparisons.” We have consistently applied the adjustments within our reconciliations in arriving at each non-GAAP measure. We believe these non-GAAP measures are useful to readers and investors because they enhance the understanding of our historical financial performance and comparability between periods. When we provide guidance for organic change in certain measures of the statements of operations, we do not provide guidance for the corresponding GAAP change, as the GAAP measure will include items that are difficult to quantify or predict with reasonable certainty, such as foreign exchange, which could have a significant impact to our GAAP income statement measures.
“Return on average invested capital.” This measure refers to the sum of net income and after-tax interest expense, divided by average invested capital. Average invested capital equals assets less liabilities, excluding interest-bearing debt, and is calculated using the average of the most recent five quarter-end balances. After-tax interest expense equals interest expense multiplied by one minus our effective tax rate. We use this non-GAAP measure because we consider it to be a meaningful indicator of how effectively and efficiently we invest capital in our business.
1This amount comprises $60 million of costs included in restructuring and other charges and $3 million of restructuring-related inventory charges included in cost of sales.
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Definitions
Aggregations.
From time to time, to explain our results of operations or to highlight trends and uncertainties affecting our business, we aggregate markets according to stage of economic development as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and we aggregate brands by beverage alcohol category. Below, we define the geographic and brand aggregations used in this report.
Geographic Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2026 Market Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top markets ranked by percentage of reported net sales. In addition to markets listed by country name, we include the following aggregations:
•“Developed International” markets are “advanced economies” as defined by the IMF, excluding the United States. Our top developed international markets were Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Spain” includes Spain and certain other surrounding territories.
•“Emerging” markets are “emerging and developing economies” as defined by the IMF. Our top emerging markets were Mexico, Poland, Brazil, and Türkiye. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Brazil” includes Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and certain other surrounding territories.
•“Travel Retail” represents our net sales of branded products to global duty-free customers, other travel retail customers, and the U.S. military, regardless of customer location.
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bottling services, and non-branded bulk whiskey, regardless of customer location.
Brand Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2026 Brand Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top brands ranked by percentage of reported net sales. In addition to brands listed by name, we include the aggregations outlined below.
Beginning in fiscal 2025, we aggregated the “Wine” and “Vodka” product categories with “Rest of Portfolio,” due to the divestitures of Sonoma-Cutrer and Finlandia. Please refer to the new definition of “Rest of Portfolio” for more information.
•“Whiskey” includes all whiskey spirits and whiskey-based flavored liqueurs. The brands included in this category are the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below), the Woodford Reserve family of brands (Woodford Reserve), the Old Forester family of brands (Old Forester), The Glendronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, and Slane Irish Whiskey.
•“American whiskey” includes the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below), Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester.
•“Super-premium American whiskey” includes Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack, and other super-premium Jack Daniel’s expressions.
•“Ready-to-Drink” includes all ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-pour (RTP) products. The brands included in this category are Jack Daniel’s RTD and RTP products (JD RTD/RTP), New Mix, and other RTD/RTP products.
•“Jack Daniel’s RTD/RTP” products include all RTD line extensions of Jack Daniel’s, such as Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Double Jack, Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails (JDCC)1, and other malt- and spirit-based Jack Daniel’s RTDs, along with Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack RTP.
•“Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD” includes all Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD products and Jack Daniel’s bulk whiskey shipments for the production of these products.
•“Tequila” includes el Jimador, the Herradura family of brands (Herradura), and other tequilas.
1As announced on March 2, 2026, we agreed to conclude our relationship with Pabst Brewing Company for flavored malt beverages within the United States. We will assume management of the supply, sales, marketing, and distribution of JDCC, effective July 7, 2026.
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•“Rest of Portfolio” includes Diplomático, Gin Mare, Chambord, other agency brands (brands we do not own, but sell in certain markets), Korbel California Champagnes and Korbel Brandy1, Fords Gin, Finlandia Vodka (which was divested on November 1, 2023), and Sonoma-Cutrer (which was divested on April 30, 2024).
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bottling services, and non-branded bulk whiskey.
•“Jack Daniel’s family of brands” includes Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey (JDTW), JD RTD/RTP, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey (JDTH), Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple (JDTA), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry (JDTB), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire (JDTF), Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Collection (JDSB), Jack Daniel’s Bonded Series, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt, Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, and other Jack Daniel’s expressions.
Other Metrics.
•“Shipments.” We generally record revenues when we ship or deliver our products to our customers. In this report, unless otherwise specified, we refer to shipments when discussing volume.
•“Depletions.” This metric is commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry to describe volume. Depending on the context, depletions usually means either (a) where Brown-Forman is the distributor, shipments directly to retail or wholesale customers or (b) where Brown-Forman is not the distributor, shipments from distributor customers to retailers and wholesalers. We believe that depletions measure volume in a way that more closely reflects consumer demand than our shipments to distributor customers do.
•“Consumer takeaway.” When discussing trends in the market, we refer to consumer takeaway, a term commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry that refers to the purchase of product by consumers from retail outlets, including products purchased through e-commerce channels, as measured by volume or retail sales value. This information is provided by outside parties, such as Nielsen and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA). Our estimates of market share or changes in market share are derived from consumer takeaway data using the retail sales value metric.
•“Estimated net change in distributor inventories.” We generally recognize revenue when our products are shipped or delivered to customers. In the United States and certain other markets, our customers are distributors that sell downstream to retailers and consumers. We believe that our distributors’ downstream sales more closely reflect actual consumer demand than do our shipments to distributors. Our shipments increase distributors’ inventories, while distributors’ depletions (as described above) reduce their inventories. Therefore, it is possible that our shipments do not coincide with distributors’ downstream depletions and merely reflect changes in distributors’ inventories. Because changes in distributors’ inventories could affect our trends, we believe it is useful for investors to understand those changes in the context of our operating results.
We perform the following calculation to determine the “estimated net change in distributor inventories”:
•For both the current-year period and the comparable prior-year period, we calculate a “depletion-based” amount by (a) dividing the organic dollar amount (e.g., organic net sales) by the corresponding shipment volumes to arrive at a shipment-per-case amount, and (b) multiplying the resulting shipment-per-case amount by the corresponding depletion volumes. We subtract the year-over-year percentage change of the “depletion-based” amount from the year-over-year percentage change of the organic amount to calculate the “estimated net change in distributor inventories.”
•A positive difference is interpreted as a net increase in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could decrease as distributors reduce inventories; whereas a negative difference is interpreted as a net decrease in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could increase as distributors rebuild inventories.
1The Korbel relationship ended effective June 30, 2025.
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Significant Developments
Below, we discuss the significant developments in our business during fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026. These developments relate to divestitures, brand name impairments and earn-out valuation, the restructuring initiative, the United States distributor evolution, innovation, and capital deployment.
Divestitures
During fiscal 2024, we sold the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business and entered into a TSA, which ended in August 2024. During fiscal 2026, we ended the Korbel relationship, effective June 30, 2025. The absence of these brands negatively impacted our net sales and operating income, but positively impacted our gross margin for fiscal 2026.
Brand Name Impairments and Earn-out Valuation
During fiscal 2025, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $47 million for the Gin Mare brand name. During fiscal 2026, we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $45 million and $87 million for the Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names, respectively. These brand name impairments over the past two fiscal years largely reflect a decline in our forecast assumptions due to the softening category outlook and challenging macroeconomic environment in many of our top markets for these brands. Given this, during fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, we also lowered the financial forecast assumptions used to estimate the fair value of Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability, which is remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis. As a result, we recognized $43 million and $15 million in favorable fair value adjustments to Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability during fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, respectively. The net impact of these non-cash impairment charges and fair value adjustments negatively impacted our operating expenses and operating income for fiscal 2025 and 2026. See Notes 4 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Restructuring Initiative
During fiscal 2025, our Board of Directors approved a plan to reduce our structural cost base and realign resources toward future sources of growth. This included reducing our workforce by approximately 12% and closing the Louisville-based Brown-Forman Cooperage. We also offered a special, one-time early retirement benefit to qualifying U.S. employees. During fiscal 2026, we incurred additional restructuring charges associated with this initiative and completed the sale of the Brown-Forman Cooperage facility and related assets. While these actions negatively impacted our operating expenses and operating income for fiscal 2026, we benefited from lower restructuring costs when compared to the same prior-year period. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
United States Distributor Evolution
During fiscal 2026, we transitioned our portfolio distribution in the state of California, effective May 1, 2025, and in 13 additional markets across the United States, effective August 1, 2025. We further advanced this strategic realignment by transitioning our distribution in 11 U.S. control states, effective June 1, 2026. In fiscal 2026, our net sales benefited from higher net pricing across the portfolio as a result of changes to our distributor relationship terms.
Innovation
•Jack Daniel’s family of brands. Innovation within the Jack Daniel’s family of brands has contributed to our growth in the last two fiscal years as described below.
◦In fiscal 2025, we launched Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey in the United States.
◦In fiscal 2026, we launched Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry in the United States and in certain developed international and emerging markets. We also launched Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel in the United States.
•In fiscal 2025, we launched Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked in the United States.
•In fiscal 2026, we launched New Mix in the United States.
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Capital Deployment
We have focused our capital deployment initiatives on investing fully in our existing business and returning cash to our stockholders.
•Investments. During fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, our capital expenditures totaled $274 million and focused on enabling the growth of our whiskey and tequila brands. This included completing a $50 million expansion of our scotch-making capacity in Scotland. Additionally, we constructed additional barrel warehouses for Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, Glenglassaugh, Diplomatico, and our tequilas.
•Cash returned to stockholders. During fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, we returned a total of $1.2 billion to our stockholders through $847 million in regular dividends and $400 million in share repurchases.
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Executive Summary
Unless otherwise indicated, all related commentary is on a reported basis.
During fiscal 2026, the operating environment remained challenging due to ongoing macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical instability, which we believe negatively impacted consumer behavior and beverage alcohol consumption, particularly within developed markets.
Fiscal 2026 Highlights
•We delivered net sales of $3.9 billion, a decrease of 1% compared to fiscal 2025. The decrease was driven by the negative effect of acquisitions and divestitures, partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange and higher volumes.
◦From a brand perspective, net sales declines were driven by the end of the Korbel relationship, the decline of used barrel sales, and lower volumes of JDTW, partially offset by the launch of JDTB and the growth of New Mix.
◦From a geographic perspective, net sales declines in the United States were more than offset by growth in Emerging markets and the Travel Retail channel, while Developed International markets were flat. In addition, our results were negatively impacted by declines in used barrel sales.
•We delivered gross profit of $2.4 billion, an increase of 2% compared to fiscal 2025. Gross margin increased to 60.5% in fiscal 2026, up 1.6 percentage points from 58.9% in fiscal 2025. The increase in gross margin was driven by the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures, the positive effect of foreign exchange, and lower costs.
•We delivered operating income of $1.0 billion, a decrease of 10% compared to fiscal 2025. The decrease was primarily due to higher non-cash impairment charges, higher SG&A expenses, and the unfavorable year-over-year Gin Mare earn-out valuation adjustments. These decreases were partially offset by lower restructuring initiative costs compared to the prior year.
•We delivered diluted earnings per share of $1.53, a decrease of 17% compared to fiscal 2025, driven by lower operating income and the absence of the gain on the sale of our investment in The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (Duckhorn).
•Our return on average invested capital decreased to 11.9% in fiscal 2026, compared to 14.4% in fiscal 2025. This decrease was driven by lower operating income and the absence of the gain on the sale of our investment in Duckhorn, partially offset by the benefit of a lower effective tax rate.
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Summary of Operating Performance Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2026
| 2025 vs. 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30, | 2025 | 2026 | Reported Change | Organic Change1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 3,975 | $ | 3,928 | (1 | %) | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 1,632 | $ | 1,550 | (5 | %) | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,343 | $ | 2,378 | 2 | % | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 484 | $ | 462 | (4 | %) | (5 | %) | |||||||||||||
| SG&A | $ | 744 | $ | 807 | 9 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | $ | 60 | $ | 19 | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| Other intangible assets impairment | $ | 47 | $ | 132 | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | $ | (99) | $ | (43) | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1,107 | $ | 1,001 | (10 | %) | (2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses2 | $ | 1,236 | $ | 1,378 | 12 | % | 3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Equity method investment income and gain on sale | $ | (83) | $ | — | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| As a percentage of net sales3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 58.9 | % | 60.5 | % | 1.6 | pp | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 27.9 | % | 25.5 | % | (2.4 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | 105 | $ | 89 | (15 | %) | |||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 19.6 | % | 19.3 | % | (0.3 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.84 | $ | 1.53 | (17 | %) | |||||||||||||||
| Return on average invested capital1 | 14.4 | % | 11.9 | % | (2.5 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” and “return on average invested capital,” including how we calculate these measures and why we think this information is useful to readers.
2Operating expenses include advertising expenses, SG&A expenses, restructuring and other charges, other intangible assets impairment, and other expense (income), net.
3Year-over-year changes in percentages are reported in percentage points (pp).
4Percentage change is not meaningful.
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Results of Operations
Fiscal 2026 Market Highlights
The following table shows net sales results for our top markets, summarized by geographic area, for fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025. We discuss results of the markets most affecting our performance below the table. Unless otherwise indicated, all related commentary is on a reported basis.
| Top Markets | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. Fiscal 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| Geographic area1 | % of Fiscal 2026 Net Sales | Reported | Acquisitions and Divestitures | Foreign Exchange | Organic2 | ||||||||||
| United States | 42 | % | (7 | %) | 7 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Developed International | 28 | % | — | % | — | % | (3 | %) | (3 | %) | |||||
| Germany | 6 | % | (2 | %) | — | % | (5 | %) | (7 | %) | |||||
| Australia | 5 | % | 1 | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| United Kingdom | 4 | % | (6 | %) | — | % | (3 | %) | (9 | %) | |||||
| France | 3 | % | (2 | %) | — | % | (5 | %) | (7 | %) | |||||
| Spain | 1 | % | — | % | 1 | % | (5 | %) | (4 | %) | |||||
| Rest of Developed International | 8 | % | 7 | % | — | % | (3 | %) | 4 | % | |||||
| Emerging | 25 | % | 14 | % | 1 | % | (3 | %) | 12 | % | |||||
| Mexico | 8 | % | 20 | % | — | % | (7 | %) | 13 | % | |||||
| Poland | 3 | % | 7 | % | 6 | % | (11 | %) | 2 | % | |||||
| Brazil | 3 | % | 13 | % | — | % | (2 | %) | 12 | % | |||||
| Türkiye | 2 | % | (4 | %) | — | % | 22 | % | 19 | % | |||||
| Rest of Emerging | 9 | % | 16 | % | — | % | (2 | %) | 15 | % | |||||
| Travel Retail | 5 | % | 6 | % | — | % | (2 | %) | 5 | % | |||||
| Non-branded and bulk | 1 | % | (68 | %) | — | % | — | % | (68 | %) | |||||
| Total | 100 | % | (1 | %) | 3 | % | (2 | %) | — | % | |||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of market aggregations presented here.
2See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
The United States’ net sales declined 7%, driven by (a) the end of the Korbel relationship; (b) the absence of the Sonoma-Cutrer prior-year TSA; (c) lower volumes of JDTW, our tequilas, and JDTH; and (d) unfavorable portfolio mix. These declines were partially offset by (a) new product launches, including JDTB, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel, and New Mix; (b) higher volumes of Woodford Reserve; (c) higher net pricing across the portfolio as a result of changes to our distributor relationship terms; and (d) favorable timing of distributor ordering patterns.
Developed International
•In a challenging economic environment, Germany’s net sales declined 2%, led by lower volumes of JDTW and unfavorable timing of retailer ordering patterns. These declines were partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange and the launch of JDTB.
•Australia’s net sales increased 1%, driven by the el Jimador RTD launch, partially offset by lower volumes of el Jimador.
•The United Kingdom’s net sales decreased 6%, driven by JDTW and JDTH declines, reflecting soft consumer demand for the whiskey category impacted by macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, as well as the absence of wholesaler and retailer purchases from the prior-year period. These declines were partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange and the launch of JDTB.
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•France’s net sales declined 2%, driven by lower volumes of JDTW and Diplomático, partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange and the launch of JDTB.
•Spain’s net sales were flat as the positive effect of foreign exchange and higher volumes of JDTA offset JDTW declines.
•Net sales in the Rest of Developed International increased 7%, driven by growth in Italy benefiting from the transition to owned distribution on May 1, 2025, the positive effect of foreign exchange, and the distribution of new agency brands in Japan. These increases were partially offset by volumetric declines of our American whiskey portfolio and JD RTD/RTP products in Canada due to the continued absence of American-made beverage alcohol from retail shelves in most of its provinces.
Emerging
•Mexico’s net sales increased 20%, driven by higher volumes and prices of New Mix, the positive effect of foreign exchange, and the distribution of new agency brands. These increases were partially offset by declines of Herradura and el Jimador.
•Poland’s net sales increased 7%, led by the positive effect of foreign exchange, higher volumes of JDTW, and the launch of JDTB. These increases were partially offset by the absence of the Finlandia prior-year TSA.
•Brazil’s net sales increased 13%, driven by higher volumes of JDTA and JDTW, reflecting continued distribution expansion and favorable timing of retailer ordering patterns.
•Türkiye’s net sales declined 4%, driven by the negative effect of foreign exchange, partially offset by higher prices in response to inflation and volumetric gains of JDTW.
•Net sales in the Rest of Emerging increased 16% due to broad-based volume gains of the Jack Daniel’s family of brands, led by the United Arab Emirates and the rest of Latin America, in addition to an estimated net increase in distributor inventories and the positive effect of foreign exchange.
Travel Retail’s net sales grew 6%, largely due to increased passenger traffic leading to higher volumes of JDTW, as well as the positive effect of foreign exchange.
Non-branded and bulk’s net sales decreased 68%, driven by the decline of used barrel sales as demand and pricing adjusted to levels that reflect the current challenging and uncertain operating environment for our industry.
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Fiscal 2026 Brand Highlights
The following table highlights the global results of our top brands for fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025. We discuss results of the brands most affecting our performance below the table. Unless otherwise indicated, all related commentary is on a reported basis.
| Top Brands | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. Fiscal 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| Product category / brand family / brand1 | Reported | Acquisitions & Divestitures | Foreign Exchange | Organic2 | |||||||||||||
| Whiskey | 3 | % | — | % | (1 | %) | 1 | % | |||||||||
| JDTW | (2 | %) | — | % | (1 | %) | (4 | %) | |||||||||
| JDTH | (3 | %) | — | % | (2 | %) | (5 | %) | |||||||||
| Gentleman Jack | (1 | %) | — | % | (1 | %) | (2 | %) | |||||||||
| JDTA | 12 | % | — | % | (2 | %) | 10 | % | |||||||||
| JDTF | (7 | %) | — | % | (1 | %) | (8 | %) | |||||||||
| Woodford Reserve | 4 | % | — | % | — | % | 4 | % | |||||||||
| Old Forester | 5 | % | — | % | — | % | 5 | % | |||||||||
| Rest of Whiskey | 61 | % | — | % | (1 | %) | 60 | % | |||||||||
| Ready-to-Drink | 11 | % | — | % | (4 | %) | 7 | % | |||||||||
| JD RTD/RTP | (3 | %) | — | % | (3 | %) | (5 | %) | |||||||||
| New Mix | 41 | % | — | % | (8 | %) | 33 | % | |||||||||
| Tequila | (4 | %) | — | % | (1 | %) | (6 | %) | |||||||||
| el Jimador | (2 | %) | — | % | (1 | %) | (2 | %) | |||||||||
| Herradura | (9 | %) | — | % | (1 | %) | (10 | %) | |||||||||
| Rest of Portfolio | (31 | %) | 53 | % | (4 | %) | 18 | % | |||||||||
| Non-branded and bulk | (68 | %) | — | % | — | % | (68 | %) | |||||||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of brand aggregations presented here.
2See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
Whiskey
•Net sales for JDTW declined 2%, driven by lower volumes in the United States and our developed international markets, led by Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada. These declines were partially offset by broad-based volumetric growth across our emerging markets, led by the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye, as well as the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Net sales for JDTH declined 3%, driven by lower volumes in the United States, partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Net sales for Gentleman Jack declined 1%, driven by lower volumes in the United States, partially offset by higher volumes in Türkiye and the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Net sales for JDTA increased 12%, driven by growth in Brazil benefiting from continued distribution expansion and the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Net sales for JDTF declined 7%, driven by lower volumes in the United States, partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Woodford Reserve’s net sales increased 4%, driven by the United States, which benefited from higher net pricing related to the distributor transitions and an estimated net increase in distributor inventories.
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•Old Forester’s net sales increased 5%, driven by the United States due to timing of the distributor ordering patterns in our transition markets and favorable mix resulting from a shift to higher-priced brands within the family.
•Net sales for Rest of Whiskey increased 61%, driven by the launches of JDTB and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel in the United States, which benefited from an estimated net increase in distributor inventories. These increases were partially offset by lower volumes of the rest of our other super-premium Jack Daniel’s expressions.
Ready-to-Drink
•The JD RTD/RTP brands net sales decreased 3%, driven by declines in the United States and Canada. These declines were partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Net sales for New Mix increased 41%, driven by strong growth in Mexico with market share gains in a growing category, the launch in the United States, and the positive effect of foreign exchange.
Tequila
•el Jimador’s net sales decreased 2%, driven by declines in the United States and Mexico, partially offset by higher volumes in the rest of Latin America and the positive effect of foreign exchange. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories, led by the United States, positively impacted net sales.
•Herradura’s net sales declined 9%, driven by lower volumes in the United States and Mexico, partially offset by higher net pricing in the United States and the positive effect of foreign exchange.
Net sales for Rest of Portfolio declined 31%, driven by the end of the Korbel relationship and the absence of Sonoma-Cutrer and Finlandia prior-year TSAs. These declines were partially offset by growth of Gin Mare and Diplomático, led by Italy, which benefited from the transition to owned distribution on May 1, 2025; the distribution of new agency brands in Japan and Mexico; and the positive effect of foreign exchange.
Non-branded and bulk’s net sales decreased 68%, driven by the decline of used barrel sales as demand and pricing adjusted to levels that reflect the current challenging and uncertain operating environment for our industry.
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Year-Over-Year Comparisons
Commentary below compares fiscal 2026 to fiscal 2025 results. A comparison of fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2024 results may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025 (2025 Form 10-K).
| Net Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Price/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported net sales | 2 | % | (3 | %) | (1 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 3 | % | — | % | 3 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | (2 | %) | (2 | %) | ||
| Change in organic net sales | 5 | % | (5 | %) | — | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
Net sales of $3.9 billion decreased 1%, or $47 million, in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025, driven by unfavorable price/mix, partially offset by higher volumes. Volume increased 2% driven by New Mix and the launch of JDTB, due in part to a net increase in distributor inventories in the United States, partially offset by the end of the Korbel relationship and the Sonoma-Cutrer prior-year TSA, as well as lower volumes of JDTW and JD RTD/RTP. Price/mix declined 3% driven by unfavorable portfolio mix from New Mix and lower sales of used barrels and JDTW, partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange and the positive portfolio mix impact from JDTB, JD RTD/RTP, and Woodford Reserve. See “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2026 Market Highlights” and “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2026 Brand Highlights” above for details on the factors contributing to the change in reported net sales for fiscal 2026.
| Cost of Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Cost/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported cost of sales | 2 | % | (7 | %) | (5 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 3 | % | 3 | % | 6 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | ||
| Change in organic cost of sales | 5 | % | (5 | %) | — | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
Cost of sales of $1.6 billion decreased $82 million, or 5%, in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025, driven by favorable cost/mix, partially offset by higher volumes. Volume increased 2% driven by New Mix and the launch of JDTB, partially offset by the end of the Korbel relationship and the Sonoma-Cutrer prior-year TSA, as well as lower volumes of JDTW and JD RTD/RTP. Cost/mix declined 7% driven by the end of the Korbel relationship, the absence of the Sonoma-Cutrer prior-year TSA, favorable portfolio mix from New Mix, the timing of cost fluctuations, and lower agave costs. These declines were partially offset by higher wood costs, the negative effect of foreign exchange, and unfavorable fixed cost absorption related to decreased production of our full-strength portfolio.
| Gross Profit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2026 | |||
| Change in reported gross profit | 2 | % | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 1 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | (2 | %) | ||
| Change in organic gross profit | — | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
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| Gross Margin | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30 | 2026 | |||
| Prior year gross margin | 58.9 | % | ||
| Price/mix | (0.1 | %) | ||
| Cost | 0.2 | % | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 1.3 | % | ||
| Other items1 | 0.1 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | 0.2 | % | ||
| Change in gross margin | 1.6 | % | ||
| Current year gross margin | 60.5 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other items” includes “restructuring initiative.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
Gross profit of $2.4 billion increased $35 million, or 2%, in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025. Gross margin increased to 60.5% in fiscal 2026, up 1.6 percentage points from 58.9% in fiscal 2025. The increase in gross margin was driven by the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures, the positive effect of foreign exchange, and lower costs.
| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | |||||||||||||
| 2026 | Reported | Acquisitions & Divestitures | Impairment | Other Items1 | Foreign Exchange | Organic | |||||||
| Advertising | (4 | %) | 2 | % | — | % | — | % | (2 | %) | (5 | %) | |
| SG&A | 9 | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | (2 | %) | 7 | % | |
| Total operating expenses2 | 12 | % | (3 | %) | (7 | %) | 3 | % | (3 | %) | 3 | % | |
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other items” includes “restructuring initiative,” “substitution drawback claims,” and “franchise tax refund.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
2Total operating expenses include advertising expenses, SG&A expenses, restructuring and other charges, other intangible assets impairment, and other expense (income), net.
Operating expenses totaled $1.4 billion, an increase of $143 million, or 12%, in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025. The increase in operating expenses was driven by (a) non-cash impairment charges, (b) higher SG&A expenses, (c) the negative effect of foreign exchange, and (d) the unfavorable year-over-year Gin Mare earn-out valuation adjustments. These increases were partially offset by lower restructuring initiative costs as compared to the same prior-year period, lower advertising expenses, and the benefit of the substitution drawback claims.
