HORMEL FOODS CORP /DE/ - Quarter Report: 2018 April (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

[ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended April 29, 2018

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

For the transition period from ___________________________________ to ________________________________________

Commission File Number: 1-2402

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		41-0319970 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)



1 Hormel Place Austin, Minnesota (Address of principal executive offices)		55912-3680 (Zip Code)

(507) 437-5611

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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. X YES NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). X YES NO

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



Large accelerated filer X		Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	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 X No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



Class	Outstanding at June 3, 2018
Common Stock	$.01465 par value	530,506,904
Common Stock Non-Voting	$.01 par value -0-

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TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION - April 29, 2018 and October 29, 2017
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - Three and Six Months Ended April 29, 2018 and April 30, 2017
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Three and Six Months Ended April 29, 2018 and April 30, 2017
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT - Twelve Months Ended October 29, 2017 and Six Months Ended April 29, 2018
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - Six Months Ended April 29, 2018 and April 30, 2017
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Consolidated Results
Segment Results
Related Party Transactions
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings

Item 1A.	Risk Factors

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

Item 6.	Exhibits

SIGNATURES

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)




	April 29, 2018			October 29, 2017
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	261,571		$	444,122
Accounts receivable	551,392			618,351
Inventories	1,011,215			921,022
Income taxes receivable	2,930			22,346
Prepaid expenses	18,534			16,144
Other current assets	5,138			4,538
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	1,850,780			2,026,523

GOODWILL	2,731,956			2,119,813

OTHER INTANGIBLES	1,251,296			1,027,014

PENSION ASSETS	184,030			171,990

INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES	265,579			242,369

OTHER ASSETS	192,255			184,948

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land	52,007			51,249
Buildings	900,139			866,855
Equipment	1,808,954			1,710,537
Construction in progress	226,119			148,064
Less: Allowance for depreciation	(1,633,366		)	(1,573,454		)
Net property, plant and equipment	1,353,853			1,203,251

TOTAL ASSETS	$	7,829,749		$	6,975,908

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)




	April 29, 2018			October 29, 2017
	(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	465,572		$	552,714
Short-term debt	185,000			—
Accrued expenses	62,635			76,966
Accrued workers compensation	25,702			26,585
Accrued marketing expenses	127,998			101,573
Employee related expenses	180,132			209,562
Taxes payable	1,432			525
Interest and dividends payable	99,990			90,287
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	1,148,461			1,058,212

LONG-TERM DEBT–less current maturities	624,763			250,000

PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	535,282			530,249

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	104,185			99,340

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	125,425			98,410

SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
Preferred stock, par value $.01 a share–
authorized 160,000,000 shares; issued–none
Common stock, non-voting, par value $.01
a share–authorized 400,000,000 shares; issued–none
Common stock, par value $.01465 a share–	7,766			7,741
authorized 1,600,000,000 shares;
issued 530,132,619 shares April 29, 2018
issued 528,423,605 shares October 29, 2017
Additional paid-in capital	10,971			13,670
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(235,753		)	(248,075		)
Retained earnings	5,504,221			5,162,571
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT	5,287,205			4,935,907
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	4,428			3,790
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT	5,291,633			4,939,697

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT	$	7,829,749		$	6,975,908

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017			April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
Net sales	$	2,330,568		$	2,187,309		$	4,661,861		$	4,467,536
Cost of products sold	1,833,882			1,700,389			3,662,996			3,428,336
GROSS PROFIT	496,686			486,920			998,865			1,039,200

Selling, general and administrative	203,799			181,009			422,921			391,226
Equity in earnings of affiliates	13,486			10,121			37,017			23,420

OPERATING INCOME	306,373			316,032			612,961			671,394

Other income and expense:
Interest and investment (expense) income	(2,489		)	2,818			817			5,267
Interest expense	(7,001		)	(3,023		)	(11,730		)	(6,049		)

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	296,883			315,827			602,048			670,612

Provision for income taxes	59,361			104,941			61,315			224,423

NET EARNINGS	237,522			210,886			540,733			446,189
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	138			(40		)	242			116
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION	$	237,384		$	210,926		$	540,491		$	446,073

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE:
BASIC	$	0.45		$	0.40		$	1.02		$	0.84
DILUTED	$	0.44		$	0.39		$	1.00		$	0.83

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC	529,799			528,712			529,626			528,649
DILUTED	542,811			539,635			543,146			539,850

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE:	$	0.1875		$	0.1700		$	0.3750		$	0.3400

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)




	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017			April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
NET EARNINGS	$	237,522		$	210,886		$	540,733		$	446,189
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	4,796			907			9,008			(7,180		)
Pension and other benefits	2,487			3,314			4,973			6,647
Deferred hedging	(613		)	(1,184		)	(1,263		)	(2,507		)
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	6,670			3,037			12,718			(3,040		)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	244,192			213,923			553,451			443,149
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	385			8			638			(76		)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION	$	243,807		$	213,915		$	552,813		$	443,225

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)




	Hormel Foods Corporation Shareholders
	Common Stock			Treasury Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Non- controlling Interest		Total Shareholders’ Investment
Balance at October 30, 2016	$	7,742		$	—		$	—		$	4,736,567		$	(296,303	)	$	3,400	$	4,451,406

Net earnings										846,735						368		847,103
Other comprehensive income													48,228			22		48,250
Purchases of common stock				(94,487		)												(94,487		)
Stock-based compensation expense	1						15,590											15,591
Exercise of stock options/restricted shares	38						30,827											30,865
Shares retired	(40		)	94,487			(32,747		)	(61,700		)						—
Declared cash dividends – $0.68 per share										(359,031		)						(359,031		)
Balance at October 29, 2017	$	7,741		$	—		$	13,670		$	5,162,571		$	(248,075	)	$	3,790	$	4,939,697
Net earnings										540,491						242		540,733
Other comprehensive income													12,322			396		12,718
Purchases of common stock				(44,741		)												(44,741		)
Stock-based compensation expense	1						11,390											11,391
Exercise of stock options/restricted shares	43						30,633											30,676
Shares retired	(19		)	44,741			(44,722		)									—
Declared cash dividends – $0.375 per share										(198,841		)						(198,841		)
Balance at April 29, 2018	$	7,766		$	—		$	10,971		$	5,504,221		$	(235,753	)	$	4,428	$	5,291,633

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)



	Six Months Ended
	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings	$	540,733		$	446,189
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	74,081			59,185
Amortization of intangibles	6,235			4,143
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(37,017		)	(23,420		)
Distribution from equity method investees	10,024			12,522
(Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes	(74,486		)	11,336
(Gain) loss on property/equipment sales and plant facilities	(1,384		)	1,285
Non-cash investment activities	(8,451		)	(2,618		)
Stock-based compensation expense	11,391			11,861
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Decrease in accounts receivable	87,141			40,728
Increase in inventories	(59,094		)	(47,792		)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets	(3,926		)	(21,790		)
Increase in pension and post-retirement benefits	1,525			6,468
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(122,847		)	(215,253		)
Increase (decrease) in net income taxes payable	19,416			(2,292		)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	443,341			280,552

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of business	—			135,944
Acquisitions of businesses/intangibles	(857,673		)	—
Purchases of property/equipment	(141,160		)	(76,975		)
Proceeds from sales of property/equipment	6,439			1,157
Decrease (increase) in investments, equity in affiliates, and other assets	2,906			(1,028		)
Proceeds from company-owned life insurance	3,028			5,005
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(986,460		)	64,103

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from short-term debt	185,000			—
Proceeds from long-term debt	375,000			—
Principal payments on long-term debt	(237		)	—
Dividends paid on common stock	(189,139		)	(166,507		)
Share repurchase	(44,741		)	(49,583		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	29,978			8,879
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	355,861			(207,211		)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	4,707			(3,686		)
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(182,551		)	133,758
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	444,122			415,143
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF QUARTER	$	261,571		$	548,901

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE A GENERAL

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Hormel Foods Corporation (the Company) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The balance sheet at October 29, 2017, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017.

Investments

The Company maintains a rabbi trust to fund certain supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred income plans. Under the plans, the participants can defer certain types of compensation and elect to receive a return on the deferred amounts based on the changes in fair value of various investment options, primarily a variety of mutual funds. The Company has corporate-owned life insurance policies on certain participants in the deferred compensation plans. The cash surrender value of the policies is included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The securities held by the trust are classified as trading securities. Therefore, unrealized gains and losses associated with these investments are included in the Company’s earnings. Securities held by the trust generated losses of $2.2 million and gains of $1.2 million for the second quarter and six months ended April 29, 2018, compared to gains of $1.8 million and $3.3 million for the second quarter and six months ended April 30, 2017.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Non-cash investment activities presented on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows primarily consist of unrealized gains or losses on the Company’s rabbi trust. The noted investments are included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Changes in the value of these investments are included in the Company’s net earnings and are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as either interest and investment income (loss) or interest expense, as appropriate.

Guarantees

The Company enters into various agreements guaranteeing specified obligations of affiliated parties. The Company’s guarantees either terminate in one year or remain in place until such time as the Company revokes the agreement. The Company currently provides revocable standby letters of credit totaling $2.3 million to guarantee obligations that may arise under workers compensation claims of an affiliated party. This potential obligation is not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on net earnings or operating cash flows as previously reported, other than those related to the adoption of ASU 2016-15 as described within the new accounting pronouncements adopted in the current fiscal year.

Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements adopted in current fiscal year

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330). The updated guidance requires that inventory be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The guidance is limited to inventory measured using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods and excludes inventory measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or retail inventory methods.

