Kraft Heinz Co - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||||
For the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021
or
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||||
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission File Number 001-37482
The Kraft Heinz Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 46-2078182 | |||||||||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||
| One PPG Place, | Pittsburgh, | Pennsylvania | 15222 | |||||||||||
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (412) 456-5700
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of exchange on which registered | ||||||
| Common stock, $0.01 par value | KHC | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See 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 | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ | ||||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price of such stock as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter, was $28 billion. As of February 12, 2022, there were 1,223,740,203 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders expected to be held on May 5, 2022 are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
Table of Contents
S-1 | |||||
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Kraft Heinz,” and the “Company” each refer to The Kraft Heinz Company and all of its consolidated subsidiaries.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains a number of forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “reflect,” “invest,” “see,” “make,” “expect,” “give,” “deliver,” “drive,” “believe,” “improve,” “assess,” “reassess,” “remain,” “evaluate,” “grow,” “will,” “plan,” “intend,” and variations of such words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our plans, impacts of accounting standards and guidance, growth, legal matters, taxes, costs and cost savings, impairments, and dividends. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control.
Important factors that may affect our business and operations and that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impacts of COVID-19 and government and consumer responses; operating in a highly competitive industry; our ability to correctly predict, identify, and interpret changes in consumer preferences and demand, to offer new products to meet those changes, and to respond to competitive innovation; changes in the retail landscape or the loss of key retail customers; changes in our relationships with significant customers or suppliers, or in other business relationships; our ability to maintain, extend, and expand our reputation and brand image; our ability to leverage our brand value to compete against private label products; our ability to drive revenue growth in our key product categories or platforms, increase our market share, or add products that are in faster-growing and more profitable categories; product recalls or other product liability claims; climate change and legal or regulatory responses; our ability to identify, complete, or realize the benefits from strategic acquisitions, alliances, divestitures, joint ventures, or other investments; our ability to successfully execute our strategic initiatives; the impacts of our international operations; our ability to protect intellectual property rights; our ownership structure; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from prior or future streamlining actions to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and improve our competitiveness; our level of indebtedness, as well as our ability to comply with covenants under our debt instruments; additional impairments of the carrying amounts of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; volatility in commodity, energy, and other input costs; volatility in the market value of all or a portion of the commodity derivatives we use; compliance with laws and regulations and related legal claims or regulatory enforcement actions; failure to maintain an effective system of internal controls; a downgrade in our credit rating; the impact of future sales of our common stock in the public market; our ability to continue to pay a regular dividend and the amounts of any such dividends; unanticipated business disruptions and natural events in the locations in which we or our customers, suppliers, distributors, or regulators operate; economic and political conditions in the United States and in various other nations where we do business; changes in our management team or other key personnel and our ability to hire or retain key personnel or a highly skilled and diverse global workforce; risks associated with information technology and systems, including service interruptions, misappropriation of data, or breaches of security; increased pension, labor, and people-related expenses; changes in tax laws and interpretations; volatility of capital markets and other macroeconomic factors; and other factors. For additional information on these and other factors that could affect our forward-looking statements, see Item 1A, Risk Factors. We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update, revise, or withdraw any forward-looking statement in this report, except as required by applicable law or regulation.
PART I
Item 1. Business.
General
We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let’s Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2021 net sales of approximately $26 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of six consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we’re dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways.
On July 2, 2015, through a series of transactions, we consummated the merger of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (“Kraft”) with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz”) (the “2015 Merger”). At the closing of the 2015 Merger, Heinz was renamed The Kraft Heinz Company, and H. J. Heinz Company changed its name to Kraft Heinz Foods Company.
Before the consummation of the 2015 Merger, Heinz was controlled by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire Hathaway”) and 3G Global Food Holdings, LP (“3G Global Food Holdings” and, together with its affiliates, “3G Capital”) (3G Capital together with Berkshire Hathaway, the “Sponsors”), following their acquisition of H. J. Heinz Company on June 7, 2013 (the “2013 Heinz Acquisition”).
We operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in December in each calendar year. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to years and quarters contained herein pertain to our fiscal years and fiscal quarters. Our 2021 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 25, 2021, the 2020 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 26, 2020, and the 2019 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 28, 2019.
Reportable Segments:
We manage and report our operating results through three reportable segments defined by geographic region: United States, International, and Canada.