•Advertising expenses decreased 4% in fiscal 2026, driven by lower spend for the Jack Daniel’s family of brands, as declines for super-premium Jack Daniel’s expressions and JDTW more than offset the increased investment for the launch of JDTB. The decreases were also driven by the end of the Korbel relationship, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•SG&A expenses increased 9% in fiscal 2026, driven by costs associated with the contemplated business transaction discussions, higher compensation-and-benefit-related expenses, and the negative effect of foreign exchange.
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| Operating Income | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2026 | |||
| Change in reported operating income | (10 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 5 | % | ||
| Impairment charges | 8 | % | ||
| Other items1 | (4 | %) | ||
| Foreign exchange | (1 | %) | ||
| Change in organic operating income | (2 | %) | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other items” includes “restructuring initiative,” “substitution drawback claims,” and “franchise tax refund.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
Reported operating income was $1.0 billion in fiscal 2026, a decrease of $106 million, or 10%, compared to fiscal 2025. Operating margin decreased 2.4 percentage points to 25.5% in fiscal 2026 from 27.9% in fiscal 2025, primarily due to higher operating expenses, partially offset by gross margin expansion.
Interest expense (net) decreased $16 million, or 15%, in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025, due to a lower average debt balance and lower average interest rates on short-term borrowings.
Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2026 was 19.3% compared to 19.6% in fiscal 2025. The decrease in our effective tax rate was driven primarily by (a) the lower impact from valuation allowances in the current period, (b) the beneficial impact from tax rate changes, and (c) increased tax credits. These decreases were partially offset by (a) the negative tax impact from foreign operations, (b) the unfavorable year-over-year impact from a change in tax classification in the prior period, and (c) increased non-deductible expenses. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details.
Diluted earnings per share were $1.53 in fiscal 2026, a decrease of 17% compared to fiscal 2025, driven by lower operating income and the absence of the gain on the sale of our investment in Duckhorn.
Fiscal 2027 Outlook
Below we discuss our outlook for fiscal 2027, which reflects the trends, developments, and uncertainties (including those described above) that we expect to affect our business.
We anticipate the operating environment for fiscal 2027 to remain challenging, as macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical instability continue to negatively impact consumer behavior and beverage alcohol consumption, particularly within developed markets. We remain committed to building our business for the long term while focusing intensely on the variables within our control. We believe we will benefit in fiscal 2027 from our previously announced restructuring initiative and U.S. distributor changes, and continued new product innovation, such as the expansion of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Blackberry. Considering these factors, we expect the following in fiscal 2027:
•Organic net sales to be approximately flat.
•Organic operating income decline in the 3% to 5% range.
•Our effective tax rate to be in the range of approximately 20% to 22%.
•Capital expenditures planned to be in the range of $60 to $70 million.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We generate strong cash flows from operations, which enable us to meet current obligations, fund capital expenditures, and return cash to our stockholders through regular dividends and, from time to time, through share repurchases and special dividends. We believe our investment-grade credit ratings (A2 by Moody’s, which was downgraded from A1 in November 2025, and A- by Standard & Poor’s) provide us with financial flexibility when accessing global debt capital markets and allow us to reserve adequate debt capacity for investment opportunities and unforeseen events.
Our operating cash flows are supplemented by cash and cash equivalent balances, as well as access to other liquidity sources. Cash and cash equivalents were $444 million at April 30, 2025, and $308 million at April 30, 2026. As of April 30, 2026, approximately 59% of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign subsidiaries whose earnings we expect to reinvest indefinitely outside of the United States. We continue to evaluate our future cash deployment and may decide to repatriate additional cash held by our foreign subsidiaries. This may require us to provide for and pay additional taxes.
We have a $900 million commercial paper program that we use, together with our cash flow from operations, to fund our short-term operational needs. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for outstanding commercial paper balances, interest rates, and days to maturity at April 30, 2025 and April 30, 2026. The average balances, interest rates, and original maturities during the last two fiscal years are presented below.
| (Dollars in millions) | 2025 | 2026 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commercial paper | $ | 373 | $ | 263 | ||||||
| Average interest rate | 5.13 | % | 4.26 | % | ||||||
| Average days to maturity at issuance | 41 | 27 |
Our commercial paper program is supported by available commitments under our undrawn $900 million bank credit facility, which was extended for an additional year and expires on May 26, 2029. Although unlikely, under extreme market conditions, one or more participating banks may not be able to fund its commitments under our credit facility. To manage this counterparty credit risk, we partner with banks that have investment grade credit ratings, limit the amount of exposure we have with each bank, and monitor each bank’s financial conditions.
Our most significant short-term cash requirements relate primarily to funding our operations (such as expenditures for raw materials, production and distribution, advertising and promotion, and current taxes), repayment of our notes maturing in July 2026, dividend payments, and capital investments. Our most significant longer-term cash requirements primarily include payments related to our long-term debt, employee benefit obligations, and deferred tax liabilities (see Notes 8, 11, and 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
While we expect to meet our planned short-term liquidity needs largely through cash generated from operations and borrowings under our commercial paper program, a sustained market deterioration resulting in declines in net sales and profit could require us to evaluate alternative sources of liquidity. If we have additional liquidity needs, we believe that we could access financing in the debt capital markets.
We believe our current liquidity position, supplemented by our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations in the future, and our ample debt capacity enabled by our strong short-term and long-term credit ratings, will be sufficient to meet all of our future financial commitments.
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Cash Flow Summary
The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of the last two fiscal years:
| Cash Flow Summary | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2025 | 2026 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 598 | $ | 1,000 | |||||
| Investing activities: | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of equity method investment | 350 | — | |||||||
| Additions to property, plant, and equipment | (167) | (107) | |||||||
| Other | 66 | 36 | |||||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | $ | 249 | $ | (71) | |||||
| Financing activities: | |||||||||
| Net change in short-term borrowings | $ | (117) | $ | (244) | |||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (300) | — | |||||||
| Acquisition of treasury stock | — | (400) | |||||||
| Dividends paid | (420) | (427) | |||||||
| Other | (6) | (3) | |||||||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | $ | (843) | $ | (1,074) |
Cash provided by operating activities of $1,000 million during fiscal 2026 increased $402 million from fiscal 2025. The increase was largely attributable to lower working capital requirements, including lower cash paid for income taxes, partially offset by lower earnings.
Cash used for investing activities was $71 million during fiscal 2026, compared to $249 million in cash provided by investing activities during fiscal 2025. The $320 million decrease largely reflects (a) the absence of $350 million in proceeds from the sale of our investment in Duckhorn in December 2024 and (b) an $18 million decrease in proceeds from cooperage asset sales year-over-year ($51 million from the sale of our Alabama cooperage assets in May 2024; $33 million from the sale of our Brown-Forman Cooperage assets in May 2025), partially offset by a $60 million decline in capital expenditures.
Cash used for financing activities was $1,074 million during fiscal 2026, compared to $843 million in cash used for financing activities during fiscal 2025. The $231 million increase largely reflects a $400 million increase in share repurchases and a $127 million increase in net repayments of short-term borrowings, partially offset by our prior-year repayment of the $300 million principal amount of 3.50% notes that matured in April 2025.
A discussion of our cash flows for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our 2025 Form 10-K.
Dividends
In November 2025, our Board of Directors approved a 2% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock from $0.2265 per share to $0.2310 per share, effective with the regular quarterly dividend paid on January 2, 2026. As a result, the indicated annual cash dividend increased from $0.9060 per share to $0.9240 per share.
On May 28, 2026, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock of $0.2310 per share. The dividend is payable on July 1, 2026, to stockholders of record on June 10, 2026.
Share Repurchases
On October 1, 2025, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400 million (excluding brokerage fees and excise taxes) of outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock from October 1, 2025, through October 1, 2026 (the Repurchase Program), subject to market and other conditions. Under the Repurchase Program, we could repurchase shares of Class A and Class B common stock for cash in open market purchases, block transactions, purchases made in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, and privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
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The Repurchase Program did not obligate us to repurchase a minimum number of shares of common stock and prior to its completion, could be modified, suspended, or terminated by us at any time without prior notice.
Under the Repurchase Program, we repurchased 705,139 Class A shares at an average price of $28.10 per share and 13,348,510 Class B shares at an average price of $28.48 per share, for a total cost (excluding brokerage fees and excise taxes) of $400 million. The program was completed in December 2025.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our financial statements reflect some estimates involved in applying the following critical accounting policies that entail uncertainties and subjectivity. Using different estimates or policies could have a material effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Brand Names and Trademarks
When we acquire a business, we allocate the purchase price to the assets and liabilities of the acquired business, including intangible brand names and trademarks (brand names), based on estimated fair value. We do not amortize our brand names, all of which we consider to have indefinite lives.
We assess our brand names for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Our annual impairment assessment is performed as of the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter. A brand name is impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, in which case we write down the brand name to its estimated fair value. We estimate the fair value of a brand name using the relief-from-royalty method. We also consider market values for similar assets when available. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value, including making assumptions about net sales projections, discount rates, and royalty rates.
We have the option, before quantifying the fair value of a brand name, to evaluate qualitative factors to assess whether it is more likely than not that the brand name is 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.
In our annual brand names assessment, we performed a quantitative impairment test for the Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names. When using the quantitative assessment, the estimated fair values of the brand names are calculated based on the relief-from-royalty method, using significant assumptions, such as net sales projections, discount rates, and royalty rates. This assessment indicated the carrying amounts of the Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names exceeded their estimated fair values, resulting in impairments of $45 million and $87 million, respectively, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. The brand name impairments largely reflect a decline in our forecast assumptions due to the softening category outlook and challenging macroeconomic environment in many of our top markets for these brands.
As of April 30, 2026, the carrying amounts of the Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names remain near their fair values. Reasonably possible changes in the significant assumptions discussed above could result in future incremental impairments of either or both of those brands. For example, we estimate that, all else equal, a 15% decline in projected net sales would result in incremental impairment charges of $36 million and $34 million for the Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names, respectively. We also estimate that, all else equal, a 1 percentage point increase in the discount rate would result in incremental impairment charges of $42 million and $45 million for the Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names, respectively.
We estimate that the fair values of our other brand names substantially exceed their carrying amounts.
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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans providing retiree health care and retiree life insurance benefits. Benefits are based on factors such as years of service and compensation level during employment. We expense the benefits expected to be paid over employees’ expected service. This requires us to make assumptions to determine the net benefit costs and obligations, such as discount rates, return on plan assets, the rate of salary increases, expected service, and health care cost trend rates. We review these assumptions annually and modify them based on current rates and trends when appropriate. The assumptions also reflect our historical experience and management’s best judgment regarding future expectations. We believe the discount rates and expected return on plan assets are the most significant assumptions.
The discount rate used to measure the benefit obligations is determined at the beginning of each fiscal year 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 service cost and interest cost components are measured by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve. The expected return on pension plan assets reflects expected capital market returns for each asset class that are based on historical returns, adjusted for the expected effects of diversification.
The following table compares the assumed discount rates and expected return on assets used in determining net periodic benefit cost for fiscal 2026 to those to be used in determining that cost for fiscal 2027.
| Pension Benefits | Medical and Life Insurance Benefits | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2027 | 2026 | 2027 | ||||||||
| Discount rate for service cost | 5.66 | % | 5.94 | % | 5.84 | % | 5.97 | % | |||
| Discount rate for interest cost | 5.06 | % | 5.19 | % | 4.97 | % | 5.02 | % | |||
| Expected return on plan assets | 6.75 | % | 6.75 | % | n/a | n/a |
Using these assumptions, we estimate our pension and other postretirement benefit cost for fiscal 2027 will be approximately $20 million (excluding any potential settlement or curtailment charges), compared to $18 million (excluding settlement charges of $23 million) for fiscal 2026. Decreasing/increasing the assumed discount rates by 50 basis points would increase/decrease the total fiscal 2027 cost by approximately $3 million. Decreasing/increasing the assumed return on plan assets by 50 basis points would also increase/decrease the total fiscal 2027 cost by approximately $3 million.
Income Taxes
Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions. We establish liabilities when some positions are likely to be challenged and may not succeed, despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these liabilities in light of changing circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. We believe these liabilities are appropriate for all known contingencies, but the assessment of our positions could change.
Years can elapse before we can resolve a particular matter for which we may have established a tax liability. Although predicting the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter can be difficult, we believe our liabilities reflect the likely outcome of known tax contingencies. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue could require use of our cash and increase our effective tax rate. Conversely, a favorable resolution could result in reduced cash tax payments, the reversal of previously established liabilities, or some combination of these results, which could reduce our effective tax rate.
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2025 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000014693-25-000062.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to help the reader better understand Brown-Forman, our operations, our financial results, and our current business environment. Please read this MD&A in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Consolidated Financial Statements).
Our MD&A is organized as follows:
| Table of Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Presentation basis | 29 |
| Significant developments | 33 |
| Executive summary | 35 |
| Results of operations | 37 |
| Liquidity and capital resources | 44 |
| Critical accounting policies and estimates | 46 |
Presentation Basis
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Additionally, we use some financial measures in this report that are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. These non-GAAP measures, defined below, should be viewed as supplements to (not substitutes for) our results of operations and other measures reported under GAAP. Other companies may define or calculate these non-GAAP measures differently.
“Organic change” in measures of statements of operations. We present changes in certain measures, or line items, of the statements of operations that are adjusted to an “organic” basis. We use “organic change” for the following measures: (a) organic net sales; (b) organic cost of sales; (c) organic gross profit; (d) organic advertising expenses; (e) organic selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses; (f) organic other expense (income) net; (g) organic operating expenses1; and (h) organic operating income. To calculate these measures, we adjust, as applicable, for (1) acquisitions and divestitures, (2) impairment charges, (3) other items, and (4) foreign exchange. We explain these adjustments below.
•“Acquisitions and divestitures.” This adjustment removes (a) the gain or loss recognized on the sale of divested brands and certain assets, (b) any non-recurring effects related to our acquisitions and divestitures (e.g., transaction, transition, and integration costs), (c) the effects of operating activity related to acquired and divested brands for periods not comparable year over year (non-comparable periods), and (d) fair value changes to contingent consideration liabilities. Excluding non-comparable periods allows us to include the effects of acquired and divested brands only to the extent that results are comparable year over year.
During fiscal 2023, we acquired Gin Mare Brand, S.L.U. and Mareliquid Vantguard, S.L.U., which owned the Gin Mare brand (Gin Mare). This adjustment removes the fair value adjustments to Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability that is payable in cash no later than July 2027. We recognized $43 million in favorable fair value adjustments to Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability during fiscal 2025.
During fiscal 2024, we sold our Finlandia vodka business, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $92 million, and entered into a related transition services agreement (TSA) for this business. This adjustment removes the (a) transaction costs related to the divestiture; (b) the gain on sale of the Finlandia vodka business; (c) operating activity for the non-comparable period, which is activity in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2024; and (d) net sales, cost of sales, and operating expenses recognized pursuant to the TSA related to distribution services in certain markets.
During fiscal 2024, we sold the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business in exchange for an ownership percentage of 21.4% in The Duckhorn Portfolio Inc. (Duckhorn) along with $50 million cash and entered into a related TSA for this business. This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $175 million. This adjustment removes the (a) transaction costs related to the divestiture; (b) the gain on sale of the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business; (c) operating activity for the non-comparable period,
1Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, restructuring and other charges, and other expense (income), net.
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which is all activity in fiscal 2024; and (d) net sales, cost of sales, and operating expenses recognized pursuant to the TSA related to distribution services in certain markets.
During fiscal 2024, we recognized a gain of $7 million on the sale of certain fixed assets related to a divested mill. During fiscal 2025, we recognized a gain of $12 million on the sale of the Alabama cooperage. This adjustment removes the gains from our other expense (income), net and operating income.
See Notes 5, 15, and 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
•“Impairment Charges.” This adjustment removes the impact of impairment charges from our results of operations.
During fiscal 2024, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $7 million for an immaterial discontinued brand name. During fiscal 2025, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $47 million for the Gin Mare brand name. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below and Notes 4 and 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
•“Other Items.” Other Items include the additional items outlined below.
“Foundation.” During fiscal 2024, we committed $23 million to the Brown-Forman Foundation and Dendrifund (the Foundation and Dendrifund) to support the communities where our employees live and work. This adjustment removes the expenses related to charitable contributions to the Foundation and Dendrifund from our organic SG&A expenses and organic operating income to present our organic results on a comparable basis.
“Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails business model change (JDCC).” In fiscal 2021, we entered into a partnership with the Pabst Brewing Company for the supply, sales, and distribution of Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails in the United States, while Brown-Forman continued to produce certain products. During fiscal 2024, this production fully transitioned to Pabst Brewing Company for the Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails products. This adjustment removes the non-comparable operating activity related to the sales of Brown-Forman-produced Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails products for fiscal 2024 and 2025.
“Franchise tax refund.” During fiscal 2025, we recognized a $13 million franchise tax refund due to a change in franchise tax calculation methodology for the state of Tennessee. This modification lowered our annual franchise tax obligation and was retroactively applied to franchise taxes paid during fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2023. This adjustment removes the franchise tax refund from our other expense (income), net and operating income.
“Restructuring initiative.” During fiscal 2025, our Board of Directors approved a plan to reduce our structural cost base and realign resources toward future sources of growth. This included reducing our workforce by approximately 12% and closing the Louisville-based Brown-Forman Cooperage. We also offered a special, one-time early retirement benefit to qualifying U.S. employees. Collectively, this adjustment removes the $63 million1 impact from our cost of sales, operating expenses, and operating income from the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2025. See Notes 6 and 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
•“Foreign exchange.” We calculate the percentage change in certain line items of the statements of operations in accordance with GAAP and adjust to exclude the cost or benefit of currency fluctuations. Adjusting for foreign exchange allows us to understand our business on a constant-dollar basis, as fluctuations in exchange rates can distort the organic trend both positively and negatively. (In this report, “dollar” means the U.S. dollar unless stated otherwise.) To eliminate the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations when comparing across periods, we translate current-year results at prior-year rates and remove transactional and hedging foreign exchange gains and losses from current- and prior-year periods.
We use the non-GAAP measure “organic change,” along with other metrics, to: (a) understand our performance from period to period on a consistent basis; (b) compare our performance to that of our competitors; (c) calculate components of management incentive compensation; (d) plan and forecast; and (e) communicate our financial performance to the Board of Directors, stockholders, and the investment community. We provide reconciliations of the “organic change” in certain line items of the statements of operations to their nearest GAAP measures in the tables under “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2025 Brand Highlights,” “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2025 Market Highlights,” and “Results of Operations - Year-Over-Year Comparisons.” We have consistently applied the adjustments within our reconciliations in arriving at each non-GAAP measure. We believe these non-GAAP measures are useful to readers and investors because they enhance the understanding of our historical financial performance and comparability between periods. When we provide guidance for organic change in certain measures of the statements of operations, we do not provide guidance for the corresponding GAAP change, as the GAAP
1This adjustment comprises $60 million of costs included in restructuring and other charges and $3 million of restructuring-related inventory charges included in cost of sales.
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measure will include items that are difficult to quantify or predict with reasonable certainty, such as foreign exchange, which could have a significant impact to our GAAP income statement measures.
“Return on average invested capital.” This measure refers to the sum of net income and after-tax interest expense, divided by average invested capital. Average invested capital equals assets less liabilities, excluding interest-bearing debt, and is calculated using the average of the most recent five quarter-end balances. After-tax interest expense equals interest expense multiplied by one minus our effective tax rate. We use this non-GAAP measure because we consider it to be a meaningful indicator of how effectively and efficiently we invest capital in our business.
Definitions
Aggregations.
From time to time, to explain our results of operations or to highlight trends and uncertainties affecting our business, we aggregate markets according to stage of economic development as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and we aggregate brands by beverage alcohol category. Below, we define the geographic and brand aggregations used in this report.
Geographic Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2025 Market Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top markets ranked by percentage of reported net sales. In addition to markets listed by country name, we include the following aggregations:
•“Developed International” markets are “advanced economies” as defined by the IMF, excluding the United States. Our top developed international markets were Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Emerging” markets are “emerging and developing economies” as defined by the IMF. Our top emerging markets were Mexico, Poland, Brazil, and Türkiye. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Brazil” includes Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and certain other surrounding territories.
•“Travel Retail” represents our net sales of branded products to global duty-free customers, other travel retail customers, and the U.S. military, regardless of customer location.
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bottling services, and non-branded bulk whiskey, regardless of customer location.
Brand Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2025 Brand Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top brands ranked by percentage of reported net sales. In addition to brands listed by name, we include the aggregations outlined below.
Beginning in fiscal 2025, we aggregated the “Wine” and “Vodka” product categories with “Rest of Portfolio,” due to the divestitures of Sonoma-Cutrer and Finlandia. Please refer to the new definition of “Rest of Portfolio” for more information. The fiscal 2024 “Rest of Portfolio” amounts have been adjusted accordingly for comparison purposes.
•“Whiskey” includes all whiskey spirits and whiskey-based flavored liqueurs. The brands included in this category are the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below), the Woodford Reserve family of brands (Woodford Reserve), the Old Forester family of brands (Old Forester), The Glendronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, and Slane Irish Whiskey.
•“American whiskey” includes the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below), Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester.
•“Super-premium American whiskey” includes Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack, and other super-premium Jack Daniel’s expressions.
•“Ready-to-Drink” includes all ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-pour (RTP) products. The brands included in this category are Jack Daniel’s RTD and RTP products (JD RTD/RTP), New Mix, and other RTD/RTP products.
•“Jack Daniel’s RTD/RTP” products include all RTD line extensions of Jack Daniel’s, such as Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Double Jack, Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails, and other malt- and spirit-based Jack Daniel’s RTDs, along with Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack RTP.
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•“Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD” includes all Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD products and Jack Daniel’s bulk whiskey shipments for the production of these products.
•“Tequila” includes el Jimador, the Herradura family of brands (Herradura), and other tequilas.
•“Rest of Portfolio” includes Korbel California Champagnes1, Diplomático, Chambord, Gin Mare, Sonoma-Cutrer (which was divested on April 30, 2024), Finlandia Vodka (which was divested on November 1, 2023), Korbel Brandy1, Fords Gin, and other agency brands (brands we do not own, but sell in certain markets).
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bottling services, and non-branded bulk whiskey.
•“Jack Daniel’s family of brands” includes Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey (JDTW), JD RTD/RTP, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey (JDTH), Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple (JDTA), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire (JDTF), Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Collection (JDSB), Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash Blended Straight Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old, Jack Daniel’s 14 Year Old, Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old, and other Jack Daniel’s expressions.
Other Metrics.
•“Shipments.” We generally record revenues when we ship or deliver our products to our customers. In this report, unless otherwise specified, we refer to shipments when discussing volume.
•“Depletions.” This metric is commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry to describe volume. Depending on the context, depletions usually means either (a) where Brown-Forman is the distributor, shipments directly to retail or wholesale customers or (b) where Brown-Forman is not the distributor, shipments from distributor customers to retailers and wholesalers. We believe that depletions measure volume in a way that more closely reflects consumer demand than our shipments to distributor customers do.
•“Consumer takeaway.” When discussing trends in the market, we refer to consumer takeaway, a term commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry that refers to the purchase of product by consumers from retail outlets, including products purchased through e-commerce channels, as measured by volume or retail sales value. This information is provided by outside parties, such as Nielsen and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA). Our estimates of market share or changes in market share are derived from consumer takeaway data using the retail sales value metric.
•“Estimated net change in distributor inventories.” We generally recognize revenue when our products are shipped or delivered to customers. In the United States and certain other markets, our customers are distributors that sell downstream to retailers and consumers. We believe that our distributors’ downstream sales more closely reflect actual consumer demand than do our shipments to distributors. Our shipments increase distributors’ inventories, while distributors’ depletions (as described above) reduce their inventories. Therefore, it is possible that our shipments do not coincide with distributors’ downstream depletions and merely reflect changes in distributors’ inventories. Because changes in distributors’ inventories could affect our trends, we believe it is useful for investors to understand those changes in the context of our operating results.
We perform the following calculation to determine the “estimated net change in distributor inventories”:
•For both the current-year period and the comparable prior-year period, we calculate a “depletion-based” amount by (a) dividing the organic dollar amount (e.g., organic net sales) by the corresponding shipment volumes to arrive at a shipment-per-case amount, and (b) multiplying the resulting shipment-per-case amount by the corresponding depletion volumes. We subtract the year-over-year percentage change of the “depletion-based” amount from the year-over-year percentage change of the organic amount to calculate the “estimated net change in distributor inventories.”
•A positive difference is interpreted as a net increase in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could decrease as distributors reduce inventories; whereas a negative difference is interpreted as a net decrease in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could increase as distributors rebuild inventories.
1Announced the end of the sales, marketing, and distribution relationship with Korbel Champagne Cellars effective June 30, 2025.
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Significant Developments
Below, we discuss the significant developments in our business during fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025. These developments relate to divestitures, Gin Mare impairment and earn-out valuation, the restructuring initiative, innovation, and capital deployment.
Divestitures
During fiscal 2024, we sold the Finlandia vodka business for $196 million cash and entered into a related TSA for this business. This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $92 million. The absence of the brand negatively impacted our net sales and operating income, though positively impacted gross margin for fiscal 2025.
During fiscal 2024, we sold the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business in exchange for an ownership percentage of 21.4% in Duckhorn along with $50 million cash and entered into a related TSA for this business. This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $175 million. The absence of the brand negatively impacted net sales, operating income, and gross margin for fiscal 2025. On December 24, 2024, Duckhorn was acquired by Butterfly Equity. We received $350 million in cash in exchange for our 21.4% ownership interest and recognized a $78 million gain on the sale of our investment in Duckhorn. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
On May 9, 2025, we announced the end of the sales, marketing, and distribution relationship with Korbel Champagne Cellars, effective June 30, 2025.