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Net realizable value is defined as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the updated provisions on a prospective basis at the beginning of fiscal 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718). The update simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period, with adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year. Accordingly, the Company adopted the provisions of this new accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal 2018. This resulted in the excess tax benefits (“windfalls”) and tax deficiencies (“shortfalls”) realized upon exercise or vesting of stock-based awards being recorded in its Consolidated Statements of Operations instead of additional paid-in capital within its Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The amendments requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement have been applied prospectively. Excess tax benefits of $3.6 million and $15.4 million were recorded as a reduction of income tax expense for the second quarter and six months ended April 29, 2018, respectively. The effective tax rate was reduced by 1.2 percent and 2.6 percent for the second quarter and six months ended April 29, 2018, respectively, as a result of the exercise activity. The Company applied the amendments related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows using a retrospective transition method, and as a result, realized windfalls were reclassified from financing activities to operating activities in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. In accordance with ASU 2016-09, the Company has made the accounting policy election to estimate forfeitures and adjust as actual forfeitures occur.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230). The update makes eight targeted changes to how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted provided all amendments are adopted in the same period. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The Company early adopted the provisions of the new accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal 2018 and elected to account for distributions received from equity method investees as cash flows from operating activities using the nature of distribution approach accounting policy. Under the nature of the distribution approach, distributions are classified based on the nature of the activity that generated them. The guidance requires cash proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies to be classified as investing activities. Accordingly, the Company classified the cash proceeds received from corporate-owned life insurance policies as cash flows from investing activities. The adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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The following table reconciles the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows line items impacted by the adoption of these standards at April 30, 2017:



	Reported April 30, 2017			ASU 2016-09			ASU 2016-15			Adjusted April 30, 2017
Operating Activities
Equity in earnings of affiliates	$	(10,898	)	$	—		$	(12,522	)	$	(23,420	)
Distributions received from equity method investees	—			—			12,522			12,522
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(20,704		)	20,704			—			—
Decrease in accounts receivable	42,036			—			(1,308		)	40,728
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	$	261,156		$	20,704		$	(1,308	)	$	280,552

Investing Activities
Decrease in investments, equity in affiliates, and other assets	$	2,669		$	—		$	(3,697	)	$	(1,028	)
Proceeds from company-owned life insurance	—			—			5,005			5,005
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities	$	62,795		$	—		$	1,308		$	64,103

Financing Activities
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	$	20,704		$	(20,704	)	$	—		$	—
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	$	(186,507	)	$	(20,704	)	$	—		$	(207,211	)

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. The update provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act. The Company’s accounting for certain income tax effects are incomplete; however, reasonable estimates have been determined for those tax effects. The estimates were recorded as provisional amounts in the consolidated financial statements as of January 28, 2018, and remain provisional as of April 29, 2018. The Company recognized a measurement-period adjustment during the three months ended April 29, 2018, and expects to have all provisional amounts related to the effects of the Tax Act finalized within the one year measurement period. Refer to Note I for further details regarding the Tax Act.

New Accounting Pronouncements not yet adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This topic converges the guidance within U.S. GAAP and international financial reporting standards and supersedes ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. The new standard requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard will also result in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provide guidance for transactions which were not previously addressed comprehensively, and improve guidance for multiple-element arrangements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year allowing early adoption as of the original effective date of December 15, 2016. In 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, ASU 2016-12, ASU 2016-20, ASU 2017-13, and ASU 2017-14 to clarify, among other things, the implementation guidance related to principal versus agent considerations, identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The updated guidance is to be applied either retrospectively or by using a cumulative effect adjustment. The Company will adopt the provisions of this new accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal 2019. The Company has completed a significant portion of its detailed assessments relating to revenue streams and customer arrangements, and is focused on controls to support recognition and

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disclosure requirements under the new guidance. Based on the assessment to date, the Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material impact on its results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The update requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets while recognizing expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current U.S. GAAP. The guidance also eliminates current real estate-specific provisions for all entities. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. In 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, which permits an entity to elect an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate land easements existing or expiring before the entity’s adoption of ASC 842 and not previously accounted for as leases under ASC 840. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Currently, the updated guidance is to be applied using modified retrospective method and early adoption is permitted. The FASB recently proposed a practical expedient allowing for entities to apply the provisions of the updated lease guidance at the effective date, without adjusting the comparative periods presented. The Company expects to adopt the provisions of this new accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal 2020 and is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 958). The update provides guidance on the measurement of credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The amendment replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology to reflect expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to explain credit loss estimates. The updated guidance is to be applied on a modified retrospective approach and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. The Company is currently assessing the timing and impact of adopting the updated provisions.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740). The updated guidance requires the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intra-entity asset transfer, other than transfers of inventory, when the transfer occurs. For intra-entity transfers of inventory, the income tax effects will continue to be deferred until the inventory has been sold to a third party. The updated guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted only within the first interim period of a fiscal year. The guidance is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company will adopt the provisions of the new accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal 2019, which will result in a reclassification from prepaid tax assets to deferred tax assets. In addition, due to impact of the lower tax rate on deferred tax balances resulting from the Tax Act, the Company expects to recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of approximately $10.0 million.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (Topic 715). The updated guidance requires an employer to report the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost in the same line item or items as other compensation costs. The updated guidance also requires the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside income from operations. Additionally, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization, when applicable. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The updated guidance should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net benefit cost. The Company will adopt the provisions of this new accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal 2019 and is currently assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (Topic 815). The updated guidance expands an entity’s ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components and reduce complexity in fair value hedges of interest rate risk. The guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance also eases certain documentation and assessment requirements and modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. Entities will apply the amendments to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships that exist on the date of adoption using a modified retrospective approach. The presentation and disclosure requirement apply prospectively. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is

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permitted in any interim or annual period. The Company is currently assessing the timing and impact of adopting the updated provisions.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). The updated guidance allows entities to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. Under the Tax Act, deferred taxes were adjusted to reflect the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate, which left the tax effects on items within accumulated other comprehensive income stranded at an inappropriate tax rate. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Act is recognized. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of adoption this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Any other recently issued accounting standards or pronouncements not disclosed above have been excluded as they either are not relevant to the Company, or they are not expected to have a material effect on its business practices, financial condition, results of operations, or disclosures.

NOTE B ACQUISITIONS

On November 27, 2017, the Company acquired Columbus Manufacturing, Inc. (Columbus), an authentic premium deli meat and salami company, from Chicago-based Arbor Investments for a preliminary purchase price of $857.4 million. The purchase price is preliminary pending final purchase accounting adjustments. The transaction was funded with cash on hand and by borrowing $375.0 million under a term loan facility and $375.0 million under a revolving credit facility.

Columbus specializes in authentic premium deli meat and salami. This acquisition allows the Company to enhance its scale in the deli by broadening its portfolio of products, customers, and consumers.

The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method. The Company has estimated the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using independent appraisals, and determined final working capital adjustments. A preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the acquired assets, liabilities, and goodwill is presented in the table below.



(in thousands)
Accounts receivable	$	21,257
Inventory	29,699
Prepaid and other assets	881
Other assets	935
Property, plant and equipment	83,663
Intangible assets	231,964
Goodwill	610,836
Current liabilities	(21,366		)
Deferred taxes	(100,511		)
Purchase price	$	857,358

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets recognized. The goodwill recorded as part of the acquisition primarily reflects the value of the potential to expand presence in the deli channel and serve as the catalyst for uniting all of the Company's deli businesses into one customer-facing organization. The goodwill balance is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The goodwill and intangible assets have been allocated to the Refrigerated Foods segment.

Operating results for this acquisition have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations from the date of acquisition and are reflected in the Refrigerated Foods segment.

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On August 22, 2017, the Company acquired Cidade do Sol (Ceratti) for a preliminary purchase price of $103.3 million. The transaction was funded by the Company with cash on hand. The Company has completed a preliminary allocation of the fair value of Ceratti. Allocations are based on the acquisition method of accounting and in-process third-party valuation appraisals.

Ceratti is a growing, branded, value-added meats company in Brazil offering more than 70 products in 15 categories, including authentic meats such as mortadella, sausage, and salami for Brazilian retail and foodservice markets under the popular Ceratti® brand. The acquisition of Ceratti allows the Company to establish a full in-country presence with a premium brand in the fast-growing Brazilian market.

Operating results for this acquisition have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations from the date of acquisition and are reflected in the International & Other segment.

On August 16, 2017, the Company acquired Fontanini Italian Meats and Sausages (Fontanini), a branded foodservice business, from Capitol Wholesale Meats, Inc. for a preliminary purchase price of $428.4 million. The transaction provides a cash flow benefit resulting from the amortization of the tax basis of assets, the net present value of which is approximately $90.0 million. The transaction was funded by the Company with cash on hand and by utilizing short-term financing. The Company has completed a preliminary allocation of the fair value of Fontanini. Allocations are based on the acquisition method of accounting and in-process third-party valuation appraisals. Primary assets acquired include goodwill of $223.7 million and intangibles of $110.3 million.

Fontanini specializes in authentic Italian meats and sausages, as well as a variety of other premium meat products, including pizza toppings and meatballs, and allows the Company to expand its foodservice business.

Operating results for this acquisition have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations from the date of acquisition and are reflected in the Refrigerated Foods segment.

NOTE C INVENTORIES

Principal components of inventories are:



(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		October 29, 2017
Finished products	$	579,438	$	511,789
Raw materials and work-in-process	250,963		237,903
Operating supplies	121,530		114,098
Maintenance materials and parts	59,284		57,232
Total	$	1,011,215	$	921,022

NOTE D GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying amounts of goodwill for the second quarter and six months ended April 29, 2018, are presented in the table below. The reduction in goodwill for the quarter is primarily related to the acquisition of Columbus on November 27, 2017. During the second quarter, an allocation from goodwill to the identifiable intangible assets was made based on the preliminary third-party valuation appraisal report received. The other changes in goodwill for the second quarter and first six months relate to purchase accounting adjustments for the Fontanini and Ceratti acquisitions, acquired on August 16, 2017, and August 22, 2017, respectively.



(in thousands)	Grocery Products		Refrigerated Foods			JOTS		International & Other		Total
Balance as of January 28, 2018	$	882,582	$	1,633,188		$	203,214	$	238,479	$	2,957,463
Purchase adjustments	—		(226,057		)	—		550		(225,507		)
Balance as of April 29, 2018	$	882,582	$	1,407,131		$	203,214	$	239,029	$	2,731,956

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(in thousands)	Grocery Products		Refrigerated Foods		JOTS		International & Other		Total
Balance as of October 29, 2017	$	882,582	$	795,699	$	203,214	$	238,318	$	2,119,813
Goodwill acquired	—		610,836		—		—		610,836
Purchase adjustments	—		596		—		711		1,307
Balance as of April 29, 2018	$	882,582	$	1,407,131	$	203,214	$	239,029	$	2,731,956

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for definite-lived intangible assets are presented in the table below. Additions in the first six months of fiscal 2018 are due to the allocation of $29.4 million related to the preliminary valuation of customer relationships acquired as part of the Columbus acquisition. Once fully amortized, the definite-lived intangible assets are removed from the table.



	April 29, 2018					October 29, 2017
(in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer lists/relationships	$	144,514	$	(31,488	)	$	115,940	$	(25,973	)
Formulas and recipes	—		—			1,950		(1,950		)
Other intangibles	7,056		(1,885		)	3,100		(2,044		)
Total	$	151,570	$	(33,373	)	$	120,990	$	(29,967	)

Amortization expense was $3.0 million and $6.2 million for the second quarter and six months ended April 29, 2018, respectively, compared to $2.0 million and $4.1 million for the second quarter and six months ended April 30, 2017.

