UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the quarterly period ended February 28, 2025
OR
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-14920
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (410 ) 771-7301
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Trading | |||||||||||
| Title of each class | Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | |||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||
| Non-Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company | ||||||||||||
| Emerging Growth Company | ||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
| Shares Outstanding | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | |||||||||||
| Common Stock | |||||||||||
| Common Stock Non-Voting | |||||||||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| ITEM 1 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 2 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 3 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 4 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 1 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 1a | |||||||||||
| ITEM 2 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 3 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 4 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 5 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 6 | |||||||||||
3
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)
(in millions except per share amounts)
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expense | |||||||||||
| Special charges | |||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||
| Other income, net | |||||||||||
| Income from consolidated operations before income taxes | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | |||||||||||
| Net income from consolidated operations | |||||||||||
Income from unconsolidated operations | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Earnings per share – basic | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Earnings per share – diluted | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – basic | |||||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – diluted | |||||||||||
| Cash dividends paid per share – voting and non-voting | $ | $ | |||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
4
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||
| Unrealized components of pension and other postretirement plans | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Currency translation adjustments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Change in derivative financial instruments | ( | ||||||||||
| Tax (expense) benefit | ( | ||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | $ | |||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
5
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in millions)
| February 28, 2025 | November 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| (unaudited) | |||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances | |||||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||
| Finished products | |||||||||||
| Raw materials and work-in-process | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | |||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | |||||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Deferred taxes | |||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Common stock | |||||||||||
| Common stock non-voting | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total McCormick shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Non-controlling interests | |||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
6
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Deferred income tax benefit | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Income from unconsolidated operations | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | |||||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable | |||||||||||
| Inventories | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | ( | ||||||||||
| Other assets and liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||
| Net cash flow provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| Investing activities | |||||||||||
| Capital expenditures (including software) | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other investing activities | |||||||||||
| Net cash flow used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Financing activities | |||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings (repayments), net | ( | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt repayments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Proceeds from exercised stock options | |||||||||||
| Taxes withheld and paid on employee stock awards | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Common stock acquired by purchase | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other financing activities | |||||||||||
| Net cash flow used in financing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
7
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
| (millions) | Common Stock Shares | Common Stock Non-Voting Shares | Common Stock Amount | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Non-controlling Interests | Total Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||
Three months ended February 28, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, November 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares purchased and retired | ( | — | ( | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equal exchange | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, February 28, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Three months ended February 29, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, November 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares purchased and retired | ( | — | ( | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equal exchange | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, February 29, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
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McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1.ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all the information and notes required by United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for complete financial statements. In our opinion, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented.
The results of consolidated operations for the three-month period ended February 28, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Historically, our net sales, net income, and cash flow from operations have been lower in the first half of the fiscal year and higher in the second half of the fiscal year. This historical increase in the second half of the year has largely been due to the consumer business cycle in the U.S., where customers typically purchase more of our products in the fourth quarter due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2024.
Accounts Payable - Supplier Finance Program
As more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2024, we participate in a Supply Chain Financing (SCF) program with several global financial institutions (SCF Banks). Under the SCF program, qualifying suppliers may elect to sell their receivables from us to an SCF Bank, enabling participating suppliers to negotiate their receivables sales arrangements directly with the respective SCF Bank. We are not party to those agreements and have no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to sell a receivable.
All outstanding amounts related to suppliers participating in the SCF program are recorded within the line entitled "Trade accounts payable" in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the associated payments are included in operating activities within our consolidated statements of cash flows. As of February 28, 2025 and November 30, 2024, the amounts due to suppliers participating in the SCF program and included in trade accounts payable were approximately $385.2 million and $417.4 million, respectively.
Accounting Pronouncement Partially Adopted
In September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2022-04: Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Topic 450-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations, that requires entities that use supplier finance programs in connection with the purchase of goods and services to disclose the key terms of the programs and information about obligations outstanding at the end of the reporting period, including a roll-forward of those obligations. The guidance does not affect the recognition, measurement, or financial statement presentation of supplier finance program obligations. We adopted the new standard's requirements to disclose the key terms of the programs and information about obligations outstanding as of November 30, 2023. The standard’s requirement to disclose a roll-forward of obligations outstanding will be effective for our fiscal year ending November 30, 2025. The partial adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, nor do we expect the adoption of the future disclosure requirements to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — Pending Adoption
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07: Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures that requires entities to report incremental information about significant segment expenses included in a segment’s profit or loss measure as well as the name and title of the chief operating decision maker. The guidance also requires interim disclosures related to reportable segment profit or loss and assets that had previously only been disclosed annually. The new standard is effective for our annual period ending November 30, 2025 and our interim periods during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2026. The guidance does not affect recognition or measurement in our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09: Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures that requires entities to disclose additional information about federal, state, and foreign income taxes primarily related to the income tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The new standard also eliminates certain existing disclosure requirements
9
related to uncertain tax positions and unrecognized deferred tax liabilities. The guidance is effective for our fiscal year ending November 30, 2026. The guidance does not affect recognition or measurement in our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03: Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures that requires more detailed disclosure about certain costs and expenses presented in the income statement, including inventory purchases, employee compensation, selling expense, and depreciation expense. The guidance is effective for our annual period ending November 30, 2028 and our interim periods during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2029. The guidance does not affect recognition or measurement in our consolidated financial statements.
2. SPECIAL CHARGES
In our consolidated income statement, we include a separate line item captioned "Special charges" in arriving at our consolidated operating income. Special charges consist of expenses, including related impairment charges, associated with certain actions undertaken to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and enhance our competitiveness. These charges are of such significance in terms of both up-front costs and organizational/structural impact to require advance approval by our Management Committee, comprised of our senior management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer. Expenses associated with any approved action are classified as special charges upon recognition and monitored on an ongoing basis through completion. Certain ancillary expenses related to these actions, approved by our Management Committee, do not qualify for accrual upon approval but are included as special charges as incurred during the course of the actions.
We continue to evaluate changes to our organizational structure to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and improve our competitiveness.
The following is a summary of special charges recognized in the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024 (in millions):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Employee severance and related benefits | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Other cash costs | |||||||||||
| Total special charges | $ | $ | |||||||||
During the three months ended February 29, 2024, we recorded $4.2 million of special charges, consisting principally of (i) $2.8 million associated with our Global Operating Effectiveness (GOE) program, which includes $2.1 million in severance and related benefits costs and $0.7 million in third-party expenses and other costs, and (ii) $1.4 million in third-party expenses and other costs associated with the transition of a manufacturing facility in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Both our GOE program and the EMEA manufacturing facility transition are more fully described in Note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2024.
As of February 28, 2025 and November 30, 2024, reserves associated with special charges of $1.0 million and $2.7 million are included in "Other accrued liabilities" in our consolidated balance sheet.
The following is a breakdown by business segment of special charges for the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024 (in millions):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Consumer segment | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Flavor solutions segment | |||||||||||
| Total special charges | $ | $ | |||||||||
10
3. FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
We use derivative financial instruments to enhance our ability to manage risk, including foreign currency, net investment, and interest rate exposures, which exist as part of our ongoing business operations. We do not enter into contracts for trading purposes, nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instrument, and all derivatives are designated as hedges. We are not a party to master netting arrangements, and we do not offset the fair value of derivative contracts with the same counterparty in our financial statement disclosures. The use of derivative financial instruments is monitored through regular communication with senior management and the use of written guidelines.
Foreign currency exchange risk. We are potentially exposed to foreign currency fluctuations affecting net investments in subsidiaries, transactions (both third-party and intercompany), and earnings denominated in foreign currencies. We assess foreign currency risk based on transactional cash flows and translational volatility and may enter into forward contract and currency swaps with highly-rated financial institutions to reduce fluctuations in the long or short currency positions.