During the fourth quarter of 2021, certain organizational changes were announced that will impact our future internal reporting and reportable segments. As a result of these changes, we plan to combine our United States and Canada zones to form the North America zone, and expect to have two reportable segments, North America and International. We expect that any change to our reportable segments will be effective in the second quarter of 2022.
See Note 21, Segment Reporting, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for our geographic financial information by segment.
COVID-19 Pandemic:
The ongoing spread of COVID-19 throughout the United States and internationally, as well as measures implemented by governmental authorities and private businesses in an attempt to minimize transmission of the virus (including social distancing mandates, shelter-in-place orders, vaccine mandates, and business restrictions and shutdowns) and consumer responses to such measures and the pandemic have had and continue to have negative and positive implications for portions of our business. Though many areas have relaxed restrictions, varying levels remain throughout the world, are continuously evolving, and may be increased, including as a result of further outbreaks, resurgences, or the emergence of new variants.
We have been actively monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on our business. In 2020, particularly in March and April, we experienced consolidated net sales growth as higher demand for our retail products more than offset declines in our foodservice business. In 2021, we continued to experience strong retail demand compared to pre-pandemic periods. However, retail consumption declined when compared to the comparable 2020 period based on the strong consumer demand early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in March and April 2020. Beginning in the second quarter of 2021 and continuing through year end, our foodservice business experienced increased consumer demand compared to the comparable 2020 periods, which were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we continue to see decreased foodservice demand in certain parts of our global business, including the United States and Canada, compared to pre-pandemic periods. COVID-19 and its impacts are unprecedented and continuously evolving, and the long-term impacts to our financial condition and results of operations are still uncertain.
1
Resources
Trademarks and Intellectual Property:
Our trademarks are material to our business and are among our most valuable assets. Depending on the country, trademarks generally remain valid for as long as they are in use or their registration status is maintained. Trademark registrations generally are for renewable, fixed terms. Significant trademarks by segment based on net sales in 2021 were:
| Majority Owned and Licensed Trademarks | ||||||||
| United States | Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz, Velveeta, Philadelphia, Lunchables, Capri Sun*, Ore-Ida, Maxwell House, Kool-Aid, Jell-O | |||||||
| International | Heinz, ABC, Master, Kraft, Golden Circle, Quero, Plasmon, Wattie’s, Pudliszki | |||||||
| Canada | Kraft, Philadelphia, Heinz, Classico, Maxwell House | |||||||
*Used under license.
We sell certain products under brands we license from third parties. In 2021, brands used under licenses from third parties included Capri Sun packaged drink pouches for sale in the United States. In addition, in our agreements with Mondelēz International, Inc. (“Mondelēz”), following the spin-off of Kraft from Mondelēz in 2012, we each granted the other party various licenses to use certain of our and their respective intellectual property rights in named jurisdictions for certain periods of time. In 2021, in our agreements with an affiliate of Groupe Lactalis (“Lactalis”), related to the sale of certain assets in our global cheese business, we each granted the other party various licenses to use certain of our and their respective intellectual property rights in perpetuity, including perpetual licenses for the Kraft and Velveeta brands for certain cheese products.
We also own numerous patents worldwide. We consider our portfolio of patents, patent applications, patent licenses under patents owned by third parties, proprietary trade secrets, technology, know-how processes, and related intellectual property rights to be material to our operations. Patents, issued or applied for, cover inventions ranging from packaging techniques to processes relating to specific products and to the products themselves. While our patent portfolio is material to our business, the loss of one patent or a group of related patents would not have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our issued patents extend for varying periods according to the date of the patent application filing or grant and the legal term of patents in the various countries where patent protection is obtained. The actual protection afforded by a patent, which can vary from country to country, depends upon the type of patent, the scope of its coverage as determined by the patent office or courts in the country, and the availability of legal remedies in the country.