Estimated annual amortization expense for the five fiscal years after October 29, 2017, is as follows:



(in millions)
2018	$12.7
2019	12.8
2020	12.7
2021	12.8
2022	12.5

The carrying amounts for indefinite-lived intangible assets are presented in the table below. Additions in the first six months of fiscal 2018 are due to the allocation of $201.3 million related to the tradenames acquired as part of the Columbus acquisition.



(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		October 29, 2017
Brands/tradenames/trademarks	$	1,132,915	$	935,807
Other intangibles	184		184
Total	$	1,133,099	$	935,991

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NOTE E PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Net periodic benefit cost for pension and other post-retirement benefit plans consists of the following:



	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017			April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
Service cost	$	7,903		$	7,564		$	15,806		$	15,128
Interest cost	14,049			13,566			28,098			27,132
Expected return on plan assets	(24,771		)	(22,734		)	(49,541		)	(45,468		)
Amortization of prior service cost	(617		)	(750		)	(1,234		)	(1,500		)
Recognized actuarial loss	4,540			6,542			9,079			13,083
Net periodic cost	$	1,104		$	4,188		$	2,208		$	8,375



	Post-retirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017			April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
Service cost	$	321		$	274		$	641		$	549
Interest cost	2,832			2,871			5,664			5,742
Amortization of prior service cost	(711		)	(1,069		)	(1,421		)	(2,137		)
Recognized actuarial loss	45			599			89			1,227
Net periodic cost	$	2,487		$	2,675		$	4,973		$	5,381

NOTE F DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

The Company uses hedging programs to manage price risk associated with commodity purchases. These programs utilize futures contracts to manage the Company’s exposure to price fluctuations in the commodities markets. The Company has determined its designated hedging programs to be highly effective in offsetting the changes in fair value or cash flows generated by the items hedged.

Cash Flow Hedges: The Company utilizes corn and lean hog futures to offset price fluctuations in the Company’s future direct grain and hog purchases. The financial instruments are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges, and the Company measures the effectiveness of the hedges at least quarterly. Effective gains or losses related to these cash flow hedges are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) and reclassified into earnings, through cost of products sold, in the period or periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. Any gains or losses related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in the current period cost of products sold. The Company typically does not hedge its grain exposure beyond the next two upcoming fiscal years and its hog exposure beyond the next fiscal year. As of April 29, 2018, and October 29, 2017, the Company had the following outstanding commodity futures contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted purchases:



	Volume
Commodity	April 29, 2018	October 29, 2017
Corn	11.5 million bushels	11.5 million bushels
Lean hogs	1.0 million cwt	0.3 million cwt

As of April 29, 2018, the Company has included in AOCL hedging losses of sixteen thousand dollars (before tax) relating to its positions, compared to gains of $1.8 million (before tax) as of October 29, 2017. The Company expects to recognize the majority of these losses over the next 12 months.

Fair Value Hedges: The Company utilizes futures to minimize the price risk assumed when fixed forward priced contracts are offered to the Company’s commodity suppliers. The intent of the program is to make the forward priced commodities cost nearly the same as cash market purchases at the date of delivery. The futures contracts are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges, and the Company measures the effectiveness of the hedges at least quarterly. Changes in the fair value of the

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futures contracts, along with the gain or loss on the hedged purchase commitment, are marked-to-market through earnings and are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as a current asset and liability, respectively. Effective gains or losses related to these fair value hedges are recognized through cost of products sold in the period or periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. Any gains or losses related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in the current period cost of products sold. As of April 29, 2018, and October 29, 2017, the Company had the following outstanding commodity futures contracts designated as fair value hedges:



	Volume
Commodity	April 29, 2018	October 29, 2017
Corn	5.6 million bushels	4.1 million bushels
Lean hogs	0.1 million cwt	0.4 million cwt

Other Derivatives: The Company holds certain futures and options contract positions as part of a merchandising program to manage the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in commodity markets. The Company has not applied hedge accounting to these positions.

As of April 29, 2018, and October 29, 2017, the Company had the following outstanding futures and options contracts related to these programs:



	Volume
Commodity	April 29, 2018	October 29, 2017
Corn	0.2 million bushels	—

Fair Values: The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments (in thousands) as of April 29, 2018, and October 29, 2017, were as follows:



		Fair Value (1)
	Location on Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	April 29, 2018			October 29, 2017
Asset Derivatives:
Derivatives Designated as Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	(579	)	$	326

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	5			—

Total Asset Derivatives		$	(574	)	$	326

(1) Amounts represent the gross fair value of derivative assets and liabilities. The Company nets the derivative assets and liabilities for each of its hedging programs, including cash collateral, when a master netting arrangement exists between the Company and the counterparty to the derivative contract. The amount or timing of cash collateral balances may impact the classification of the derivative in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. See Note K “Fair Value Measurements” for a discussion of these net amounts as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

Derivative Gains and Losses: Gains or losses (before tax, in thousands) related to the Company’s derivative instruments for the second quarter ended April 29, 2018, and April 30, 2017, were as follows:



	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in AOCL (Effective Portion) (1)						Location on Consolidated Statements of Operations	Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings (Effective Portion) (1)					Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Ineffective Portion) (2) (4)
	Three Months Ended							Three Months Ended					Three Months Ended
Cash Flow Hedges:	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017				April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017		April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
Commodity contracts	$	(862	)	$	(141	)	Cost of products sold	$	(40	)	$	1,753	$	(271	)	$	40

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	Location on Consolidated Statements of Operations	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Effective Portion) (3)					Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Ineffective Portion) (2) (5)
		Three Months Ended					Three Months Ended
Fair Value Hedges:		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017			April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	1,224	$	(467	)	$	(23	)	$	1

Location on

Consolidated

Statements

of Operations

Gain/(Loss)

Recognized

in Earnings

Three Months Ended

Derivatives Not

Designated as Hedges:

April 29, 2018

April 30, 2017

Commodity contracts

Cost of products sold

)

Derivative Gains and Losses: Gains or losses (before tax, in thousands) related to the Company’s derivative instruments for the six months ended April 29, 2018, and April 30, 2017, were as follows:



	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in AOCL (Effective Portion) (1)						Location on Consolidated Statements of Operations	Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings (Effective Portion) (1)				Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Ineffective Portion) (2) (4)
	Six Months Ended							Six Months Ended				Six Months Ended
Cash Flow Hedges:	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017				April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
Commodity contracts	$	(1,249	)	$	(787	)	Cost of products sold	$	568	$	3,222	$	(361	)	$	40



	Location on Consolidated Statements of Operations	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Effective Portion) (3)					Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Ineffective Portion) (2) (5)
		Six Months Ended					Six Months Ended
Fair Value Hedges:		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017			April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	1,781	$	(591	)	$	(272	)	$	1

Location on

Consolidated

Statements

of Operations

Gain/(Loss)

Recognized

in Earnings

Six Months Ended

Derivatives Not

Designated as Hedges:

April 29, 2018

April 30, 2017

Commodity contracts

Cost of products sold

(237

)

(1) Amounts represent gains or losses in AOCL before tax. See Note H “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss” for the after-tax impact of these gains or losses on net earnings.

(2) There were no gains or losses excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness during the second quarter or first six months.

(3) Amounts represent losses on commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges that were closed during the second quarter or the first six months, which were offset by a corresponding gain on the underlying hedged purchase commitment. Additional gains or losses related to changes in the fair value of open commodity contracts, along with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged purchase commitment, are also marked-to-market through earnings with no impact on a net basis.

(4) There were no gains or losses resulting from the discontinuance of cash flow hedges during the second quarter or first six months.

(5) There were no gains or losses recognized as a result of a hedged firm commitment no longer qualifying as a fair value hedge during the second quarter or first six months.

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NOTE G INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES

The Company accounts for its majority-owned operations under the consolidation method. Investments in which the Company owns a minority interest, and for which there are no other indicators of control, are accounted for under the equity or cost method. These investments, along with any related receivables from affiliates, are included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as investments in and receivables from affiliates.

Investments in and receivables from affiliates consists of the following:



(in thousands)	Segment	% Owned	April 29, 2018		October 29, 2017
MegaMex Foods, LLC	Grocery Products	50%	$	197,204	$	177,657
Foreign Joint Ventures	International & Other	Various (26-40%)	68,375		64,712
Total			$	265,579	$	242,369

Equity in earnings of affiliates consists of the following:



		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	Segment	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017
MegaMex Foods, LLC	Grocery Products	$	12,934	$	9,116	$	32,522	$	18,187
Foreign Joint Ventures	International & Other	552		1,005		4,495		5,233
Total		$	13,486	$	10,121	$	37,017	$	23,420

Dividends received from affiliates for the second quarter and six months ended April 29, 2018, were $10.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively, compared to $10.0 million and $12.5 million of dividends received for the second quarter and six months ended April 30, 2017.

The Company recognized a basis difference of $21.3 million associated with the formation of MegaMex Foods, LLC, of which $14.0 million is remaining as of April 29, 2018. This difference is being amortized through equity in earnings of affiliates.

NOTE H ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:



(in thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation			Pension & Other Benefits				Deferred Gain (Loss) - Hedging				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at January 28, 2018	$	(2,783	)	$	(239,989	)		$	596			$	(242,176	)
Unrecognized gains (losses)
Gross	4,549			—				(862		)		3,687
Tax effect	—			—				218				218
Reclassification into net earnings
Gross	—			3,257			(1)	40			(2)	3,297
Tax effect	—			(770		)		(9		)		(779		)
Net of tax amount	4,549			2,487				(613		)		6,423
Balance at April 29, 2018	$	1,766		$	(237,502	)		$	(17	)		$	(235,753	)

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(in thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation			Pension & Other Benefits				Deferred Gain (Loss) - Hedging				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at October 29, 2017	$	(6,846	)	$	(242,475	)		$	1,246			$	(248,075	)
Unrecognized gains (losses)
Gross	8,612			—				(1,249		)		7,363
Tax effect	—			—				310				310
Reclassification into net earnings
Gross	—			6,513			(1)	(568		)	(2)	5,945
Tax effect	—			(1,540		)		244				(1,296		)
Net of tax amount	8,612			4,973				(1,263		)		12,322
Balance at April 29, 2018	$	1,766		$	(237,502	)		$	(17	)		$	(235,753	)

(1) Included in the computation of net periodic cost (see Note E “Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits” for additional details).