The following is a summary of the notional amounts of outstanding foreign currency exchange contracts as of February 28, 2025 and November 30, 2024 (in millions):
| February 28, 2025 | November 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Fair value hedges | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cash flow hedge | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
All of these contracts were designated as hedges of foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities or hedges of anticipated purchases denominated in a foreign currency. Hedge ineffectiveness was not material. All foreign currency exchange contracts generally have durations of less than 12 months. At February 28, 2025, $254.5 million of notional contracts had an initial duration of less than one month and are used to hedge short-term cash flow funding.
Contracts which are designated as hedges of foreign currency denominated assets are considered fair value hedges. These foreign currency exchange contracts manage both exposure to currency fluctuations in certain intercompany loans between subsidiaries as well as currency exposure to third-party non-functional currency assets or liabilities. Gains and losses from contracts that are designated as hedges of assets, liabilities, or firm commitments are recognized through income, offsetting the change in fair value of the hedged item. Contracts which are designated as hedges of anticipated purchases denominated in a foreign currency (generally purchases of inventory in U.S. dollars by operating units outside the U.S.) are considered cash flow hedges. The gains and losses on these contracts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in cost of goods sold, at which time the net amount deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income is also recognized in cost of goods sold.
We also utilize cross currency interest rate swap contracts that are designated as net investment hedges. Gains or losses on net investment hedges, exclusive of interest accruals, are included in foreign currency translation adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive loss. We exclude the interest accruals on cross-currency interest rate swap contracts from the assessment and measurement of hedge effectiveness. We recognize the interest accruals on cross-currency interest rate swap contracts within interest expense.
Interest rate risk. We finance a portion of our operations with both fixed and variable rate debt instruments, principally commercial paper, notes and bank loans. We utilize interest rate derivative contracts, including interest rate swap agreements, to minimize worldwide financing costs and to achieve a desired mix of variable and fixed rate debt.
11
The following table discloses the notional amount and fair values of derivative instruments on our balance sheet (in millions):
| Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance sheet location | Notional amount | Fair value | Balance sheet location | Notional amount | Fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of February 28, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | Other current assets / Other long-term assets | $ | $ | Other accrued liabilities / Other long-term liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | Other current assets | Other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | Other current assets / Other long-term assets | Other accrued liabilities / Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of November 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | Other current assets / Other long-term assets | $ | $ | Other accrued liabilities / Other long-term liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | Other current assets | Other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | Other current assets / Other long-term assets | Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following tables disclose the impact of derivative instruments on our other comprehensive income (OCI), accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCI), and our consolidated income statement for the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024 (in millions):
| Fair Value Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative | Income statement location | Expense | ||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended February 28, 2025 | Three months ended February 29, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | Interest expense | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Income statement location | Loss recognized in income | Income statement location | Gain (loss) recognized in income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative | Three months ended February 28, 2025 | Three months ended February 29, 2024 | Hedged item | Three months ended February 28, 2025 | Three months ended February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | Other income, net | $ | ( | $ | ( | Intercompany loans | Other income, net | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
12
| Cash Flow Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss recognized in OCI | Income statement location | Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative | Three months ended February 28, 2025 | Three months ended February 29, 2024 | Three months ended February 28, 2025 | Three months ended February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | $ | $ | Interest expense | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | ( | ( | Cost of goods sold | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of February 28, 2025, the net amount of accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with all cash flow and settled interest rate cash flow hedge derivatives expected to be reclassified in the next 12 months is $0.9 million as an increase to earnings.
| Net Investment Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) recognized in OCI | Income statement location | Gain excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative | Three months ended February 28, 2025 | Three months ended February 29, 2024 | Three months ended February 28, 2025 | Three months ended February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | $ | $ | ( | Interest expense | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For all net investment hedges, no amounts have been reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The amounts noted in the tables above for OCI do not include any adjustments for the impact of deferred income taxes.
4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value can be measured using valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). Accounting standards utilize a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:
•Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
•Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
•Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
13
At February 28, 2025 and November 30, 2024, we had no financial assets or liabilities that were subject to a level 3 fair value measurement. Our population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are as follows (in millions):
| February 28, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Insurance contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bonds and other long-term investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency derivatives | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| November 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Insurance contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bonds and other long-term investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency derivatives | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
At February 28, 2025 and November 30, 2024, the carrying amounts of interest rate derivatives, foreign currency derivatives, cross currency contracts, insurance contracts, and bond and other long-term investments were equal to their respective fair values. Because of their short-term nature, the amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, receivables, short-term borrowings, and trade accounts payable approximate fair value. Investments in affiliates are not readily marketable, and it is not practicable to estimate their fair value.
Insurance contracts, bonds, and other long-term investments are comprised of fixed income and equity securities held for certain non-qualified U.S. employee benefit plans and are stated at fair value on the balance sheet. The fair values of insurance contracts are based upon the underlying values of the securities in which they are invested and are from quoted market prices from various stock and bond exchanges for similar type assets. The fair values of bonds and other long-term investments are based on quoted market prices from various stock and bond exchanges. The fair values for interest rate derivatives, foreign currency derivatives, and cross currency contracts are based on values for similar instruments using models with market-based inputs.
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The following table sets forth the carrying amounts and fair values of our long-term debt including the current portion thereof (in millions):
| February 28, 2025 | November 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Carrying amount | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Level 1 valuation techniques | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Level 2 valuation techniques | |||||||||||
| Total fair value | $ | $ | |||||||||
5. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT PLANS
We sponsor defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and certain foreign locations. Additionally, we sponsor defined contribution plans in the U.S. and contribute to defined contribution plans in various locations outside the U.S., including government-sponsored retirement plans. Moreover, we provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain U.S. employees and retirees. We previously froze the accrual of future benefits under certain defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and certain foreign locations. Although our defined benefit plans in the U.S., United Kingdom, and Canada have generally been frozen, employees who are participants in the plans retained benefits accumulated up to the date of the freeze, based on credited service and eligible earnings, in accordance with the terms of the plans.
The following table presents the components of our pension (income) and other postretirement benefits expense for the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024 (in millions):
| United States pension | International pension | Other postretirement benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service costs | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of net actuarial losses (gains) | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (income) expense | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
During the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024, we contributed $1.8 10.0 million.
All of the amounts in the tables above for pension (income) and other postretirement benefits expense, other than service cost, were included in other income, net within our consolidated income statements. The net aggregate amount of pension and other postretirement benefits income, excluding service cost components, was $(1.2 ) million and $(2.0 ) million for the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024, respectively.
6. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
We have four types of stock-based compensation awards: restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options, company stock awarded as part of our long-term performance plan (LTPP), and price-vested stock options. The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense recorded in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense (in millions):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | $ | $ | |||||||||
Our 2025 annual grant consisted primarily of RSUs and stock awarded under our LTPP and occurred in the first quarter. Our annual grant of stock options and RSUs principally occurred in the second quarter of 2024. Stock options were also granted during the first quarter of 2024. Our annual grant of stock awarded under our LTPP occurred in the first quarter of 2024. Substantially all the stock options and RSUs granted in 2025 and 2024 vest ratably over a three-year period or, if earlier, upon the holder’s retirement eligibility date. Stock awarded under our LTPP vest ratably over a three-year period.
15
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (shares in millions) | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at end of the period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at end of the period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
As of February 28, 2025, the intrinsic value (the difference between the exercise price and the market price) for all options outstanding was $73.4 million and for options currently exercisable was $63.5 million. The total intrinsic value of all options exercised during the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024 was $3.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively.
The following is a summary of our RSU activity for the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (shares in thousands) | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
There were 2.1 9.40
The following is a summary of our LTPP activity for the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (shares in thousands) | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
7. INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense for the three months ended February 28, 2025 included $5.2 million of net discrete tax benefits consisting principally of a $5.0 million net tax benefit resulting from the revaluation of deferred taxes associated with enacted legislation.
Income tax expense for the three months ended February 29, 2024 included $1.6 million of discrete tax expense consisting principally of $1.1 million of tax expense resulting from a state tax matter and $0.5 million of tax expense associated with stock-based compensation.
Other than additions for current year tax positions, there were no significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended February 28, 2025.