Raw Materials and Packaging:
We manufacture (and contract for the manufacture of) our products from a wide variety of raw materials. We purchase and use large quantities of commodities, including dairy products, meat products, coffee beans, soybean and vegetable oils, sugar and other sweeteners, tomatoes, potatoes, corn products, wheat products, nuts, and cocoa products, to manufacture our products. In addition, we purchase and use significant quantities of resins, fiberboard, metals, and cardboard to package our products, and we use electricity, diesel fuel, and natural gas in the manufacturing and distribution of our products. For commodities that we use across many of our product categories, such as corrugated paper and energy, we coordinate sourcing requirements and centralize procurement to leverage our scale. In addition, some of our product lines and brands separately source raw materials that are specific to their operations. We source these commodities from a variety of providers, including large, international producers and smaller, local, independent sellers. Where appropriate, we seek to establish preferred purchaser status and have developed strategic partnerships with many of our suppliers with the objective of achieving favorable pricing and dependable supply for many of our commodities. The prices of raw materials that we use in our products are affected by external factors, such as global competition for resources, currency fluctuations, severe weather or global climate change, pandemics, consumer, industrial, or investment demand, and changes in governmental regulation and trade, tariffs, alternative energy, and agricultural programs. In 2021, we experienced higher than expected commodity costs and supply chain costs, including logistics, procurement, and manufacturing costs, largely due to inflationary pressures. We expect this cost inflation to remain elevated through at least 2022.
Our procurement teams monitor worldwide supply and cost trends so we can obtain ingredients and packaging needed for production at competitive prices. Although the prices of our principal raw materials can be expected to fluctuate, we believe there will be an adequate supply of the raw materials we use and that they are generally available from numerous sources. We use a range of hedging techniques in an effort to limit the impact of price fluctuations on many of our principal raw materials. However, we do not fully hedge against changes in commodity prices, and our hedging strategies may not protect us from increases in specific raw material costs. We actively monitor changes to commodity costs so that we can seek to mitigate the effect through pricing and other operational measures.
2
Research and Development
Our research and development efforts focus on achieving the following four objectives:
•product innovations, renovations, and new technologies to meet changing consumer needs and drive growth;
•world-class and uncompromising food safety, quality, and consistency;
•superior, customer-preferred product and package performance; and
•continuous process improvement and product optimization in pursuit of cost reductions.
Competition
Our products are sold in highly competitive marketplaces, which have experienced increased concentration and the growing presence of e-commerce retailers, large-format retailers, and discounters. Our competitors include large national and international food and beverage companies and numerous local and regional companies. We compete with both branded and private label products sold by retailers, wholesalers, and cooperatives. We compete on the basis of product innovation, price, product quality, nutritional value, service, taste, convenience, brand recognition and loyalty, effectiveness of marketing and distribution, promotional activity, and the ability to identify and satisfy changing consumer preferences. Improving our market position or introducing new products requires substantial advertising and promotional expenditures.
Sales
Sales and Customers:
Our products are sold through our own sales organizations and through independent brokers, agents, and distributors to chain, wholesale, cooperative and independent grocery accounts, convenience stores, drug stores, value stores, bakeries, pharmacies, mass merchants, club stores, foodservice distributors, and institutions, including hotels, restaurants, hospitals, health care facilities, and certain government agencies. Our products are also sold online through various e-commerce platforms and retailers. Our largest customer, Walmart Inc., represented approximately 22% of our net sales in both 2021 and 2020 and approximately 21% of our net sales in 2019.
Additionally, we have key customers in different regions around the world; however, none of these customers are individually significant to our consolidated business. In 2021, the five largest customers in our United States segment accounted for approximately 50% of United States segment net sales, the five largest customers in our International segment accounted for approximately 17% of International segment net sales, and the five largest customers in our Canada segment accounted for approximately 74% of Canada segment net sales.
We manage our sales portfolio through six consumer-driven product platforms. A platform is a lens created for the portfolio based on a grouping of real consumer needs and includes the following for Kraft Heinz: Taste Elevation, Fast Fresh Meals, Easy Meals Made Better, Real Food Snacking, Flavorful Hydration, and Easy Indulgent Desserts. The platforms are modular and configurable by reportable segment and market. Further, each platform is assigned a role within our business to help inform our resource allocation and investment decisions, which are made at the reportable segment level. These roles include: Grow, Energize, and Stabilize. The role of a platform may also vary by reportable segment and market. The platform approach helps us to manage our business efficiently, including the oversight of our various product categories and brands, and transforms the way we plan for our growth.