Gin Mare Impairment and Earn-out Valuation
During fiscal 2025, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $47 million for the Gin Mare brand name, largely reflecting a decline in our financial forecast assumptions due to the more challenging macroeconomic environment in Europe. Given this, we also lowered the financial forecast assumptions used to estimate the fair value of Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability, which is remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis. As a result, we recognized $43 million in favorable fair value adjustments to Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability during fiscal 2025. The net impact of these non-cash fair value adjustments and impairment charges negatively impacted our operating expenses and operating income for fiscal 2025. See Notes 4 and 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Restructuring Initiative
During fiscal 2025, our Board of Directors approved a plan to reduce our structural cost base and realign resources toward future sources of growth. This included reducing the company’s workforce by approximately 12% and closing the Louisville-based Brown-Forman Cooperage. We also offered a special one-time early retirement benefit to qualifying U.S. employees. These initiatives resulted in charges of $63 million in fiscal 2025. This comprises $60 million of costs included in restructuring and other charges and $3 million of restructuring-related inventory charges included in cost of sales. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Innovation
•Jack Daniel’s family of brands. Innovation within the Jack Daniel’s family of brands has contributed to our growth in the last two fiscal years as described below.
◦In fiscal 2024, we continued the international launch of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, expanding to certain developed international and emerging markets. Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye - Tennessee Rye Whiskey and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel - Barrel Proof Rye were launched in the United States and we launched Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt in Travel Retail.
◦In fiscal 2025, we launched Jack Daniel’s 14 Year Old in the United States.
•In fiscal 2024, we introduced the Glenglassaugh old and rare cask program.
•In fiscal 2025, we launched Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked across the United States.
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Capital Deployment
We have focused our capital deployment initiatives on (a) investing fully in our existing business, (b) continuing our acquisitions and divestitures strategy, and (c) returning cash to our stockholders.
•Investments. During fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025, our capital expenditures totaled $395 million and focused on enabling the growth of our whiskey, tequila, and rum brands. This included completing a $125 million expansion of our bourbon making capacity in Kentucky and constructing additional barrel warehouses for Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, Glenglassaugh, Diplomatico, and our tequilas.
•Cash returned to stockholders. During fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025, we returned a total of $1.2 billion to our stockholders through $824 million in regular dividends and $400 million in share repurchases.
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Executive Summary
Unless otherwise indicated, all related commentary is on a reported basis.
During fiscal 2025, the operating environment remained challenging due to ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, which we believe negatively impacted consumer confidence and reduced discretionary spending in many of our top markets.
Fiscal 2025 Highlights
•We delivered net sales of $4.0 billion, a decrease of 5% compared to fiscal 2024. The decrease was driven by (a) the negative effect of acquisitions and divestitures; (b) the negative effect of foreign exchange; and (c) the impact of JDCC, partially offset by higher volumes. Organic net sales increased 1% compared to fiscal 2024.
◦From a brand perspective, net sales declines were led by the Finlandia and Sonoma-Cutrer divestitures, our Tequila portfolio, and the impact of JDCC, partially offset by growth of Woodford Reserve and the non-branded and bulk business (primarily used barrel sales).
◦From a geographic perspective, net sales declined across geographic aggregations.
•We delivered gross profit of $2.3 billion, a decrease of 7% compared to fiscal 2024. Gross margin decreased to 58.9% in fiscal 2025, down 1.5 percentage points from 60.5% in fiscal 2024. The decrease in gross margin was driven by higher costs, the negative effect of foreign exchange, and the negative effect of the restructuring initiative, partially offset by favorable price/mix, the impact of JDCC, and the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures.
•We delivered operating income of $1.1 billion, a decrease of 22% compared to fiscal 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the absence of the gains on sale of the Sonoma-Cutrer wine and Finlandia vodka businesses, the decline in gross profit, and the Gin Mare brand name impairment, partially offset by lower operating expenses, including the favorable fair value adjustment to Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability.
•We delivered diluted earnings per share of $1.84, a decrease of 14% compared to fiscal 2024, driven by the decrease in operating income, partially offset by the gain on sale of our investment in Duckhorn and a lower effective tax rate.
•Our return on average invested capital decreased to 14.4% in fiscal 2025, compared to 17.3% in fiscal 2024. This decrease was driven by lower operating income and higher invested capital, partially offset by the gain on sale of our investment in Duckhorn and a lower effective tax rate.
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Summary of Operating Performance Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2025
| 2024 vs. 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30 | 2024 | 2025 | Reported Change | Organic Change1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 4,178 | $ | 3,975 | (5 | %) | 1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 1,652 | $ | 1,632 | (1 | %) | 5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,526 | $ | 2,343 | (7 | %) | (2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 529 | $ | 484 | (8 | %) | (6 | %) | |||||||||||||
| SG&A | $ | 826 | $ | 744 | (10 | %) | (5 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | $ | — | $ | 60 | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of business | $ | (267) | $ | — | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | $ | 24 | $ | (52) | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1,414 | $ | 1,107 | (22 | %) | 3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses2 | $ | 1,379 | $ | 1,236 | (10 | %) | (6 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Equity method investment income and gain on sale | $ | — | $ | (83) | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| As a percentage of net sales3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 60.5 | % | 58.9 | % | (1.5 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 33.8 | % | 27.9 | % | (6.0 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | 113 | $ | 105 | (7 | %) | |||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 21.2 | % | 19.6 | % | (1.6 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 2.14 | $ | 1.84 | (14 | %) | |||||||||||||||
| Return on average invested capital1 | 17.3 | % | 14.4 | % | (2.9 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” and “return on average invested capital,” including how we calculate these measures and why we think this information is useful to readers.
2Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, restructuring and other charges, and other expense (income), net.
3Year-over-year changes in percentages are reported in percentage points (pp).
4Percentage change is not meaningful.
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Results of Operations
Fiscal 2025 Market Highlights
The following table shows net sales results for our top markets, summarized by geographic area, for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024. We discuss results of the markets most affecting our performance below the table. Unless otherwise indicated, all related commentary is on a reported basis.
| Top Markets | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Geographic area1 | % of Fiscal 2025 Net Sales | Reported | Acquisitions and Divestitures | Other Items2 | Foreign Exchange | Organic3 | ||||||||||
| United States | 44 | % | (7 | %) | 3 | % | 1 | % | — | % | (2 | %) | ||||
| Developed International | 27 | % | (6 | %) | 2 | % | — | % | 1 | % | (3 | %) | ||||
| Germany | 6 | % | (4 | %) | — | % | — | % | — | % | (3 | %) | ||||
| Australia | 5 | % | (2 | %) | 1 | % | — | % | 3 | % | 1 | % | ||||
| United Kingdom | 4 | % | (6 | %) | — | % | — | % | (1 | %) | (6 | %) | ||||
| France | 3 | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||
| Canada | 1 | % | (14 | %) | 4 | % | — | % | 2 | % | (8 | %) | ||||
| Rest of Developed International | 8 | % | (9 | %) | 5 | % | — | % | 2 | % | (3 | %) | ||||
| Emerging | 21 | % | (2 | %) | 5 | % | — | % | 6 | % | 9 | % | ||||
| Mexico | 7 | % | (8 | %) | — | % | — | % | 12 | % | 4 | % | ||||
| Poland | 3 | % | (11 | %) | 21 | % | — | % | (5 | %) | 4 | % | ||||
| Brazil | 3 | % | 12 | % | — | % | — | % | 7 | % | 19 | % | ||||
| Türkiye | 2 | % | 30 | % | 1 | % | — | % | 12 | % | 43 | % | ||||
| Rest of Emerging | 8 | % | (2 | %) | 6 | % | — | % | 1 | % | 5 | % | ||||
| Travel Retail | 4 | % | (7 | %) | 2 | % | — | % | — | % | (5 | %) | ||||
| Non-branded and bulk | 3 | % | 18 | % | 1 | % | — | % | — | % | 18 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | (5 | %) | 3 | % | 1 | % | 2 | % | 1 | % | ||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of market aggregations presented here.
2“Other items” includes “JDCC.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
3See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
The United States’ net sales declined 7%, driven by (a) the divestiture of Sonoma-Cutrer; (b) broad-based volume declines in a challenging consumer environment, led by JDTW and Korbel California Champagnes; and (c) the impact of the JDCC business model change. These declines were partially offset by an estimated net increase in distributor inventories across our portfolio and higher consumer-led volumes of Woodford Reserve.
Developed International
•In a challenging economic environment, Germany’s net sales decreased 4%, driven by declines in JDTW and JD RTDs, partially offset by the positive contribution from Diplomático and higher volumes of Gentleman Jack.
•Australia’s net sales decreased 2%, driven by the negative effect of foreign exchange, the loss of an agency brand, and the divestiture of Finlandia, partially offset by growth of JD RTDs reflecting higher prices.
•The United Kingdom’s net sales declined 6%, driven by lower volumes of the American whiskey portfolio as consumer confidence was negatively impacted by macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty.
•France’s net sales were flat as the positive contribution from Diplomático was offset by lower volumes of JDTW and JDTH.
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•Canada’s net sales declined 14% primarily due to volumetric declines of our American whiskey portfolio. This decline was driven by the removal of American whiskey from retail shelves across the country, which contributed to an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories. The divestitures of Finlandia and Sonoma-Cutrer and the negative effect of foreign exchange also contributed to the decline.
•Net sales in the Rest of Developed International declined 9%, primarily driven by the divestiture of Finlandia; lower volumes in Italy, due to an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories as we transitioned to owned distribution effective May 1, 2025; and Jack Daniel’s family of brands declines in South Korea. The decrease also reflects the absence of Glenglassaugh high-value cask sales compared to the prior-year period and the negative effect of foreign exchange. These declines were partially offset by higher JDTW volumes in Japan reflecting the transition to owned distribution on April 1, 2024.
Emerging
•Mexico’s net sales declined 8%, in a challenging macroeconomic environment, driven by the negative effect of foreign exchange coupled with volumetric declines and lower net pricing for our tequilas. These declines were partially offset by the growth of New Mix, the distribution of new agency brands, and higher volumes across the Jack Daniel’s family of brands.
•Poland’s net sales declined 11%, driven by the divestiture of Finlandia, partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange and the growth of JDTW.
•Brazil’s net sales increased 12%, driven by the volumetric growth of the Jack Daniel’s family of brands, reflecting expanded distribution, increased consumer-led demand, and an estimated net increase in distributor inventories. This growth was partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Türkiye’s net sales increased 30%, driven by higher prices across our portfolio, led by JDTW, in response to high inflation, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Net sales in the Rest of Emerging declined 2%, led by the divestiture of Finlandia and lower volumes of the Jack Daniel’s family of brands in Chile. The decline was partially offset by volume growth of JDTW due to an estimated net increase in distributor inventories in the United Arab Emirates and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Travel Retail’s net sales decreased 7%, led by declines of other super-premium Jack Daniel’s expressions and The Glendronach, as well as the divestiture of Finlandia. The decline was partially offset by higher volumes of Diplomático.
Non-branded and bulk’s net sales increased 18%, driven by higher prices for used barrels.
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Fiscal 2025 Brand Highlights
The following table highlights the global results of our top brands for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024. We discuss results of the brands most affecting our performance below the table. Unless otherwise indicated, all related commentary is on a reported basis.
| Top Brands | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Product category / brand family / brand1 | Reported | Acquisitions & Divestitures | Other Items2 | Foreign Exchange | Organic3 | |||||||||||||
| Whiskey | — | % | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||
| JDTW | — | % | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||
| JDTH | — | % | — | % | — | % | 2 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||
| Gentleman Jack | 4 | % | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||
| JDTA | — | % | — | % | — | % | 3 | % | 3 | % | ||||||||
| JDTF | (3 | %) | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | (2 | %) | ||||||||
| Woodford Reserve | 8 | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Old Forester | 8 | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Rest of Whiskey | (23 | %) | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | (22 | %) | ||||||||
| Ready-to-Drink | (6 | %) | — | % | 5 | % | 6 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||
| JD RTD/RTP | (8 | %) | — | % | 7 | % | 3 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||
| New Mix | (1 | %) | — | % | — | % | 13 | % | 13 | % | ||||||||
| Tequila | (14 | %) | — | % | — | % | 2 | % | (12 | %) | ||||||||
| el Jimador | (13 | %) | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | (11 | %) | ||||||||
| Herradura | (13 | %) | — | % | — | % | 3 | % | (10 | %) | ||||||||
| Rest of Portfolio | (33 | %) | 31 | % | — | % | 1 | % | (2 | %) | ||||||||
| Non-branded and bulk | 18 | % | 1 | % | — | % | — | % | 18 | % | ||||||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of brand aggregations presented here.
2“Other items” includes “JDCC.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
3See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
Our top brands, excluding el Jimador and New Mix, benefited from an estimated net increase in distributor inventories, driven by the United States as well as Japan’s transition to owned distribution. See “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2025 Market Highlights” for additional details.
Whiskey
•Net sales for JDTW were flat in fiscal 2025. Volumetric growth in Japan, reflecting the transition to owned distribution, and higher prices in Türkiye were offset by volumetric declines in the United States and the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Net sales for JDTH were flat in fiscal 2025. Broad-based growth in emerging markets, coupled with higher volumes in the United States were offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange and lower volumes in developed international markets, led by South Korea.
•Net sales for Gentleman Jack increased 4%, driven by higher prices and volumes in Türkiye and volumetric growth in Germany, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Net sales for JDTA were flat in fiscal 2025. Broad-based growth in emerging markets, led by Brazil, was offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange and lower volumes in developed international markets, primarily in South Korea where we are comparing to the launch in the prior-year period.
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•Net sales for JDTF decreased 3%, driven by broad-based volume declines in developed international markets and the negative effect of foreign exchange, partially offset by volume growth in emerging markets, led by Brazil.
•Woodford Reserve’s net sales increased 8%, driven by higher consumer-led volumes in the United States.
•Old Forester’s net sales increased 8%, driven by a favorable product mix shift to our higher-priced expressions in the United States.
•Net sales for Rest of Whiskey declined 23%, driven by lower volumes of our other super-premium Jack Daniel’s expressions, which declined following prior-year product launches, volumetric declines of The Glendronach, as well as the absence of Glenglassaugh high-value cask sales as compared to the same prior-year period.
Ready-to-Drink
•The JD RTD/RTP brands net sales decreased 8%, driven by the impact of the JDCC business model change, the negative effect of foreign exchange, and declines in Germany. The decrease was partially offset by higher volumes in the United States, along with growth of Jack Daniel’s bulk whiskey shipments for the production of Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD products.
•Net sales for New Mix declined 1% driven by the negative effect of foreign exchange, which more than offset strong volume growth amid Mexico’s challenging macroeconomic environment.
Tequila
•el Jimador’s net sales declined 13%, driven by lower volumes in the United States and Mexico.
•Herradura’s net sales decreased 13%, primarily due to lower volumes and lower net pricing in Mexico and the United States.
Net sales for Rest of Portfolio declined 33%, driven by the divestitures of Finlandia and Sonoma-Cutrer along with lower volumes of Korbel California Champagnes in the United States. The decline was partially offset by the positive contribution from Diplomático.
Non-branded and bulk’s net sales increased 18%, driven by higher prices for used barrels.
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Year-Over-Year Comparisons
Commentary below compares fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2024 results. A comparison of fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2023 results may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 (2024 Form 10-K).
| Net Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Price/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported net sales | (7 | %) | 2 | % | (5 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 4 | % | (1 | %) | 3 | % | ||
| Other items1 | 4 | % | (3 | %) | 1 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | 2 | % | 2 | % | ||
| Change in organic net sales | 2 | % | (1 | %) | 1 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other items” includes “JDCC.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
Net sales of $4.0 billion decreased 5%, or $203 million, in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, as unfavorable volume was partially offset by favorable price/mix. Volume declined 7% driven by the negative effect of acquisitions and divestitures and the JDCC business model change, partially offset by higher volumes of New Mix, JDTW, and Woodford Reserve. Price/mix increased 2% driven by JDCC, the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures, and positive portfolio mix from Woodford Reserve, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange and the unfavorable portfolio mix from New Mix. See “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2025 Market Highlights” and “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2025 Brand Highlights” above for details on the factors contributing to the change in reported net sales for fiscal 2025.
| Cost of Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Cost/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported cost of sales | (7 | %) | 6 | % | (1 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 4 | % | — | % | 4 | % | ||
| Other items1 | 4 | % | (2 | %) | 1 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||
| Change in organic cost of sales | 2 | % | 3 | % | 5 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other items” includes “JDCC” and “restructuring initiative.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
Cost of sales of $1.6 billion decreased $20 million, or 1%, in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, as the favorable impact from volume was largely offset by unfavorable cost/mix. Volume declined 7% driven by the negative effect of acquisitions and divestitures and the JDCC business model change, partially offset by higher volumes of New Mix, JDTW, and Woodford Reserve. Cost/mix increased 6% driven by higher input costs, unfavorable fixed cost absorption related to decreased production levels of our full-strength portfolio, and JDCC.
| Gross Profit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2025 | |||
| Change in reported gross profit | (7 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 3 | % | ||
| Other items1 | — | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | 3 | % | ||
| Change in organic gross profit | (2 | %) | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other items” includes “JDCC” and “restructuring initiative.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
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| Gross Margin | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30 | 2025 | |||
| Prior year gross margin | 60.5 | % | ||
| Price/mix | 1.1 | % | ||
| Cost | (2.5 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 0.3 | % | ||
| Other items1 | 0.3 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | (0.7 | %) | ||
| Change in gross margin | (1.5 | %) | ||
| Current year gross margin | 58.9 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other items” includes “JDCC” and “restructuring initiative.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
Gross profit of $2.3 billion decreased $183 million, or 7%, in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024. Gross margin decreased to 58.9% in fiscal 2025, down 1.5 percentage points from 60.5% in fiscal 2024. The decrease in gross margin was driven by higher costs and the negative effect of foreign exchange, partially offset by favorable price/mix, the impact of JDCC, and the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures.
| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | |||||||||||||
| 2025 | Reported | Acquisitions & Divestitures | Impairment | Other Items1 | Foreign Exchange | Organic | |||||||
| Advertising | (8 | %) | 2 | % | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | (6 | %) | |
| SG&A | (10 | %) | 1 | % | — | % | 3 | % | 1 | % | (5 | %) | |
| Total operating expenses2 | (10 | %) | 6 | % | (3 | %) | (2 | %) | 3 | % | (6 | %) | |
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other items” includes “restructuring initiative,” “foundation,” and “franchise tax refund.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
2Total operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, restructuring and other charges, and other expense (income), net.
Operating expenses totaled $1.2 billion, a decrease of $143 million, or 10%, in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily driven by (a) lower SG&A and advertising expenses; (b) the favorable fair value adjustment to Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability; (c) the positive effect of foreign exchange; (d) the impact of our recently divested brands and assets; and (e) the franchise tax refund, partially offset by the negative effect of the restructuring initiative and the non-cash impairment charge for the Gin Mare brand name.
•Advertising expenses decreased 8% in fiscal 2025, driven by (a) lower JDTA and JDTW spend; (b) the impact of our recently divested brands; (c) lower Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola RTD spend as compared to the prior-year period launch in the United States; and (d) the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•SG&A expenses decreased 10% in fiscal 2025, driven by (a) lower compensation-and-benefit-related expenses; (b) lapping the prior-year expenses related to charitable contributions to the Foundation and Dendrifund; (c) the absence of transaction-related expenses for the recent divestitures; and (d) the positive effect of foreign exchange.
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| Operating Income | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2025 | |||
| Change in reported operating income | (22 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 16 | % | ||
| Impairment charges | 4 | % | ||
| Other items1 | 2 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | 3 | % | ||
| Change in organic operating income | 3 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other items” includes “restructuring initiative,” “foundation,” “franchise tax refund,” and “JDCC.” See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
Reported operating income was $1.1 billion in fiscal 2025, a decrease of $307 million, or 22%, compared to fiscal 2024. Operating margin decreased 6.0 percentage points to 27.9% in fiscal 2025 from 33.8% in fiscal 2024, primarily due to the absence of the gains on the sale of the Sonoma-Cutrer wine and Finlandia vodka businesses, the decline in gross margin, and the Gin Mare brand name impairment. These declines were partially offset by lower operating expenses, including the favorable fair value adjustment to Gin Mare’s contingent consideration liability.
Interest expense (net) decreased $8 million, or 7%, in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, due to a lower average debt balance and lower average interest rates on borrowings, as well as a higher interest income.
Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2025 was 19.6% compared to 21.2% in fiscal 2024. The decrease in our effective tax rate was driven primarily by (a) increased benefit of the foreign-derived intangible income deduction; (b) the beneficial impact of state income tax refunds related to amended tax returns; and (c) prior-year tax return true ups, which was partially offset by the increased impact of valuation allowances in the current period. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details.
Diluted earnings per share were $1.84 in fiscal 2025, a decrease of 14% compared to fiscal 2024, driven primarily by the decrease in operating income, partially offset by the gain on sale of our investment in Duckhorn and the benefit of the lower effective tax rate.
Fiscal 2026 Outlook
Below we discuss our outlook for fiscal 2026, which reflects the trends, developments, and uncertainties (including those described above) that we expect to affect our business.
We anticipate the operating environment for fiscal 2026 will be challenging, with low visibility due to macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility as we face headwinds from consumer uncertainty, the potential impact from currently unknown tariffs, and lower non-branded sales of used barrels. We remain focused on building our business for the long term and navigating the current environment at pace with strategic initiatives in fiscal 2026 that we believe will unlock future growth led by the significant evolution of our U.S. distribution, the restructuring initiative, and meaningful new product innovation. Considering these factors, we expect the following in fiscal 2026:
•Organic net sales decline in the low-single digit range.
•Organic operating income decline in the low-single digit range.
•Our effective tax rate to be in the range of approximately 21% to 23%.
•Capital expenditures planned to be in the range of $125 to $135 million.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We generate strong cash flows from operations, which enable us to meet current obligations, fund capital expenditures, and return cash to our stockholders through regular dividends and, from time to time, through share repurchases and special dividends. We believe our investment-grade credit ratings (A1 by Moody’s and A- by S&P) provide us with financial flexibility when accessing global debt capital markets and allow us to reserve adequate debt capacity for investment opportunities and unforeseen events.
Our operating cash flows are supplemented by cash and cash equivalent balances, as well as access to other liquidity sources. Cash and cash equivalents were $446 million at April 30, 2024, and $444 million at April 30, 2025. As of April 30, 2025, approximately 54% of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign subsidiaries whose earnings we expect to reinvest indefinitely outside of the United States. We continue to evaluate our future cash deployment and may decide to repatriate additional cash held by our foreign subsidiaries. This may require us to provide for and pay additional taxes.
We have a $900 million commercial paper program that we use, together with our cash flow from operations, to fund our short-term operational needs. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for outstanding commercial paper balances, interest rates, and days to maturity at April 30, 2024 and April 30, 2025. The average balances, interest rates, and original maturities during the last two years are presented below.
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commercial paper | $ | 475 | $ | 373 | ||||||
| Average interest rate | 5.46 | % | 5.13 | % | ||||||
| Average days to maturity at issuance | 32 | 41 |
Our commercial paper program is supported by available commitments under our undrawn $900 million bank credit facility, which was extended for an additional year and expires on May 26, 2029. Although unlikely, under extreme market conditions, one or more participating banks may not be able to fund its commitments under our credit facility. To manage this counterparty credit risk, we partner with banks that have investment grade credit ratings, limit the amount of exposure we have with each bank, and monitor each bank’s financial conditions.
Our most significant short-term cash requirements relate primarily to funding our operations (such as expenditures for raw materials, production and distribution, advertising and promotion, and current taxes), dividend payments, and capital investments. Our most significant longer-term cash requirements primarily include payments related to our long-term debt, employee benefit obligations, and deferred tax liabilities (see Notes 8, 11, and 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
While we expect to meet our planned short-term liquidity needs largely through cash generated from operations and borrowings under our commercial paper program, a sustained market deterioration resulting in declines in net sales and profit could require us to evaluate alternative sources of liquidity. If we have additional liquidity needs, we believe that we could access financing in the debt capital markets.
We believe our current liquidity position, supplemented by our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations in the future, and our ample debt capacity enabled by our strong short-term and long-term credit ratings, will be sufficient to meet all of our future financial commitments.
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Cash Flow Summary
The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of the last two fiscal years:
| Cash Flow Summary | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2025 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 647 | $ | 598 | |||||
| Investing activities: | |||||||||
| Proceeds from business divestitures | $ | 246 | $ | — | |||||
| Proceeds from sale of equity method investment | — | 350 | |||||||
| Additions to property, plant, and equipment | (228) | (167) | |||||||
| Other | 31 | 66 | |||||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | $ | 49 | $ | 249 | |||||
| Financing activities: | |||||||||
| Net change in short-term borrowings | $ | 192 | $ | (117) | |||||
| Net proceeds from long-term debt | — | (300) | |||||||
| Acquisition of treasury stock | (400) | — | |||||||
| Dividends paid | (404) | (420) | |||||||
| Other | (6) | (6) | |||||||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | $ | (618) | $ | (843) |
Cash provided by operations of $598 million during fiscal 2025 declined $49 million from fiscal 2024. The decline was largely attributable to a $61 million increase in cash paid for income taxes, due largely to the taxable gain on sale of our investment in Duckhorn.
Cash provided by investing activities was $249 million during fiscal 2025, compared to $49 million provided by investing activities during fiscal 2024. The $200 million increase largely reflects (a) proceeds of $350 million from the sale of our investment in Duckhorn in December 2024, (b) a $35 million increase in proceeds from other investing activities (primarily attributable to proceeds of $51 million received from the sale of our Alabama cooperage in May 2024), and (c) a $61 million decline in capital expenditures, partially offset by proceeds of $246 million from the divestitures of Finlandia and Sonoma-Cutrer during fiscal 2024.
Cash used for financing activities was $843 million during fiscal 2025, compared to $618 million in cash used for financing activities during fiscal 2024. The $225 million increase largely reflects a $309 million increase in net repayments of short-term borrowings and our repayment of the $300 million principal amount of 3.50% notes that matured in April 2025, partially offset by a $400 million decline in share repurchases.
A discussion of our cash flows for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our 2024 Form 10-K.
Dividends
In November 2024, our Board of Directors approved a 4% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock from $0.2178 per share to $0.2265 per share, effective with the regular quarterly dividend paid on January 2, 2025. As a result, the indicated annual cash dividend increased from $0.8712 per share to $0.9060 per share.