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8. CAPITAL STOCK AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the reconciliation of average shares outstanding (in millions):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – basic | |||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive securities: | |||||||||||
| Stock options/RSUs/LTPP | |||||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – diluted | |||||||||||
The following table sets forth the stock options and RSUs that were not considered in our earnings per share calculation since they were anti-dilutive (in millions):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Anti-dilutive securities | |||||||||||
The following table sets forth common stock activity (in millions):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Shares issued under stock options, RSUs, LTPP and employee stock purchase plans | |||||||||||
| Shares repurchased under the stock repurchase program and shares withheld for taxes under stock options, RSUs, and LTPP | |||||||||||
9. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, where applicable (in millions):
| February 28, 2025 | November 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment (1) | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Unrealized gain on foreign currency exchange contracts | |||||||||||
| Unamortized value of settled interest rate swaps | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Pension and other postretirement costs | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
(1)During the three months ended February 28, 2025, the foreign currency translation adjustment of accumulated other comprehensive loss increased on a net basis by $34.6 million, inclusive of $8.1 million of unrealized gains associated with net investment hedges. These net investment hedges are more fully described in Note 3.
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The following table sets forth the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and into consolidated net income (in millions):
| Three months ended | Affected Line Items in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Gains)/losses on cash flow hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate derivatives | $ | $ | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | ( | Cost of goods sold | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total before tax | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net, after tax | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit adjustments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial (gains)(1) | $ | ( | $ | ( | Other income, net | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total before tax | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net, after tax | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
10. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
We operate in two business segments: consumer and flavor solutions. The consumer and flavor solutions segments manufacture, market and distribute spices, herbs, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products throughout the world. Our consumer segment sells to retail channels, including grocery, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, discount and drug stores, and e-commerce under the “McCormick” brand and a variety of brands around the world, including “French’s,” “Frank’s RedHot,” “Lawry’s,” “Zatarain’s,” “Simply Asia,” “Thai Kitchen,” “Ducros,” “Vahiné,” “Cholula,” “Schwartz,” “Club House,” “Kamis,” “DaQiao,” “La Drogheria,” “Stubb’s,” “OLD BAY,” and “Gourmet Garden.” Our flavor solutions segment sells to food manufacturers and the foodservice industry both directly and indirectly through distributors, with the exception of our business in China, where foodservice sales are managed by and reported in our consumer segment.
We measure segment performance based on operating income, excluding special charges, as this activity is managed separately from the business segments.
Although the segments are managed separately due to their distinct distribution channels and marketing strategies, manufacturing and warehousing are often integrated to maximize cost efficiencies. We do not segregate jointly utilized assets by individual segment for purposes of internal reporting, performance evaluation, or capital allocation. Because of manufacturing integration for certain products within the segments, products are not sold from one segment to another but rather inventory is transferred at cost. Intersegment sales are not material.
| Consumer | Flavor Solutions | Total | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended February 28, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||||||||
| Income from unconsolidated operations | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended February 29, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Income from unconsolidated operations | ( | ||||||||||||||||
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There were no special charges during the three months ending February 28, 2025. A reconciliation of operating income excluding special charges to operating income for the three months ending February 29, 2024 is as follows:
| Consumer | Flavor Solutions | Total | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Total segment operating income as disclosed in the preceding table represents our consolidated operating income. The reconciliation of that operating income to income from consolidated operations before income taxes, which includes interest expense and other income, net is presented on the consolidated income statement.
The following table sets forth our net sales, by geographic area, for the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024 (in millions):
| Americas | EMEA | APAC | Total | ||||||||||||||
Three months ended February 28, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
Three months ended February 29, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to help the reader understand McCormick & Company, Incorporated, our operations, and our present business environment from the perspective of management. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto, included in Item 1 of this report. We use certain non-GAAP information – more fully described below under the caption Non-GAAP Financial Measures – that we believe is important for purposes of comparison to prior periods and development of future projections and earnings growth prospects. This information is also used by management to measure the profitability of our ongoing operations and analyze our business performance and trends. Unless otherwise noted, the dollar and share information in the charts and tables in MD&A are in millions, except per share data.
Business profile
McCormick is a global leader in flavor. We manufacture, market, and distribute spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the entire food industry – retailers, food manufacturers, and the foodservice business. In fiscal year 2024, approximately 39% of our sales were generated outside of the U.S. We also are partners in a number of joint ventures involved in the manufacture and sale of flavorful products, the most significant of which is McCormick de Mexico. We manage our business in two business segments, consumer and flavor solutions.
Executive Summary
In the first quarter of 2025, we achieved net sales growth of 0.2% as compared to the first quarter of 2024, due to the following factors:
•Volume and product mix favorably impacted net sales by 2.2%. Both segments contributed to this growth, with a 2.6% increase in consumer and a 1.8% increase in flavor solutions.
•Pricing unfavorably impacted net sales by 0.2%. The unfavorable impact of pricing in our consumer segment offset the favorable impact of pricing in our flavor solutions segment.
•Fluctuations in currency rates negatively impacted net sales by 1.8%, decreasing sales growth by 1.4% in our consumer segment and 2.5% in our flavor solutions segment.
Operating income was $225.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $233.5 million in the same period of 2024, reflecting a decrease of 3.6%. In the first quarter of 2025, our gross profit margin improved by 20 basis points, primarily driven by cost savings from the Company's Comprehensive Continuous Improvement (CCI) program. Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percentage of sales increased by 100 basis points, primarily driven by higher stock-based
19
compensation expense due to a planned shift in timing of our annual stock grant from the second quarter to the first quarter, other employee benefit related costs and increased advertising and promotional spend. Excluding special charges, adjusted operating income was $225.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a decrease of 5.3%, compared to $237.7 million in the 2024 period. In constant currency, adjusted operating income decreased by 3.2%.
Diluted earnings per share was $0.60 and $0.62 in the first quarter of 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease in diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2025 was driven primarily by the impact of lower operating income and the unfavorable effects of a decrease in income from unconsolidated operations, partially offset by the favorable impact of a decrease in the effective tax rate. Special charges lowered earnings per share by $0.01 in the first quarter of 2024. Excluding the effects of special charges in the 2024 period, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.60 and $0.63 in the first quarter of 2025 and 2024, respectively, reflecting a decrease of 4.8%.
A detailed review of our first quarter 2025 performance compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024 appears in the section titled “Results of Operations – Company” and “Results of Operations – Segments.” For a reconciliation of non-GAAP to reported amounts, see the subsequent discussion under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2025 Outlook
Our fiscal 2025 outlook reflects plans to offset costs related to U.S. import tariffs on China with CCI savings and targeted price adjustments. Due to continued uncertainty regarding the implementation dates and scope of additional potential U.S. import tariffs or retaliatory tariffs put in place by other countries, our outlook does not include any additional impact from tariff actions in 2025.
In 2025, we expect net sales to grow between 0% and 2% compared to our 2024 net sales, including a 1% unfavorable impact from foreign currency rates, or to grow from 1% to 3% on an organic basis. We anticipate that sales in 2025 will benefit from favorable volume and product mix.
We expect our 2025 gross profit margin to improve by 50 to 100 basis points from the 38.5% gross profit margin reported in 2024. This projected increase is primarily driven by (i) positive effects from product mix changes, (ii) anticipated cost savings from our Comprehensive Continuous Improvement (CCI) program, and (iii) a low single-digit percentage impact of inflation in 2025 compared to 2024.
For 2025, we anticipate an increase in operating income of 3% to 5% over the 2024 level, including a 1% unfavorable impact from foreign currency rates. This anticipated increase in operating income reflects the expected rise in our gross profit margin and SG&A cost savings from our CCI program, although these will be partially offset by investments aimed at driving volume growth, particularly in brand marketing. We project our brand marketing investments in 2025 to rise by high-single digits compared to 2024. Additionally, we expect approximately $15 million in special charges related to previously announced organizational and streamlining actions; in 2024, special charges totaled $9.5 million. Excluding these special charges, we expect adjusted operating income in 2025 to increase by 3% to 5%, which includes a 1% unfavorable impact from foreign currency rates, or to increase by 4% to 6% on a constant currency basis.