Net Sales by Platform:
In 2021, following the divestiture of certain of our global cheese businesses, we reorganized certain products within our platforms to reflect how we plan to manage our business going forward, including the role assigned to these products and platforms within our business. We have reflected these changes in all historical periods presented. Net sales by platform as a percentage of consolidated net sales for the periods presented were:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Taste Elevation | 28 | % | 26 | % | 26 | % | |||||||||||
| Fast Fresh Meals | 25 | % | 26 | % | 25 | % | |||||||||||
| Easy Meals Made Better | 19 | % | 19 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||||
| Real Food Snacking | 7 | % | 9 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||
| Flavorful Hydration | 7 | % | 6 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||
| Easy Indulgent Desserts | 4 | % | 4 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||
| Other | 10 | % | 10 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||||
3
Net Sales by Product Category:
The product categories that contributed 10% or more to consolidated net sales in any of the periods presented were:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Condiments and sauces | 28 | % | 26 | % | 26 | % | |||||||||||
| Cheese and dairy | 19 | % | 20 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||||
| Ambient foods | 11 | % | 11 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||
| Frozen and chilled foods | 10 | % | 10 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||
| Meats and seafood | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||
Seasonality
Although crops constituting certain of our raw food ingredients are harvested on a seasonal basis, the majority of our products are produced throughout the year.
Seasonal factors inherent in our business change the demand for products, including holidays, changes in seasons, or other annual events. While these factors influence our quarterly net sales, operating income/(loss), and cash flows at the product level, unless the timing of such events shift period-over-period (e.g., a shift in Easter timing), this seasonality does not typically have a significant effect on our consolidated results of operations or segment results.
Government Regulation
The manufacture and sale of consumer food and beverage products is highly regulated. Our business operations, including the production, transportation, storage, distribution, sale, display, advertising, marketing, labeling, quality and safety of our products and their ingredients, and our occupational safety, health, and privacy practices, are subject to various laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are administered by federal, state, and local government agencies in the United States, as well as government entities and agencies outside the United States in markets where our products are manufactured, distributed, or sold. In the United States, our activities are subject to regulation by various federal government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture, Federal Trade Commission, Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, and Environmental Protection Agency, as well as various state and local agencies. We are also subject to numerous laws and regulations outside of the United States, including but not limited to laws and regulations governing food safety, health and safety, anti-corruption, and data privacy. In our business dealings, we are also required to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act, the U.S. Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act, and various other anti-corruption regulations in the regions in which we operate. We rely on legal and operational compliance programs, as well as in-house and outside counsel, to guide our businesses in complying with applicable laws and regulations of the countries in which we do business. In addition, regulatory regime changes may add cost and complexity to our compliance efforts.
Environmental Regulation:
Our activities throughout the world are highly regulated and subject to government oversight regarding environmental matters. Various laws concerning the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and the operation of facilities in environmentally sensitive locations may impact aspects of our operations.
In the United States, where a significant portion of our business operates, these laws and regulations include the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). CERCLA imposes joint and several liability on each potentially responsible party. We are involved in a number of active proceedings in the United States under CERCLA (and other similar state actions under similar legislation) related to certain closed, inactive, or divested operations for which we retain liability.
As of December 25, 2021, we had accrued an amount we deemed appropriate for environmental remediation. Based on information currently available, we believe that the ultimate resolution of existing environmental remediation actions and our compliance in general with environmental laws and regulations will not have a material effect on our earnings or financial condition. However, it is difficult to predict with certainty the potential impact of future compliance efforts and environmental remedial actions and thus, future costs associated with such matters may exceed current reserves.
4
Human Capital Management
We are driven by our Purpose, our Vision To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally, and our Values—We are consumer obsessed, We dare to do better every day, We champion great people, We demand diversity, We do the right thing, and We own it. We recognize that a strong company culture is vital to our overall success. Our Purpose, Vision, and Values are the foundation upon which our culture is built. They represent the expectations we have for ourselves and the environment we aspire to create for our Company. Our Board of Directors (“Board”), through the Compensation Committee, oversees our human resources strategy and key policies.
Engagement and Retention:
We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining diverse, world-class talent and creating an engaging and inclusive culture that embodies our Purpose, Vision, and Values. As of December 25, 2021, Kraft Heinz had approximately 36,000 employees globally. Driven by our Value We champion great people, we are committed to supporting our employees’ health, safety, and professional development and to rewarding outstanding performance at every level. Our compensation, benefits, recognition, and LiveWell programs are designed to attract and retain highly skilled talent, meet individual and family needs, and inspire, celebrate, and engage our people and teams through active listening channels.
Guided by our Values, we conduct a global engagement survey annually to provide our employees with an opportunity to share anonymous feedback with management across a variety of topic areas. Leaders review the results to help determine where changes are needed to support our people and teams.