On May 22, 2025, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock of $0.2265 per share. The dividend is payable on July 1, 2025, to stockholders of record on June 9, 2025.
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Share Repurchases
In October 2023, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400 million (excluding brokerage fees and excise taxes) of outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock from October 2, 2023, through October 1, 2024 (the Repurchase Program), subject to market and other conditions.
Under the Repurchase Program, we repurchased 175,632 Class A shares at an average price of $59.35 per share and 6,736,658 Class B shares at an average price of $57.83 per share, for a total cost of $400 million. The program was completed in December 2023.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our financial statements reflect some estimates involved in applying the following critical accounting policies that entail uncertainties and subjectivity. Using different estimates or policies could have a material effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Brand Names and Trademarks
When we acquire a business, we allocate the purchase price to the assets and liabilities of the acquired business, including intangible brand names and trademarks (“brand names”), based on estimated fair value. We do not amortize our brand names, all of which we consider to have indefinite lives.
We assess our brand names for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Our annual impairment assessment is performed as of the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter. A brand name is impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, in which case we write down the brand name to its estimated fair value. We estimate the fair value of a brand name using the relief-from-royalty method. We also consider market values for similar assets when available. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value, including making assumptions about future cash flows, net sales, discount rates, and royalty rates.
We have the option, before quantifying the fair value of a brand name, to evaluate qualitative factors to assess whether it is more likely than not that the brand name is 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.
In our annual brand name assessment, we performed a quantitative impairment test for the recently-acquired Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names. When using the quantitative assessment, the estimated fair values of the brand names are calculated based on the relief-from-royalty method, using significant assumptions, such as net sales, discount rates, and royalty rates. This assessment indicated (a) the carrying amount of the Gin Mare brand name exceeded its estimated fair value, resulting in a $47 million impairment during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, and (b) the estimated fair value of the Diplomático brand name exceeded its carrying amount. The Gin Mare brand name impairment largely reflects a decline in our financial forecast assumptions due to the more challenging macroeconomic environment in Europe.
As of April 30, 2025, the carrying amounts of the Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names remain within close proximity of their fair values. Reasonably possible changes in the significant assumptions discussed above could result in future impairment of either of those brands. For example, we estimate that, all else equal, a 15% decline in projected net sales would result in an incremental impairment charge of $38 million for the Gin Mare brand name and no impairment charge for the Diplomático brand name. We also estimate that, all else equal, a 1 percentage point increase in the discount rate would result in an incremental impairment charge of $43 million for the Gin Mare brand name and a $4 million impairment charge for the Diplomático brand name.
We estimate that the fair values of our other brand names substantially exceed their carrying amounts.
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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans providing retiree health care and retiree life insurance benefits. Benefits are based on factors such as years of service and compensation level during employment. We expense the benefits expected to be paid over employees’ expected service. This requires us to make assumptions to determine the net benefit costs and obligations, such as discount rates, return on plan assets, the rate of salary increases, expected service, and health care cost trend rates. We review these assumptions annually and modify them based on current rates and trends when appropriate. The assumptions also reflect our historical experience and management’s best judgment regarding future expectations. We believe the discount rates and expected return on plan assets are the most significant assumptions.
The discount rate used to measure the benefit obligations is determined at the beginning of each fiscal year 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 service cost and interest cost components are measured by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve. The expected return on pension plan assets reflects expected capital market returns for each asset class that are based on historical returns, adjusted for the expected effects of diversification.
The following table compares the assumed discount rates and expected return on assets used in determining net periodic benefit cost for fiscal 2025 to those to be used in determining that cost for fiscal 2026.
| Pension Benefits | Medical and Life Insurance Benefits | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | ||||||||
| Discount rate for service cost | 5.74 | % | 5.78 | % | 5.73 | % | 5.84 | % | |||
| Discount rate for interest cost | 5.53 | % | 5.10 | % | 5.49 | % | 4.97 | % | |||
| Expected return on plan assets | 6.56 | % | 6.75 | % | n/a | n/a |
Using these assumptions, we estimate our pension and other postretirement benefit cost for fiscal 2026 will be approximately $15 million (excluding any potential settlement or curtailment charges), compared to $18 million (excluding curtailment charges of $3 million) for fiscal 2025. Decreasing/increasing the assumed discount rates by 50 basis points would increase/decrease the total fiscal 2026 cost by approximately $3 million. Decreasing/increasing the assumed return on plan assets by 50 basis points would also increase/decrease the total fiscal 2026 cost by approximately $3 million.
Income Taxes
Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions. We establish liabilities when some positions are likely to be challenged and may not succeed, despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these liabilities in light of changing circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. We believe these liabilities are appropriate for all known contingencies, but the assessment of our positions could change.
Years can elapse before we can resolve a particular matter for which we may have established a tax liability. Although predicting the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter can be difficult, we believe our liabilities reflect the likely outcome of known tax contingencies. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue could require use of our cash and increase our effective tax rate. Conversely, a favorable resolution could result in reduced cash tax payments, the reversal of previously established liabilities, or some combination of these results, which could reduce our effective tax rate.
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FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000014693-24-000086.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to help the reader better understand Brown-Forman, our operations, our financial results, and our current business environment. Please read this MD&A in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Consolidated Financial Statements).
Our MD&A is organized as follows:
| Table of Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Presentation basis | 29 |
| Significant developments | 34 |
| Executive summary | 36 |
| Results of operations | 38 |
| Liquidity and capital resources | 44 |
| Critical accounting policies and estimates | 47 |
Presentation Basis
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use some financial measures in this report that are not measures of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP measures, defined below, should be viewed as supplements to (not substitutes for) our results of operations and other measures reported under GAAP. Other companies may not define or calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same way.
“Organic change” in measures of statements of operations. We present changes in certain measures, or line items, of the statements of operations that are adjusted to an “organic” basis. We use “organic change” for the following measures of the statements of operations: (a) organic net sales; (b) organic cost of sales; (c) organic gross profit; (d) organic advertising expenses; (e) organic selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses; (f) organic other expense (income) net; (g) organic operating expenses1; and (h) organic operating income. To calculate these measures, we adjust, as applicable, for (1) acquisitions and divestitures, (2) impairment charges, (3) other items, and (4) foreign exchange. We explain these adjustments below.
•“Acquisitions and divestitures.” This adjustment removes (a) the gain or loss recognized on sale of divested brands, (b) any non-recurring effects related to our acquisitions and divestitures (e.g., transaction, transition, and integration costs or income), and (c) the effects of operating activity related to acquired and divested brands for periods not comparable year over year (non-comparable periods). Excluding non-comparable periods allows us to include the effects of acquired and divested brands only to the extent that results are comparable year over year.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we acquired Gin Mare Brand, S.L.U. and Mareliquid Vantguard, S.L.U., which owned the Gin Mare brand (Gin Mare). This adjustment removes (a) the transaction, transition, and integration costs related to the acquisition, (b) operating activity for the non-comparable periods, which is activity in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2024, and (c) fair value adjustments to Gin Mare’s earn-out contingent consideration liability that is payable in cash no earlier than July 2024 and no later than July 2027.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we acquired (a) International Rum and Spirits Distributors Unipessoal, Lda., (b) Diplomático Branding Unipessoal Lda., (c) International Bottling Services, S.A., (d) International Rum & Spirits Marketing Solutions, S.L., and (e) certain assets of Destilerias Unidas Corp., which collectively own the Diplomático Rum brand and related assets (Diplomático). This adjustment removes (a) the transaction, transition, and integration costs related to the acquisition, and (b) operating activity for the non-comparable periods, which is primarily activity in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we sold the Finlandia vodka business, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $92 million, and entered into a related transition services agreement (TSA) for this business. This adjustment removes the (a) transaction costs related to the divestiture, (b) the gain on sale of the Finlandia vodka business, (c) operating activity for the
1 Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, and other expense (income), net.
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non-comparable period, which is activity in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2023, and (d) net sales, cost of sales, and operating expenses recognized pursuant to the TSA related to distribution services in certain markets.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we sold the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business in exchange for an ownership percentage of 21.4% in The Duckhorn Portfolio Inc. (Duckhorn) along with $50 million cash and entered into a related TSA for this business. This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $175 million. This adjustment removes the transaction costs related to the divestiture and the gain on sale of the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we recognized a gain of $7 million on the sale of certain fixed assets. This adjustment removes the gain from our other expense (income), net and operating income.
We believe that these adjustments allow for us to better understand our organic results on a comparable basis.
See Notes 13 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
•“Impairment Charges.” This adjustment removes the impact of impairment charges from our results of operations.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $96 million for the Finlandia brand name. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $7 million for an immaterial discontinued brand name. We believe that these adjustments allow for us to understand our organic results on a comparable basis.
•“Other Items.” Other Items include the additional items outlined below.
“Foundation.” During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we committed $23 million to the Brown-Forman Foundation and Dendrifund (the Foundation and Dendrifund) to support the communities where our employees live and work. This adjustment removes the commitment to the Foundation from our organic SG&A expenses and organic operating income to present our organic results on a comparable basis.
“Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails business model change (JDCC).” In fiscal 2021, we entered into a partnership with the Pabst Brewing Company for the supply, sales, and distribution of Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails in the United States while Brown-Forman continued to produce certain products. During fiscal 2024, this production fully transitioned to Pabst Brewing Company for the Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails products. This adjustment removes the non-comparable operating activity related to the sales of Brown-Forman-produced Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails products during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024.
•“Foreign exchange.” We calculate the percentage change in certain line items of the statements of operations in accordance with GAAP and adjust to exclude the cost or benefit of currency fluctuations. Adjusting for foreign exchange allows us to understand our business on a constant-dollar basis, as fluctuations in exchange rates can distort the organic trend both positively and negatively. (In this report, “dollar” always means the U.S. dollar unless stated otherwise.) To eliminate the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations when comparing across periods, we translate current-year results at prior-year rates and remove transactional and hedging foreign exchange gains and losses from current- and prior-year periods.
We use the non-GAAP measure “organic change”, along with other metrics, to: (a) understand our performance from period to period on a consistent basis; (b) compare our performance to that of our competitors; (c) calculate components of management incentive compensation; (d) plan and forecast; and (e) communicate our financial performance to the Board of Directors, stockholders, and investment community. We provide reconciliations of the “organic change” in certain line items of the statements of operations to their nearest GAAP measures in the tables under “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2024 Highlights” and “Results of Operations - Year-Over-Year Comparisons.” We have consistently applied the adjustments within our reconciliations in arriving at each non-GAAP measure. We believe these non-GAAP measures are useful to readers and investors because they enhance the understanding of our historical financial performance and comparability between periods. When we provide guidance for organic change in certain measures of the statements of operations we do not provide guidance for the corresponding GAAP change, as the GAAP measure will include items that are difficult to quantify or predict with reasonable certainty, such as foreign exchange, which could have a significant impact to our GAAP income statement measures.
“Return on average invested capital.” This measure refers to the sum of net income and after-tax interest expense, divided by average invested capital. Average invested capital equals assets less liabilities, excluding interest-bearing debt, and is calculated using the average of the most recent five quarter-end balances. After-tax interest expense equals interest expense multiplied by one minus our effective tax rate. We use this non-GAAP measure because we consider it to be a meaningful indicator of how effectively and efficiently we invest capital in our business.
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In fiscal 2023, we changed the methodology used to determine average invested capital. Previously, average invested capital was computed using the average of the most recent 13 month-end balances. Average invested capital is now calculated using the average of the most recent five quarter-end balances, which are disclosed in the relevant quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Return on average invested capital computed using the new methodology does not materially differ from the result computed using the previous methodology for fiscal 2023. The new methodology was consistently applied to return on average invested capital for each period presented.
Definitions
Aggregations.
From time to time, to explain our results of operations or to highlight trends and uncertainties affecting our business, we aggregate markets according to stage of economic development as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and we aggregate brands by beverage alcohol category. Below, we define the geographic and brand aggregations used in this report.
Geographic Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2024 Market Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top markets ranked by percentage of reported net sales. In addition to markets listed by country name, we include the following aggregations:
•“Developed International” markets are “advanced economies” as defined by the IMF, excluding the United States. Our top developed international markets were Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Spain. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Spain” includes Spain and certain other surrounding territories.
•“Emerging” markets are “emerging and developing economies” as defined by the IMF. Our top emerging markets were Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Brazil” includes Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and certain other surrounding territories.
•“Travel Retail” represents our net sales of branded products to global duty-free customers, other travel retail customers, and the U.S. military, regardless of customer location.
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bottling services, and non-branded bulk whiskey and wine, regardless of customer location.
Brand Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2024 Brand Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top brands ranked by percentage of reported net sales. In addition to brands listed by name, we include the aggregations outlined below.
In fiscal 2023, we began presenting “Ready-to-Drink” products as a separate aggregation due to its more significant contribution to our growth in recent years and industry-wide category growth trends. “Whiskey” no longer contains Jack Daniel’s ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-pour (RTP), and “Tequila” no longer includes New Mix. These brands are now included in the “Ready-to-Drink” brand aggregation.
•“Whiskey” includes all whiskey spirits and whiskey-based flavored liqueurs. The brands included in this category are the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below), the Woodford Reserve family of brands (Woodford Reserve), the Old Forester family of brands (Old Forester), The Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Benriach, Slane Irish Whiskey, and Coopers’ Craft.
•“American whiskey” includes the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below) and premium bourbons (defined below).
•“Premium bourbons” includes Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Coopers’ Craft.
•“Super-premium American whiskey” includes Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack, and other super-premium Jack Daniel's expressions.
•“Ready-to-Drink” includes all ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-pour (RTP) products. The brands included in this category are Jack Daniel’s RTD and RTP products (JD RTD/RTP), New Mix, and other RTD/RTP products.
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•“Jack Daniel’s RTD/RTP” products include all RTD line extensions of Jack Daniel’s, such as Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD, Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails, Jack Daniel’s Double Jack, and other malt- and spirit-based Jack Daniel’s RTDs, along with Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack RTP.
•“Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD” includes all Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola RTD products and Jack Daniel’s bulk whiskey shipments for the production of this product.
•“Tequila” includes el Jimador, the Herradura family of brands (Herradura), and other tequilas.
•“Wine” includes Korbel California Champagnes and Sonoma-Cutrer wines (which was divested on April 30, 2024). See Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details.
•“Vodka” includes Finlandia, which was divested on November 1, 2023. See Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details.
•“Rest of Portfolio” includes Diplomático, Chambord, Gin Mare, Korbel Brandy, and Fords Gin.
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bottling services, and non-branded bulk whiskey and wine.
•“Jack Daniel’s family of brands” includes Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey (JDTW), JD RTD/RTP, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey (JDTH), Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple (JDTA), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire (JDTF), Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Collection (JDSB), Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye Whiskey (JDTR), Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash Blended Straight Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond, Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old, Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old, and other Jack Daniel’s expressions.
Other Metrics.
•“Shipments.” We generally record revenues when we ship or deliver our products to our customers. In this report, unless otherwise specified, we refer to shipments when discussing volume.
•“Depletions.” This is a term commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry to describe volume. Depending on the context, depletions usually means either (a) where Brown-Forman is the distributor, shipments directly to retail or wholesale customers or (b) where Brown-Forman is not the distributor, shipments from distributor customers to retailers and wholesalers. We believe that depletions measure volume in a way that more closely reflects consumer demand than our shipments to distributor customers do.
•“Consumer takeaway.” When discussing trends in the market, we refer to consumer takeaway, a term commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry that refers to the purchase of product by consumers from retail outlets, including products purchased through e-commerce channels, as measured by volume or retail sales value. This information is provided by third parties, such as Nielsen and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA). Our estimates of market share or changes in market share are derived from consumer takeaway data using the retail sales value metric. We believe consumer takeaway is a leading indicator of consumer demand trends.
•“Estimated net change in distributor inventories.” We generally recognize revenue when our products are shipped or delivered to customers. In the United States and certain other markets, our customers are distributors that sell downstream to retailers and consumers. We believe that our distributors’ downstream sales more closely reflect actual consumer demand than do our shipments to distributors. Our shipments increase distributors’ inventories, while distributors’ depletions (as described above) reduce their inventories. Therefore, it is possible that our shipments do not coincide with distributors’ downstream depletions and merely reflect changes in distributors’ inventories. Because changes in distributors’ inventories could affect our trends, we believe it is useful for investors to understand those changes in the context of our operating results.
We perform the following calculation to determine the “estimated net change in distributor inventories”:
•For both the current-year period and the comparable prior-year period, we calculate a “depletion-based” amount by (a) dividing the organic dollar amount (e.g. organic net sales) by the corresponding shipment volumes to arrive at a shipment per case amount, and (b) multiplying the resulting shipment per case amount by the corresponding depletion volumes. We subtract the year-over-year percentage change of the “depletion-based” amount from the year-over-year percentage change of the organic amount to calculate the “estimated net change in distributor inventories.”
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•A positive difference is interpreted as a net increase in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could decrease as distributors reduce inventories; whereas, a negative difference is interpreted as a net decrease in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could increase as distributors rebuild inventories.
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Significant Developments
Below, we discuss the significant developments in our business during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024. These developments relate to acquisitions and divestitures, Finlandia brand name impairment, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, innovation, and capital deployment.
Acquisitions and Divestitures
During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we acquired the Gin Mare brand and the Diplomático brand and related assets for a combined purchase price of $1.2 billion. In fiscal 2023, these brands positively contributed to our reported net sales growth and negatively impacted our reported operating income growth. The negative effect on fiscal 2023 reported operating income was largely driven by transaction expenses of $44 million related to the termination of certain distribution contracts (certain post-closing costs and expenses). In fiscal 2024, these brands positively contributed to our reported net sales growth and reported operating income.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we sold the Finlandia vodka business for $196 million cash and entered into a related TSA for this business. This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $92 million. The TSA negatively impacted our reported gross margin during fiscal 2024.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we sold the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business in exchange for an ownership percentage of 21.4% in Duckhorn along with $50 million cash and entered into a related TSA for this business. This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $175 million.
Finlandia Impairment
During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $96 million for the Finlandia brand name, largely due to macroeconomic conditions including rising interest rates and increasing costs.
Tariffs
The removal of the European Union and United Kingdom tariffs on American whiskey (tariffs) positively affected our results during fiscal 2023. Tariffs include the combined effect of tariff-related costs, whether arising as a reduction of reported net sales or as an increase in reported cost of sales. For fiscal 2023, we estimated that lower costs associated with tariffs (a) reduced our reported cost of sales growth by approximately four percentage points, and (b) increased gross margin by approximately one and a half percentage points.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply chain disruptions negatively impacted our business during fiscal 2023 due to global logistics and transportation challenges that constrained product movement and increased transportation costs.
We further discuss the effects of these developments on our results where relevant below.
Innovation
•Jack Daniel’s family of brands. Innovation within the Jack Daniel’s family of brands has contributed to our growth in the last two fiscal years as described below.
◦In fiscal 2023, we announced our global relationship with The Coca-Cola Company to introduce the Jack Daniel's & Coca-Cola RTD to select markets around the world. We discuss the impact of the continued product launch on our fiscal 2024 results where relevant below.
◦In fiscal 2023, we launched Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash Blended Straight Whiskey in the United States and certain developed international and emerging markets.
◦In fiscal 2023, we launched Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old in the United States.
◦In fiscal 2023, we launched Jack Daniel's Tennessee Travelers Whiskey in Travel Retail.
◦In fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024, we continued the international launch of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, expanding to certain developed international and emerging markets.
◦In fiscal 2024, we launched Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye Barrel Proof in the United States.
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◦In fiscal 2024, we launched Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt in Travel Retail.
◦In fiscal 2024, we introduced the Glenglassaugh old and rare cask program.
Capital Deployment
We have focused our capital deployment initiatives on (a) investing fully in our existing business, (b) continuing our acquisitions and divestitures strategy, and (c) returning cash to our stockholders.
•Investments. During fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024, our capital expenditures totaled $411 million and focused on enabling the growth of our premium whiskey, tequila, and rum brands:
◦During fiscal 2021, our Board of Directors approved a $125 million capital investment to expand our bourbon-making capacity in Kentucky. We completed this project in fiscal 2024. We also built two additional barrel warehouses at our Woodford Reserve distillery during fiscal 2024 to support the continued growth of Woodford Reserve.
◦During fiscal 2022, our Board of Directors approved a $50 million capital investment to expand our scotch-making capacity in Scotland. We expect to complete this project in fiscal 2026. We also built an additional barrel warehouse at our The Glendronach distillery during fiscal 2023 and two additional barrel warehouses at our Glenglassaugh distillery during fiscal 2024 to support the continued growth of those brands.
◦During fiscal 2023, our Board of Directors approved an $85 million capital investment to expand our JDTW capacity in Tennessee. We also built four additional barrel warehouses at our Jack Daniel’s distillery during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024 to support the continued growth of JDTW.
◦During fiscal 2023, our Board of Directors approved a $200 million capital investment to expand our tequila-making capacity in Mexico.
◦During fiscal 2024, we built an additional barrel warehouse in Panamá to support the continued growth of Diplomático rum.
•Acquisitions and divestitures. During fiscal 2023, we acquired the Gin Mare brand and the Diplomático brand and related assets. During fiscal 2024, we sold the Finlandia vodka business and Sonoma-Cutrer wine business. See Notes 13 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
•Cash returned to stockholders. During fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024, we returned a total of $1.2 billion to our stockholders through $782 million in regular dividends and $400 million in share repurchases.
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Executive Summary
Fiscal 2024 Highlights
•We delivered reported net sales of $4.2 billion, a decrease of 1% compared to fiscal 2023. The decline in reported net sales was driven by lower volumes, largely offset by favorable price/mix and the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures. An estimated net decrease in distributor inventories negatively impacted reported net sales.
◦From a brand perspective, the decline in reported net sales was driven by JDTW, partially offset by growth from our recently acquired brands, Diplomático and Gin Mare.
◦From a geographic perspective, the decline in reported net sales was driven by the United States and Japan, partially offset by growth in Mexico and Germany.
•We delivered reported gross profit of $2.5 billion, an increase of 1% compared to fiscal 2023. Gross margin increased to 60.5% in fiscal 2024, up 1.5 percentage points from 59.0% in fiscal 2023. The increase in gross margin was primarily driven by favorable price/mix and lower supply chain disruption related costs, partially offset by higher input costs and the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•We delivered reported operating income of $1.4 billion, an increase of 25% compared to fiscal 2023, driven primarily by the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures (the gains on sale of the Finlandia vodka business and the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business), favorable price/mix, the absence of the prior year period Finlandia non-cash impairment, and lower supply chain disruption related costs, partially offset by operating expense growth, the negative effect of foreign exchange, and the $23 million commitment to the Foundation and Dendrifund.
•We delivered diluted earnings per share of $2.14, an increase of 32% compared to fiscal 2023, driven primarily by the increase in reported operating income.
•Our return on average invested capital increased to 17.3% in fiscal 2024, compared to 15.3% in fiscal 2023. This increase was driven by higher reported operating income and the benefit of a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher invested capital.
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Summary of Operating Performance Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2024
| 2023 vs. 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30 | 2023 | 2024 | Reported Change | Organic Change1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 4,228 | $ | 4,178 | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 1,734 | $ | 1,652 | (5 | %) | (7 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,494 | $ | 2,526 | 1 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 506 | $ | 529 | 4 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| SG&A | $ | 742 | $ | 826 | 11 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Gain on business divestitures | $ | — | $ | (267) | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | $ | 119 | $ | 24 | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1,127 | $ | 1,414 | 25 | % | (2 | %) | |||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses2 | $ | 1,367 | $ | 1,379 | 1 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||
| As a percentage of net sales3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 59.0 | % | 60.5 | % | 1.5 | pp | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 26.7 | % | 33.8 | % | 7.2 | pp | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | 81 | $ | 113 | 40 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 23.0 | % | 21.2 | % | (1.8 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.63 | $ | 2.14 | 32 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Return on average invested capital1 | 15.3 | % | 17.3 | % | 2.0 | pp | |||||||||||||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” and “return on average invested capital,” including how we calculate these measures and why we think this information is useful to readers.
2Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, and other expense (income), net.
3Year-over-year changes in percentages are reported in percentage points (pp).
4Percentage change is not meaningful.
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Results of Operations
Fiscal 2024 Market Highlights
The following table shows net sales results for our top markets, summarized by geographic area, for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. We discuss results of the markets most affecting our performance below the table.
| Top Markets | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Geographic area1 | % of Fiscal 2024 Net Sales | Reported | Acquisitions and Divestitures | JDCC2 | Foreign Exchange | Organic3 | ||||||||||
| United States | 45 | % | (4 | %) | — | % | — | % | — | % | (4 | %) | ||||
| Developed International | 28 | % | (2 | %) | (2 | %) | — | % | — | % | (5 | %) | ||||
| Germany | 6 | % | 10 | % | (1 | %) | — | % | (2 | %) | 7 | % | ||||
| Australia | 5 | % | (8 | %) | — | % | — | % | 2 | % | (6 | %) | ||||
| United Kingdom | 4 | % | (11 | %) | (1 | %) | — | % | (2 | %) | (14 | %) | ||||
| France | 3 | % | — | % | (2 | %) | — | % | (1 | %) | (3 | %) | ||||
| Canada | 1 | % | 2 | % | (1 | %) | — | % | 1 | % | 2 | % | ||||
| Spain | 1 | % | 2 | % | (1 | %) | — | % | (2 | %) | (1 | %) | ||||
| Rest of Developed International | 7 | % | (4 | %) | (6 | %) | — | % | — | % | (9 | %) | ||||
| Emerging | 21 | % | 5 | % | 1 | % | — | % | 2 | % | 8 | % | ||||
| Mexico | 7 | % | 19 | % | — | % | — | % | (13 | %) | 6 | % | ||||
| Poland | 3 | % | 15 | % | 3 | % | — | % | (6 | %) | 11 | % | ||||
| Brazil | 2 | % | 5 | % | — | % | — | % | (2 | %) | 3 | % | ||||
| Rest of Emerging | 9 | % | (6 | %) | 2 | % | — | % | 14 | % | 10 | % | ||||
| Travel Retail | 4 | % | 8 | % | (1 | %) | — | % | — | % | 6 | % | ||||
| Non-branded and bulk | 2 | % | (2 | %) | — | % | — | % | — | % | (2 | %) | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | — | % | — | % | (1 | %) | ||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of market aggregations presented here.