We estimate that our 2025 effective tax rate, including the net favorable impact of anticipated discrete tax items, although at a lower amount than in 2024, will be 22.0% as compared to 20.5% in 2024. Excluding projected taxes associated with special charges, we estimate that our adjusted effective tax rate will also be approximately 22.0% in 2025, as compared to an adjusted effective tax rate of 20.5% in 2024.
We also expect that our income from unconsolidated operations, including the performance of our largest joint venture, McCormick de Mexico, will decline by a mid-teen percentage rate from the 2024 level, reflecting the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Mexican peso.
Diluted earnings per share was $2.92 in 2024. Diluted earnings per share for 2025 is projected to range from $2.99 to $3.04. Excluding the per share impact of special charges, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $2.95 in 2024. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding an estimated per share impact from special charges of $0.04, is projected to range from $3.03 to $3.08 in 2025. We expect adjusted diluted earnings per share to increase by 3% to 5%, which includes a 2% unfavorable impact from currency rates, or to increase by 5% to 7% on a constant currency basis over adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.95 in 2024.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – COMPANY
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,605.5 | $ | 1,602.7 | |||||||
| Percent increase | 0.2 | % | 2.4 | % | |||||||
Components of percent change in net sales – increase (decrease): | |||||||||||
| Pricing actions | (0.2) | % | 2.7 | % | |||||||
| Volume and product mix | 2.2 | % | (1.0) | % | |||||||
| Divestitures | — | % | (0.2) | % | |||||||
| Foreign exchange | (1.8) | % | 0.9 | % | |||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 604.0 | $ | 599.3 | |||||||
| Gross profit margin | 37.6 | % | 37.4 | % | |||||||
Sales for the first quarter of 2025 increased by 0.2% from 2024 and increased by 2.0% on an organic basis (that is, excluding the impact of divestitures and foreign currency exchange as more fully described under the caption, Non-GAAP Financial Measures). Pricing impacts unfavorably impacted sales by 0.2% as compared to the same period in 2024. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 2.2% for the quarter, including growth in both our consumer and flavor solutions segments. Foreign currency rates decreased sales by 1.8% for the quarter as compared to the prior year quarter. Organic sales growth was 2.0%, as compared to the same period in 2024.
Gross profit for the first quarter of 2025 increased by $4.7 million, or 0.8%, from the comparable period in 2024. Our gross profit margin for the first quarter of 2025 was 37.6%, an increase of 20 basis points from the comparable period in 2024. The increase in gross profit margin was primarily driven by CCI-led cost savings as compared to the 2024 period.
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expense | $ | 378.8 | $ | 361.6 | |||||||
| Percent of net sales | 23.6 | % | 22.6 | % | |||||||
SG&A expense increased by $17.2 million in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the 2024 level, primarily as a result of higher stock-based compensation expense, other employee benefit related costs and increased advertising and promotional spend. The higher level of stock-based compensation expense was driven by a change in grant timing that shifted the recognition of expense from the second quarter into the first quarter of 2025, as more fully discussed in Note 6 of notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales increased by 100 basis points from the prior year levels principally due to the factors described above.
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Total special charges | $ | — | $ | 4.2 | |||||||
During the three months ended February 29, 2024, we recorded $4.2 million of special charges. Those special charges principally consisted of $2.8 million associated with the GOE program and $1.4 million associated with the transition of a manufacturing facility in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Details with respect to the composition of special charges are included in Note 2 of the notes to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 48.5 | $ | 50.3 | |||||||
| Other income, net | 9.8 | 11.1 | |||||||||
Interest expense decreased by $1.8 million during the three months ended February 28, 2025, compared to the prior year period, driven by the effects of lower average borrowing levels. Other income, net, for the three months ended February 28, 2025, decreased by $1.3 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to a lower level of interest income.
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| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Income from consolidated operations before income taxes | $ | 186.5 | $ | 194.3 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 41.6 | 49.6 | |||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 22.3 | % | 25.5 | % | |||||||
The provision for income taxes is based on the estimate of the annual effective tax rate adjusted to reflect the tax impact of items discrete to the fiscal period. We record tax expense or tax benefits that do not relate to ordinary income in the current fiscal year discretely in the period in which such items occur pursuant to the requirements of U.S. GAAP. Examples of such types of discrete items not related to ordinary income include, but are not limited to, excess tax benefits or expense associated with stock-based compensation, changes in estimates of the outcome of tax matters related to prior years, including reversals of reserves upon the lapsing of statutes of limitations, provision-to-return adjustments, the settlement of tax audits, changes in enacted tax rates or other legislation, changes in the assessment of deferred tax valuation allowances, and the tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers (other than inventory).
Income tax expense for the three months ended February 28, 2025 included $5.2 million of net discrete tax benefits consisting principally of a $5.0 million net tax benefit resulting from the revaluation of deferred taxes associated with enacted legislation.
Income tax expense for the three months ended February 29, 2024 included $1.6 million of discrete tax expense consisting principally of $1.1 million of tax expense resulting from a state tax matter and $0.5 million of tax expense associated with stock-based compensation.
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Income from unconsolidated operations | $ | 17.4 | $ | 21.3 | |||||||
Income from unconsolidated operations, which is presented net of the elimination of earnings attributable to non-controlling interests, decreased by $3.9 million for the three months ended February 28, 2025, as compared to the year ago period. The decrease was principally driven by the results of our largest joint venture, McCormick de Mexico, which included unfavorable impacts from foreign exchange rates, as compared to the 2024 period.
The following table outlines the major components of the change in diluted earnings per share from 2024 to 2025:
| Three months ended February 29, 2024 and February 28, 2025 | |||||
| 2024 Earnings per share – diluted | $ | 0.62 | |||
| Impact of change in operating income | (0.04) | ||||
| Decrease in special charges, net of taxes | 0.01 | ||||
| Decrease in income from unconsolidated operations | (0.01) | ||||
| Impact of change in effective income tax rate, excluding taxes on special charges | 0.02 | ||||
| 2025 Earnings per share – diluted | $ | 0.60 | |||
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — SEGMENTS
We measure the performance of our business segments based on operating income, excluding special charges for the periods presented. See Note 10 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on our segment measures as well as for a reconciliation by segment of operating income, excluding special charges, to consolidated operating income. In the following discussion, we refer to our previously described measure of segment profit as segment operating income.
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CONSUMER SEGMENT
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 919.2 | $ | 921.5 | |||||||
| Percent (decrease) increase | (0.2) | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||
| Segment operating income | $ | 146.7 | $ | 176.3 | |||||||
| Segment operating income margin | 16.0 | % | 19.1 | % | |||||||
In the first quarter of 2025, sales of our Consumer segment decreased by 0.2% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and increased by 1.2% on an organic basis. Higher volume and product mix increased sales by 2.6%, driven by growth in all regions as compared to the prior year period. Pricing actions, primarily in the Americas region, unfavorably impacted sales by 1.4% compared to the prior year. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency rates decreased sales by 1.4% as compared to the prior year period, and is excluded from our measure of sales growth of 1.2% on an organic basis.
In the Americas region, Consumer segment sales decreased by 0.4% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter of 2024 and increased by 0.1% on an organic basis. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 2.9% driven by growth across core categories. Pricing actions, including prior year actions taken in response to price gap management that were predominantly in place in the second quarter of 2024, unfavorably impacted sales by 2.8% compared to the prior year period. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency rates decreased sales by 0.5% in the prior year period and is excluded from our measure of sales growth of 0.1% on an organic basis.
In the EMEA region, Consumer segment sales decreased by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter of 2024 and increased by 3.6% on an organic basis. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 1.5% driven by growth in Poland and the timing of trade activity in France, compared to the prior year period. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 2.1% compared to the prior year period. The unfavorable impact from foreign currency rates decreased sales by 3.8% compared to the prior year period, and is excluded from our measure of sales growth of 3.6% on an organic basis.