(2) Included in cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

NOTE I INCOME TAXES

The Company's tax provision is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate and adjusted for discrete taxable events that may occur during the quarter. The effects of tax legislation are recognized in the period in which the law is enacted. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are remeasured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years the related temporary differences are anticipated to reverse.

On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted comprehensive tax legislation into law, H.R. 1, commonly referred to as the Tax Act. Except for certain provisions, the Tax Act is effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. As a fiscal year U.S. taxpayer, the majority of the provisions will not apply for the Company until fiscal 2019, such as eliminating the domestic manufacturing deduction, creating new taxes on certain foreign sourced income, and introducing new limitations on certain business deductions. For fiscal 2018, and effective in the first quarter, the most significant impacts include lowering of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate, remeasuring certain net deferred tax liabilities, and requiring the transition tax on the deemed repatriation of certain foreign earnings. The phase-in of the lower federal corporate income tax rate resulted in a blended rate of 23.4 percent for fiscal 2018, as compared to the previous 35 percent, and is based on the applicable tax rates before and after passage of the Tax Act and the number of days in the fiscal year. The tax rate will be reduced to 21 percent in subsequent fiscal years.

The lower effective tax rate for both the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018 is largely due to the passage of the Tax Act, lowering the Company's long-term effective tax rate. In the second quarter, the Company recorded an adjustment to the provisional non-cash tax benefit of $5.8 million, bringing the deferred tax liability revaluation to $73.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2018. A provisional charge of $5.2 million for deemed repatriation of the Company's previously undistributed foreign earnings was recorded in the first quarter with no additional charges in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. At this point, no additional income taxes have been provided for any undistributed foreign earnings not subject to the transition tax and additional outside basis difference inherent in these entities, as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any remaining undistributed foreign earnings not subject to the transition tax and additional outside basis difference in these entities (i.e., basis difference in excess of that subject to the one-time transition tax) is not practical at this time. The one-time tax events and reduction in the federal statutory tax rate were the main drivers of the Company's effective tax rates for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018 of 20.0 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively, compared to 33.2 percent and 33.5 percent for the respective periods last year. The Company expects a full-year effective tax rate between 17.5 percent and 19.5 percent for fiscal 2018.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, which provides guidance for companies related to the Tax Act. ASU 2018-05 allows for a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Tax Act to finalize the recording of the related tax impacts. Based on current interpretation of the Tax Act, the Company made reasonable estimates to record provisional adjustments during the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018, as described above. As the Company accumulates and processes data to finalize the underlying calculations, and as regulators issue further guidance, estimates may change during fiscal 2018. The Company will continue to refine such amounts within the measurement period allowed, which will be completed no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

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The amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, is recorded in other long-term liabilities. If recognized as of April 29, 2018, and April 30, 2017, $24.6 million and $19.8 million, respectively, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company includes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense, with $0.2 million and $(0.1) million of interest and penalties included in expense in the second quarter, and $0.4 million and $0.1 million recorded in the first six months of fiscal years 2018 and 2017, respectively. The amount of accrued interest and penalties at April 29, 2018, and April 30, 2017, associated with unrecognized tax benefits was $6.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

The Company is regularly audited by federal and state taxing authorities. The United States Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) concluded its examination of fiscal 2016 in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company has elected to participate in the Compliance Assurance Process (CAP) for fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The objective of CAP is to contemporaneously work with the I.R.S. to achieve federal tax compliance and resolve all or most of the issues prior to filing of the tax return. The Company may elect to continue participating in CAP for future tax years; the Company may withdraw from the program at any time.

The Company is in various stages of audit by several state taxing authorities on a variety of fiscal years, as far back as 2011. While it is reasonably possible that one or more of these audits may be completed within the next 12 months and the related unrecognized tax benefits may change, based on the status of the examinations it is not possible to reasonably estimate the effect of any amount of such change to previously recorded uncertain tax positions.

NOTE J STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company issues stock options and restricted shares as part of its stock incentive plans for employees and non-employee directors. The Company’s policy is to grant options with the exercise price equal to the market price of the common stock on the date of grant. Options typically vest over four years and expire ten years after the date of the grant. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense ratably over the shorter of the requisite service period or vesting period. The fair value of stock-based compensation granted to retirement-eligible individuals is expensed at the time of grant.

A reconciliation of the number of options outstanding and exercisable (in thousands) as of April 29, 2018, and changes during the six months then ended, is as follows:



	Shares	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at October 29, 2017	30,685	$	18.08
Granted	2,334	36.63
Exercised	2,934	10.23
Forfeited	11	35.31
Expired	1	37.76
Outstanding at April 29, 2018	30,073	$	20.28	4.9	$	492,127
Exercisable at April 29, 2018	24,177	$	16.76	4.0	$	478,511

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted and the total intrinsic value of options exercised (in thousands) during the second quarter and first six months of fiscal years 2018 and 2017, are as follows.



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	6.49	$	7.03	$	6.86	$	6.41
Intrinsic value of exercised options	$	15,512	$	9,070	$	71,814	$	61,088

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The fair value of each option award is calculated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model utilizing the following weighted-average assumptions:



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017
Risk-free interest rate	2.7	%	2.5	%	2.3	%	2.4	%
Dividend yield	2.2	%	1.9	%	2.1	%	2.0	%
Stock price volatility	19.0	%	19.0	%	19.0	%	19.0	%
Expected option life	8 years		8 years		8 years		8 years

As part of the annual valuation process, the Company reassesses the appropriateness of the inputs used in the valuation models. The Company establishes the risk-free interest rate using stripped U.S. Treasury yields as of the grant date where the remaining term is approximately the expected life of the option. The dividend yield is set based on the dividend rate approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and the stock price on the grant date. The expected volatility assumption is set based primarily on historical volatility. As a reasonableness test, implied volatility from exchange traded options is also examined to validate the volatility range obtained from the historical analysis. The expected life assumption is set based on an analysis of past exercise behavior by option holders. In performing the valuations for option grants, the Company has not stratified option holders as exercise behavior has historically been consistent across all executive employee and non-employee director groups.

Restricted shares awarded on February 1 are subject to a restricted period which expires the date of the Company’s next annual

stockholders meeting. A reconciliation of the restricted shares (in thousands) as of April 29, 2018, and changes during the six months then ended, is as follows:



	Shares	Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted at October 29, 2017	58	$	35.62
Granted	52	34.08
Vested	57	35.62
Forfeited	1	35.62
Restricted at April 29, 2018	52	$	34.08

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted, the total fair value (in thousands) of restricted shares granted, and the fair value (in thousands) of shares that have vested during the first six months of fiscal years 2018 and 2017, are as follows:



	Six Months Ended
	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	34.08	$	35.62
Fair value of restricted shares granted	1,760		2,080
Fair value of shares vested	2,053		1,920

During the second quarter and six months ended April 29, 2018, stock-based compensation expense was $4.1 million and $11.4 million, respectively, compared to $4.6 million and $11.9 million for the second quarter and six months ended April 30, 2017, respectively.

At April 29, 2018, there was $17.8 million of total unrecognized compensation expense from stock-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. This compensation is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.5 years. During the second quarter and six months ended April 29, 2018, cash received from stock option exercises was $6.5 million and $30.0 million, respectively, compared to $1.5 million and $8.9 million for the second quarter and six months ended April 30, 2017, respectively.

Shares issued for option exercises and restricted shares may be either authorized but unissued shares, or shares of treasury stock acquired in the open market or otherwise.

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NOTE K FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Pursuant to the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820), the Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value or discloses the fair value of certain assets and liabilities recorded at cost in the consolidated financial statements. Fair value is calculated as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires assets and liabilities measured at fair value to be categorized into one of three levels based on the inputs used in the valuation. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1: Observable inputs based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable inputs, other than those included in Level 1, based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in inactive markets.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about what inputs a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 29, 2018, and October 29, 2017, and their level within the fair value hierarchy, are presented in the tables below.



	Fair Value Measurements at April 29, 2018
(in thousands)	Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets at Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents (1)	$	261,571	$	261,571	$	—	$	—
Other trading securities (2)	137,499		—		137,499		—
Commodity derivatives (3)	3,509		3,509		—		—
Total Assets at Fair Value	$	402,579	$	265,080	$	137,499	$	—
Liabilities at Fair Value
Deferred compensation (2)	$	61,679	$	—	$	61,679	$	—
Total Liabilities at Fair Value	$	61,679	$	—	$	61,679	$	—



	Fair Value Measurements at October 29, 2017
(in thousands)	Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets at Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents (1)	$	444,122	$	444,122	$	—	$	—
Other trading securities (2)	128,530		—		128,530		—
Commodity derivatives (3)	2,821		2,821		—		—
Total Assets at Fair Value	$	575,473	$	446,943	$	128,530	$	—
Liabilities at Fair Value
Deferred compensation (2)	$	62,341	$	—	$	62,341	$	—
Total Liabilities at Fair Value	$	62,341	$	—	$	62,341	$	—

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the financial assets and liabilities above:


(1)	The Company’s cash equivalents consist primarily of bank deposits, money market funds rated AAA, or other highly liquid investment accounts. As these investments have a maturity date of three months or less, the carrying value approximates fair value.

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(2)

A majority of the funds held in the rabbi trust relate to the supplemental executive retirement plans and have been invested in fixed income funds managed by a third party. The declared rate on these funds is set based on a formula using the yield of the general account investment portfolio supporting the fund, adjusted for expenses and other charges. The rate is guaranteed for one year at issue, and may be reset annually on the policy anniversary, subject to a guaranteed minimum rate. As the value is based on adjusted market rates, and the fixed rate is only reset on an annual basis, these funds are classified as Level 2. The funds held in the rabbi trust are included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The remaining funds held are also managed by a third-party insurance policy, the values of which represent their cash surrender value based on the fair value of the underlying investments in the account and include equity securities, money market accounts, bond funds, or other portfolios for which there is an active quoted market. Therefore these policies are also classified as Level 2. The related deferred compensation liabilities are included in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position with investment options generally mirroring those funds held by the rabbi trust. Therefore these investment balances are classified as Level 2. The Company also offers a fixed rate investment option to participants. The rate earned on these investments is adjusted annually based on a specified percentage of the I.R.S. Applicable Federal Rates. These balances are classified as Level 2.