2"JDCC” is included in the Other Items Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See Presentation Basis above for additional details.
3See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
The United States’ reported net sales declined 4%, driven by lower volumes largely reflecting an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories. The decline was partially offset by higher prices across our portfolio, led by el Jimador and Woodford Reserve, and the growth of our super-premium Jack Daniel’s expressions.
Developed International
•Germany’s reported net sales increased 10%, led by the launch of the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD, the positive effect of foreign exchange, and the acquisitions of Diplomático and Gin Mare, partially offset by lower volumes of Jack Daniel’s & Cola.
•Australia’s reported net sales declined 8%, led by lower volumes of JD RTDs and the negative effect of foreign exchange, partially offset by higher prices for JD RTDs.
•The United Kingdom’s reported net sales declined 11%, driven by lower volumes of Jack Daniel’s & Cola, which we previously distributed, due to the introduction of the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD that we do not distribute in this market, as well as lower JDTW volumes. The decline was partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•France’s reported net sales were flat due to JDTW declines, offset by the acquisition of Diplomático and the positive effect of foreign exchange.
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•Reported net sales in the Rest of Developed International declined 4%, primarily driven by lower volumes across our portfolio in Japan due to an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories in preparation for the transition to owned distribution beginning April 1, 2024. This decline was partially offset by the acquisitions of Gin Mare and Diplomático.
Emerging
•Mexico’s reported net sales increased 19%, driven by the positive effect of foreign exchange and higher prices of New Mix.
•Poland’s reported net sales increased 15%, led by favorable price/mix and higher volumes of JDTW, as well as the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Brazil’s reported net sales increased 5%, driven by higher volumes of JDTA along with the positive effect of foreign exchange. These gains were partially offset by lower volumes of JDTW, reflecting an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories, and JD RTD declines.
•Reported net sales in the Rest of Emerging declined 6%, driven by the negative effect of foreign exchange, reflecting the strengthening of the dollar primarily against the Turkish lira, and lower JDTW volumes in the United Arab Emirates due to a net decrease in distributor inventories. These declines were partially offset by JDTW growth in Türkiye.
Travel Retail’s reported net sales increased 8%, driven by growth of our super-premium American whiskey portfolio and the acquisitions of Gin Mare and Diplomático. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales.
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Fiscal 2024 Brand Highlights
The following table highlights the global results of our top brands for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. We discuss results of the brands most affecting our performance below the table.
| Top Brands | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Product category / brand family / brand1 | Reported | Acquisitions & Divestitures | JDCC2 | Foreign Exchange | Organic3 | |||||||||||||
| Whiskey | (3 | %) | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | (2 | %) | ||||||||
| JDTW | (6 | %) | — | % | — | % | 2 | % | (5 | %) | ||||||||
| JDTH | (8 | %) | — | % | — | % | — | % | (8 | %) | ||||||||
| Gentleman Jack | (10 | %) | — | % | — | % | 2 | % | (9 | %) | ||||||||
| JDTA | 32 | % | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | 33 | % | ||||||||
| JDTF | (11 | %) | — | % | — | % | — | % | (11 | %) | ||||||||
| Woodford Reserve | 2 | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | 3 | % | ||||||||
| Old Forester | 11 | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | 11 | % | ||||||||
| Rest of Whiskey | 15 | % | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||
| Ready-to-Drink | 2 | % | — | % | 1 | % | (4 | %) | — | % | ||||||||
| JD RTD/RTP | (6 | %) | — | % | 1 | % | — | % | (5 | %) | ||||||||
| New Mix | 32 | % | — | % | — | % | (15 | %) | 17 | % | ||||||||
| Tequila | (4 | %) | — | % | — | % | (3 | %) | (7 | %) | ||||||||
| el Jimador | — | % | — | % | — | % | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | ||||||||
| Herradura | (10 | %) | — | % | — | % | (3 | %) | (13 | %) | ||||||||
| Wine | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||
| Vodka (Finlandia) | (16 | %) | 19 | % | — | % | 1 | % | 3 | % | ||||||||
| Rest of Portfolio | 61 | % | (49 | %) | — | % | 3 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||
| Non-branded and bulk | (2 | %) | — | % | — | % | — | % | (2 | %) | ||||||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of brand aggregations presented here.
2"JDCC” is included in the Other Items Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See Presentation Basis above for additional details.
3See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
Whiskey
•Reported net sales for JDTW decreased 6%, led by declines in Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Sub-Saharan Africa, along with the negative effect of foreign exchange, primarily reflecting the strengthening of the dollar against the Turkish lira. These declines were partially offset by higher prices and volumes in Türkiye. An estimated net decrease in distributor inventories negatively impacted reported net sales.
•Reported net sales for JDTH declined 8%, driven by lower volumes in the United States largely reflecting an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories.
•Reported net sales for Gentleman Jack declined 10%, driven by lower volumes in the United States, largely due to an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories, and the negative effect of foreign exchange. The decline was partially offset by higher prices in Türkiye.
•Reported net sales for JDTA increased 32%, led by higher volumes in Brazil and the continued product launch in South Korea.
•Reported net sales for JDTF declined 11%, driven by lower volumes in the United States largely reflecting an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories.
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•Woodford Reserve reported net sales increased 2%, driven by favorable price/mix, partially offset by lower volumes in the United States reflecting an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories.
•Old Forester reported net sales increased 11%, driven by favorable price/mix and higher volumes in the United States. An estimated net decrease in distributor inventories negatively impacted reported net sales.
•Reported net sales for Rest of Whiskey increased 15%, led by the growth of our other super-premium Jack Daniel's expressions and Glenglassaugh old and rare cask sales.
Ready-to-Drink
•The JD RTD/RTP brands reported net sales declined 6%, led by lower volumes of Jack Daniel’s & Cola RTD, partially offset by the continued launch of the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD. An estimated net decrease in distributor inventories in the United States negatively impacted reported net sales.
•New Mix grew reported net sales 32%, driven by the positive effect of foreign exchange and higher prices in Mexico.
Tequila
•el Jimador’s reported net sales were flat, driven by lower volumes in Mexico and the United States, offset by higher prices led by the United States and the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Herradura reported net sales declined 10%, driven by lower volumes in the United States and Mexico, partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange. An estimated net decrease in distributor inventories negatively impacted reported net sales.
Wine reported net sales were flat as Korbel California Champagne declines in the United States were offset by higher volumes of Sonoma-Cutrer. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we sold our Sonoma-Cutrer wine business. See Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Non-GAAP Financial Measures above for details.
Vodka (Finlandia) reported net sales declined 16%, due to lower volumes. During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we sold our Finlandia vodka business. See Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Non-GAAP Financial Measures above for details.
Rest of Portfolio reported net sales increased 61%, largely driven by the acquisitions of Diplomático and Gin Mare.
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Year-Over-Year Comparisons
Commentary below compares fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2023 results. A comparison of fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2022 results may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 (2023 Form 10-K).
| Net Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Price/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported net sales | (9 | %) | 8 | % | (1 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | — | % | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | ||
| JDCC1 | 1 | % | (1 | %) | — | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||
| Change in organic net sales | (8 | %) | 6 | % | (1 | %) | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“JDCC” is included in the Other Items Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See Presentation Basis above for additional details.
Reported net sales of $4.2 billion decreased 1%, or $50 million, in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, driven by lower volumes, largely offset by favorable price/mix and the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures. Lower volumes were led by Jack Daniel’s & Cola, due to the introduction of the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD, and JDTW, reflecting an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories. Price/mix largely reflects higher prices across much of our portfolio, led by JDTW, most notably in Türkiye in response to high inflation and currency devaluation. See “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2024 Market Highlights” and “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2024 Brand Highlights” above for details on the factors contributing to the change in reported net sales for fiscal 2024.
| Cost of Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Cost/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported cost of sales | (9 | %) | 4 | % | (5 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | — | % | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | ||
| JDCC1 | 1 | % | — | % | — | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | (2 | %) | (2 | %) | ||
| Change in organic cost of sales | (8 | %) | 1 | % | (7 | %) | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“JDCC” is included in the Other Items Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See Presentation Basis above for additional details.
Reported cost of sales of $1.7 billion decreased $82 million, or 5%, in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, driven by lower volumes partially offset by cost/mix. Lower volumes were led by Jack Daniel’s & Cola, due to the introduction of the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD, and JDTW, reflecting an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories. Cost/mix reflects (a) higher input costs, (b) the negative effect of foreign exchange, and (c) the negative effect of acquisitions and divestitures, partially offset by the absence of the significant prior year supply chain disruption related costs.
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| Gross Profit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2024 | |||
| Change in reported gross profit | 1 | % | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | — | % | ||
| JDCC1 | — | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | 2 | % | ||
| Change in organic gross profit | 2 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“JDCC” is included in the Other Items Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See Presentation Basis above for additional details.
| Gross Margin | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30 | 2024 | |||
| Prior year gross margin | 59.0 | % | ||
| Price/mix | 2.8 | % | ||
| Cost (excluding tariffs) | (0.5 | %) | ||
| Foreign exchange | (0.8 | %) | ||
| Other1 | 0.1 | % | ||
| Change in gross margin | 1.5 | % | ||
| Current year gross margin | 60.5 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Other” comprises the impact of acquisitions and divestitures, tariffs, and JDCC, which is included in the Other Items Non-GAAP Financial Measure (see Presentation Basis above for additional details).
Reported gross profit of $2.5 billion increased $32 million, or 1%, in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. Gross margin increased to 60.5% in fiscal 2024, up 1.5 percentage points from 59.0% in fiscal 2023. The increase in gross margin was primarily driven by favorable price/mix and lower supply chain disruption related costs, partially offset by higher input costs and the negative effect of foreign exchange.
| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | Reported | Acquisitions & Divestitures | Impairment | Foundation1 | Foreign Exchange | Organic | |||||||
| Advertising | 4 | % | (2 | %) | — | % | — | % | (1 | %) | 2 | % | |
| SG&A | 11 | % | — | % | — | % | (3 | %) | (1 | %) | 7 | % | |
| Total operating expenses2 | 1 | % | 2 | % | 8 | % | (2 | %) | (1 | %) | 7 | % | |
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1“Foundation” is included in the Other Items Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See Presentation Basis above for additional details.
2Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, and other expense (income), net.
Reported operating expenses totaled $1.4 billion, an increase of $12 million, or 1%, in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. The increase in reported operating expenses was driven by elevated SG&A expense, advertising expense growth, and the negative effect of foreign exchange. The increase was largely offset by the absence of a non-cash impairment charge for the Finlandia brand name in the prior year, as well as the absence of post-closing costs and expenses in connection with the acquisitions of Diplomático and Gin Mare in the prior year.
•Reported advertising expenses increased 4% in fiscal 2024, driven by increased investment in JDTW, advertising expense for the recently acquired Gin Mare and Diplomático brands, and advertising expense associated with the launch of Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD.
•Reported SG&A expenses increased 11% in fiscal 2024, led by higher compensation and benefit-related expenses and the commitment to the Foundation and Dendrifund.
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| Operating Income | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2024 | |||
| Change in reported operating income | 25 | % | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | (27 | %) | ||
| Impairment charges | (7 | %) | ||
| Other items1 | 2 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | 4 | % | ||
| Change in organic operating income | (2 | %) | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1Other Items include “JDCC” and “Foundation”. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional details.
Reported operating income was $1.4 billion in fiscal 2024, an increase of $287 million, or 25%, compared to fiscal 2023. Operating margin increased 7.2 percentage points to 33.8% in fiscal 2024 from 26.7% in fiscal 2023, driven primarily by the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures (gains on sale of the Finlandia vodka business and the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business), favorable price/mix, the absence of the prior year period Finlandia non-cash impairment, and lower supply chain disruption related costs, partially offset by operating expense growth, the negative effect of foreign exchange, and the commitment to the Foundation and Dendrifund.
Interest expense (net) increased $32 million, or 40%, in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, due to a higher average debt balances and higher average interest rates on borrowings..
Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2024 was 21.2% compared to 23.0% in fiscal 2023. The decrease in our effective tax rate was driven primarily by the decreased impact of foreign operations and state taxes and the beneficial impact of tax rate differences on the sale of the Finlandia vodka business, which was partially offset by the absence of the net benefit from the reversal of the valuation allowances and the impact of the prior fiscal year tax true-ups in fiscal 2024. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details.
Diluted earnings per share were $2.14 in fiscal 2024, an increase of 32% compared to fiscal 2023, driven primarily by the increase in reported operating income.
Fiscal 2025 Outlook
Below we discuss our outlook for fiscal 2025, which reflects the trends, developments, and uncertainties (including those described above) that we expect to affect our business.
We anticipate a return to growth for organic net sales and organic operating income in fiscal 2025 driven by gains in international markets and the benefit of normalizing inventory trends. This outlook is tempered by our belief that global macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties will continue to create a challenging operating environment. Accordingly, we expect the following in fiscal 2025:
•Organic net sales growth in the 2% to 4% range.
•Organic operating income growth in the 2% to 4% range.
•Our effective tax rate to be in the range of approximately 21% to 23%.
•Capital expenditures planned to be in the range of $195 to $205 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We generate strong cash flows from operations, which enable us to meet current obligations, fund capital expenditures, and return cash to our stockholders through regular dividends and, from time to time, through share repurchases and special dividends. We believe our investment-grade credit ratings (A1 by Moody's and A- by S&P) provide us with financial flexibility when accessing global debt capital markets and allow us to reserve adequate debt capacity for investment opportunities and unforeseen events.
Our operating cash flows are supplemented by cash and cash equivalent balances, as well as access to other liquidity sources. Cash and cash equivalents were $374 million at April 30, 2023, and $446 million at April 30, 2024. As of April 30, 2024, approximately 50% of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign subsidiaries whose earnings we expect to
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reinvest indefinitely outside of the United States. We continue to evaluate our future cash deployment and may decide to repatriate additional cash held by our foreign subsidiaries. This may require us to provide for and pay additional taxes.
We have a $900 million commercial paper program that we use, together with our cash flow from operations, to fund our short-term operational needs. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for outstanding commercial paper balances, interest rates, and days to maturity at April 30, 2023 and April 30, 2024. The average balances, interest rates, and original maturities during 2023 and 2024 are presented below.
| (Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commercial paper | $ | 158 | $ | 475 | ||||||
| Average interest rate | 4.69 | % | 5.46 | % | ||||||
| Average days to maturity at issuance | 41 | 32 |
Our commercial paper program is supported by available commitments under our undrawn $900 million bank credit facility that expires on May 26, 2028. Although unlikely, under extreme market conditions, one or more participating banks may not be able to fund its commitments under our credit facility. To manage this counterparty credit risk, we partner with banks that have investment grade credit ratings, limit the amount of exposure we have with each bank, and monitor each bank’s financial conditions.
Our most significant short-term cash requirements relate primarily to funding our operations (such as expenditures for raw materials, production and distribution, advertising and promotion, and current taxes), dividend payments, and capital investments. Our most significant longer-term cash requirements primarily include payments related to our long-term debt, employee benefit obligations, and deferred tax liabilities (see Notes 7, 10, and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
While we expect to meet our planned short-term liquidity needs largely through cash generated from operations and borrowings under our commercial paper program, a sustained market deterioration resulting in declines in net sales and profit could require us to evaluate alternative sources of liquidity. If we have additional liquidity needs, we believe that we could access financing in the debt capital markets.
We believe our current liquidity position, supplemented by our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations in the future, and our ample debt capacity enabled by our strong short-term and long-term credit ratings, will be sufficient to meet all of our future financial commitments.
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Cash Flow Summary
The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of the last two fiscal years:
| (Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 640 | $ | 647 | |||||
| Investing activities: | |||||||||
| Proceeds from business divestitures | $ | — | $ | 246 | |||||
| Business acquisitions | (1,195) | — | |||||||
| Additions to property, plant, and equipment | (183) | (228) | |||||||
| Other | 23 | 31 | |||||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | $ | (1,355) | $ | 49 | |||||
| Financing activities: | |||||||||
| Net change in short-term borrowings | $ | 234 | $ | 192 | |||||
| Net proceeds from long-term debt | 398 | — | |||||||
| Acquisition of treasury stock | (400) | ||||||||
| Dividends paid | (378) | (404) | |||||||
| Other | (15) | (6) | |||||||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | $ | 239 | $ | (618) |
Cash provided by operations of $647 million during fiscal 2024 increased $7 million from fiscal 2023, primarily reflecting a smaller increase in cash used for working capital compared to the prior fiscal year.
Cash provided by investing activities was $49 million during fiscal 2024, compared to $1,355 million used for investing activities during fiscal 2023. The $1,404 million change largely reflects $1,195 million in cash used to acquire Gin Mare and Diplomático during fiscal 2023 and proceeds of $246 million received from the divestitures of Finlandia and Sonoma-Cutrer during fiscal 2024. The change also reflects a $45 million increase in capital expenditures, due largely to additional capital spending on projects to expand the capacity of our whiskey and tequila production facilities during fiscal 2024.
Cash used for financing activities was $618 million during fiscal 2024, compared to $239 million in cash provided by financing activities during fiscal 2023. The $857 million change largely reflects a $400 million increase in share repurchases, a $398 million decrease in net proceeds from long-term debt, a $42 million decrease in net proceeds from short-term borrowings, and a $26 million increase in dividend payments.
A discussion of our cash flows for fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our 2023 Form 10-K.
Dividends
In November 2023, our Board of Directors approved a 6% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock from $0.2055 per share to $0.2178 per share, effective with the regular quarterly dividend paid on January 2, 2024. As a result, the indicated annual cash dividend increased from $0.8220 per share to $0.8712 per share.
On May 23, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock of $0.2178 per share. The dividend is payable on July 1, 2024, to stockholders of record on June 7, 2024.
Share Repurchases
In October 2023, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400 million (excluding brokerage fees and excise taxes) of outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock from October 2, 2023, through October 1, 2024 (the Repurchase Program), subject to market and other conditions.
Under the Repurchase Program, we repurchased 175,632 Class A shares at an average price of $59.35 per share and 6,736,658 Class B shares at an average price of $57.83 per share, for a total cost of $400 million. The program was completed in December 2023.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our financial statements reflect some estimates involved in applying the following critical accounting policies that entail uncertainties and subjectivity. Using different estimates or policies could have a material effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Brand Names and Trademarks
When we acquire a business, we allocate the purchase price to the assets and liabilities of the acquired business, including intangible brand names and trademarks (“brand names”), based on estimated fair value. We do not amortize our brand names, all of which we consider to have indefinite lives.
We assess our brand names for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. A brand name is impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, in which case we write down the brand name to its estimated fair value. We estimate the fair value of a brand name using the relief-from-royalty method. We also consider market values for similar assets when available. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value, including making assumptions about future cash flows, net sales, discount rates, and royalty rates.
We have the option, before quantifying the fair value of a brand name, to evaluate qualitative factors to assess whether it is more likely than not that the brand name is 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.
Based on our assumptions, we believe none of our brand names are impaired as of April 30, 2024. The carrying amounts of the recently-acquired Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names approximate their fair values, based on the relief-from-royalty method, using current assumptions. Reasonably possible changes in those assumptions could result in future impairment of either of those brand names. For example, we estimate that, all else equal, a 15% decline in projected net sales would result in an impairment charge of $25 million for the Gin Mare brand name and $35 million for the Diplomático brand name. We also estimate that, all else equal, a 1 percentage point increase in the discount rate would result in an impairment charge of $29 million for the Gin Mare brand name and $44 million for the Diplomático brand name.
We estimate that the fair values of our other brand names substantially exceed their carrying amounts.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans providing retiree health care and retiree life insurance benefits. Benefits are based on factors such as years of service and compensation level during employment. We expense the benefits expected to be paid over employees' expected service. This requires us to make assumptions to determine the net benefit costs and obligations, such as discount rates, return on plan assets, the rate of salary increases, expected service, and health care cost trend rates. We review these assumptions annually and modify them based on current rates and trends when appropriate. The assumptions also reflect our historical experience and management's best judgment regarding future expectations. We believe the discount rates and expected return on plan assets are the most significant assumptions.
The discount rate used to measure the benefit obligations is determined at the beginning of each fiscal year 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 service cost and interest cost components are measured by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve. The expected return on pension plan assets reflects expected capital market returns for each asset class that are based on historical returns, adjusted for the expected effects of diversification.
The following table compares the assumed discount rates and expected return on assets used in determining net periodic benefit cost for fiscal 2024 to those to be used in determining that cost for fiscal 2025.
| Pension Benefits | Medical and Life Insurance Benefits | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||
| Discount rate for service cost | 4.98 | % | 5.75 | % | 5.02 | % | 5.77 | % | |||
| Discount rate for interest cost | 4.79 | % | 5.59 | % | 4.78 | % | 5.58 | % | |||
| Expected return on plan assets | 6.50 | % | 6.50 | % | n/a | n/a |
Using these assumptions, we estimate our pension and other postretirement benefit cost for fiscal 2025 will be approximately $18 million, compared to $21 million for fiscal 2024. Decreasing the assumed discount rates by 50 basis points would increase the total fiscal 2025 cost by approximately $4 million. Increasing the assumed discount rates by 50 basis points
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would decrease the total fiscal 2025 cost by approximately $2 million. Decreasing/increasing the assumed return on plan assets by 50 basis points would increase/decrease the total fiscal 2025 cost by approximately $3 million.
Income Taxes
Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions. We establish liabilities when some positions are likely to be challenged and may not succeed, despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these liabilities in light of changing circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. We believe current liabilities are appropriate for all known contingencies, but this situation could change.
Years can elapse before we can resolve a particular matter for which we may have established a tax liability. Although predicting the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter can be difficult, we believe our liabilities reflect the likely outcome of known tax contingencies. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue could require use of our cash and increase our effective tax rate. Conversely, a favorable resolution could result in reduced cash tax payments, the reversal of previously established liabilities, or some combination of these results, which could reduce our effective tax rate.
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000014693-23-000074.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to help the reader better understand Brown-Forman, our operations, our financial results, and our current business environment. Please read this MD&A in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Consolidated Financial Statements).
Our MD&A is organized as follows:
| Table of Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Presentation basis | 28 |
| Significant developments | 32 |
| Executive summary | 34 |
| Results of operations | 36 |
| Liquidity and capital resources | 42 |
| Critical accounting policies and estimates | 44 |
Presentation Basis
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use some financial measures in this report that are not measures of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP measures, defined below, should be viewed as supplements to (not substitutes for) our results of operations and other measures reported under GAAP. Other companies may not define or calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same way.
“Organic change” in measures of statements of operations. We present changes in certain measures, or line items, of the statements of operations that are adjusted to an “organic” basis. We use “organic change” for the following measures of the statements of operations: (a) organic net sales; (b) organic cost of sales; (c) organic gross profit; (d) organic advertising expenses; (e) organic selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses; (f) organic other expense (income) net; (g) organic operating expenses1; and (h) organic operating income. To calculate these measures, we adjust, as applicable, for (1) acquisitions and divestitures, (2) foreign exchange, and (3) impairment charges. We explain these adjustments below.
•“Acquisitions and divestitures.” This adjustment removes (a) the gain or loss recognized on sale of divested brands, (b) any non-recurring effects related to our acquisitions and divestitures (e.g., transaction, transition, and integration costs or income), and (c) the effects of operating activity related to acquired and divested brands for periods not comparable year over year (non-comparable periods). Excluding non-comparable periods allows us to include the effects of acquired and divested brands only to the extent that results are comparable year over year.
During fiscal 2021, we sold our Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood brands and related assets, and entered into a related transition services agreement (TSA) for these brands. During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we acquired Gin Mare Brand, S.L.U. and Mareliquid Vantguard, S.L.U., which own the Gin Mare brand (Gin Mare). Also, during the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we acquired (a) International Rum and Spirits Distributors Unipessoal, Lda., (b) Diplomático Branding Unipessoal Lda., (c) International Bottling Services, S.A., (d) International Rum & Spirits Marketing Solutions, S.L., and (e) certain assets of Destilerias Unidas Corp., which collectively own the Diplomático Rum brand and related assets (Diplomático). See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
This adjustment removes (a) the net sales and operating expenses recognized pursuant to the TSA related to the divestiture of Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood brands and related assets for the non-comparable period, which is activity during the first quarter of fiscal 2022; (b) transaction, transition, and integration costs related to the acquisitions; (c) operating activity for Gin Mare for the non-comparable period, which is activity in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2023; and (d) operating activity for Diplomático for the non-comparable period, which is activity in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2023. We believe that these adjustments allow for us to understand our organic results on a comparable basis.
1 Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, and other expense (income), net.
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•“Foreign exchange.” We calculate the percentage change in certain line items of the statements of operations in accordance with GAAP and adjust to exclude the cost or benefit of currency fluctuations. Adjusting for foreign exchange allows us to understand our business on a constant-dollar basis, as fluctuations in exchange rates can distort the organic trend both positively and negatively. (In this report, “dollar” always means the U.S. dollar unless stated otherwise.) To eliminate the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations when comparing across periods, we translate current-year results at prior-year rates and remove transactional and hedging foreign exchange gains and losses from current- and prior-year periods.
•“Impairment Charges.” This adjustment removes the impact of impairment charges from our results of operations.
During the first three quarters of fiscal 2022, we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $9 million for certain fixed assets. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $52 million for our Finlandia brand name. During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we recognized an additional non-cash impairment charge of $96 million for the Finlandia brand name. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below and Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. We believe that these adjustments allow for us to understand our organic results on a comparable basis.
We use the non-GAAP measure “organic change”, along with other metrics, to: (a) understand our performance from period to period on a consistent basis; (b) compare our performance to that of our competitors; (c) calculate components of management incentive compensation; (d) plan and forecast; and (e) communicate our financial performance to the Board of Directors, stockholders, and investment community. We provide reconciliations of the “organic change” in certain line items of the statements of operations to their nearest GAAP measures in the tables under “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2023 Highlights” and “Results of Operations - Year-Over-Year Comparisons.” We have consistently applied the adjustments within our reconciliations in arriving at each non-GAAP measure. We believe these non-GAAP measures are useful to readers and investors because they enhance the understanding of our historical financial performance by improving comparability across periods.