Wellbeing and Safety:
Our employees’ health, safety, and wellbeing are of the utmost importance. We establish and administer company-wide policies and processes to protect the health, safety, and security of our employees, subcontractors, and all those who visit our facilities, and to comply with applicable regulations. We review and monitor our performance closely to drive continuous improvement. In 2021, our Total Recordable Incident Rate (“TRIR”) was 0.62 globally. TRIR is a medical incident rate based on the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) record-keeping criteria (injuries per 200,000 hours).
In response to the emergence of COVID-19 in early 2020, we provided enhanced benefits and implemented additional workplace safety programs and processes in all our manufacturing facilities, many of which have continued through 2021. In 2021, we also began a limited return to office for our global office populations with heightened in-office health and safety protocols that followed local regulations. As the circumstances and impacts of COVID-19 continue to evolve, we regularly evaluate our response to adapt and protect the health and safety of our employees, while supporting consumers and our communities.
Our global LiveWell program addresses physical, emotional, financial, and social health and wellbeing. We have continued to champion the LiveWell program’s holistic approach to wellbeing in response to COVID-19 with enhanced programs, including healthcare benefits, disability, and employee assistance initiatives.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging:
We live our Value of We demand diversity by focusing on three strategic areas: hiring and growing talent from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, developing inclusive leaders, and tracking and reporting our progress. In 2021, we shared our 2025 diversity, inclusion, and belonging aspirations, which include that 50% of our global management positions be filled by women and 30% of our salaried U.S. employee population identify as people of color. As of December 25, 2021:
•39% of employees in management positions globally identified as women*;
•27% of salaried employees in the U.S. identified as people of color;
•30% of our Executive Leadership Team identified as women; and
•80% of our Executive Leadership Team identified as people of color.
*This figure does not include employees that joined the Company as part of acquisitions that closed in the fourth quarter of 2021, which represent approximately 1% of our total employees globally as of December 25, 2021.
As we work to meet our 2025 aspirations, we are focused on:
•Hiring and Growing Talent from Diverse Backgrounds and Perspectives through expanded recruiting partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and training and leveraging artificial intelligence in our hiring process to reduce bias. In addition, our Business Resource Groups (BRGs) offer learning and development opportunities and create a network of support for employees.
•Developing Inclusive Leaders through an interactive learning experience for managers on interrupting bias in our Organizational People Review process and their role in creating an inclusive environment.
•Tracking and Reporting Our Progress year over year through oversight by the Kraft Heinz Global Inclusion Council.
5
Learning and Development:
Through Kraft Heinz Ownerversity, we provide learning and development offerings to employees via live and virtual learning experiences. These offerings enable employees to execute with excellence in their roles, accelerate their learning curves, and grow great careers through continuous learning. With Ownerversity’s targeted platforms, our employees can focus on timely and topical development areas including leadership, management excellence, functional capabilities, and diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Rewards and Compensation:
Our Total Rewards philosophy is designed to provide an array of meaningful and flexible programs for our diverse workforce. Our reward programs complement our strategy and Values and enable us to attract and retain qualified individuals. They are market competitive and data-driven to preserve our high-performance and results-oriented culture.
Ethics and Transparency:
In 2021, we renamed the Kraft Heinz Ethics Hotline to the Kraft Heinz Ethics Helpline and continued to expand access to our partners, suppliers, customers, and consumers to ask questions or report potential violations of various policies and ethical guidelines, including our human rights policies in our Supplier Guiding Principles and our code of conduct.