(3)

The Company’s commodity derivatives represent futures contracts used in its hedging or other programs to offset price fluctuations associated with purchases of corn and hogs, and to minimize the price risk assumed when forward priced contracts are offered to the Company’s commodity suppliers. The Company’s futures contracts for corn and soybean meal are traded on the Chicago Board of Trade, while futures contracts for lean hogs are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. These are active markets with quoted prices available, and these contracts are classified as Level 1. All derivatives are reviewed for potential credit risk and risk of nonperformance. The Company nets the derivative assets and liabilities for each of its hedging programs, including cash collateral, when a master netting arrangement exists between the Company and the counterparty to the derivative contract. The net balance for each program is included in other current assets or accounts payable, as appropriate, in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As of April 29, 2018, the Company has recognized the right to reclaim net cash collateral of $4.1 million from various counterparties (including $5.7 million of realized gains offset by cash owed of $1.6 million on closed positions). As of October 29, 2017, the Company had recognized the right to reclaim net cash collateral of $2.5 million from various counterparties (including $11.0 million of realized gains offset by cash owed of $8.5 million on closed positions).

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities include accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other liabilities, for which carrying value approximates fair value. The Company does not carry its long-term debt at fair value in its Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Based on borrowing rates available to the Company for long-term financing with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of long-term debt, utilizing discounted cash flows (Level 2), was $632.4 million as of April 29, 2018, and $266.5 million as of October 29, 2017.

In accordance with the provisions of ASC 820, the Company measures certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value, which are recognized or disclosed on a nonrecurring basis (e.g. goodwill, intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment). During the first six months ended April 29, 2018, and April 30, 2017, there were no material remeasurements of assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition.

NOTE L EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA

The reported net earnings attributable to the Company were used when computing basic and diluted earnings per share. The following table sets forth the shares used as the denominator for those computations:



	Three Months Ended		Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018	April 30, 2017	April 29, 2018	April 30, 2017
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	529,799	528,712	529,626	528,649
Dilutive potential common shares	13,012	10,923	13,520	11,201
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	542,811	539,635	543,146	539,850

For the second quarter and six months ended April 29, 2018, a total of 6.8 million and 6.1 million weighted-average stock options, respectively, were not included in the computation of dilutive potential common shares since their inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect on earnings per share, compared to 4.5 million and 3.9 million, respectively, for the second quarter and six months ended April 30, 2017.

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NOTE M SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company develops, processes, and distributes a wide array of food products in a variety of markets. The Company reports its results in the following four segments: Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, and International & Other. As a result of a business realignment at the beginning of fiscal 2018, the former Specialty Foods segment results are now reported as part of the Grocery Products segment. Periods presented herein have been recast to reflect this change.

The Grocery Products segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of shelf-stable food products sold predominantly in the retail market, along with the sale of nutritional and private label shelf-stable products to retail, foodservice, and industrial customers. This segment also includes the results from the Company’s MegaMex Foods, LLC joint venture.

The Refrigerated Foods segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of branded and unbranded pork, beef, and poultry products for retail, foodservice, and fresh product customers.

The Jennie-O Turkey Store segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of branded and unbranded turkey products for retail, foodservice, and fresh product customers.

The International & Other segment includes Hormel Foods International, which manufactures, markets, and sells Company products internationally. This segment also includes the results from the Company’s international joint ventures.

Intersegment sales are recorded at approximate cost and are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not allocate investment income, interest expense, and interest income to its segments when measuring performance. The Company also retains various other income and unallocated expenses at corporate. Equity in earnings of affiliates is included in segment operating profit; however, earnings attributable to the Company’s noncontrolling interests are excluded. These items are included below as net interest and investment expense (income), general corporate expense, and noncontrolling interest when reconciling to earnings before income taxes.

Sales and operating profits for each of the Company’s reportable segments and reconciliation to earnings before income taxes are set forth below. The Company is an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations, and sharing of assets. Therefore, the Company does not represent these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating profit and other financial information shown below.

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	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017			April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers
Grocery Products	$	631,550		$	640,419		$	1,245,420		$	1,250,793
Refrigerated Foods	1,166,967			1,027,486			2,343,423			2,150,525
Jennie-O Turkey Store	371,916			388,237			762,564			809,226
International & Other	160,135			131,167			310,454			256,992
Total	$	2,330,568		$	2,187,309		$	4,661,861		$	4,467,536

Intersegment Sales
Grocery Products	$	10		$	10		$	14		$	15
Refrigerated Foods	1,386			1,677			3,550			3,816
Jennie-O Turkey Store	25,539			27,560			50,228			55,816
International & Other	—			—			—			—
Total	26,935			29,247			53,792			59,647
Intersegment elimination	(26,935		)	(29,247		)	(53,792		)	(59,647		)
Total	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

Net Sales
Grocery Products	$	631,560		$	640,429		$	1,245,434		$	1,250,808
Refrigerated Foods	1,168,353			1,029,163			2,346,973			2,154,341
Jennie-O Turkey Store	397,455			415,797			812,792			865,042
International & Other	160,135			131,167			310,454			256,992
Intersegment elimination	(26,935		)	(29,247		)	(53,792		)	(59,647		)
Total	$	2,330,568		$	2,187,309		$	4,661,861		$	4,467,536

Segment Operating Profit
Grocery Products	$	95,651		$	108,297		$	195,628		$	200,673
Refrigerated Foods	154,192			130,194			297,141			304,002
Jennie-O Turkey Store	42,356			63,786			92,230			131,966
International & Other	20,850			19,617			45,505			45,080
Total segment operating profit	313,049			321,894			630,504			681,721
Net interest and investment expense (income)	9,490			205			10,913			782
General corporate expense	6,814			5,822			17,785			10,443
Noncontrolling interest	138			(40		)	242			116
Earnings Before Income Taxes	$	296,883		$	315,827		$	602,048		$	670,612

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

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

There have been no material changes in the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies, as disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

The Company is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products. It operates in four reportable segments as described in Note M in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The Company reported net earnings per diluted share of $0.44 for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to $0.39 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Significant factors impacting the quarter were:


•	The Company delivered record net earnings as a result of strong results in Refrigerated Foods, the impact from three acquisitions, and the benefit from tax reform, more than offsetting increases in freight, a dynamic pork environment, and continued oversupply in the turkey industry.


•	Refrigerated Foods segment profit increased despite a decline in commodity profits, increases in per-unit freight expenses, and higher advertising expenses. Strong results by the branded retail and foodservice businesses in addition to the inclusion of the Fontanini and Columbus acquisitions supported results.


•	Grocery Products segment profit decreased due to higher promotional activity and lower volumes at CytoSport and lower earnings from the Company's contract manufacturing business.


•	JOTS segment profit decreased as a result of lower profits from whole bird and commodity sales and increased freight and advertising expenses.


•	International & Other segment profit increased on improved profitability in China due to lower raw material costs, but were partially offset by higher advertising expenses and lower branded export margins.

Consolidated Results

Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Share



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Net earnings	$	237,384	$	210,926	12.5	$	540,491	$	446,073	21.2
Diluted earnings per share	0.44		0.39		12.8	1.00		0.83		20.5

Net Sales



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Volume (lbs.)	1,171,401		1,138,242		2.9		2,361,993		2,383,151		(0.9	)
Organic volume⁽¹⁾	1,122,323		1,138,242		(1.4	)	2,268,422		2,302,697		(1.5	)
Net sales	$	2,330,568	$	2,187,309	6.5		$	4,661,861	$	4,467,536	4.3
Organic net sales⁽¹⁾	2,176,650		2,187,309		(0.5	)	4,375,071		4,367,305		0.2

(1) The non-GAAP adjusted financial measurements of organic net sales and organic volume are presented to provide investors additional information to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measurements provide useful information to investors because they are the measurements used to evaluate performance on a comparable year-over-year basis. Non-GAAP measurements are not intended to be a substitute for U.S. GAAP measurements in analyzing financial performance. These non-GAAP measurements are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

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Organic net sales and organic volume are defined as net sales and volume excluding the impact of acquisitions and divestitures. Organic net sales and organic volume exclude the impacts of the acquisition of Columbus Craft Meats (November 2017), the acquisition of Fontanini Italian Meats and Sausages (August 2017), and the divestiture of Farmer John (January 2017) in Refrigerated Foods and the acquisition of Ceratti (August 2017) in International. The tables below show the calculations to reconcile from the non-GAAP adjusted measures to the GAAP measures in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017.



Second Quarter
Volume (lbs.)	FY 2018							FY 2017
(in thousands)	Reported (GAAP)		Acquisitions			Organic (Non-GAAP)		Reported (GAAP)		Organic % Change
Grocery Products	333,398		—			333,398		338,883		(1.6	)
Refrigerated Foods	548,319		(38,402		)	509,917		515,490		(1.1	)
Jennie-O Turkey Store	197,806		—			197,806		203,557		(2.8	)
International & Other	91,878		(10,676		)	81,202		80,312		1.1
Total Volume	1,171,401		(49,078		)	1,122,323		1,138,242		(1.4	)


Net Sales	FY 2018							FY 2017
(in thousands)	Reported (GAAP)		Acquisitions			Organic (Non-GAAP)		Reported (GAAP)		Organic % Change
Grocery Products	$	631,550	$	—		$	631,550	$	640,419	(1.4	)
Refrigerated Foods	1,166,967		(134,878		)	1,032,089		1,027,486		0.4
Jennie-O Turkey Store	371,916		—			371,916		388,237		(4.2	)
International & Other	160,135		(19,040		)	141,095		131,167		7.6
Total Net Sales	$	2,330,568	$	(153,918	)	$	2,176,650	$	2,187,309	(0.5	)



First Six Months
Volume (lbs.)	FY 2018							FY 2017
(in thousands)	Reported (GAAP)		Acquisitions			Organic (Non-GAAP)		Reported (GAAP)		Divestitures			Organic (Non-GAAP)		Organic % Change
Grocery Products	667,615		—			667,615		677,675		—			677,675		(1.5	)
Refrigerated Foods	1,110,814		(70,062		)	1,040,752		1,129,915		(80,454		)	1,049,461		(0.8	)
Jennie-O Turkey Store	406,237		—			406,237		420,200		—			420,200		(3.3	)
International & Other	177,327		(23,509		)	153,818		155,361		—			155,361		(1.0	)
Total Volume	2,361,993		(93,571		)	2,268,422		2,383,151		(80,454		)	2,302,697		(1.5	)


Net Sales	FY 2018							FY 2017
(in thousands)	Reported (GAAP)		Acquisitions			Organic (Non-GAAP)		Reported (GAAP)		Divestitures			Organic (Non-GAAP)		Organic % Change
Grocery Products	$	1,245,420	$	—		$	1,245,420	$	1,250,793	$	—		$	1,250,793	(0.4	)
Refrigerated Foods	2,343,423		(245,895		)	2,097,528		2,150,525		(100,231		)	2,050,294		2.3
Jennie-O Turkey Store	762,564		—			762,564		809,226		—			809,226		(5.8	)
International & Other	310,454		(40,895		)	269,559		256,992		—			256,992		4.9
Total Net Sales	$	4,661,861	$	(286,790	)	$	4,375,071	$	4,467,536	$	(100,231	)	$	4,367,305	0.2

The increase in net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 was primarily related to the inclusion of the Columbus, Fontanini, and Ceratti acquisitions. Organic sales growth was flat for the quarter, as retail sales of Wholly Guacamole® dips, retail and foodservice sales of Hormel® pepperoni and Hormel® Natural Choice® products, and foodservice sales of Hormel® Bacon 1^TM fully cooked bacon were offset by lower sales of whole birds at JOTS, declines across the CytoSport portfolio, and the Company's contract manufacturing business in Grocery Products.