“Return on average invested capital.” This measure refers to the sum of net income and after-tax interest expense, divided by average invested capital. Average invested capital equals assets less liabilities, excluding interest-bearing debt, and is calculated using the average of the most recent five quarter-end balances. After-tax interest expense equals interest expense multiplied by one minus our effective tax rate. We use this non-GAAP measure because we consider it to be a meaningful indicator of how effectively and efficiently we invest capital in our business.
In fiscal 2023, we changed the methodology used to determine average invested capital. Previously, average invested capital was computed using the average of the most recent 13 month-end balances. Average invested capital is now calculated using the average of the most recent five quarter-end balances, which are disclosed in the relevant quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Return on average invested capital computed using the new methodology does not materially differ from the total computed using the previous methodology for fiscal 2023. The new methodology was consistently applied to return on average invested capital for each period presented.
Definitions
Aggregations.
From time to time, to explain our results of operations or to highlight trends and uncertainties affecting our business, we aggregate markets according to stage of economic development as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and we aggregate brands by beverage alcohol category. Below, we define the geographic and brand aggregations used in this report.
Geographic Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2023 Market Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top markets ranked by percentage of reported net sales. In addition to markets listed by country name, we include the following aggregations:
•“Developed International” markets are “advanced economies” as defined by the IMF, excluding the United States. Our top developed international markets were Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Japan. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Emerging” markets are “emerging and developing economies” as defined by the IMF. Our top emerging markets were Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Travel Retail” represents our net sales of branded products to global duty-free customers, other travel retail customers, and the U.S. military, regardless of customer location.
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•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bottling services, and non-branded bulk whiskey and wine, regardless of customer location.
Brand Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2023 Brand Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our top brands ranked by percentage of reported net sales. In addition to brands listed by name, we include the following aggregations outlined below.
Beginning in fiscal 2023, we began presenting “Ready-to-Drink” products as a separate aggregation due to its increased significance in its contribution to our growth in recent years and industry-wide category growth trends. “Whiskey” no longer contains Jack Daniel’s ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-pour (RTP), and “Tequila” no longer includes New Mix. These brands are now included in the “Ready-to-Drink” brand aggregation.
•“Whiskey” includes all whiskey spirits and whiskey-based flavored liqueurs. The brands included in this category are the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below), the Woodford Reserve family of brands (Woodford Reserve), the Old Forester family of brands (Old Forester), GlenDronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, Slane Irish Whiskey, and Coopers’ Craft.
•“American whiskey” includes the Jack Daniel’s family of brands (excluding the “Ready-to-Drink” products defined below) and premium bourbons (defined below).
•“Premium bourbons” includes Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Coopers’ Craft.
•“Super-premium American whiskey” includes Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack, and other super-premium Jack Daniel's expressions.
•“Ready-to-Drink” includes all ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-pour (RTP) products. The brands included in this category are Jack Daniel’s RTD and RTP products (JD RTD/RTP), New Mix, and other RTD/RTP products.
•“Jack Daniel’s RTD/RTP” products include all RTD line extensions of Jack Daniel’s, such as Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails, Jack Daniel’s Double Jack, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD, and other malt- and spirit-based Jack Daniel’s RTDs, along with Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack RTP.
•“Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD” includes all Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola RTD products and Jack Daniel’s bulk whiskey shipments for the production of this product.
•“Tequila” includes the Herradura family of brands (Herradura), el Jimador, and other tequilas.
•“Wine” includes Korbel California Champagnes and Sonoma-Cutrer wines.
•“Vodka” includes Finlandia.
•“Rest of Portfolio” includes Chambord, Gin Mare, Korbel Brandy, Diplomático, and Fords Gin.
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes net sales of used barrels, contract bottling services, and non-branded bulk whiskey and wine.
•“Jack Daniel’s family of brands” includes Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey (JDTW), JD RTD/RTP, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey (JDTH), Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire (JDTF), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple (JDTA), Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Collection (JDSB), Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye Whiskey (JDTR), Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond, Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash Blended Straight Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s 10 Years Old, and Jack Daniel’s 12 Years Old.
Other Metrics.
•“Shipments.” We generally record revenues when we ship or deliver our products to our customers. In this report, unless otherwise specified, we refer to shipments when discussing volume.
•“Depletions.” This is a term commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry to describe volume. Depending on the context, depletions usually means either (a) where Brown-Forman is the distributor, shipments directly to retail or wholesale customers or (b) where Brown-Forman is not the distributor, shipments from distributor customers to retailers
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and wholesalers. We believe that depletions measure volume in a way that more closely reflects consumer demand than our shipments to distributor customers do.
•“Consumer takeaway.” When discussing trends in the market, we refer to consumer takeaway, a term commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry that refers to the purchase of product by consumers from retail outlets, including products purchased through e-commerce channels, as measured by volume or retail sales value. This information is provided by third parties, such as Nielsen and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA). Our estimates of market share or changes in market share are derived from consumer takeaway data using the retail sales value metric. We believe consumer takeaway is a leading indicator of consumer demand trends.
•“Estimated net change in distributor inventories.” We generally recognize revenue when our products are shipped or delivered to customers. In the United States and certain other markets, our customers are distributors that sell downstream to retailers and consumers. We believe that our distributors’ downstream sales more closely reflect actual consumer demand than do our shipments to distributors. Our shipments increase distributors’ inventories, while distributors’ depletions (as described above) reduce their inventories. Therefore, it is possible that our shipments do not coincide with distributors’ downstream depletions and merely reflect changes in distributors’ inventories. Because changes in distributors’ inventories could affect our trends, we believe it is useful for investors to understand those changes in the context of our operating results.
We perform the following calculation to determine the “estimated net change in distributor inventories”:
•For both the current-year period and the comparable prior-year period, we calculate a “depletion-based” amount by (a) dividing the organic dollar amount (e.g. organic net sales) by the corresponding shipment volumes to arrive at a shipment per case amount, and (b) multiplying the resulting shipment per case amount by the corresponding depletion volumes. We subtract the year-over-year percentage change of the “depletion-based” amount from the year-over-year percentage change of the organic amount to calculate the “estimated net change in distributor inventories.”
•A positive difference is interpreted as a net increase in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could decrease as distributors reduce inventories; whereas, a negative difference is interpreted as a net decrease in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could increase as distributors rebuild inventories.
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Significant Developments
Below we discuss the significant developments in our business during fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023. These developments relate to Finlandia brand name impairments, tariffs, acquisitions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, innovation, and capital deployment.
Finlandia Impairments
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $52 million for the Finlandia brand name, reflecting a decline in our long-term outlook for Finlandia due to our suspension of operations in Russia, a key market for the brand. During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $96 million for the Finlandia brand name, largely due to macroeconomic conditions including rising interest rates and increasing costs. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below and Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Tariffs
The removal of the European Union and United Kingdom tariffs on American whiskey (tariffs) positively affected our results during fiscal 2023. Tariffs include the combined effect of tariff-related costs, whether arising as a reduction of reported net sales or as an increase in reported cost of sales. We estimate that lower costs associated with tariffs (a) reduced our reported cost of sales growth by approximately four percentage points, and (b) increased gross margin by approximately one and a half percentage points.
Acquisitions
During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we acquired the Gin Mare brand and the Diplomático brand and related assets. Operating activity for these acquired brands increased reported net sales growth by approximately half a percentage point and decreased reported operating income growth by approximately four percentage points during fiscal 2023. The negative effect on reported operating income was largely driven by transaction expenses of $44 million related to the termination of certain distribution contracts (certain post-closing costs and expenses).
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, reported net sales were negatively affected by the suspension of our commercial operations in Russia and our diminished ability to conduct business in Ukraine.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply chain disruptions continued to affect our business during fiscal 2023. Our glass supply position improved, while global logistics and transportation challenges constrained product movement and increased transportation costs.
We further discuss the effects of these developments on our results where relevant below.
Innovation
•Jack Daniel’s family of brands. Innovation within the Jack Daniel’s family of brands has contributed to our growth in the last two fiscal years as described below.
◦In fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023, we continued the international launch of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, expanding to certain developed international and emerging markets.
◦In fiscal 2022, we launched Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old in the United States.
◦In fiscal 2023, we announced our global relationship with The Coca-Cola Company to introduce the Jack Daniel's & Coca-Cola RTD to select markets around the world. We discuss the impact of this product launch on our fiscal 2023 results where relevant below.
◦In fiscal 2023, we launched Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash Blended Straight Whiskey in the United States and certain developed international and emerging markets.
◦In fiscal 2023, we launched Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old in the United States.
◦In fiscal 2023, we launched Jack Daniel's Tennessee Travelers Whiskey in Travel Retail.
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Capital Deployment
We have focused our capital deployment initiatives on (a) fully investing in our existing business, (b) continued execution of our acquisitions and divestitures strategy, and (c) returning cash to our stockholders through regular and special dividends.
•Investments. During fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023, our capital expenditures totaled $321 million and focused on enabling the growth of our premium whiskey and tequila brands:
◦During fiscal 2021, our Board of Directors approved a $125 million capital investment to expand our bourbon-making capacity in Kentucky. We expect to complete this project in fiscal 2024.
◦During fiscal 2022, our Board of Directors approved a $50 million capital investment to expand our scotch-making capacity in Scotland. We also built an additional barrel warehouse at our GlenDronach distillery during fiscal 2023 to support the continued growth of GlenDronach.
◦During fiscal 2023, our Board of Directors approved an $85 million capital investment to expand our JDTW capacity in Tennessee. We also built three additional barrel warehouses at our Jack Daniel’s distillery during fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023 to support the continued growth of JDTW.
◦We recently announced a $200 million capital investment to expand our tequila-making capacity in Mexico.
•Acquisitions and divestitures. During fiscal 2023, we acquired the Gin Mare brand and the Diplomático brand and related assets. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
•Cash returned to stockholders. During fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023, we returned $1.2 billion to our stockholders through regular and special dividends.
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Executive Summary
Fiscal 2023 Highlights
•We delivered reported net sales of $4.2 billion, an increase of 8% compared to fiscal 2022. Reported net sales growth was driven by higher volumes and favorable price/mix, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange. Organic net sales increased 10% compared to fiscal 2022.
◦From a brand perspective, reported net sales growth was driven by premium bourbons, Ready-to-Drinks, our tequilas, and JDTW.
◦From a geographic perspective, emerging markets, the United States, developed international markets, and the Travel Retail channel all contributed significantly to reported net sales growth.
•We delivered reported operating income of $1.1 billion, a decrease of 6% compared to fiscal 2022, reflecting lower gross margin, higher non-cash impairment charges (largely related to the Finlandia brand name), and higher operating expenses (including certain post-closing costs and expenses in connection with the acquisitions of Diplomático and Gin Mare). Organic operating income increased 8% compared to fiscal 2022.
•We delivered diluted earnings per share of $1.63, a decrease of 7% compared to fiscal 2022, due to the decrease in reported operating income, partially offset by the benefit of a lower effective tax rate.
•Our return on average invested capital decreased to 15.3% in fiscal 2023, compared to 17.6% in fiscal 2022. This decrease was driven by higher invested capital and lower reported operating income, partially offset by the benefit of a lower effective tax rate.
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Summary of Operating Performance Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2023
| 2022 vs. 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30 | 2022 | 2023 | Reported Change | Organic Change1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 3,933 | $ | 4,228 | 8 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 1,542 | $ | 1,734 | 12 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,391 | $ | 2,494 | 4 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 438 | $ | 506 | 15 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||||||
| SG&A | $ | 690 | $ | 742 | 8 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | $ | 59 | $ | 119 | nm4 | nm4 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1,204 | $ | 1,127 | (6 | %) | 8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses2 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,367 | 15 | % | 11 | % | |||||||||||||
| As a percentage of net sales3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 60.8 | % | 59.0 | % | (1.8 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 30.6 | % | 26.7 | % | (3.9 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | 77 | $ | 81 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 24.8 | % | 23.0 | % | (1.8 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.74 | $ | 1.63 | (7 | %) | |||||||||||||||
| Return on average invested capital1 | 17.6 | % | 15.3 | % | (2.3 | pp) |
1See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” and “return on average invested capital,” including how we calculate these measures and why we think this information is useful to readers.
2Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, and other expense (income), net.
3Year-over-year changes in percentages are reported in percentage points (pp).
4Percentage change is not meaningful.
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Results of Operations
Fiscal 2023 Market Highlights
The following table shows net sales results for our top markets, summarized by geographic area, for fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. We discuss results of the markets most affecting our performance below the table.
| Top Markets | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Geographic area1 | % of Fiscal 2023 Net Sales | Reported | Acquisitions and Divestitures | Foreign Exchange | Organic2 | ||||||||||
| United States | 47 | % | 3 | % | — | % | — | % | 3 | % | |||||
| Developed International | 28 | % | 4 | % | (1 | %) | 7 | % | 10 | % | |||||
| Germany | 6 | % | 5 | % | (1 | %) | 8 | % | 12 | % | |||||
| Australia | 5 | % | 1 | % | — | % | 5 | % | 6 | % | |||||
| United Kingdom | 5 | % | (5 | %) | — | % | 7 | % | 1 | % | |||||
| France | 3 | % | (18 | %) | — | % | 6 | % | (13 | %) | |||||
| Canada | 1 | % | 22 | % | — | % | 5 | % | 27 | % | |||||
| Japan | 1 | % | 28 | % | — | % | 18 | % | 45 | % | |||||
| Rest of Developed International | 7 | % | 21 | % | (5 | %) | 10 | % | 26 | % | |||||
| Emerging | 20 | % | 18 | % | — | % | 6 | % | 24 | % | |||||
| Mexico | 6 | % | 37 | % | — | % | (7 | %) | 30 | % | |||||
| Poland | 3 | % | (1 | %) | — | % | 14 | % | 13 | % | |||||
| Brazil | 2 | % | 45 | % | — | % | 2 | % | 48 | % | |||||
| Rest of Emerging | 9 | % | 9 | % | — | % | 11 | % | 20 | % | |||||
| Travel Retail | 3 | % | 41 | % | (2 | %) | 4 | % | 43 | % | |||||
| Non-branded and bulk | 2 | % | 44 | % | 8 | % | 1 | % | 53 | % | |||||
| Total | 100 | % | 8 | % | — | % | 3 | % | 10 | % | |||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of market aggregations presented here.
2See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
The United States, our most important market, grew reported net sales 3% driven by (a) higher volumes of Woodford Reserve, partially reflecting an estimated net increase in distributor inventories; (b) higher prices across our portfolio, led by the Jack Daniel’s family of brands; and (c) growth of JD RTDs, fueled by the launch of the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD. This growth was partially offset by lower volumes of JDTW and Korbel California Champagne, largely driven by an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories.
Developed International
•Germany’s reported net sales increased 5% driven by (a) volumetric gains of JDTW and JD RTDs, and (b) Diplomático and Gin Mare, which were both acquired during the third quarter of fiscal 2023, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Australia’s reported net sales increased 1% led by growth of JD RTDs, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•The United Kingdom’s reported net sales declined 5% due to the negative effect of foreign exchange, partially offset by higher prices of JDTW.
•France’s reported net sales declined 18% due to lower volumes of JDTW and JDTH, driven by whiskey category declines and higher promotional pricing along with the negative effect of foreign exchange.
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•Canada’s reported net sales increased 22%, led by higher JDTW volumes, partially due to an estimated net increase in distributor inventories. This growth was partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Japan’s reported net sales increased 28%, fueled by volumetric growth of JDTW, partially reflecting an estimated net increase in distributor inventories. This growth was partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Reported net sales in the Rest of Developed International increased 21%, primarily driven by (a) JDTW gains, led by Belgium, Spain, and Italy, and (b) Gin Mare and Diplomático, which were both acquired during the third quarter of fiscal 2023; partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales.
Emerging
•Mexico’s reported net sales increased 37%, fueled by higher volumes and prices of New Mix, which gained market share in the RTD category, along with the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Poland’s reported net sales declined 1% due to the negative effect of foreign exchange, partially offset by growth across our portfolio led by JDTW.
•Brazil’s reported net sales increased 45%, driven by growth of JDTW, JDTH, and JDTA. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales.
•Reported net sales in the Rest of Emerging increased 9%, led by JDTW growth in the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, and Sub-Saharan Africa, largely offset by declines in Russia and the negative effect of foreign exchange (reflecting the strengthening of the dollar primarily against the Turkish lira). An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales.
Travel Retail reported net sales increased 41%, driven primarily by higher volumes across much of our portfolio, led by JDTW, as travel continued to rebound from the COVID-19-related travel restrictions.
Non-branded and bulk reported net sales increased 44%, driven by higher prices for used barrels.
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Fiscal 2023 Brand Highlights
The following table highlights the global results of our top brands for fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. We discuss results of the brands most affecting our performance below the table.
| Top Brands | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Product category / brand family / brand1 | Reported | Acquisitions & Divestitures | Foreign Exchange | Organic2 | |||||||||||||
| Whiskey | 6 | % | — | % | 4 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||
| JDTW | 3 | % | — | % | 5 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||
| JDTH | — | % | — | % | 3 | % | 3 | % | |||||||||
| Gentleman Jack | 10 | % | — | % | 4 | % | 14 | % | |||||||||
| JDTF | — | % | — | % | 6 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||
| JDTA | (7 | %) | — | % | 6 | % | (1 | %) | |||||||||
| Woodford Reserve | 26 | % | — | % | 1 | % | 27 | % | |||||||||
| Old Forester | 14 | % | — | % | — | % | 14 | % | |||||||||
| Rest of Whiskey | 10 | % | — | % | 5 | % | 15 | % | |||||||||
| Ready-to-Drink | 18 | % | — | % | 2 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||
| JD RTD/RTP | 11 | % | — | % | 4 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||
| New Mix | 53 | % | — | % | (8 | %) | 45 | % | |||||||||
| Tequila | 10 | % | — | % | (1 | %) | 10 | % | |||||||||
| Herradura | 11 | % | — | % | (1 | %) | 10 | % | |||||||||
| el Jimador | 13 | % | — | % | 1 | % | 14 | % | |||||||||
| Wine | (6 | %) | — | % | — | % | (6 | %) | |||||||||
| Vodka (Finlandia) | (9 | %) | — | % | 9 | % | — | % | |||||||||
| Rest of Portfolio | 35 | % | (34 | %) | 6 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||
| Non-branded and bulk | 44 | % | 8 | % | 1 | % | 53 | % | |||||||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of brand aggregations presented here.
2See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
Whiskey
•JDTW generates a significant percentage of our total net sales and is our top priority. Reported net sales increased 3%, driven by (a) higher volumes in developed international markets and emerging markets, partially reflecting an estimated net increase in distributor inventories; and (b) higher prices. This growth was partially offset by lower volumes in the United States, largely due to an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories, and the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Reported net sales for JDTH were flat, as growth in the United States (reflecting an estimated net increase in distributor inventories) and Brazil was offset by (a) the negative effect of foreign exchange and (b) lower volumes in Chile (due to an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories) and France.
•Reported net sales for Gentleman Jack increased 10%, led by growth in emerging markets, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Reported net sales for JDTF were flat as higher volumes and prices in the United States were offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Reported net sales for JDTA declined 7%, largely reflecting a net decrease in distributor inventory along with the negative effect of foreign exchange, partially offset by higher prices.
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•Woodford Reserve reported net sales increased 26%, driven by higher volumes in the United States, partially due to an estimated net increase in distributor inventories.
•Old Forester reported net sales increased 14%, driven by higher volumes and prices in the United States.
•Reported net sales for Rest of Whiskey increased 10%, led by the continued launch of Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey in the United States and higher volumes of GlenDronach, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
Ready-to-Drink
•The JD RTD/RTP brands reported net sales grew 11%, driven by growth in the United States, Germany, and Australia, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange. The United States growth was fueled by the launch of the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD.
•New Mix grew reported net sales 53% fueled by higher volumes and prices in Mexico with market share gains.
Tequila
•Herradura reported net sales increased 11% driven by higher prices and volumes in Mexico along with volumetric growth in the United States, partially due to an estimated net increase in distributor inventories.
•el Jimador’s reported net sales increased 13% driven by broad-based growth across all geographic clusters, led by the United States and emerging markets.
Wine reported net sales declined 6% due to lower volumes of Korbel California Champagne, partially due to an estimated net decrease in distributor inventories. These declines were partially offset by Sonoma-Cutrer gains and higher prices of Korbel California Champagne in the United States.
Vodka (Finlandia) reported net sales declined 9% reflecting the impact of the suspension of our commercial operations in Russia and the negative effect of foreign exchange. These declines were partially offset by growth across other international markets.
Rest of Portfolio reported net sales increased 35% driven by Gin Mare and Diplomático which were both acquired during the third quarter of fiscal 2023.
Non-branded and bulk reported net sales increased 44% driven by higher prices for used barrels.
Year-Over-Year Comparisons
Commentary below compares fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2022 results. A comparison of fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2021 results may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 (2022 Form 10-K).
| Net Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Price/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported net sales | 8 | % | — | % | 8 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | 3 | % | 3 | % | ||
| Change in organic net sales | 8 | % | 3 | % | 10 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
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Reported net sales of $4.2 billion increased 8%, or $295 million, in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 driven by higher volumes of New Mix, JD RTDs, and JDTW. Price/mix reflects higher prices across much of our portfolio, led by JDTW, offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange and a portfolio mix shift toward our lower-priced brands. See “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2023 Market Highlights” and “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2023 Brand Highlights” above for details on the factors contributing to the change in reported net sales for fiscal 2023.
| Cost of Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Cost/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported cost of sales | 8 | % | 4 | % | 12 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | 1 | % | 1 | % | ||
| Change in organic cost of sales | 8 | % | 5 | % | 13 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
Reported cost of sales of $1.7 billion increased $192 million, or 12%, in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 largely driven by higher volumes of New Mix, JD RTDs, and JDTW. Cost/mix reflects inflation on input costs and supply chain disruptions. These factors were partially offset by the removal of tariffs and a shift in portfolio mix toward our lower-cost brands.
| Gross Profit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2023 | |||
| Change in reported gross profit | 4 | % | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | (1 | %) | ||
| Foreign exchange | 5 | % | ||
| Change in organic gross profit | 9 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
| Gross Margin | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30 | 2023 | |||
| Prior year gross margin | 60.8 | % | ||
| Price/mix | 1.8 | % | ||
| Cost (excluding tariffs) | (4.1 | %) | ||
| Tariffs1 | 1.4 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | (1.0 | %) | ||
| Change in gross margin | (1.8 | %) | ||
| Current year gross margin | 59.0 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding | ||||
| 1“Tariffs” include the combined effect of tariff-related costs, whether arising as a reduction of reported net sales or as an increase in reported cost of sales. |
Reported gross profit of $2.5 billion increased $103 million, or 4%, in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. Gross margin decreased to 59.0% in fiscal 2023, down 1.8 percentage points from 60.8% in fiscal 2022. The decrease in gross margin was driven by (a) inflation on input costs, (b) higher cost related to supply chain disruptions, and (c) the negative effect of foreign exchange, partially offset by favorable price/mix and the removal of tariffs.
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| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | Reported | Acquisitions & Divestitures | Impairment | Foreign Exchange | Organic | ||||||||
| Advertising | 15 | % | (1 | %) | — | % | 4 | % | 18 | % | |||
| SG&A | 8 | % | (2 | %) | — | % | 3 | % | 9 | % | |||
| Total operating expenses1 | 15 | % | (5 | %) | (3 | %) | 3 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, and other expense (income), net.
Reported operating expenses totaled $1.4 billion and increased $180 million, or 15%, in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The increase in reported operating expenses was driven by (a) higher reported advertising expense; (b) higher reported SG&A expense; (c) certain post-closing costs and expenses in connection with the acquisitions of Diplomático and Gin Mare; and (d) higher non-cash impairment charges, largely related to the Finlandia brand name, partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Reported advertising expenses increased 15% in fiscal 2023, driven by (a) increased investment for JDTW and Herradura, primarily in the United States; and (b) the launch of Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey and the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD in the United States. This increase was partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange.
•Reported SG&A expenses increased 8% in fiscal 2023, driven primarily by (a) higher compensation-related expenses, (b) higher discretionary spend, and (c) costs related to the transaction, transition, and integration of the Gin Mare and Diplomático brands, which were acquired during the third quarter of fiscal 2023, partially offset by the positive effect of foreign exchange.
| Operating Income | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2023 | |||
| Change in reported operating income | (6 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 4 | % | ||
| Impairment charges | 3 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | 7 | % | ||
| Change in organic operating income | 8 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
Reported operating income was $1.1 billion in fiscal 2023, a decrease of $77 million, or 6%, compared to fiscal 2022. Operating margin declined 3.9 percentage points to 26.7% in fiscal 2023 from 30.6% in fiscal 2022 driven by (a) unfavorable cost/mix; (b) certain post-closing costs and expenses in connection with the acquisitions of Diplomático and Gin Mare; (c) the negative effect of foreign exchange; (d) higher investment in reported advertising expense; and (e) higher non-cash impairment charges, largely related to the Finlandia brand name. This decline was partially offset by favorable price/mix and the removal of tariffs.
Interest expense (net) increased $4 million, or 6%, in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, due to a higher average short-term debt balance and a higher interest rate on our short-term borrowings.
Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2023 was 23.0% compared to 24.8% in fiscal 2022. The decrease in our effective tax rate was driven primarily by the reversal of valuation allowances in the current year, the beneficial impact of prior fiscal year true-ups, and increased U.S. tax benefit for foreign derived sales, which is partially offset by increased tax on foreign operations and increased state taxes. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details.
Diluted earnings per share were $1.63 in fiscal 2023, a decrease of 7% compared to fiscal 2022, due to the decrease in reported operating income, partially offset by the benefit of a lower effective tax rate.