We report more detailed information regarding our programs and initiatives related to our people and human capital management in our Environmental Social Governance Report (“ESG Report”). Our 2021 ESG Report is available on our website at www.kraftheinzcompany.com/esg. The information on our website, including our ESG Report, is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated into any other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
6
Information about our Executive Officers
The following are our executive officers as of February 12, 2022:
| Name and Title | Age | Business Experience in the Past Five Years | ||||||||||||
Miguel Patricio, Chief Executive Officer and Director | 55 | Chief Executive Officer (since June 2019) and Director (since May 2021). Chief of Special Global Projects–Marketing (January 2019 to June 2019) and Chief Marketing Officer (2012 to December 2018) at Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (“AB InBev”), a multinational drink and brewing holdings company. | ||||||||||||
Paulo Basilio, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Financial Officer | 47 | Executive Vice President (since December 2021) and Global Chief Financial Officer (since September 2019); Chief Business Planning and Development Officer (July 2019 to September 2019); President of the U.S. Commercial Business (October 2017 to June 2019); and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2015 to October 2017). Partner (since 2012) of 3G Capital. | ||||||||||||
Carlos Abrams-Rivera, Executive Vice President and President, North America | 54 | Executive Vice President and President, North America (since December 2021); and U.S. Zone President (February 2020 to December 2021). Executive Vice President and President, Campbell Snacks (May 2019 to February 2020), President, Campbell Snacks (March 2018 to May 2019), and President, Pepperidge Farm (2015 to March 2018) at Campbell Soup Company, a food and beverage company. | ||||||||||||
Kathy Krenger, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Communications Officer | 54 | Senior Vice President (since December 2021) and Global Chief Communications Officer (since July 2021). Senior Vice President, Global Communications (May 2017 to July 2021) at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, a global hospitality company. Executive Vice President and General Manager, US Food Sector Lead (2014 to May 2017) at Edible, Inc., a subsidiary of Daniel J. Edelman, Holdings Inc., a global communications and marketing firm. | ||||||||||||
Rashida La Lande, Executive Vice President, Global General Counsel, and Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer; Corporate Secretary | 48 | Executive Vice President, Global General Counsel, and Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer (since December 2021); Corporate Secretary (since January 2018); Head of ESG (formerly CSR) and Government Affairs (October 2018 to December 2021); and Senior Vice President and Global General Counsel (January 2018 to December 2021). Partner (2007 to January 2018) at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, a global law firm. | ||||||||||||
Marcos Eloi Lima, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Procurement Officer | 44 | Executive Vice President (since December 2021) and Chief Procurement Officer (since October 2019); and Advisor in the area of procurement (July 2019 to October 2019). Vice President Procurement & Sustainability Middle Americas Zone (2016 to July 2019) at AB InBev. | ||||||||||||
Rafael Oliveira, Executive Vice President and President, International Markets | 47 | Executive Vice President and President, International Markets (since December 2021); International Zone President (July 2019 to December 2021); Zone President of EMEA (2016 to June 2019); Managing Director of Kraft Heinz UK & Ireland (2016 to 2016); and President of Kraft Heinz Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea (2014 to 2016). | ||||||||||||
Flavio Torres, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Supply Chain Officer | 53 | Executive Vice President and Global Chief Supply Chain Officer (since December 2021); and Head of Global Operations (January 2020 to December 2021). Global Operations Vice President (2017 to 2019) at AB InBev. | ||||||||||||
Melissa Werneck, Executive Vice President and Global Chief People Officer | 49 | Executive Vice President (since December 2021) and Global Chief People Officer (since 2016); and Head of Global Human Resources, Performance and Information Technology (2015 to 2016). | ||||||||||||
Mr. Patricio also invests in the 3G Kraft Heinz Company Holdings LP (the “Fund”), which is affiliated with 3G Capital. His investment represents less than 1% of the Fund’s assets.
In January 2022, we announced Mr. Basilio would step down as Global Chief Financial Officer, effective March 2, 2022, at which time Andre Maciel, our current Senior Vice President and U.S. Chief Financial Officer and Head of Digital Transformation, will become Executive Vice President and Global Chief Financial Officer.
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Available Information
Our website address is www.kraftheinzcompany.com. The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated into any other filings we make with the SEC. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. In addition, the SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including Kraft Heinz, that are electronically filed with the SEC.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Our business is subject to various risks and uncertainties. In addition to the risks described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, any of the risks and uncertainties described below could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and should be considered when evaluating Kraft Heinz. Although the risks are organized and described separately, many of the risks are interrelated. While we believe we have identified and discussed the material risks affecting our business below, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known or that are not currently believed to be material that may adversely affect our business, performance, or financial condition in the future.
Industry Risks
The continuously changing and uncertain COVID-19 pandemic, and government and consumer responses, could negatively impact our business and results of operations.