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For the first six months of 2018, the increase in net sales was primarily related to the inclusion of the Columbus, Fontanini, and Ceratti acquisitions, more than offsetting declines at JOTS.

Cost of Products Sold



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Cost of products sold	$	1,833,882	$	1,700,389	7.9	$	3,662,996	$	3,428,336	6.8

The cost of products sold for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 were higher as a result of the inclusion of the Columbus, Fontanini, and Ceratti acquisitions and higher freight expenses, especially in the Refrigerated Foods and JOTS segments.

Gross Profit



	Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017			% Change	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017			% Change
Gross profit	$	496,686		$	486,920		2.0	$	998,865		$	1,039,200		(3.9	)
Percentage of net sales	21.3		%	22.3		%		21.4		%	23.3		%

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for Refrigerated Foods and International & Other increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, while Grocery Products and JOTS declined compared to the prior year. Lower input costs in Refrigerated Foods were able to offset significant increases in freight, while lower raw material costs in China positively impacted International & Other margins during the quarter. Grocery Products margins in the second quarter were impacted by higher input costs and a weaker sales mix due to declines at CytoSport. Depressed turkey commodity markets and higher freight expenses pressured JOTS in the second quarter. For the first six months of 2018, gross profit as a percentage of net sales declined in all segments. Input cost volatility and higher freight expenses were the main drivers.

Looking to the second half of fiscal 2018, the Company expects Refrigerated Foods, Grocery Products, and the International & Other segments to grow their value-added businesses and offset a portion of the impact of higher freight. Pork export margins could be challenged near-term due to tariffs on exports to China. The depressed turkey commodity markets are anticipated to continue affecting JOTS for the remainder of the year.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A)



	Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017			% Change	April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017			% Change
SG&A	$	203,799		$	181,009		12.6	$	422,921		$	391,226		8.1
Percentage of net sales	8.7		%	8.3		%		9.1		%	8.8		%

For the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018, SG&A expenses increased due to the impact of the Columbus, Fontanini, and Ceratti acquisitions and higher advertising expenses. Advertising expenses are expected to increase approximately 20 percent for the year.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Equity in earnings of affiliates	$	13,486	$	10,121	33.2	$	37,017	$	23,420	58.1

Results for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018 were positively impacted by strong MegaMex results and tax reform.

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Effective Tax Rate



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017
Effective tax rate	20.0	%	33.2	%	10.2	%	33.5	%

The lower effective tax rate for both the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018 reflects the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017. In the second quarter, the Company recorded an adjustment to the provisional non-cash tax benefit of $5.8 million, bringing the deferred tax liability revaluation to $73.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2018. A provisional charge of $5.2 million for deemed repatriation of the Company's previously undistributed foreign earnings was recorded in the first quarter with no additional charges in the second quarter. The one-time tax events and reduction in the federal statutory tax rate were the main drivers of the Company's effective tax rates for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018 of 20.0 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively, compared to 33.2 percent and 33.5 percent for the respective periods last year. The Company expects a full-year effective tax rate between 17.5 and 19.5 percent for fiscal 2018. For further description refer to Note I "Income Taxes".

Segment Results

Net sales and operating profits for each of the Company’s reportable segments are set forth below. The Company is an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations, and sharing of assets. Therefore, the Company does not represent these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating profit and other financial information shown below. Additional segment financial information can be found in Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.



	Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017			% Change		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Net Sales
Grocery Products	$	631,550	$	640,419		(1.4	)	$	1,245,420	$	1,250,793	(0.4	)
Refrigerated Foods	1,166,967		1,027,486			13.6		2,343,423		2,150,525		9.0
Jennie-O Turkey Store	371,916		388,237			(4.2	)	762,564		809,226		(5.8	)
International & Other	160,135		131,167			22.1		310,454		256,992		20.8
Total	$	2,330,568	$	2,187,309		6.5		$	4,661,861	$	4,467,536	4.3

Segment Operating Profit
Grocery Products	$	95,651	$	108,297		(11.7	)	$	195,628	$	200,673	(2.5	)
Refrigerated Foods	154,192		130,194			18.4		297,141		304,002		(2.3	)
Jennie-O Turkey Store	42,356		63,786			(33.6	)	92,230		131,966		(30.1	)
International & Other	20,850		19,617			6.3		45,505		45,080		0.9
Total segment operating profit	313,049		321,894			(2.7	)	630,504		681,721		(7.5	)
Net interest and investment expense	9,490		205			4,529.3		10,913		782		1,295.5
General corporate expense	6,814		5,822			17.0		17,785		10,443		70.3
Noncontrolling interest	138		(40		)	445.0		242		116		108.6

Earnings before income taxes	$	296,883	$	315,827		(6.0	)	$	602,048	$	670,612	(10.2	)

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Grocery Products

Results for the Grocery Products segment compared to the prior year are as follows:



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Volume (lbs.)	333,398		338,883		(1.6	)	667,615		677,675		(1.5	)
Net sales	$	631,550	$	640,419	(1.4	)	$	1,245,420	$	1,250,793	(0.4	)
Segment profit	95,651		108,297		(11.7	)	195,628		200,673		(2.5	)

Net sales for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018 increased on strong sales of Wholly Guacamole^® dips, Herdez^® salsas, and the SPAM^® family of products. These increases were more than offset by declines from CytoSport and the Company's contract manufacturing business.

For the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018, segment profit declined due to lower volumes at CytoSport and lower earnings from the Company's contract manufacturing business. Declines were partially offset by strong MegaMex results.

The Company anticipates sales and earnings growth in the third quarter, with earnings growth tempered by declines in the contract manufacturing business and increased freight expenses.

Refrigerated Foods

Results for the Refrigerated Foods segment compared to the prior year are as follows:



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Volume (lbs.)	548,319		515,490		6.4	1,110,814		1,129,915		(1.7	)
Net sales	$	1,166,967	$	1,027,486	13.6	$	2,343,423	$	2,150,525	9.0
Segment profit	154,192		130,194		18.4	297,141		304,002		(2.3	)

Second quarter net sales increased as a result of the Columbus and Fontanini acquisitions in addition to strong retail sales of Hormel^® Natural Choice^® products and foodservice sales of Hormel^® pepperoni and Hormel^® Bacon 1^TM fully cooked bacon. For the first six months of 2018, incremental sales from acquisitions and growth in the value-added portfolios offset the impact of the Farmer John divestiture and lower hog harvest volumes.

Refrigerated Foods segment profit for the second quarter increased on strong results from the branded retail and foodservice businesses in addition to the inclusion of the Fontanini and Columbus acquisitions. Segment profit for the first six months declined due to reduced commodity profits, increased freight expenses, one-time transaction costs for the Columbus acquisition, and the divestiture of the Farmer John business.

Looking forward, Refrigerated Foods is expected to continue to benefit from the impact of acquisitions and strong momentum in the value-added businesses. Freight pressure is anticipated to remain a business headwind.

Jennie-O Turkey Store

Results for the JOTS segment compared to the prior year are as follows:



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change		April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Volume (lbs.)	197,806		203,557		(2.8	)	406,237		420,200		(3.3	)
Net sales	$	371,916	$	388,237	(4.2	)	$	762,564	$	809,226	(5.8	)
Segment profit	42,356		63,786		(33.6	)	92,230		131,966		(30.1	)

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For the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018, volume and sales declines were due primarily to lower harvest volumes and turkey commodity prices as a result of continued oversupply of turkeys in the industry and excess meat in cold storage. Sales declines of whole birds were partially offset by increased retail sales, led by Jennie-O^® lean ground turkey and Jennie-O^® Oven Ready^® products.

Segment profit for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018 decreased as a result of lower profits from whole bird and commodity sales, increased freight expenses, and increased advertising.

Looking forward, the challenging environment for commodity turkey prices and higher freight costs are expected to continue impacting year-over-year business performance.

International & Other

Results for the International & Other segment compared to the prior year are as follows:



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017		% Change
Volume (lbs.)	91,878		80,312		14.4	177,327		155,361		14.1
Net sales	$	160,135	$	131,167	22.1	$	310,454	$	256,992	20.8
Segment profit	20,850		19,617		6.3	45,505		45,080		0.9

Volume and net sales for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2018 increased due to the addition of the Ceratti business in Brazil, strong results in China, and increased export sales.

Segment profit increases for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 were driven primarily by improved profitability in China due to lower raw material costs, partially offset by higher advertising expenses and lower branded export margins. For the first six months of fiscal 2018, segment profit increased on strong results in China, partially offset by weaker export margins.

The Company anticipates continued volume, sales, and earnings growth in the third quarter driven by improving results in China and the addition of the Ceratti business. Pork exports remain a risk due to tariffs.

Unallocated Income and Expenses

The Company does not allocate investment income, interest expense, or interest income to its segments when measuring performance. The Company also retains various other income and unallocated expenses at corporate. Equity in earnings of affiliates is included in segment operating profit; however, earnings attributable to the Company’s noncontrolling interests are excluded. These items are included in the segment table for the purpose of reconciling segment results to earnings before income taxes.



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
(in thousands)	April 29, 2018		April 30, 2017			April 29, 2018			April 30, 2017
Interest and investment expense (income)	$	2,489	$	(2,818	)	$	(817	)	$	(5,267	)
Interest expense	7,001		3,023			11,730			6,049
General corporate expense	6,814		5,822			17,785			10,443
Noncontrolling interest earnings	138		(40		)	242			116

Interest and investment income decreased for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 due to market-based losses in the rabbi trust related to the supplemental executive retirement plans. Interest expense increased for both the second quarter and first six month due to the higher level of debt associated with the acquisition of Columbus. General corporate expense increased for the second quarter and first six months due to higher employee-related expenses and favorable adjustments in fiscal 2017 related to both a lower of cost or market inventory reserve and finalizing the sale of Diamond Crystal Brands.