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Fiscal 2024 Outlook
Below we discuss our outlook for fiscal 2024, which reflects the trends, developments, and uncertainties (including those described above) that we expect to affect our business. When we provide guidance for organic change in certain measures of the statements of operations we do not provide guidance for the corresponding GAAP change, as the GAAP measure will include items that are difficult to quantify or predict with reasonable certainty, such as foreign exchange, which could have a significant impact to our GAAP income statement measures.
We are optimistic about our prospects for growth of organic net sales and organic operating income in fiscal 2024. We believe trends will normalize after two consecutive years of double-digit organic net sales growth. Accordingly, we expect the following in fiscal 2024:
•Reflecting the strength of our portfolio of brands, our pricing strategy, and strong consumer demand, we expect organic net sales growth in the 5% to 7% range.
•Based on the above organic net sales growth outlook, and our expectation that continued input cost pressures will be partially offset by lower supply chain disruption costs, we anticipate organic operating income growth in the 6% to 8% range.
•We expect our fiscal 2024 effective tax rate to be in the range of approximately 21% to 23%.
•Capital expenditures are planned to be in the range of $250 to $270 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We generate strong cash flows from operations, which enable us to meet current obligations, fund capital expenditures, and return cash to our stockholders through regular dividends and, from time to time, through share repurchases and special dividends. We believe our investment-grade credit ratings (A1 by Moody's and A- by Standard & Poor's) provide us with financial flexibility when accessing global debt capital markets and allow us to reserve adequate debt capacity for investment opportunities and unforeseen events.
Our operating cash flows are supplemented by cash and cash equivalent balances, as well as access to other liquidity sources. Cash and cash equivalents were $868 million at April 30, 2022, and $374 million at April 30, 2023. As of April 30, 2023, approximately 52% of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign subsidiaries whose earnings we expect to reinvest indefinitely outside of the United States. We continue to evaluate our future cash deployment and may decide to repatriate additional cash held by our foreign subsidiaries. This may require us to provide for and pay additional taxes.
We have an $800 million commercial paper program that we use, together with our cash flow from operations, to fund our short-term operational needs. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for outstanding commercial paper balances, interest rates, and days to maturity at April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2023. The average balances, interest rates, and original maturities during 2022 and 2023 are presented below.
| (Dollars in millions) | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commercial paper | $ | 59 | $ | 158 | ||||||
| Average interest rate | 0.16 | % | 4.69 | % | ||||||
| Average days to maturity at issuance | 32 | 41 |
Our commercial paper program is supported by available commitments under our undrawn $800 million bank credit facility. The credit facility was scheduled to expire in November 2024. On May 26, 2023, we entered into an amended and restated five-year credit agreement with various U.S. and international banks that provides for a $900 million unsecured revolving credit commitment and expires on May 26, 2028. This agreement amended and restated our previous credit agreement. The new agreement contains no financial covenants. Although unlikely, under extreme market conditions, one or more participating banks may not be able to fund its commitments under our new credit facility. To manage this counterparty credit risk, we partner with banks that have investment grade credit ratings, limit the amount of exposure we have with each bank, and monitor each bank’s financial conditions.
On January 3, 2023, we entered into a $600 million senior unsecured 364-day term loan credit agreement with various U.S. and international banks. We used borrowings from the term loan to repay the $250 million principal amount of 2.25% senior unsecured notes on their maturity date of January 15, 2023, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
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On March 23, 2023, we issued senior unsecured notes with an aggregate principal of $650 million. Interest on these notes will accrue at a rate of 4.75% and be paid semi-annually. These notes will mature on April 15, 2033. We used the net proceeds from the issuance to repay $600 million of outstanding indebtedness under the unsecured 364-day term loan agreement.
Our most significant short-term cash requirements relate primarily to funding our operations (such as expenditures for raw materials, production and distribution, advertising and promotion, and current taxes) and capital investments. Our most significant longer-term cash requirements primarily include payments related to our long-term debt, employee benefit obligations, and deferred tax liabilities (see Notes 6, 9 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
While we expect to meet our planned short-term liquidity needs largely through cash generated from operations and borrowings under our commercial paper program, a sustained market deterioration resulting in declines in net sales and profit could require us to evaluate alternative sources of liquidity. If we have additional liquidity needs, we believe that we could access financing in the debt capital markets.
We believe our current liquidity position, supplemented by our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations in the future, and our ample debt capacity enabled by our strong short-term and long-term credit ratings, will be sufficient to meet all of our future financial commitments.
Cash Flow Summary
The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of the last fiscal two years:
| (Dollars in millions) | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 936 | $ | 640 | |||||
| Investing activities: | |||||||||
| Acquisition of business | $ | — | $ | (1,195) | |||||
| Additions to property, plant, and equipment | (138) | (183) | |||||||
| Other | 11 | 23 | |||||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | $ | (127) | $ | (1,355) | |||||
| Financing activities: | |||||||||
| Net change in short-term borrowings | $ | (196) | $ | 234 | |||||
| Net proceeds from long-term debt | — | 398 | |||||||
| Regular dividend payments | (352) | (378) | |||||||
| Special dividend payment | (479) | — | |||||||
| Other | (11) | (15) | |||||||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | $ | (1,038) | $ | 239 |
Cash provided by operations of $640 million during fiscal 2023 declined $296 million from fiscal 2022, primarily reflecting increased working capital. The increase in working capital was primarily attributable to higher levels of inventory, which were affected by significantly higher input costs and other effects of supply chain disruptions. The decline in cash from operations also reflects $55 million of transaction costs related to our acquisitions of Gin Mare and Diplomático, and a $52 million increase in cash paid for income taxes, primarily reflecting the timing of U.S. federal estimated tax payments.
Cash used for investing activities was $1,355 million during fiscal 2023, compared to $127 million during the prior year. The $1,228 million increase largely reflects our acquisitions of Gin Mare ($468 million) and Diplomático ($727 million) during fiscal 2023. The increase in cash used for investing activities also includes a $45 million increase in capital expenditures, largely reflecting additional spending on projects to expand the capacity of our whiskey and tequila production facilities.
Cash provided by financing activities was $239 million during fiscal 2023, compared to $1,038 million in cash used for financing activities during fiscal 2022. The $1,277 million change largely reflects: (a) proceeds of $648 million from the issuance of 4.75% notes in March 2023; (b) a $430 million increase in net proceeds from short-term borrowings; and (c) a $453 million decline in dividend payments (largely reflecting the $479 million special dividend paid in December 2021); partially offset by (d) our repayment of the $250 million principal amount of 2.25% notes that matured in January 2023.
A discussion of our cash flows for fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our 2022 Form 10-K.
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Dividends
As announced in November 2022, our Board of Directors approved a 9% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock from $0.1885 per share to $0.2055 per share, effective with the regular quarterly dividend paid on January 3, 2023. As a result, the indicated annual cash dividend increased from $0.7540 per share to $0.8220 per share.
As announced on May 25, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock of $0.2055 per share. The dividend is payable on July 3, 2023, to stockholders of record on June 8, 2023.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our financial statements reflect some estimates involved in applying the following critical accounting policies that entail uncertainties and subjectivity. Using different estimates or policies could have a material effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
When we acquire a business, 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.
The Gin Mare and Diplomático acquisitions during fiscal 2023 have been accounted for as business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. On the acquisition dates, we recognized the separately identifiable intangible assets based on the preliminary purchase price allocations. The excess of the consideration transferred over the fair values assigned to the net identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired businesses were recognized as goodwill. For additional information, see Notes 12 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
We assess our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Goodwill is impaired when the carrying amount of the related reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, in which case we write down the goodwill by the amount of the excess (limited to the carrying amount of the goodwill). We estimate the reporting unit's fair value using discounted estimated future cash flows or market information. Similarly, a brand name is impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, in which case we write down the brand name to its estimated fair value. We estimate the fair value of a brand name using the relief-from-royalty method. We also consider market values for similar assets when available. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value, including making assumptions about future cash flows, net sales, 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.
Based on our assumptions, we believe none of our goodwill or other intangibles are impaired as of April 30, 2023. The Gin Mare and Diplomático brand names are recorded at their current estimated fair values, as discussed in Notes 12 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Finlandia brand name’s carrying amount of $91 million approximates its fair value, based on the relief-from-royalty method, using current assumptions. Reasonably possible changes in those assumptions could result in future impairment of the Finlandia brand name. For example, we estimate that, all else equal, (a) a 15% decline in projected future net sales would result in an impairment charge of approximately $23 million or (b) a 1 percentage point increase in the discount rate would result in an impairment charge of approximately $13 million. We estimate the fair values of goodwill and other brand names substantially exceed their carrying amounts.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans providing retiree health care and retiree life insurance benefits. Benefits are based on factors such as years of service and compensation level during employment. We expense the benefits expected to be paid over employees' expected service. This requires us to make assumptions to determine the net benefit costs and obligations, such as discount rates, return on plan assets, the rate of salary increases, expected service, and health care cost trend rates. We review these assumptions annually and modify them based on current rates and trends when appropriate. The assumptions also reflect our historical experience and management's best judgment regarding future expectations. We believe the discount rates and expected return on plan assets are the most significant assumptions.
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The discount rate used to measure the benefit obligations is determined at the beginning of each fiscal year 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 service cost and interest cost components are measured by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve. The expected return on pension plan assets reflects expected capital market returns for each asset class that are based on historical returns, adjusted for the expected effects of diversification.
The following table compares the assumed discount rates and expected return on assets used in determining net periodic benefit cost for fiscal 2023 to those to be used in determining that cost for fiscal 2024.
| Pension Benefits | Medical and Life Insurance Benefits | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||
| Discount rate for service cost | 4.44 | % | 4.98 | % | 4.50 | % | 5.02 | % | |||
| Discount rate for interest cost | 3.97 | % | 4.79 | % | 3.96 | % | 4.78 | % | |||
| Expected return on plan assets | 6.25 | % | 6.50 | % | n/a | n/a |
Using these assumptions, we estimate our pension and other postretirement benefit cost for fiscal 2024 will be approximately $21 million, unchanged from the amount (excluding settlement charges) for fiscal 2023. Decreasing/increasing the assumed discount rates by 50 basis points would increase/decrease the total fiscal 2024 cost by approximately $4 million. Decreasing/increasing the assumed return on plan assets by 50 basis points would increase/decrease the total fiscal 2024 cost by approximately $3 million.
Income Taxes
Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions. We establish liabilities when some positions are likely to be challenged and may not succeed, despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these liabilities in light of changing circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. We believe current liabilities are appropriate for all known contingencies, but this situation could change.
Years can elapse before we can resolve a particular matter for which we may have established a tax liability. Although predicting the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter can be difficult, we believe our liabilities reflect the likely outcome of known tax contingencies. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue could require use of our cash and increase our effective tax rate. Conversely, a favorable resolution could result in reduced cash tax payments, the reversal of previously established liabilities, or some combination of these results, which could reduce our effective tax rate.
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000014693-22-000069.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to help the reader better understand Brown-Forman, our operations, our financial results, and our current business environment. Please read this MD&A in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Our MD&A is organized as follows:
| Table of Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Presentation basis | 30 |
| Significant developments | 34 |
| Executive summary | 36 |
| Results of operations | 38 |
| Liquidity and capital resources | 45 |
| Critical accounting policies and estimates | 46 |
Presentation Basis
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use some financial measures in this report that are not measures of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP measures, defined below, should be viewed as supplements to (not substitutes for) our results of operations and other measures reported under GAAP. Other companies may not define or calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same way.
“Organic change” in measures of statements of operations. We present changes in certain measures, or line items, of the statements of operations that are adjusted to an “organic” basis. We use “organic change” for the following measures of the statements of operations: (a) organic net sales; (b) organic cost of sales; (c) organic gross profit; (d) organic advertising expenses; (e) organic selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses; (f) organic other expense (income) net; (g) organic operating expenses2; and (h) organic operating income. To calculate these measures, we adjust, as applicable, for (1) acquisitions and divestitures, (2) foreign exchange, (3) impairment charges, and (4) a commitment to our charitable foundation. We explain these adjustments below.
•“Acquisitions and divestitures.” This adjustment removes (a) the gain or loss recognized on sale of divested brands, (b) any non-recurring effects related to our acquisitions and divestitures (e.g., transaction, transition, and integration costs or income), and (c) the effects of operating activity related to acquired and divested brands for periods not comparable year over year (non-comparable periods). Excluding non-comparable periods allows us to include the effects of acquired and divested brands only to the extent that results are comparable year over year.
During fiscal 2021, we sold our Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood brands and related assets, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $127 million, and entered into a related transition services agreement (TSA) for these brands. Also, during fiscal 2021, we acquired Part Time Rangers Limited, which owns Part Time Rangers RTDs. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
This adjustment removes (a) transaction and integration costs related to the acquisitions and divestitures, (b) the gain on sale of Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood and related assets, (c) operating activity for the non-comparable period for Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood, which is activity in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, (d) the net sales and operating expenses recognized pursuant to the TSA related to (i) contract bottling services and (ii) distribution services in certain markets, and (e) operating activity for Part Time Rangers Holdings Limited for the non-comparable period, which is primarily activity in the first two quarters of fiscal 2022. We believe that these adjustments allow for us to better understand our organic results on a comparable basis.
•“Foreign exchange.” We calculate the percentage change in certain line items of the statements of operations in accordance with GAAP and adjust to exclude the cost or benefit of currency fluctuations. Adjusting for foreign exchange allows us to understand our business on a constant-dollar basis, as fluctuations in exchange rates can distort the organic
2 Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, and other expense (income), net.
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trend both positively and negatively. (In this report, “dollar” always means the U.S. dollar unless stated otherwise.) To eliminate the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations when comparing across periods, we translate current-year results at prior-year rates and remove transactional and hedging foreign exchange gains and losses from current- and prior-year periods.
•“Impairment Charges.” This adjustment removes the impact of impairment charges from our results of operations.
During the first three quarters of fiscal 2022, we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $9 million for certain fixed assets. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $52 million for our Finlandia brand name. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below and Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.We believe that these adjustments allow for us to better understand our organic results on a comparable basis.
•“Foundation.” During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, we committed $20 million to the Brown-Forman Foundation (the Foundation) to support the communities where our employees live and work. This adjustment removes the $20 million commitment to the Foundation from our organic SG&A expenses and organic operating income to present our organic results on a comparable basis.
We use the non-GAAP measure “organic change”, along with other metrics, to: (a) understand our performance from period to period on a consistent basis; (b) compare our performance to that of our competitors; (c) calculate components of management incentive compensation; (d) plan and forecast; and (e) communicate our financial performance to the Board of Directors, stockholders, and investment community. We provide reconciliations of the “organic change” in certain line items of the statements of operations to their nearest GAAP measures in the tables under “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2022 Highlights” and “Results of Operations - Year-Over-Year Comparisons.” We have consistently applied the adjustments within our reconciliations in arriving at each non-GAAP measure. We believe these non-GAAP measures are useful to readers and investors because they enhance the understanding of our historical financial performance and comparability between periods.
As of the third quarter ended January 31, 2022, we changed certain non-GAAP financial measures that we have historically used. We no longer report “underlying changes” in certain measures of the statements of operations; instead, we now report “organic change” for certain measures of the statements of operations. “Organic change” includes all of the non-GAAP adjustments that we have historically made in adjusting GAAP to “underlying change” results, except that “organic change” does not include an adjustment for “estimated net change in distributor inventories,” which reflected the estimated net effect of changes in distributor inventories on changes in certain line items of the statements of operations. This change to our non-GAAP financial measures was in response to comments from and discussions with the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Although we no longer provide non-GAAP financial measures that adjust for “estimated net change in distributor inventories,” we still believe that our results are affected by changes in distributor inventories, particularly in our largest market, the United States, where the spirits industry is subject to regulations that essentially mandate a so-called “three-tier system,” with a value chain that includes suppliers, distributors and retailers. Accordingly, we continue to provide information concerning fluctuations in distributor inventories. We believe such information is useful in understanding our performance and trends as it provides relevant information regarding customers’ demand for our products.
“Return on average invested capital.” This measure refers to the sum of net income and after-tax interest expense, divided by average invested capital. Average invested capital equals assets less liabilities, excluding interest-bearing debt, and is calculated using the average of the most recent 13 month-end balances. After-tax interest expense equals interest expense multiplied by one minus our effective tax rate. We use this non-GAAP measure because we consider it to be a meaningful indicator of how effectively and efficiently we invest capital in our business.
Definitions
Aggregations.
From time to time, to explain our results of operations or to highlight trends and uncertainties affecting our business, we aggregate markets according to stage of economic development as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and we aggregate brands by beverage alcohol category. Below, we define the geographic and brand aggregations used in this report.
Geographic Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2022 Market Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our largest markets ranked by percentage of total fiscal 2022 net sales. In addition to markets listed by country name, we include the following aggregations:
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•“Developed International” markets are “advanced economies” as defined by the IMF, excluding the United States. In fiscal 2022, our largest developed international markets were Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, and France. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Emerging” markets are “emerging and developing economies” as defined by the IMF. In fiscal 2022, our largest emerging markets were Mexico, Poland, Brazil, Russia, and Chile. This aggregation represents our net sales of branded products to these markets.
•“Travel Retail” represents our net sales of branded products to global duty-free customers, other travel retail customers, and the U.S. military, regardless of customer location.
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes our net sales of used barrels, contract bottling, and bulk whiskey and wine, regardless of customer location.
Brand Aggregations.
In “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2022 Brand Highlights,” we provide supplemental information for our largest brands ranked by percentage of total fiscal 2022 net sales. In addition to brands listed by name, we include the following aggregations:
•“Whiskey” includes all whiskey spirits and whiskey-based flavored liqueurs, ready-to-drink (RTD), and ready-to-pour products (RTP). The brands included in this category are the Jack Daniel’s family of brands, the Woodford Reserve family of brands (Woodford Reserve), the Old Forester family of brands (Old Forester), GlenDronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, Slane Irish Whiskey, and Coopers’ Craft.
•“American whiskey” includes the Jack Daniel’s family of brands and premium bourbons (defined below).
•“Jack Daniel's family of brands” includes Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey (JDTW), Jack Daniel’s RTD and RTP products (JD RTD/RTP), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey (JDTH), Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire (JDTF), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple (JDTA), Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Collection (JDSB), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye Whiskey (JDTR), Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, Jack Daniel’s Bonded, Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond, Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old, and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash.
•“Jack Daniel’s RTD and RTP” products include all RTD line extensions of Jack Daniel’s, such as Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails, Jack Daniel’s Double Jack, and other malt- and spirit-based Jack Daniel’s RTDs along with Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack RTP.
•“Premium bourbons” includes Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Coopers’ Craft.
•“Super-premium American whiskey” includes Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack, and other super-premium Jack Daniel's expressions.
•“Tequila” includes the Herradura family of brands (Herradura), el Jimador, New Mix, and other tequilas.
•“Wine” includes Korbel Champagnes and Sonoma-Cutrer wines.
•“Vodka” includes Finlandia.
•“Non-branded and bulk” includes our net sales of used barrels, contract bottling, and bulk whiskey and wine.
Other Metrics.
•“Shipments.” We generally record revenues when we ship or deliver our products to our customers. In this report, unless otherwise specified, we refer to shipments when discussing volume.
•“Depletions.” This is a term commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry to describe volume. Depending on the context, depletions usually means either (a) where Brown-Forman is the distributor, shipments directly to retail or wholesale customers or (b) where Brown-Forman is not the distributor, shipments from distributor customers to retailers and wholesalers. We believe that depletions measure volume in a way that more closely reflects consumer demand than our shipments to distributor customers do.
•“Consumer takeaway.” When discussing trends in the market, we refer to consumer takeaway, a term commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry that refers to the purchase of product by consumers from retail outlets, including products purchased through e-commerce channels, as measured by volume or retail sales value. This information is provided by
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third parties, such as Nielsen and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA). Our estimates of market share or changes in market share are derived from consumer takeaway data using the retail sales value metric. We believe consumer takeaway is a leading indicator of consumer demand trends.
•“Estimated net change in distributor inventories.” We generally recognize revenue when our products are shipped or delivered to customers. In the United States and certain other markets, our customers are distributors that sell downstream to retailers and consumers. We believe that our distributors’ downstream sales more closely reflect actual consumer demand than do our shipments to distributors. Our shipments increase distributors’ inventories, while distributors’ depletions (as described above) reduce their inventories. Therefore, it is possible that our shipments do not coincide with distributors’ downstream depletions and merely reflect changes in distributors’ inventories. Because changes in distributors’ inventories could affect our trends, we believe it is useful for investors to understand those changes in the context of our operating results.
We perform the following calculation to determine the “estimated net change in distributor inventories”:
•For both the current-year period and the comparable prior-year period, we calculate a “depletion-based” amount by (a) dividing the organic dollar amount (e.g. organic net sales) by the corresponding shipment volumes to arrive at a shipment per case amount, and (b) multiplying the resulting shipment per case amount by the corresponding depletion volumes. We subtract the year-over-year percentage change of the “depletion-based” amount from the year-over-year percentage change of the organic amount to calculate the “estimated net change in distributor inventories.”
•A positive difference is interpreted as a net increase in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could decrease as distributors’ reduce inventories; whereas, a negative difference is interpreted as a net decrease in distributors’ inventories, which implies that organic trends could increase as distributors rebuild inventories.
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Significant Developments
Below we discuss the significant developments in our business during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022. These developments relate to the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19), supply chain disruptions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, innovation, and capital deployment.
COVID-19
We experienced strong, broad-based reported net sales growth across all of our geographic clusters and Travel Retail channel due to the gradual re-opening of the on-premise channel, some degree of travel and tourism returning, and growing premiumization trends. While the financial impact of COVID-19 on our business is difficult to measure, we believe the timing and pace of global vaccination rates, governmental actions to lower or eliminate restrictions in certain economies around the world, and the post-pandemic economic recovery positively impacted our results when compared to the same prior-year period. We further discuss the effect of COVID-19 on our results where relevant below.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Our results were negatively impacted by supply chain disruptions, largely related to glass supply. These disruptions curtailed our ability to fully meet demand and therefore negatively affected our net sales. Additionally, we incurred higher input and transportation costs due to the supply chain disruptions. We further discuss the effect of supply chain disruptions on our results where relevant below.
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, had a negative effect on our fiscal 2022 operating results. The most significant effect was the $52 million non-cash impairment charge for our Finlandia brand name (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information), which reflects a decline in our long-term outlook for Finlandia due to the suspension of operations in Russia, a key market for the brand. Additionally, operating income was negatively affected by other items attributable to the conflict such as (a) the suspension of our commercial operations in Russia and our diminished ability to conduct business in Ukraine, (b) bad debt expense, (c) inventory write-offs, and (d) severance expense. These negative effects were partially offset by the gain on terminated Russian ruble hedge contracts.
Although reported net sales were negatively affected by the suspension of our commercial operations in Russia and our diminished ability to conduct business in Ukraine as a result of the conflict, the overall impact was not material to our consolidated full-year reported net sales growth rate, because (a) Russia and Ukraine represent a small share of total reported net sales and (b) the impact occurred in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. Prior to the onset of the conflict, Russia and Ukraine represented approximately 2% of our reported net sales. We expect the conflict to have a more significant negative effect on our fiscal 2023 reported net sales results, reflecting a full-year impact of the suspension of commercial operations in Russia, and the ongoing disruption of our business in Ukraine. We further discuss the effect of the conflict on our fiscal 2022 results where relevant below.
Innovation
•Jack Daniel’s family of brands. Innovation within the Jack Daniel’s family of brands has contributed to our growth in the last two years as described below.
◦In fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, we continued the international launch of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, expanding to certain developed international and emerging markets.
◦In fiscal 2021, we introduced new spirit-based RTD products in the United States.
◦In fiscal 2022, we launched Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old in the United States.
•Tequila brands. Tequila continues to be an attractive category, particularly in the United States, with both Herradura and el Jimador contributing significantly to our overall net sales growth. In fiscal 2021, we introduced Herradura Legend in the United States.
Capital Deployment
•We have focused our capital deployment initiatives on (a) ensuring adequate liquidity and flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, (b) fully investing in our existing business, (c) continued execution of our acquisitions and divestitures strategy, and (d) returning cash to our stockholders through regular and special dividends.
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•Investments. During fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, our capital expenditures totaled $200 million and focused on enabling the growth of our premium whiskey brands:
◦During fiscal 2021, a $125 million capital investment was approved by our Board of Directors to expand our bourbon-making capacity in Kentucky to meet anticipated future consumer demand.
◦During fiscal 2022, a $50 million capital investment was approved by our Board of Directors to expand our scotch-making capacity to meet anticipated future consumer demand.
◦To support the continued growth of JDTW, we built an additional barrel warehouse at our Jack Daniel’s distillery during fiscal 2022.
•Acquisitions and divestitures. During fiscal 2021, we sold our Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood brands and related assets. Also in fiscal 2021, we acquired Part Time Rangers Holdings Limited, which owns Part Time Rangers RTDs. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
•Cash returned to stockholders. During fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, we returned $1.2 billion to our stockholders through regular and special dividends.
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Executive Summary
Fiscal 2022 Highlights
•We delivered reported net sales of $3.9 billion, an increase of 14% compared to fiscal 2021. Reported net sales growth was driven by higher volumes and favorable price/mix, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange and the effect of acquisitions and divestitures. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales. Organic net sales increased 17% compared to fiscal 2021.
◦From a brand perspective, reported net sales growth was driven by JDTW, our tequilas, and premium bourbons.
◦From a geographic perspective, the United States, emerging markets, developed international markets, and the Travel Retail channel all contributed significantly to reported net sales growth.
Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
•We delivered reported operating income of $1.2 billion, an increase of 3% compared to fiscal 2021. The increase in reported operating income was driven by reported net sales growth and the absence of the $20 million commitment to the Foundation in fiscal 2021, partially offset by (a) the effect of acquisitions and divestitures (primarily the fiscal 2021 gain on sale of Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood), (b) impairment charges, and (c) the negative effect of foreign exchange. Organic operating income increased 27% compared to fiscal 2021.