In the APAC region, Consumer segment sales increased by 0.4% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter of 2024 and increased by 2.7% on an organic basis. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 2.0%, driven by growth in China that was partially offset by unfavorable volume and product mix in other parts of the region as compared to the prior year period. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 0.7% compared to the prior year period. The unfavorable impact from foreign currency rates decreased sales by 2.3% compared to the prior year period and is excluded from our measure of sales growth of 2.7% on an organic basis.
Segment operating income for our Consumer segment decreased by $29.6 million, or 16.8%, in the first quarter of 2025 from the first quarter of 2024. The decrease in segment operating income was driven by the effects of a decrease in gross profit and higher SG&A expense as compared to the prior year period. The decrease in gross profit was primarily driven by the impacts of pricing actions and higher cost to meet demand which were partially offset by CCI-led cost savings. The increase in SG&A expense was primarily driven by the items described in the consolidated discussion. Segment operating margin for our Consumer segment decreased in the first quarter of 2025 by 310 basis points from 2024 to 16.0%. On a constant currency basis, segment operating income for our Consumer segment decreased by 15.9% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
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FLAVOR SOLUTIONS SEGMENT
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 686.3 | $ | 681.2 | |||||||
| Percent increase | 0.8 | % | 3.8 | % | |||||||
| Segment operating income | $ | 78.5 | $ | 61.4 | |||||||
| Segment operating income margin | 11.4 | % | 9.0 | % | |||||||
In the first quarter of 2025, sales of our Flavor Solutions segment increased by 0.8% as compared to the first quarter of 2024 and increased by 3.3% on an organic basis. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 1.8% driven by the APAC and Americas regions as compared to the prior year period. Favorable pricing increased sales by 1.5%, primarily driven by the Americas region compared to the prior year period. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency rates decreased Flavor Solutions segment sales by 2.5% compared to the prior year period and is excluded from our measure of sales growth of 3.3% on an organic basis.
In the Americas region, Flavor Solutions sales increased by 0.8% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024 and increased by 3.6% on an organic basis. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 0.8% compared to the prior year period. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 2.8% compared to the prior year period. The unfavorable impact from foreign currency rates decreased sales by 2.8% compared to the prior year period and is excluded from our measure of sales growth of 3.6% on an organic basis.
In the EMEA region, Flavor Solutions sales decreased by 5.2% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024 and decreased by 3.9% on an organic basis. Unfavorable volume and product mix decreased sales by 1.9%, driven by the effects of lower sales to quick-service restaurant customers as compared to the prior year period. Unfavorable pricing impacted sales by 2.0% compared to the prior quarter. The unfavorable impact from foreign currency rates decreased sales by 1.3% compared to the prior year period and is excluded from our measure of sales decline of 3.9% on an organic basis.
In the APAC region, Flavor Solutions sales increased by 12.7% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024, and increased by 15.3% on an organic basis. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 15.7% driven by higher sales to quick-service restaurant customers as compared to the prior year period. Pricing unfavorably impacted sales by 0.4% compared to the prior year period. The unfavorable impact from foreign currency rates decreased sales by 2.6% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and is excluded from our measure of sales growth of 15.3% on an organic basis.
Segment operating income for our Flavor Solutions segment increased by $17.1 million, or 27.9%, in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024. The increase in segment operating income was driven by the effects of an increase in gross profit partially offset by increases in SG&A expense, as compared to the prior period. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by the impact of favorable pricing and CCI-led costs savings. The increase in SG&A expense was primarily driven by the items described in the consolidated discussion. Segment operating margin for our Flavor Solutions segment increased by 240 basis points from the prior year level to 11.4% in the first quarter of 2025. On a constant currency basis, segment operating income for our Flavor Solutions segment increased by 33.2% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
MARKET RISK SENSITIVITY
We utilize derivative financial instruments to enhance our ability to manage risk, including foreign exchange and interest rate exposures, which exist as part of our ongoing business operations. We do not enter into contracts for trading purposes, nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instrument. The use of derivative financial instruments is monitored through regular communication with senior management and the utilization of written guidelines.
Foreign Exchange Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency risk affecting net investments in subsidiaries, transactions (both third-party and intercompany) and earnings denominated in foreign currencies. Management assesses foreign currency risk based on transactional cash flows and translational volatility and may enter into forward contract and currency swaps with highly-rated financial institutions to reduce fluctuations in the long or short currency positions. We do not enter into contracts for trading purposes, nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instruments. All derivatives are designated as hedges.
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The following table sets forth the notional values and unrealized net gain (loss) of the portfolio of our forward foreign currency and cross currency swap contracts:
| February 28, 2025 | November 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Forward foreign currency: | |||||||||||
| Notional value | $ | 1,026.6 | $ | 1,034.2 | |||||||
| Unrealized net (loss) | (8.6) | (7.3) | |||||||||
| Cross currency swaps: | |||||||||||
| Notional value | 933.7 | 945.5 | |||||||||
| Unrealized net gain | 44.7 | 36.8 | |||||||||
The outstanding notional value is a result of our decisions on foreign currency exposure coverage, based on our foreign currency and foreign currency translation exposures.
Interest Rate Risk
We manage our interest rate exposure by entering into both fixed and variable rate debt arrangements. We use interest rate swaps to minimize worldwide financing costs and to achieve a desired mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We do not enter into contracts for trading purposes, nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instruments, and all derivatives are designated as hedges.
The following table sets forth the notional values and unrealized net gain (loss) of our interest rate swap contracts:
| February 28, 2025 | November 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Notional value | $ | 600.0 | $ | 600.0 | |||||||
| Unrealized net (loss) | (35.3) | (37.9) | |||||||||
The change in fair values of our interest rate swap contracts is due to changes in interest rates on the notional amounts outstanding as of each date as well as the remaining duration of our interest rate derivative contracts.
Commodity Risk
We purchase certain raw materials which are subject to price volatility caused by weather, market conditions, growing and harvesting conditions, governmental actions, and other factors beyond our control. Our most significant raw materials are dairy products, pepper, onion, garlic, capsicums (red peppers and paprika), tomato products, sugar, and salts. While future movements of raw material costs are uncertain, we respond to this volatility in a number of ways, including strategic raw material purchases, purchases of raw material for future delivery, and customer price adjustments. We generally have not used derivatives to manage the volatility related to this risk.
Credit Risk
The customers of our consumer segment are predominantly food retailers and food wholesalers. Consolidations in these industries have created larger customers. In addition, competition has increased with the growth in alternative channels including mass merchandisers, dollar stores, warehouse clubs, discount chains, and e-commerce. This has caused some customers to be less profitable and increased our exposure to credit risk. Some of our customers and counterparties are highly leveraged. We continue to closely monitor the credit worthiness of our customers and counterparties. We believe that our allowance for doubtful accounts properly recognizes trade receivables at realizable value. We consider nonperformance credit risk for other financial instruments to be insignificant.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The following tables include financial measures of organic net sales, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating income margin, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted income tax rate, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share. These represent non-GAAP financial measures which are prepared as a complement to our financial results prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. These financial measures exclude the impact, as applicable, of the following:
•Special charges - Special charges consist of expenses and income associated with certain actions undertaken by us to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and improve our competitiveness and are of such significance in terms of both up-front costs and organizational/structural impact to require advance approval by our Management Committee. Expenses associated with the approved actions are classified as special charges upon recognition and monitored on an ongoing basis through completion.
Details with respect to the composition of special charges set forth below are included in Note 2 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Details with respect to the composition of special charges for the year ended November 30, 2024 are included in Note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2024.
We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are important. The exclusion of the items noted above provides additional information that enables enhanced comparisons to prior periods and, accordingly, facilitates the development of future projections and earnings growth prospects. This information is also used by management to measure the profitability of our ongoing operations and analyze our business performance and trends.
These non-GAAP financial measures may be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP; however, they should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Furthermore, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, as they may calculate them differently than we do. We intend to continue providing these non-GAAP financial measures as part of our future earnings discussions, ensuring consistency in our financial reporting.