The ongoing spread of COVID-19 throughout the United States and internationally, as well as measures implemented by governmental authorities and private businesses in an attempt to minimize transmission of the virus, including social distancing mandates, shelter-in-place orders, vaccine mandates, and business restrictions and shutdowns, and consumer responses have had and could continue to have a negative impact on financial markets, economic conditions, and portions of our business. Although certain portions of our business have benefited, the impact of, and associated government, business, and consumer responses to, COVID-19 could negatively impact our business and results of operations in a number of ways, which may be difficult to accurately estimate or forecast, including, but not limited to, the following:
•a shutdown of one or more of our manufacturing facilities due to illness could significantly disrupt our production capabilities;
•a significant portion of our workforce could become unable to work, including as a result of illness or government restrictions;
•a decrease in demand for away-from-home establishments has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our foodservice operations;
•a change in demand resulting from restrictions on or changes in social interactions has affected, and could continue to affect, customers’ and consumers’ plans to purchase our products;
•a change in demand for or availability of our products as a result of retailers, distributors, or carriers modifying their restocking, fulfillment, or shipping practices;
•a shift in consumer spending as a result of the economic downturn could result in consumers moving to private label or lower margin products;
•a slowdown or stoppage in our supply chain or the failure of our suppliers, vendors, distributors, or third-party manufacturers to meet their obligations to us or experience disruptions in their ability to do so;
•a strain on our supply chain resulting from increased consumer demand at our retail customers, such as grocery stores, club stores, and value stores;
•a change in trade promotion and marketing activities, e.g., in response to changes in consumer viewing and shopping habits resulting from the cancellation of major events, travel restrictions, and in-store shopping practices, could adversely affect our current and future product sales;
•an impairment in the carrying amount of goodwill or intangible assets or a change in the useful life of definite-lived intangible assets has occurred and may again occur if there are sustained changes in government restrictions, consumer purchasing behaviors, or our financial results, particularly in our Canada Foodservice reporting unit, as there may be a heightened risk of impairment if there is a sustained decrease in demand in away-from-home establishments;
•a change in our five-year operating plan, which could cause a change in the allocation of investments among our reporting units, our growth expectations, and our fair value estimates, each of which could result in an impairment in the carrying amount of goodwill or intangible assets; and
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•an increase in working capital needs and/or an increase in trade receivables write-offs as a result of increased financial pressures on our suppliers or customers.
Additionally, should any key employees become ill from COVID-19 and unable to work, the attention of the management team and resources could be diverted.
The potential effects of COVID-19 could also heighten the risks we face related to each of the risk factors disclosed below. As COVID-19 and its impacts are unprecedented and continuously evolving, the potential impacts to these risk factors remain uncertain. As a result, COVID-19 may also materially adversely affect our operating and financial results in a manner that is not currently known to us or that we do not currently consider to present material risks to our operations.
We operate in a highly competitive industry.
The food and beverage industry is highly competitive across all of our product offerings. Our principal competitors in these categories are manufacturers as well as retailers with their own branded and private label products. We compete based on product innovation, price, product quality, nutritional value, service, taste, convenience, brand recognition and loyalty, effectiveness of marketing and distribution, promotional activity, and the ability to identify and satisfy changing consumer preferences.
We may need to reduce our prices in response to competitive and customer pressures, including pressures related to private label products that are generally sold at lower prices. These pressures have restricted and may in the future continue to restrict our ability to increase prices in response to commodity and other cost increases, including those related to inflationary pressures. Failure to effectively assess, timely change, and properly set pricing, promotions, or trade incentives may negatively impact our ability to achieve our objectives.
The rapid emergence of new distribution channels, particularly e-commerce, may create consumer price deflation, affecting our retail customer relationships and presenting additional challenges to increasing prices in response to commodity or other cost increases, including those related to inflationary pressures. We may also need to increase or reallocate spending on marketing, retail trade incentives, materials, advertising, and new product, platform, or channel innovation to maintain or increase market share. These expenditures are subject to risks, including uncertainties about trade and consumer acceptance of our efforts. If we are unable to compete effectively, our profitability, financial condition, and operating results may decline.
Our success depends on our ability to correctly predict, identify, and interpret changes in consumer preferences and demand, to offer new products to meet those changes, and to respond to competitive innovation.