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Related Party Transactions

There has been no material change in the information regarding Related Party Transactions as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents were $261.6 million at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $548.9 million at the end of the comparable fiscal 2017 period.

Cash provided by operating activities was $443.3 million in the first six months of fiscal 2018 compared to $280.6 million in the same period of fiscal 2017. Higher net earnings and lower working capital in the first six months of the year led to the increase.

Cash used in investing activities was $986.5 million in the first six months of fiscal 2018 compared to cash provided by investing activities of $64.1 million in the same period of fiscal 2017. In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company spent $857.6 million on the acquisition of Columbus. Capital expenditures in the first six months of fiscal 2018 increased to $141.2 million from $77.0 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2017. The Company currently estimates its fiscal 2018 capital expenditures will be approximately $425.0 million. Key projects include bacon capacity increases in the Wichita, Kansas, facility; a new whole bird facility in Melrose, Minnesota; modernization of the Austin, Minnesota, plant; and projects designed to increase value-added capacity.

Cash provided by financing activities was $355.9 million in the first six months of fiscal 2018 compared to cash used in financing activities of $207.2 million in the same period of fiscal 2017. In connection with the purchase of Columbus, the Company borrowed $375.0 million under a term loan facility and $375.0 million under a revolving credit facility, with $190.0 million paid down during the first six months. The Company repurchased $44.7 million of its common stock in the first six months of fiscal 2018 compared to $49.6 million repurchased during the same period of the prior year. For additional information pertaining to the Company’s share repurchase plans or programs, see Part II, Item 2 “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.”

Cash dividends paid to the Company’s shareholders continue to be an ongoing financing activity for the Company. Dividends paid in the first six months of fiscal 2018 were $189.1 million compared to $166.5 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2017. For fiscal 2018, the annual dividend rate was increased to $0.75 per share, representing the 52nd consecutive annual dividend increase. The Company has paid dividends for 359 consecutive quarters and expects to continue doing so.

The Company is required, by certain covenants in its debt agreements, to maintain specified levels of financial ratios and financial position. At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company was in compliance with all of these debt covenants.

Cash flows from operating activities continue to provide the Company with its principal source of liquidity. The Company does not anticipate a significant risk to cash flows from this source in the foreseeable future because the Company operates in a relatively stable industry and has strong brands across many product lines.

The Company is dedicated to returning excess cash flow to shareholders through dividend payments. Growing the business through innovation and evaluating opportunities for strategic acquisitions remains a focus for the Company. Reinvestments in the business to ensure employee and food safety are a top priority for the Company. Capital spending to enhance and expand current operations will also be a significant cash outflow for fiscal 2018. Along with these commitments, the Company will continue payments to reduce short-term debt borrowed in connection with the acquisition of Columbus.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The Company records income taxes in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. The Company is unable to determine its contractual obligations by year related to this pronouncement, as the ultimate amount or timing of settlement of its reserves for income taxes cannot be reasonably estimated. The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, at April 29, 2018, was $24.6 million.

There have been no other material changes to the information regarding the Company’s future contractual financial obligations that was disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of April 29, 2018, and October 29, 2017, the Company had $44.5 million and $48.0 million, respectively, of standby letters of credit issued on its behalf. The standby letters of credit are primarily related to the Company’s self-insured workers compensation programs. However, that amount includes $2.3 million as of April 29, 2018, and $4.0 million as of October 29, 2017, of revocable standby letters of credit for obligations of an affiliated party that may arise under workers compensation claims. Letters of credit are not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.,

Trademarks

References to the Company’s brands or products in italics within this report represent valuable trademarks owned or licensed by Hormel Foods, LLC or other subsidiaries of Hormel Foods Corporation.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The “forward-looking” information may include statements concerning the Company’s outlook for the future as well as other statements of beliefs, future plans, strategies, or anticipated events and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information. The Company is filing this cautionary statement in connection with the Reform Act. When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders, other filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission), the Company’s press releases, and oral statements made by the Company’s representatives, the words or phrases “should result,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “are expected to,” “targeted,” “will continue,” “will approximate,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those anticipated or projected.

In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Reform Act, the Company is identifying risk factors that could affect financial performance and cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods. The discussion of risk factors in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain cautionary statements regarding the Company’s business, which should be considered by investors and others. Such risk factors should be considered in conjunction with any discussions of operations or results by the Company or its representatives, including any forward-looking discussion, as well as comments contained in press releases, presentations to securities analysts or investors, or other communications by the Company.

In making these statements, the Company is not undertaking, and specifically declines to undertake, any obligation to address or update each or any factor in future filings or communications regarding the Company’s business or results, and is not undertaking to address how any of these factors may have caused changes to discussions or information contained in previous filings or communications. Though the Company has attempted to list comprehensively these important cautionary risk factors, the Company wishes to caution investors and others that other factors may in the future prove to be important in affecting the Company’s business or results of operations.

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which represent current views as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are inherently at risk to any changes in the national and worldwide economic environment, which could include, among other things, economic conditions, political developments, currency exchange rates, interest and inflation rates, accounting standards, taxes, and laws and regulations affecting the Company and its markets.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Hog Markets: The Company’s earnings are affected by fluctuations in the live hog market. To minimize the impact on earnings, and to ensure a steady supply of quality hogs, the Company has entered into contracts with producers for the purchase of hogs at formula-based prices over periods of up to 10 years. Purchased hogs under contract accounted for 96 percent and 95 percent of the total hogs purchased by the Company during the first six months of fiscal years 2018 and 2017, respectively. The majority of these contracts use market-based formulas based on hog futures, hog primal values, or industry reported hog markets. Other contracts use a formula based on the cost of production, which can fluctuate independently from hog markets.

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The Company’s value-added branded portfolio helps mitigate changes in hog and pork market prices. Therefore, a hypothetical 10 percent change in the cash hog market would have had an immaterial effect on the Company’s results of operations.

Certain procurement contracts allow for future hog deliveries (firm commitments) to be forward priced. The Company generally hedges these firm commitments by using hog futures contracts. These futures contracts are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges. The change in the market value of such futures contracts is highly effective at offsetting changes in price movements of the hedged item, and the Company evaluates the effectiveness of the contracts at least quarterly. Changes in the fair value of the futures contracts, along with the gain or loss on the firm commitment, are marked-to-market through earnings and are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as a current asset and liability, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s open futures contracts as of April 29, 2018, was $0.7 million compared to $(0.9) million as of October 29, 2017. The Company measures its market risk exposure on its hog futures contracts using a sensitivity analysis, which considers a hypothetical 10 percent change in market prices. A 10 percent increase in market prices would have negatively impacted the fair value of the Company’s April 29, 2018, open contracts by $1.0 million, which in turn would lower the Company’s future cost of purchased hogs by a similar amount.

Turkey Production Costs: The Company raises or contracts for live turkeys to meet the majority of its raw material supply requirements. Production costs in raising turkeys are subject primarily to fluctuations in feed prices, and to a lesser extent, fuel costs. Under normal, long-term market conditions, changes in the cost to produce turkeys are offset by proportional changes in the turkey market.

To reduce the Company’s exposure to changes in grain prices, the Company utilizes a hedge program to offset the fluctuation in the Company’s future direct grain purchases. This program currently utilizes corn futures for JOTS, and these contracts are accounted for under cash flow hedge accounting. The fair value of the Company’s open futures contracts as of April 29, 2018, was $1.5 million compared to $(2.2) million, before tax, as of October 29, 2017. The Company measures its market risk exposure on its grain futures contracts using a sensitivity analysis, which considers a hypothetical 10 percent change in the market prices for grain. A 10 percent decrease in the market price for grain would have negatively impacted the fair value of the Company’s April 29, 2018, open grain contracts by $4.8 million, which in turn would lower the Company’s future cost on purchased grain by a similar amount.

Other Input Costs: The costs of raw materials, packaging materials, freight, fuel, and energy may cause the Company's results to fluctuate significantly. To manage input cost volatility, the Company pursues cost saving measures, forward pricing, derivatives, and pricing actions when necessary.

Long-Term Debt: A principal market risk affecting the Company is the exposure to changes in interest rates on the Company’s fixed-rate, long-term debt. Market risk for fixed-rate, long-term debt is estimated as the potential increase in fair value, resulting from a hypothetical 10 percent decrease in interest rates, and amounts to approximately $2.2 million. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was estimated using discounted future cash flows based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Investments: The Company has corporate-owned life insurance policies classified as trading securities as part of a rabbi trust to fund certain supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred income plans. As of April 29, 2018, the balance of these securities totaled $137.5 million compared to $128.5 million as of October 29, 2017. A majority of these securities represent fixed income funds. The Company is subject to market risk due to fluctuations in the value of the remaining investments, as unrealized gains and losses associated with these securities are included in the Company’s net earnings on a mark-to-market basis. A 10 percent decline in the value of the investments not held in fixed income funds would have a direct negative impact to the Company’s pretax earnings of approximately $4.5 million, while a 10 percent increase in value would have a positive impact of the same amount.

International: While the Company does have international operations and operates in international markets, it considers its market risk in such activities to be immaterial.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures


(a)	Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report (the Evaluation Date), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well

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designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information the Company is required to disclose in reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


(b)	Internal Controls.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is a party to various legal proceedings related to the on-going operation of its business, including claims both by and against the Company. At any time, such proceedings typically involve claims related to product liability, contract disputes, wage and hour laws, employment practices, or other actions brought by employees, consumers, competitors, or suppliers. The Company establishes accruals for its potential exposure, as appropriate, for claims against the Company when losses become probable and reasonably estimable. However, future developments or settlements are uncertain and may require the Company to change such accruals as proceedings progress. Resolution of any currently known matters, either individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Risk Factors

The Company’s operations are subject to the general risks of the food industry.

The food products manufacturing industry is subject to the risks posed by:


▪	food spoilage;


▪	food contamination caused by disease-producing organisms or pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and pathogenic E coli.;


▪	food allergens;


▪	nutritional and health-related concerns;


▪	federal, state, and local food processing controls;


▪	consumer product liability claims;


▪	product tampering; and


▪	the possible unavailability and/or expense of liability insurance.

The pathogens which may cause food contamination are found generally in livestock and in the environment and thus may be present in our products. These pathogens also can be introduced to our products as a result of improper handling by customers or consumers. We do not have control over handling procedures once our products have been shipped for distribution. If one or more of these risks were to materialize, the Company’s brand and business reputation could be negatively impacted. In addition, revenues could decrease, costs of doing business could increase, and the Company’s operating results could be adversely affected.