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A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the related GAAP financial measures follows:
Because we are a multi-national company, we are subject to variability of our reported U.S. dollar results due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Those changes can be volatile. The exclusion of the effects of foreign currency exchange, or what we refer to as amounts expressed “on a constant currency basis”, is a non-GAAP measure. We believe that this non-GAAP measure provides additional information that enables enhanced comparison to prior periods excluding the translation effects of changes in rates of foreign currency exchange and provides additional insight into the underlying performance of our operations located outside of the U.S. It should be noted that our presentation herein of amounts and percentage changes on a constant currency basis does not exclude the impact of foreign currency transaction gains and losses (that is, the impact of transactions denominated in other than the local currency of any of our subsidiaries in their local currency reported results).
| For the year ended November 30, 2024 | For the three months ended | Estimated for the year ending November 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1,060.3 | $ | 225.2 | $ | 233.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Impact of special charges | 9.5 | — | 4.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 1,069.8 | $ | 225.2 | $ | 237.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income margin (1) | 15.8 | % | 14.0 | % | 14.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Impact of special charges | 0.1 | % | — | % | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating income margin (1) | 15.9 | % | 14.0 | % | 14.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 184.0 | $ | 41.6 | $ | 49.6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impact of special charges | 2.4 | — | 1.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted income tax expense | $ | 186.4 | $ | 41.6 | $ | 50.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax rate (2) | 20.5 | % | 22.3 | % | 25.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Impact of special charges | — | % | — | % | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted income tax rate (2) | 20.5 | % | 22.3 | % | 25.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 788.5 | $ | 162.3 | $ | 166.0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impact of special charges | 7.1 | — | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 795.6 | $ | 162.3 | $ | 169.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share – diluted | $ | 2.92 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.62 | $2.99 to $3.04 | ||||||||||||||||
| Impact of special charges | 0.03 | — | 0.01 | 0.04 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted earnings per share – diluted | $ | 2.95 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.63 | $3.03 to $3.08 | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Operating income margin, impact of special charges, and adjusted operating income margin are calculated as operating income, impact of special charges, and adjusted operating income as a percentage of net sales for each period presented. | ||||||||||||||||
| (2) | Income tax rate is calculated as income tax expense as a percentage of income from consolidated operations before income taxes. Adjusted income tax rate is calculated as adjusted income tax expense as a percentage of income from consolidated operations before income taxes excluding special charges of $186.5 million and $198.5 million for the three months ended February 28, 2025, and February 29, 2024, respectively. Adjusted income tax rate is calculated as adjusted income tax expense as a percentage of income from consolidated operations before income taxes excluding special charges of $907.8 million for the year ended November 30, 2024. | ||||||||||||||||
We provide organic net sales growth rates for our consolidated net sales and segment net sales. We believe that organic net sales growth rates provide useful information to investors because they provide transparency to underlying performance in our net sales by excluding the effect that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, acquisitions, and divestitures, as applicable, have on year-to-year comparability. A reconciliation of these measures from reported net sales growth rates, the relevant GAAP measures, are included in the tables set forth below.
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Percentage changes in sales and adjusted operating income expressed on a constant currency basis are presented excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange. To present this information for historical periods, current period results for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the comparative year, rather than at the actual average exchange rates in effect during the current fiscal year. As a result, the foreign currency impact is equal to the current year results in local currencies multiplied by the change in the average foreign currency exchange rate between the current fiscal period and the corresponding period of the comparative year.
Rates of constant currency and organic growth (decline) follow:
Three months ended February 28, 2025 | |||||||||||
| Percentage change as reported | Impact of foreign currency exchange | Percentage change on both a constant currency and organic basis | |||||||||
| Net sales: | |||||||||||
| Consumer segment: | |||||||||||
| Americas | (0.4) | % | (0.5) | % | 0.1 | % | |||||
| EMEA | (0.2) | % | (3.8) | % | 3.6 | % | |||||
| APAC | 0.4 | % | (2.3) | % | 2.7 | % | |||||
| Total Consumer | (0.2) | % | (1.4) | % | 1.2 | % | |||||
| Flavor Solutions segment: | |||||||||||
| Americas | 0.8 | % | (2.8) | % | 3.6 | % | |||||
| EMEA | (5.2) | % | (1.3) | % | (3.9) | % | |||||
| APAC | 12.7 | % | (2.6) | % | 15.3 | % | |||||
| Total Flavor Solutions | 0.8 | % | (2.5) | % | 3.3 | % | |||||
| Total net sales | 0.2 | % | (1.8) | % | 2.0 | % | |||||
Three months ended February 28, 2025 | |||||||||||
| Percentage change as reported | Impact of foreign currency exchange | Percentage change on constant currency basis | |||||||||
| Adjusted operating income: | |||||||||||
| Consumer segment | (16.8) | % | (0.9) | % | (15.9) | % | |||||
| Flavor Solutions segment | 27.9 | % | (5.3) | % | 33.2 | % | |||||
| Total adjusted operating income | (5.3) | % | (2.1) | % | (3.2) | % | |||||
To present the percentage change in projected 2025 net sales, adjusted operating income, and adjusted earnings per share (diluted) on a constant currency basis, the projected local currency net sales, adjusted operating income, and adjusted net income for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at forecasted exchange rates. These figures are then compared to the 2025 local currency projected results, which are translated into U.S. dollars at the average actual exchange rates in effect during the corresponding months of fiscal year 2024. This comparison determines what the 2025 consolidated U.S. dollar net sales, adjusted operating income, and adjusted earnings per share (diluted) would have been if the relevant currency exchange rates had not changed from those of the comparable 2024 periods.
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| Projections for the Year Ending November 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| Percentage change in net sales | 0% to 2% | ||||||||||||||||
| Impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Percentage change in organic net sales | 1% to 3% | ||||||||||||||||
| Percentage change in adjusted operating income | 3% to 5% | ||||||||||||||||
| Impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Percentage change in adjusted operating income in constant currency | 4% to 6% | ||||||||||||||||
| Percentage change in adjusted earnings per share - diluted | 3% to 5% | ||||||||||||||||
| Impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Percentage change in adjusted earnings per share - diluted | 5% to 7% | ||||||||||||||||
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 115.5 | $ | 138.4 | |||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (37.1) | (61.8) | |||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (155.2) | (67.7) | |||||||||
The primary objective of our financing strategy is to maintain a prudent capital structure that provides us with flexibility to pursue our growth objectives. We use a combination of equity and short- and long-term debt. We use short-term debt, comprised primarily of commercial paper, principally to finance ongoing operations, including our requirements for working capital (accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, and inventories, less accounts payable, accrued payroll, and other accrued liabilities). We are committed to maintaining investment grade credit ratings.
Our cash flows from operations enable us to fund operating projects and investments that are designed to meet our growth objectives, service our debt, fund or increase our quarterly dividends, fund capital projects and other investments, and make share repurchases when appropriate. Due to the cyclical nature of a portion of our business, our cash flow from operations has historically been the strongest during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year. Due to the timing of the interest payments on our long-term debt, interest payments are higher in the second and fourth quarters of our fiscal year.
We believe that our sources of liquidity, which include existing cash balances, cash flows from operations, existing credit facilities, our commercial paper program, and access to capital markets, will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our debt obligations, including any repayment of debt or refinancing of debt, working capital needs, planned capital expenditures, and payment of anticipated quarterly dividends for at least the next twelve months.
In the condensed consolidated cash flow statement, the changes in operating assets and liabilities are presented excluding the translation effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates as these do not reflect actual cash flows. Accordingly, the amounts in the cash flow statement do not agree with changes in the operating assets and liabilities that are presented in the balance sheet.
Operating Cash Flow — Net cash provided by operating activities of $115.5 million for the three months ended February 28, 2025, decreased $22.9 million from the same period of 2024. The decrease in operating cash flow was primarily driven by higher cash used for working capital partially offset by lower incentive payments.