•We delivered diluted earnings per share of $1.74, a decrease of 7% compared to fiscal 2021, due to higher income taxes, partially offset by an increase in reported operating income. Earnings per share in fiscal 2021 included an estimated $0.20 per share benefit from the gain on sale of Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood and related assets.
•Our return on average invested capital decreased to 17.7% in fiscal 2022, compared to 19.6% in fiscal 2021, driven primarily by higher income taxes. Return on average invested capital in fiscal 2021 benefited from the gain on sale of Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood and related assets.
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Summary of Operating Performance Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2022
| 2021 vs. 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30 | 2021 | 2022 | Reported Change | Organic Change1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 3,461 | $ | 3,933 | 14 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 1,367 | $ | 1,542 | 13 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,094 | $ | 2,391 | 14 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 399 | $ | 438 | 10 | % | 11 | % | |||||||||||||
| SG&A | $ | 671 | $ | 690 | 3 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of business | $ | (127) | $ | — | nm | n/a | |||||||||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | $ | (15) | $ | 59 | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1,166 | $ | 1,204 | 3 | % | 27 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses2 | $ | 1,055 | $ | 1,187 | 13 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||||||
| As a percentage of net sales3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 60.5 | % | 60.8 | % | 0.3 | pp | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 33.7 | % | 30.6 | % | (3.1 | pp) | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | 79 | $ | 77 | (4 | %) | |||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 16.5 | % | 24.8 | % | 8.3 | pp | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.88 | $ | 1.74 | (7 | %) | |||||||||||||||
| Return on average invested capital1 | 19.6 % | 17.7 | % | (1.9 | pp) |
1See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” and “return on average invested capital,” including how we calculate these measures and why we think this information is useful to readers.
2Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, and other expense (income), net.
3Year-over-year changes in percentages are reported in percentage points (pp).
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Results of Operations
Fiscal 2022 Market Highlights
The following table shows net sales results for our largest markets, summarized by geographic area, for fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. We discuss results of the markets most affecting our performance below the table.
| Top Markets | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Geographic area1 | % of Fiscal 2022 Net Sales | Reported | Acquisitions and Divestitures | Foreign Exchange | Organic2 | ||||||||||
| United States | 49 | % | 10 | % | 2 | % | — | % | 12 | % | |||||
| Developed International | 29 | % | 12 | % | — | % | 4 | % | 16 | % | |||||
| Germany | 6 | % | 11 | % | — | % | 3 | % | 14 | % | |||||
| Australia | 6 | % | 5 | % | — | % | 2 | % | 7 | % | |||||
| United Kingdom | 6 | % | 7 | % | — | % | 9 | % | 15 | % | |||||
| France | 4 | % | (1 | %) | — | % | 3 | % | 2 | % | |||||
| Rest of Developed International | 8 | % | 32 | % | 2 | % | 3 | % | 37 | % | |||||
| Emerging | 18 | % | 24 | % | — | % | 5 | % | 29 | % | |||||
| Mexico | 5 | % | 19 | % | — | % | (4 | %) | 15 | % | |||||
| Poland | 3 | % | 9 | % | — | % | 4 | % | 13 | % | |||||
| Brazil | 2 | % | 22 | % | — | % | (1 | %) | 21 | % | |||||
| Russia | 1 | % | 7 | % | — | % | 6 | % | 13 | % | |||||
| Chile | 1 | % | 64 | % | — | % | — | % | 64 | % | |||||
| Rest of Emerging | 7 | % | 34 | % | — | % | 15 | % | 49 | % | |||||
| Travel Retail | 3 | % | 65 | % | 2 | % | 1 | % | 67 | % | |||||
| Non-branded and bulk | 2 | % | 6 | % | 18 | % | 1 | % | 25 | % | |||||
| Total | 100 | % | 14 | % | 2 | % | 2 | % | 17 | % | |||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of market aggregations presented here.
2See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
Reported net sales for some of the markets discussed below were positively impacted by comparisons against COVID-19-related declines during fiscal 2021. See “Significant Developments - COVID-19” above for more information on the impact of COVID-19 on our results.
The United States, our most important market, grew reported net sales 10%, led by (a) JDTW, fueled by higher volumes and a favorable channel mix shift to the on-premise channel; (b) our premium bourbons, due to higher volumes and prices of Woodford Reserve and Old Forester; (c) our tequilas, driven by higher volumes of Herradura and el Jimador; and (d) volumetric growth of Sonoma-Cutrer. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales. This growth was partially offset by the effect of acquisitions and divestitures along with lower volumes of JDTH. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
Developed International
•Germany’s reported net sales increased 11%, fueled by volumetric gains of JDTW and JD RTDs, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
•Australia’s reported net sales increased 5%, driven primarily by higher pricing of JD RTDs, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
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•The United Kingdom’s reported net sales increased 7%, led by volumetric growth of JDTW, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
•Reported net sales in the Rest of Developed International increased 32%, fueled by JDTW growth in Spain, Japan, and Korea, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
Emerging
•Mexico’s reported net sales increased 19%, driven by broad-based growth across our portfolio of brands, led by Herradura and JDTW, along with the positive effect of foreign exchange. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
•Poland’s reported net sales increased 9%, led by JDTW and Finlandia, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
•Brazil’s reported net sales increased 22%, fueled by the launch of JDTA, favorable price/mix of JDTW, and higher volumes of JDTH. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
•Russia’s reported net sales increased 7%, led by the launch of JDTA and higher pricing of Finlandia, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange. Our fiscal 2022 reported net sales were adversely impacted by the suspension of our commercial operations in Russia due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Our fiscal 2023 outlook reflects the expected impact of a full-year suspension of our commercial operations in Russia.
•Chile’s reported net sales increased 64%, driven by broad-based growth across much of our portfolio, led by higher volumes of JDTW and the launch of JDTA. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
•Reported net sales in the Rest of Emerging increased 34%, driven primarily by JDTW gains, led by Turkey, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates. This growth was partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange (reflecting the strengthening of the dollar primarily against the Turkish lira). An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales.
Travel Retail reported net sales increased 65%, fueled by higher volumes across much of our portfolio, led by JDTW, as we cycled against significant declines during the same prior-year period, partially offset by unfavorable price/mix.
Non-branded and bulk reported net sales increased 6%, driven by higher volumes for used barrels.
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Fiscal 2022 Brand Highlights
The following table highlights the global results of our largest brands for fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. We discuss results of the brands most affecting our performance below the table.
| Major Brands | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales % Change vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
| Product category / brand family / brand1 | Reported | Acquisitions & Divestitures | Foreign Exchange | Organic2 | |||||||||||||
| Whiskey | 13 | % | 2 | % | 2 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||
| Jack Daniel’s family of brands | 15 | % | — | % | 3 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||
| JDTW | 20 | % | — | % | 4 | % | 23 | % | |||||||||
| JD RTD/RTP | 6 | % | — | % | 1 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||
| JDTH | — | % | — | % | 2 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||
| Gentleman Jack | (3 | %) | — | % | 2 | % | — | % | |||||||||
| JDTF | 16 | % | — | % | (2 | %) | 13 | % | |||||||||
| JDTA | 44 | % | — | % | 2 | % | 46 | % | |||||||||
| Other Jack Daniel’s whiskey brands | 17 | % | — | % | 2 | % | 19 | % | |||||||||
| Woodford Reserve | 16 | % | — | % | — | % | 16 | % | |||||||||
| Rest of Whiskey | (10 | %) | 37 | % | 1 | % | 28 | % | |||||||||
| Tequila | 22 | % | — | % | (2 | %) | 20 | % | |||||||||
| Herradura | 29 | % | — | % | (1 | %) | 28 | % | |||||||||
| el Jimador | 27 | % | — | % | (1 | %) | 27 | % | |||||||||
| Rest of Tequila | 6 | % | — | % | (3 | %) | 3 | % | |||||||||
| Wine | 6 | % | — | % | — | % | 6 | % | |||||||||
| Vodka (Finlandia) | 21 | % | — | % | 2 | % | 23 | % | |||||||||
| Rest of Portfolio | 10 | % | (2 | %) | 14 | % | 22 | % | |||||||||
| Non-branded and bulk | 6 | % | 18 | % | 1 | % | 25 | % | |||||||||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1See “Definitions” above for definitions of brand aggregations and volume measures presented here.
2See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for details on our use of “organic change” in net sales, including how we calculate this measure and why we believe this information is useful to readers.
Reported net sales for some of the brands discussed below were positively impacted by comparisons against COVID-19-related declines during fiscal 2021. See “Significant Developments - COVID-19” above for more information on the impact of COVID-19 on our results.
Whiskey
•The Jack Daniel's family of brands grew reported net sales 15%, driven by the broad-based growth of JDTW.
•JDTW generates a significant percentage of our total net sales and is our top priority. Reported net sales increased 20%, driven by (a) broad-based volume growth in the United States, developed international markets, and emerging markets; and (b) a favorable channel mix shift to the on-premise. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales. This growth was partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
•Jack Daniel's RTD/RTP grew reported net sales 6%, driven primarily by Australia and Germany.
•Reported net sales for JDTH were flat, as broad-based gains in our international markets were offset by declines in the United States and the negative effect of foreign exchange. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
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•JDTF grew reported net sales 16%, led by growth in emerging markets along with the positive effect of foreign exchange. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
•JDTA grew reported net sales 44%, fueled by the continued international launch in our emerging markets, most notably in Chile and Brazil, along with volumetric gains in the United States. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales.
•Other Jack Daniel’s whiskey brands grew reported net sales 17%, largely driven by higher volumes in the United States reflecting the April 2022 inventory build in advance of the launch of Jack Daniel’s Bonded and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash.
•Woodford Reserve’s reported net sales increased 16%, fueled by higher volumes and prices in the United States along with volumetric gains in Travel Retail. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results.
•Rest of Whiskey reported net sales declined 10% due to the effect of acquisitions and divestitures, partially offset by growth of Old Forester, BenRiach, and GlenDronach. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales.
Tequila
•Herradura’s reported net sales increased 29%, fueled by growth in the United States and Mexico.
•el Jimador’s reported net sales increased 27%, driven by broad-based volume growth led by the United States, Colombia, and Mexico.
Wine reported net sales increased 6%, driven primarily by higher volumes of Sonoma-Cutrer due to the reopening of the on-premise channel in the United States. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales.
Vodka (Finlandia) reported net sales increased 21% led by broad-based growth in emerging markets. Russia and Ukraine are key markets for Finlandia. Our fiscal 2023 outlook reflects the expected impact of a full-year suspension of our commercial operations in Russia and the ongoing impact on our ability to conduct business in Ukraine.
Rest of Portfolio reported net sales increased 10%, largely driven by the growth of Chambord in the United Kingdom and United States, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange.
Non-branded and bulk. See discussion for this aggregation in “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2022 Market Highlights” above.
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Year-Over-Year Comparisons
Commentary below compares fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2021 results. A comparison of fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2020 results may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021 (2021 Form 10-K).
Reported net sales for some markets and brands were positively impacted by comparisons against COVID-19-related declines during fiscal 2021. See “Significant Developments - COVID-19” above for more information.
| Net Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Price/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported net sales | 7 | % | 7 | % | 14 | % | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 3 | % | (1 | %) | 2 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | 2 | % | 2 | % | ||
| Change in organic net sales | 9 | % | 8 | % | 17 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
Reported net sales of $3.9 billion increased 14%, or $472 million, in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. Reported net sales growth was driven by higher volumes and favorable price/mix, partially offset by the negative effect of foreign exchange and the effect of acquisitions and divestitures. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories positively impacted reported net sales. Volume growth was driven by the Jack Daniel’s family of brands, led by JDTW, JD RTDs, and JDTA. Favorable price/mix was driven by faster growth from our higher-priced brands, led by JDTW, and a favorable channel mix shift due to the continued re-opening of the on-premise channel. Supply chain disruptions had an adverse effect on results. See “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2022 Market Highlights” and “Results of Operations - Fiscal 2022 Brand Highlights” above for details on the factors contributing to the change in reported net sales for fiscal 2022.
| Cost of Sales | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | ||||||||
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | Volume | Cost/mix | Total | |||||
| Change in reported cost of sales | 7 | % | 6 | % | 13 | % | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 3 | % | 1 | % | 3 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | — | % | 2 | % | 2 | % | ||
| Change in organic cost of sales | 9 | % | 8 | % | 18 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
Reported cost of sales of $1.5 billion increased $175 million, or 13%, in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. The increase was driven by higher volumes and unfavorable cost/mix, partially offset by the effect of acquisitions and divestitures and the positive effect of foreign exchange. An estimated net increase in distributor inventories negatively impacted reported cost of sales. Volume growth was driven by the Jack Daniel’s family of brands, led by JDTW, JD RTDs, and JDTA. Unfavorable cost/mix reflects (a) a shift in portfolio mix toward our higher-cost brands, (b) higher costs related to supply chain disruptions, (c) higher input costs related to grain and agave, and (d) inventory write-offs attributable to the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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| Gross Profit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2022 | |||
| Change in reported gross profit | 14 | % | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 1 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | 3 | % | ||
| Change in organic gross profit | 17 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
| Gross Margin | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year ended April 30 | 2022 | |||
| Prior year gross margin | 60.5 | % | ||
| Price/mix | 1.3 | % | ||
| Cost/mix | (1.3 | %) | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 0.5 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | (0.2 | %) | ||
| Change in gross margin | 0.3 | % | ||
| Current year gross margin | 60.8 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
Reported gross profit of $2.4 billion increased $297 million, or 14%, in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. Gross margin increased to 60.8% in fiscal 2022, up 0.3 percentage points from 60.5% in fiscal 2021. The increase in gross margin was driven primarily by favorable price/mix and the effect of acquisitions and divestitures, largely offset by unfavorable cost/mix.
| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | Reported | Foundation | Impairment | Foreign Exchange | Organic | ||||||||
| Advertising | 10 | % | — | % | — | % | 2 | % | 11 | % | |||
| SG&A | 3 | % | 3 | % | — | % | 1 | % | 7 | % | |||
| Total operating expenses1 | 13 | % | 2 | % | (6 | %) | (1 | %) | 8 | % | |||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
1Operating expenses include advertising expense, SG&A expense, and other expense (income), net.
Reported operating expenses totaled $1.2 billion and increased $132 million, or 13%, in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021.
•Reported advertising expenses increased 10% in fiscal 2022, driven primarily by higher spend in our developed international and emerging markets to support JDTW and the continued launch of JDTA.
•Reported SG&A expenses increased 3% in fiscal 2022, driven primarily by (a) comparison to lower discretionary spend during fiscal 2021 due to COVID-19, (b) higher compensation and benefit-related expenses, and (c) expenses attributable to the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This increase in spend was partially offset by the absence of the $20 million commitment to the Foundation in fiscal 2021 and the positive effect of foreign exchange.
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| Operating Income | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage change versus the prior fiscal year ended April 30 | 2022 | |||
| Change in reported operating income | 3 | % | ||
| Acquisitions and divestitures | 14 | % | ||
| Foundation | (2 | %) | ||
| Impairment charges | 6 | % | ||
| Foreign exchange | 6 | % | ||
| Change in organic operating income | 27 | % | ||
| Note: Results may differ due to rounding |
Reported operating income was $1.2 billion in fiscal 2022, an increase of $38 million, or 3%, compared to fiscal 2021. Operating margin declined 3.1 percentage points to 30.6% in fiscal 2022 from 33.7% in fiscal 2021 driven by (a) the effect of acquisitions and divestitures (primarily the fiscal 2021 gain on sale of Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood and related assets), (b) unfavorable cost/mix, (c) impairment charges (primarily the non-cash impairment charge for our Finlandia brand name), and (d) the negative effect of foreign exchange. These factors were partially offset by (a) favorable price/mix, (b) operating expense (excluding impairment charges) leverage, and (c) the absence of the $20 million commitment to the Foundation in fiscal 2021.
Interest expense (net) decreased $2 million, or 4%, in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021, due to higher interest income driven by higher interest rates on our interest-bearing investments.
Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2022 was 24.8% compared to 16.5% in fiscal 2021. The increase in our effective tax rate was driven primarily by (a) the absence of a deferred tax benefit recognized in the prior-year related to an intercompany transfer of assets, (b) the impact of prior intercompany sales of inventory taxed at rates higher than current statutory tax rates, (c) increased expense from true-ups of prior-year tax liabilities, tax rate changes and other permanent differences; and (d) decreased benefit from stock-based compensation. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details.
Diluted earnings per share were $1.74 in fiscal 2022, a decrease of 7% compared to fiscal 2021 due to higher income taxes, partially offset by an increase in reported operating income. Earnings per share in fiscal 2021 included an estimated $0.20 per share benefit from the gain on sale of Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood and related assets.
Fiscal 2023 Outlook
Below we discuss our outlook for fiscal 2023 which reflects the trends, developments, and uncertainties, including those described above, we expect to affect our business. When we provide guidance for organic change in certain measures of the statements of operations we do not provide guidance for the corresponding GAAP change because the GAAP measure will include items that are difficult to quantify or predict with reasonable certainty, such as foreign exchange, which could have a significant impact to our GAAP income statement measures.
The company anticipates continued growth in fiscal 2023 despite global macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties. Accordingly, we expect the following in fiscal 2023:
•Reflecting the strength of our portfolio of brands and strong consumer demand, we expect organic net sales growth in the mid-single digit range.
•Considering the net effect of inflation and the removal of the European Union and United Kingdom tariffs on American whiskey, we project reported gross margin to increase slightly.
•Based on the above expectations, we anticipate mid-single digit organic operating income growth.
•We expect our fiscal 2023 effective tax rate to be in the range of approximately 22% to 23%.
•Capital expenditures are planned to be in the range of $190 to $210 million.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We generate strong cash flows from operations, which enable us to meet current obligations, fund capital expenditures, and return cash to our stockholders through regular dividends and, from time to time, through share repurchases and special dividends. We believe our investment-grade credit ratings (A1 by Moody's and A- by Standard & Poor's) provide us with financial flexibility when accessing global debt capital markets and allow us to reserve adequate debt capacity for investment opportunities and unforeseen events.
Our cash flow from operations is supplemented by our cash and cash equivalent balances, as well as access to other liquidity sources. Cash and cash equivalents were $1,150 million at April 30, 2021, and $868 million at April 30, 2022. As of April 30, 2022, approximately 71% of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign subsidiaries whose earnings we expect to reinvest indefinitely outside of the United States. We continue to evaluate our future cash deployment and may decide to repatriate additional cash held by our foreign subsidiaries, which may require us to provide for and pay additional taxes.
We have an $800 million commercial paper program that we use, together with our cash flow from operations, to fund our short-term operational needs. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for outstanding commercial paper balances, interest rates, and days to maturity at April 30, 2021 and April 30, 2022. The average balances, interest rates, and original maturities during the periods ended April 30, 2021 and 2022, are presented below.
| (Amounts in millions) | Three Months Average | Fiscal Year Average | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 30, | April 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | |||||||||||
| Average commercial paper | $ | 259 | $ | — | $ | 321 | $ | 59 | ||||||
| Average interest rate | 0.23 | % | — | % | 0.49 | % | 0.16 | % | ||||||
| Average days to maturity at issuance | 72 | 0 | 116 | 32 |
Our commercial paper program is supported by available commitments under our $800 million bank credit facility. The credit facility, which was extended for an additional year in November 2021, is scheduled to expire in November 2024. At April 30, 2022, there were no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility. Although unlikely, under extreme market conditions, one or more participating banks may not be able to fund its commitments under our credit facility. To manage this counterparty credit risk, we partner with banks that have investment grade credit ratings, limit the amount of exposure we have with each bank, and monitor the financial conditions of each bank.
Our most significant short-term cash requirements relate primarily to funding our operations (such as expenditures for raw materials, production and distribution, advertising and promotion, and current taxes), repayment of our note maturing in 2023, and capital investments. Our most significant longer-term cash requirements primarily include payments related to our long-term debt, employee benefit obligations, and deferred tax liabilities (see Notes 6, 9 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
While we expect to meet our planned short-term liquidity needs largely through cash generated from operations and borrowings under our commercial paper program, a sustained market deterioration resulting in declines in net sales and profit could require us to evaluate alternative sources of liquidity. If we have additional liquidity needs, we believe that we could access financing in the debt capital markets.
We believe our current liquidity position, supplemented by our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations in the future, and our ample debt capacity enabled by our strong short-term and long-term credit ratings, will be sufficient to meet all of our expected future financial commitments.
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Cash Flow Summary
The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of the last two years:
| (Dollars in millions) | 2021 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 817 | $ | 936 | |||||
| Investing activities: | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of business | $ | 177 | $ | — | |||||
| Acquisition of business | (14) | — | |||||||
| Additions to property, plant, and equipment | (62) | (138) | |||||||
| Other | (3) | 11 | |||||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | $ | 98 | $ | (127) | |||||
| Financing activities: | |||||||||
| Net change in short-term borrowings | $ | (126) | $ | (196) | |||||
| Regular dividend payments | (338) | (352) | |||||||
| Special dividend payment | — | (479) | |||||||
| Other | (21) | (11) | |||||||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | $ | (485) | $ | (1,038) |
Cash provided by operations of $936 million increased $119 million from fiscal 2021, reflecting improved operating results and the impact of changes in working capital, which included the collection in December 2021 of approximately $62 million of accounts receivable from Bacardi that had been withheld since fiscal 2021. (See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details about the Bacardi matter.)
Cash flows from investing activities decreased $127 million during fiscal 2022, compared to an increase of $98 million during the prior year. The $225 million change largely reflects (a) the proceeds of $177 million received in the prior-year period from our divestiture of the Early Times, Canadian Mist, and Collingwood brands and related assets and (b) a $76 million increase in capital expenditures.
Cash used for financing activities was $1,038 million during fiscal 2022, compared to $485 million for fiscal 2021. The $553 million increase largely reflects a special cash dividend payment of $479 million in December 2021 and a $70 million increase in net repayments of short-term borrowings.
A discussion of our cash flows for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 may be found in “Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2021.
Dividends
As announced in November 2021, our Board of Directors approved a 5% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock to $0.1885 per share from $0.1795 per share, effective with the regular quarterly dividend paid on December 28, 2021. As a result, the indicated annual cash dividend increased from $0.7180 per share to $0.7540 per share. The Board also declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share on our Class A and Class B common stock, which was paid on December 29, 2021.
As announced on May 26, 2022, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on our Class A and Class B common stock of $0.1885 per share. Stockholders of record on June 8, 2022, will receive the dividend on July 1, 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our financial statements reflect some estimates involved in applying the following critical accounting policies that entail uncertainties and subjectivity. Using different estimates or policies could have a material effect on our operating results and financial condition.
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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, or more frequently if circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Goodwill is impaired when the carrying amount of the related reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, in which case we write down the goodwill by the amount of the excess (limited to the carrying amount of the goodwill). We estimate the reporting unit's fair value using discounted estimated future cash flows or market information. Similarly, a brand name is impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, in which case we write down the brand name to its estimated fair value. We estimate the fair value of a brand name using the “relief from royalty” method. We also consider market values for similar assets when available. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value, including making assumptions about future cash flows, net sales, 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.
Based on our assumptions, we believe none of our goodwill or other intangibles are impaired as of April 30, 2022. Further, we estimate the fair values of goodwill and other intangible assets substantially exceed their carrying amounts, except for our Finlandia brand name. As of April 30, 2022, the carrying amount of the Finlandia brand name is $181 million.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $52 million for the Finlandia brand name. The impairment reflects a decline in our long-term outlook for Finlandia due to our suspension of operations in Russia, a key market for the brand. We determined Finlandia’s fair value based on the “relief from royalty” method, using current assumptions. Reasonably possible changes in those assumptions could result in additional non-cash impairment charges in the future. For example, we estimate that, all else equal, (a) a 15% decline in projected future net sales would result in an impairment charge of approximately $19 million or (b) a 1 percentage point increase in the discount rate would result in an impairment charge of approximately $29 million.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans providing retiree health care and retiree life insurance benefits. Benefits are based on factors such as years of service and compensation level during employment. We expense the benefits expected to be paid over employees' expected service. This requires us to make assumptions to determine the net benefit costs and obligations, such as discount rates, return on plan assets, the rate of salary increases, expected service, and health care cost trend rates. We review these assumptions annually and modify them based on current rates and trends when appropriate. The assumptions also reflect our historical experience and management's best judgment regarding future expectations. We believe the discount rates and expected return on plan assets are the most significant assumptions.
The discount rate used to measure the benefit obligations is determined at the beginning of each fiscal year 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 service cost and interest cost components are measured by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve. The expected return on pension plan assets reflects expected capital market returns for each asset class that are based on historical returns, adjusted for the expected effects of diversification.
The following table compares the assumed discount rates and expected return on assets used in determining net periodic benefit cost for fiscal 2022 to those to be used in determining that cost for fiscal 2023.
| Pension Benefits | Medical and Life Insurance Benefits | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Discount rate for service cost | 3.36 | % | 4.44 | % | 3.49 | % | 4.50 | % | |||
| Discount rate for interest cost | 2.24 | % | 3.97 | % | 2.27 | % | 3.96 | % | |||
| Expected return on plan assets | 6.25 | % | 6.25 | % | n/a | n/a |
Using these assumptions, we estimate our pension and other postretirement benefit cost for fiscal 2023 will be approximately $21 million, compared to $28 million (excluding settlement charges) for fiscal 2022. Decreasing/increasing the
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assumed discount rates by 50 basis points would increase/decrease the total fiscal 2023 cost by approximately $6 million. Decreasing/increasing the assumed return on plan assets by 50 basis points would increase/decrease the total fiscal 2023 cost by approximately $4 million.
Income Taxes
Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions. We establish liabilities when some positions are likely to be challenged and may not succeed, despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these liabilities in light of changing circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. We believe current liabilities are appropriate for all known contingencies, but this situation could change.
Years can elapse before we can resolve a particular matter for which we may have established a tax liability. Although predicting the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter can be difficult, we believe our liabilities reflect the likely outcome of known tax contingencies. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue could require use of our cash and increase our effective tax rate. Conversely, a favorable resolution could result in reduced cash tax payments, the reversal of previously established liabilities, or some combination of these results, which could reduce our effective tax rate.