Deterioration of economic conditions could harm the Company’s business.

The Company's business may be adversely affected by changes in national or global economic conditions, including inflation, interest rates, availability of capital, energy availability and costs (including fuel surcharges), and the effects of governmental initiatives to manage economic conditions. Decreases in consumer spending rates and shifts in consumer product preferences could also negatively impact the Company.

Volatility in financial markets and the deterioration of national and global economic conditions could impact the Company’s operations as follows:


▪	The financial stability of our customers and suppliers may be compromised, which could result in additional bad debts for the Company or non-performance by suppliers; and


▪	The value of our investments in debt and equity securities may decline, including most significantly the Company’s trading securities held as part of a rabbi trust to fund supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred income plans, and the Company’s assets held in pension plans.

The Company utilizes hedging programs to manage its exposure to various commodity market risks, which qualify for hedge accounting for financial reporting purposes. Volatile fluctuations in market conditions could cause these instruments to become ineffective, which could require any gains or losses associated with these instruments to be reported in the Company’s earnings each period. These instruments may limit the Company’s ability to benefit from market gains if commodity prices become more favorable than those secured under the Company’s hedging programs.

Additionally, if a highly pathogenic disease outbreak developed in the United States, it may negatively impact the national economy, demand for Company products, and/or the Company’s workforce availability, and the Company’s financial results could suffer. The Company has developed contingency plans to address infectious disease scenarios and the potential impact on its operations, and will continue to update these plans as necessary. There can be no assurance given, however, these plans will be effective in eliminating the negative effects of any such diseases on the Company’s operating results.

Fluctuations in commodity prices and availability of pork, poultry, beef, feed grains, avocados, peanuts, energy, and whey could harm the Company’s earnings.

The Company’s results of operations and financial condition are largely dependent upon the cost and supply of pork, poultry, beef, feed grains, avocados, peanuts, and whey as well as energy costs and the selling prices for many of our products, which are determined by constantly changing market forces of supply and demand.

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The live hog industry has evolved to large, vertically-integrated operations using long-term supply agreements. This has resulted in fewer hogs being available on the cash spot market. Consequently, the Company uses long-term supply contracts based on market-based formulas or the cost of production to ensure a stable supply of raw materials while minimizing extreme fluctuations in costs over the long-term. This may result, in the short-term, in costs for live hogs that are higher than the cash spot market depending on the relationship of the cash spot market to contract prices. Market-based pricing on certain product lines, and lead time required to implement pricing adjustments, may prevent all or part of these cost increases from being recovered, and these higher costs could adversely affect our short-term financial results.

JOTS raises turkeys and contracts with turkey growers to meet its raw material requirements for whole birds and processed turkey products. Results in these operations are affected by the cost and supply of feed grains, which fluctuate due to climate conditions, production forecasts, and supply and demand conditions at local, regional, national, and worldwide levels. The Company attempts to manage some of its short-term exposure to fluctuations in feed prices by forward buying, using futures contracts, and pursuing pricing advances. However, these strategies may not be adequate to overcome sustained increases in market prices due to alternate uses for feed grains or other changes in these market conditions.

The supply of natural and organic proteins may impact the Company’s ability to ensure a continuing supply of these products. To mitigate this risk, the Company partners with multiple long-term suppliers.

International trade barriers and other restrictions could result in less foreign demand and increased domestic supply of proteins which could lower prices. The Company occasionally utilizes in-country production to limit this exposure.

Outbreaks of disease among livestock and poultry flocks could harm the Company’s revenues and operating margins.

The Company is subject to risks associated with the outbreak of disease in pork and beef livestock, and poultry flocks, including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), pneumo-virus, Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV2), Porcine Reproduction & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv), and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The outbreak of disease could adversely affect the Company’s supply of raw materials, increase the cost of production, reduce utilization of the Company’s harvest facilities, and reduce operating margins. Additionally, the outbreak of disease may hinder the Company’s ability to market and sell products both domestically and internationally. The Company has developed business continuity plans for various disease scenarios and will continue to update these plans as necessary. There can be no assurance given, however, these plans will be effective in eliminating the negative effects of any such diseases on the Company’s operating results.

Market demand for the Company’s products may fluctuate.

The Company faces competition from producers of alternative meats and protein sources, including pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, nut butters, and whey. The bases on which the Company competes include:


▪	price;


▪	product quality and attributes;


▪	brand identification;


▪	breadth of product line; and


▪	customer service.

Demand for the Company’s products is also affected by competitors’ promotional spending, the effectiveness of the Company’s advertising and marketing programs, and consumer perceptions. Failure to identify and react to changes in food trends such as sustainability of product sources and animal welfare could lead to, among other things, reduced demand for the Company’s brands and products. The Company may be unable to compete successfully on any or all of these bases in the future.

The Company’s operations are subject to the general risks associated with acquisitions.

The Company has made several acquisitions in recent years, most recently the acquisitions of Columbus, Fontanini, and Ceratti, and regularly reviews opportunities for strategic growth through acquisitions. Potential risks associated with acquisitions include the inability to integrate new operations successfully, the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns, the potential loss of key employees and customers of the acquired companies, the possible assumption of unknown liabilities, potential disputes with the sellers, potential impairment charges if purchase assumptions are not achieved or market conditions decline, and the inherent risks in entering markets or lines of business in which the Company has limited or no prior experience. Any or all of these risks could impact the Company’s financial results and business reputation. In

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addition, acquisitions outside the United States may present unique challenges and increase the Company's exposure to the risks associated with foreign operations.

The Company is subject to disruption of operations at co-packers or other suppliers.

Disruption of operations at co‑packers or other suppliers may impact the Company’s product or raw material supply, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial results. Additionally, actions taken to mitigate the impact of any potential disruption, including increasing inventory in anticipation of a potential production or supply interruption, may adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The Company’s operations are subject to the general risks of litigation.

The Company is involved on an ongoing basis in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Trends in litigation may include class actions involving employees, consumers, competitors, suppliers, shareholders, or injured persons, and claims relating to product liability, contract disputes, intellectual property, advertising, labeling, wage and hour laws, employment practices, or environmental matters. Litigation trends and the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and adverse litigation trends and outcomes could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The Company is subject to the loss of a material contract.

The Company is a party to several supply, distribution, contract packaging, and other material contracts. The loss of a material contract could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

Government regulation, present and future, exposes the Company to potential sanctions and compliance costs that could adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s operations are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, federal and state taxing authorities, and other federal, state, and local authorities who oversee workforce immigration laws, tax regulations, animal welfare, food safety standards, and the processing, packaging, storage, distribution, advertising, and labeling of the Company’s products. The Company’s manufacturing facilities and products are subject to continuous inspection by federal, state, and local authorities. Claims or enforcement proceedings could be brought against the Company in the future. The availability of government inspectors due to a government furlough could also cause disruption to the Company’s manufacturing facilities. Additionally, the Company is subject to new or modified laws, regulations, and accounting standards. The Company’s failure or inability to comply with such requirements could subject the Company to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls, or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions.

The Company is subject to stringent environmental regulation and potentially subject to environmental litigation, proceedings, and investigations.

The Company’s past and present business operations and ownership and operation of real property are subject to stringent federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment and the handling and disposition of wastes (including solid and hazardous wastes) or otherwise relating to protection of the environment. Compliance with these laws and regulations, and the ability to comply with any modifications to these laws and regulations, is material to the Company’s business. New matters or sites may be identified in the future requiring additional investigation, assessment, or expenditures. In addition, some of the Company’s facilities have been in operation for many years and, over time, the Company and other prior operators of these facilities may have generated and disposed of wastes that now may be considered hazardous. Future discovery of contamination of property underlying or in the vicinity of the Company’s present or former properties or manufacturing facilities and/or waste disposal sites could require the Company to incur additional expenses. The occurrence of any of these events, the implementation of new laws and regulations, or stricter interpretation of existing laws or regulations could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The Company’s foreign operations pose additional risks to the Company’s business.

The Company operates its business and markets its products internationally. The Company’s foreign operations are subject to the risks described above, as well as risks related to fluctuations in currency values, foreign currency exchange controls, compliance with foreign laws, compliance with applicable U.S. laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other economic or political uncertainties. International sales are subject to risks related to general economic conditions, imposition of tariffs, quotas, trade barriers and other restrictions, enforcement of remedies in foreign jurisdictions and compliance with

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applicable foreign laws, and other economic and political uncertainties. All of these risks could result in increased costs or decreased revenues, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The Company may be adversely impacted if the Company is unable to protect information technology systems against, or effectively respond to, cyber-attacks or security breaches.

Information technology systems are an important part of the Company’s business operations. Attempted cyber-attacks and other cyber incidents are occurring more frequently and are being made by groups and individuals with a wide range of motives and expertise. In an attempt to mitigate this risk, the Company has implemented and continues to evaluate security initiatives and business continuity plans.

Deterioration of labor relations or increases in labor costs could harm the Company’s business.

As of April 29, 2018, the Company had approximately 20,600 employees worldwide, of which approximately 4,470 were represented by labor unions, principally the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. A significant increase in labor costs or a deterioration of labor relations at any of the Company’s facilities or contracted hog processing facilities resulting in work slowdowns or stoppages could harm the Company’s financial results. The company successfully negotiated a union contract at its facility in Rochelle, Illinois during the second quarter covering approximately 625 employees.

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2018



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased¹	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs¹	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs¹
January 29, 2018 – March 4, 2018	593,014	$	32.95	539,014	9,121,823
March 5, 2018 – April 1, 2018	—	—		—	9,121,823
April 2, 2018 – April 29, 2018	—	—		—	9,121,823
Total	593,014	$	32.95	539,014

¹On January 31, 2013, the Company announced its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock with no expiration date. The repurchase program was authorized at a meeting of the Company’s Board of Directors on January 29, 2013. On November 23, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one split of the Company’s common stock. As part of the resolution to approve the stock split, the number of shares remaining to be repurchased was adjusted proportionately. The stock split was subsequently approved by shareholders at the Company’s Annual Meeting on January 26, 2016, and effected January 27, 2016. All numbers in the table above reflect the impact of this stock split.

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Item 6. Exhibits



31.1	Certification Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2	Certification Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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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.



		HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
		(Registrant)


Date: June 8, 2018	By	/s/ JAMES N. SHEEHAN
		JAMES N. SHEEHAN
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

Date: June 8, 2018	By	/s/ JANA L. HAYNES
		JANA L. HAYNES
		Vice President and Controller
		(Principal Accounting Officer)