Investing Cash Flow — Cash used in investing activities of $37.1 million for the three months ended February 28, 2025 decreased by $24.7 million as compared to $61.8 million for the corresponding period in 2024. Capital expenditures decreased from the 2024 level of $62.0 million to $37.1 million. We expect 2025 capital expenditures to approximate $300 million.
Financing Cash Flow — Financing activities used cash of $155.2 million for the first three months of 2025 and increased $87.5 million as compared to $67.7 million for the corresponding period in 2024. The increase is a result of changes in our net
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borrowings, share issuance activity associated with the exercise of stock options, share repurchase activity, and dividends, all as described below.
The following table outlines our net borrowing activities:
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings | $ | (25.9) | $ | 57.3 | |||||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | (11.5) | (14.1) | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by borrowing activities | $ | (37.4) | $ | 43.2 | |||||||
The following table outlines the activity in our share repurchase program:
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2025 | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Number of shares of common stock repurchased (in thousands) | 224 | 4 | |||||||||
| Dollar amount (in millions) | $ | 17.2 | $ | 0.3 | |||||||
As of February 28, 2025, $431 million remained of the $600 million share repurchase program that was authorized by the Board of Directors in November 2019. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased is determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors.
During the three months ended February 28, 2025, we received proceeds of $6.7 million from exercised stock options as compared to $4.4 million received in the corresponding 2024 period. We repurchased $6.7 million and $4.9 million of common stock during the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024, respectively, in conjunction with employee tax withholding requirements associated with our stock compensation plans.
We increased dividends paid to $120.7 million, or a per share quarterly dividend of $0.45, in the first three months of 2025 from $112.7 million, or a per share quarterly dividend of $0.42, of dividends paid in the same period last year. The timing and amount of any future dividends is determined by our Board of Directors.
Most of our cash is in our subsidiaries outside of the U.S. We manage our worldwide cash requirements by considering available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct our business and the cost effectiveness with which those funds can be accessed. Those balances are generally available without legal restrictions to fund ordinary business operations, capital projects and any possible future acquisitions.
At February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024, we temporarily used $607.3 million and $539.3 million, respectively, of cash from our non-U.S. subsidiaries to pay down short-term debt in the U.S. During a quarter, our short-term borrowings vary, but are typically lower at the end of a quarter. The average short-term borrowings outstanding for the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024 were $981.3 million and $828.9 million, respectively. Total average debt outstanding for the three months ended February 28, 2025 and February 29, 2024 was $4,781.3 million and $4,883.9 million, respectively.
The reported values of our assets and liabilities are significantly affected by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates between periods. At February 28, 2025, the exchange rate for the Polish zloty was higher than the U.S. dollar at November 30, 2024. At February 28, 2025, the exchange rate for the British pound sterling, Euro, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Chinese renminbi, and Australian dollar were lower than the U.S. dollar at November 30, 2024.
Credit and Capital Markets
Cash flows from operating activities are our primary source of liquidity for funding growth, dividends, capital expenditures and share repurchases. We also rely on our revolving credit facilities, or borrowings backed by these facilities, to fund working capital needs and other general corporate requirements.
Our committed revolving credit facilities include a five-year $1.5 billion revolving credit facility, which will expire in June 2026 and a 364-day $500 million revolving credit facility, which was entered into in August 2024 and will expire in August 2025. The current pricing for the five-year credit facility, on a fully drawn basis, is Term SOFR plus 1.25%. The pricing of that credit facility is based on a credit rating grid that contains a fully drawn maximum pricing of the credit facility equal to Term SOFR plus 1.75%. The current pricing for the 364-day credit facility, on a fully drawn basis, is Term SOFR plus 1.23%. The pricing of that credit facility is based on a credit rating grid that contains a fully drawn maximum pricing of the credit facility equal to Term SOFR plus 1.60%.
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The provisions of each revolving credit facility restrict subsidiary indebtedness and require us to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio. We do not expect that this covenant would limit our access to those facilities for the foreseeable future.
We generally use our revolving credit facilities to support our issuance of commercial paper. If the commercial paper market is not available or viable, we could borrow directly under our revolving credit facility. This facility is made available by a syndicate of banks, with various commitments per bank. If any of the banks in this syndicate are unable to perform on their commitments, our liquidity could be impacted, which could reduce our ability to grow through funding of our working capital. We periodically review our banking and financing relationships, considering the stability of the institutions and other aspects of the relationships. In addition, we engage in regular communication with all banks participating in our credit facility. During these communications, none of the banks have indicated that they may be unable to perform on their commitments. Based on these communications and our monitoring activities, we believe our banks will perform on their commitments.
Material Cash Requirements
We will continue to have cash requirements to support seasonal working capital needs and capital expenditures, to pay interest, to service debt, and to fund acquisitions. As part of our ongoing operations, we enter into contractual arrangements that obligate us to make future cash payments. Our primary obligations include principal and interest payments on our outstanding short-term borrowings and long-term debt. In the next year, our most significant debt service obligations include the maturity of our $250.0 million, 3.25% notes due in November 2025 and our $500.0 million, 0.90% notes due in February 2026. Also, in August 2025, our $500 million, 364-day revolving credit facility matures. Our other cash requirements include raw material purchases, lease payments, income taxes, anticipated quarterly dividends, and pension and postretirement benefits, as well as other contractual obligations.
These obligations impact our liquidity and capital resource needs. To meet those cash requirements, we intend to use our existing cash, cash equivalents and internally generated funds, to borrow under our existing credit facilities or under other short-term borrowing facilities and depending on market conditions and upon the significance of the cost of a particular debt maturity to our then-available sources of funds, to obtain additional short- and long-term financing. We believe that the cash provided from these sources will be adequate to meet our future cash requirements.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
New accounting pronouncements are issued periodically that affect our current and future operations. See Note 1 of notes to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further details of these impacts.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
In preparing the financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses reported. These estimates can also affect supplemental information disclosed by us, including information about contingencies, risk and financial condition. We believe, given current facts and circumstances, our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, adhere to GAAP and are consistently applied. Inherent in the nature of an estimate or assumption is the fact that actual results may differ from estimates, and estimates may vary as new facts and circumstances arise. In preparing the financial statements, we make routine estimates and judgments in determining the net realizable value of accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, and prepaid allowances. Our most critical accounting estimates and assumptions are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2024.
There have been no changes in our critical accounting estimates and assumptions included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2024.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements contained in this report, including statements concerning expected performance such as those relating to net sales, gross margin, earnings, cost savings, special charges, acquisitions, brand marketing support, volume and product mix, income tax expense, and the impact of foreign currency rates are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “should,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “plan,” and similar expressions. These statements may relate to: general economic and industry conditions, including consumer spending rates, recessions, interest rates, and availability of capital; expectations regarding sales growth potential in various geographies and markets, including the impact of brand marketing support, product innovation, and customer, channel, category, heat platform, and e-commerce expansion; expected trends in net sales, earnings performance, and other financial measures; the expected impact of pricing actions on the Company's results of operations, including our sales volume and mix as well as gross margins; the expected impact of the inflationary cost environment on our business; the anticipated effects of factors affecting our supply chain, including the
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availability and prices of commodities and other supply chain resources such as raw materials, packaging, labor, and transportation; the potential impact of trade policies, including new tariffs; the expected impact of productivity improvements, including those associated with our CCI program and the Global Business Services operating model initiative; the ability to identify, attract, hire, retain, and develop qualified personnel and the next generation of leaders; the impact of ongoing conflicts, including those between Russia and Ukraine and the war in the Middle East, including the potential for broader economic disruption; expected working capital improvements; the anticipated timing and costs of implementing our business transformation initiative, which includes the implementation of a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system; the expected impact of accounting pronouncements; expectations regarding pension and postretirement plan contributions and anticipated charges associated with those plans; the holding period and market risks associated with financial instruments; the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations; the adequacy of internally generated funds and existing sources of liquidity, such as the availability of bank financing; the anticipated sufficiency of future cash flows to enable payments of interest, repayment of short- and long-term debt, working capital needs, planned capital expenditures, quarterly dividends, and our ability to obtain additional short- and long-term financing or issue additional debt securities; and expectations regarding purchasing shares of McCormick's common stock under the existing repurchase authorization.
These and other forward-looking statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results. Results may be materially affected by factors such as: the Company's ability to drive revenue growth; the Company's ability to increase pricing to offset, or partially offset, inflationary pressures on the cost of our products; damage to the Company's reputation or brand name; loss of brand relevance; increased private label use; the Company's ability to offset cost pressures or business impacts related to trade policies, including new tariffs; the Company's ability to drive productivity improvements, including those related to our CCI program and other streamlining actions; product quality, labeling, or safety concerns; negative publicity about our products; actions by, and the financial condition of, competitors and customers; the longevity of mutually beneficial relationships with our large customers; the ability to identify, interpret and react to changes in consumer preference and demand; business interruptions due to natural disasters, unexpected events or public health crises; issues affecting the Company's supply chain and procurement of raw materials, including fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw and packaging materials; labor shortage, turnover and labor cost increases; the impact of the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and the war in the Middle East, including the potential for broader economic disruption; government regulation, and changes in legal and regulatory requirements and enforcement practices; the lack of successful acquisition and integration of new businesses; global economic and financial conditions generally, availability of financing, interest and inflation rates, and the imposition of tariffs, quotas, trade barriers and other similar restrictions; foreign currency fluctuations; the effects of our amount of outstanding indebtedness and related level of debt service as well as the effects that such debt service may have on the Company's ability to borrow or the cost of any such additional borrowing, our credit rating, and our ability to react to certain economic and industry conditions; impairments of indefinite-lived intangible assets; assumptions we have made regarding the investment return on retirement plan assets, and the costs associated with pension obligations; the stability of credit and capital markets; risks associated with the Company's information technology systems, including the threat of data breaches and cyber-attacks; the Company's inability to successfully implement our business transformation initiative; fundamental changes in tax laws; including interpretations and assumptions we have made, and guidance that may be issued, and volatility in our effective tax rate; climate change; Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters; infringement of intellectual property rights, and those of customers; litigation, legal and administrative proceedings; the Company's inability to achieve expected and/or needed cost savings or margin improvements; negative employee relations; and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
For information regarding our exposure to certain market risks, see “Market Risk Sensitivity” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations above and Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2024. Except as described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations above, there have been no significant changes in our financial instrument portfolio or market risk exposures since our November 30, 2024 fiscal year end.
ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
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Changes in Internal Controls: No change occurred in our “internal control over financial reporting” as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) during our last fiscal quarter that materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material pending legal proceedings in which we or our subsidiaries is a party or in which any of our or their property is the subject.
ITEM 1.ARISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2024, except as follows.
Trade policies of the U.S. presidential administration, including tariffs, and potential related actions by other countries, may impact our financial condition or results of operations.
Recently, the U.S. presidential administration announced significant tariffs on imports from certain countries, including Canada, Mexico, and China, which may cause inflationary pressures and higher costs on certain raw materials and imports from these regions. If maintained, the announced tariffs, as well as related measures that could be taken by other countries and the potential escalation of trade disputes, could pose a risk to our business and results of operations. The extent and duration of the tariffs and the resulting impact on general economic conditions and on our business are uncertain and depend on various factors, such as negotiations between the U.S. and affected countries, the responses of other countries or regions, exemptions or exclusions that may be granted, availability and cost of alternative sources of supply, and demand for our products in affected markets.
Our attempts to potentially offset these pressures through increases in the selling prices of some of our products may not be successful and may result in reductions in sales volume. To the extent that price increases are not sufficient to offset increased costs, and/or if they result in significant decreases in sales volume, our business, financial condition, or operating results may be adversely affected.
ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table summarizes our purchases of our Common Stock (CS) and Common Stock Non-Voting (CSNV) during the first quarter of 2025.
| ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 | CS – 36,934 (1) | $ | 78.04 | 36,934 | $ | 446 | million | ||||||||||||||||
| CSNV – 0 | $ | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| January 1, 2025 to January 31, 2025 | CS – 31,525 (2) | $ | 73.69 | 31,525 | $ | 443 | million | ||||||||||||||||
| CSNV – 250 | $ | 76.36 | 250 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| February 1, 2025 to February 28, 2025 | CS – 148,426 (3) | $ | 76.94 | 148,426 | $ | 431 | million | ||||||||||||||||
| CSNV – 7,150 | $ | 77.03 | 7,150 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | CS – 216,885 | $ | 76.66 | 216,885 | $ | 431 | million | ||||||||||||||||
| CSNV – 7,400 | $ | 77.01 | 7,400 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) On December 5, 2024, we purchased 36,934 shares of our CS from our U.S. defined contribution retirement plan to manage shares, based upon participant activity, in the plan's company stock fund. The price paid per share represented the closing price of the CS on December 5, 2024.
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(2) On January 22, 2025, we purchased 29,525 shares of our CS from our U.S. defined contribution retirement plan to manage shares, based upon participant activity, in the plan's company stock fund. The price paid per share represented the closing price of the CS on January 22, 2025.
(3) On February 10, 2025, we purchased 23,484 shares of our CS from our U.S. defined contribution retirement plan to manage shares, based upon participant activity, in the plan's company stock fund. The price paid per share represented the closing price of the CS on February 10, 2025.
As of February 28, 2025, $431 million remained of the $600 million share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors in November 2019. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased is determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors.
In certain circumstances, we issue shares of CS in exchange for shares of CSNV, or issue shares of CSNV in exchange for shares of CS, in either case pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Typically, these exchanges are made in connection with the administration of our employee benefit plans, executive compensation programs and dividend reinvestment/direct purchase plans or at the request of holders of common stock. The number of shares issued in an exchange is generally equal to the number of shares received in the exchange, although the number may differ slightly to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. During the first quarter of 2025, we issued 254,535 shares of CSNV in exchange for shares of CS and issued 6,464 shares of CS in exchange for shares of CSNV.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted terminated
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ITEM 6.EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are attached or incorporated herein by reference:
| Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||||||||
| (3) | (i) | Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws | ||||||||||||
| Restatement of Charter of McCormick & Company, Incorporated dated April 16, 1990 | Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 of Registration Form S-8, Registration No. 33-39582 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 1991. | |||||||||||||
| Articles of Amendment to Charter of McCormick & Company, Incorporated dated April 1, 1992 | Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 of Registration Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-59842 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 1993. | |||||||||||||
| Articles of Amendment to Charter of McCormick & Company, Incorporated dated March 27, 2003 | ||||||||||||||
| Articles of Amendment to Charter of McCormick & Company, Incorporated dated April 2, 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| (ii) | By-Laws | |||||||||||||
| By-Laws of McCormick & Company, Incorporated Amended and Restated on November 26, 2019 | ||||||||||||||
(4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures
(i)See Exhibit 3 (Restatement of Charter and By-Laws)
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(10)Material Contracts
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(31) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications Filed herewith
(32) Section 1350 Certifications Filed herewith
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(101) The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of McCormick for the quarter ended February 28, 2025, filed electronically herewith, and formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Income Statement; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity; and (vi) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(104) Inline XBRL for the cover page from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of McCormick for the quarter ended February 28, 2025, files electronically herewith, included in the Exhibit 101 inline XBRL Document Set.
| * | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | ||||
McCormick hereby undertakes to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon its request, copies of additional instruments of McCormick with respect to long-term debt that involve an amount of securities that do not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of McCormick and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED | |||||||||||
| March 25, 2025 | By: | /s/ Marcos M. Gabriel | |||||||||
| Marcos M. Gabriel | |||||||||||
| Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
| March 25, 2025 | By: | /s/ Gregory P. Repas | |||||||||
| Gregory P. Repas | |||||||||||
| Vice President & Controller | |||||||||||
| Principal Accounting Officer | |||||||||||
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