Consumer preferences for food and beverage products change continually and rapidly. Our success depends on our ability to predict, identify, and interpret the tastes and dietary habits of consumers and to offer products that appeal to consumer preferences, including with respect to health and wellness. Moreover, weak economic conditions, recessions, inflation, or other factors, such as global or local pandemics and severe or unusual weather events, could affect consumer preferences and demand. If we do not offer products that appeal to consumers, our sales and market share will decrease, which could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
We must distinguish between short-term trends and long-term changes in consumer preferences. If we do not accurately predict which shifts in consumer preferences will be long-term, or if we fail to introduce new and improved products to satisfy those preferences, our sales could decline. In addition, because of our varied consumer base, we must offer an array of products that satisfies a broad spectrum of consumer preferences. If we fail to expand our product offerings successfully across product categories or platforms, or if we do not rapidly develop products in faster-growing or more profitable categories, demand for our products could decrease, which could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
Prolonged negative perceptions concerning the health implications of certain food and beverage products (including as they relate to obesity or other health concerns) could influence consumer preferences and acceptance of some of our products and marketing programs. We strive to respond to consumer preferences and social expectations, but we may not be successful in our efforts. Continued negative perceptions and failure to satisfy consumer preferences could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
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In addition, achieving growth depends on our successful development, introduction, and marketing of innovative new products and line extensions. There are inherent risks associated with new product or packaging introductions, including uncertainties about trade and consumer acceptance or potential impacts on our existing product offerings. We may be required to increase expenditures for new product development. Successful innovation depends on our ability to correctly anticipate customer and consumer acceptance, to obtain, protect, and maintain necessary intellectual property rights, and to avoid infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others. We must also be able to respond successfully to technological advances by and intellectual property rights of our competitors, and failure to do so could compromise our competitive position and impact our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
Changes in the retail landscape or the loss of key retail customers could adversely affect our financial performance.
Retail customers, such as supermarkets, warehouse clubs, and food distributors in our major markets, may continue to consolidate, resulting in fewer but larger customers for our business across various channels. These larger customers may seek to leverage their positions to improve their profitability by demanding improved efficiency, lower pricing, more favorable terms, increased promotional programs, or specifically tailored product offerings. In addition, larger retailers have scale to develop supply chains that permit them to operate with reduced inventories or to develop and market their own private label products. Retail consolidation and increasing retailer power could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
Retail consolidation also increases the risk that adverse changes in our customers’ business operations or financial performance may have a corresponding adverse effect on us, which could be material. For example, if our customers cannot access sufficient funds or financing, then they may delay, decrease, or cancel purchases of our products, or delay or fail to pay us for previous purchases, which could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
In addition, technology-based systems, which give consumers the ability to shop through e-commerce websites and mobile commerce applications, are also significantly altering the retail landscape in many of our markets. If we are unable to adjust to developments in these changing landscapes, we may be disadvantaged in key channels and with certain consumers, which could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
Changes in our relationships with significant customers or suppliers, or in other business relationships, could adversely impact us.
We derive significant portions of our sales from certain significant customers (see Sales and Customers within Item 1, Business). Some or all of our significant customers may not continue to purchase our products in the same mix or quantities or on the same terms as in the past, particularly as increasingly powerful retailers may demand lower pricing and focus on developing their own brands. The loss of a significant customer or a material reduction in sales or a change in the mix of products we sell to a significant customer could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
Disputes with significant suppliers, including disputes related to pricing or performance, could adversely affect our ability to supply products to our customers and could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results. In addition, terminations of relationships with other significant contractual counterparties, including licensors, could adversely affect our portfolio, product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
In addition, the financial condition of such customers, suppliers, and other significant contractual counterparties are affected in large part by conditions and events that are beyond our control. Significant deteriorations in the financial conditions of significant customers or suppliers, or in other business relationships, could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
Maintaining, extending, and expanding our reputation and brand image are essential to our business success.
We have many iconic brands with long-standing consumer recognition across the globe. Our success depends on our ability to maintain brand image for our existing products, extend our brands to new platforms, and expand our brand image with new product offerings.
We seek to maintain, extend, and expand our brand image through marketing investments, including advertising and consumer promotions, and product innovation. Negative perceptions of food and beverage marketing could adversely affect our brand image or lead to stricter regulations and scrutiny of our marketing practices. Moreover, adverse publicity about legal or regulatory action against us, our quality and safety, our environmental or social impacts, our products becoming unavailable to consumers, or our suppliers and, in some cases, our competitors, could damage our reputation and brand image, undermine our customers’ or our consumers’ confidence, and reduce demand for our products, even if the regulatory or legal action is unfounded or not material to our operations. Furthermore, existing or increased legal or regulatory restrictions on our
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advertising, consumer promotions, and marketing, or our response to those restrictions, could limit our efforts to maintain, extend, and expand our brands.
In addition, our success in maintaining, extending, and expanding our brand image depends on our ability to adapt to a rapidly changing media environment. We increasingly rely on social media and online dissemination of advertising campaigns. The growing use of social and digital media increases the speed and extent that information, including misinformation, and opinions can be shared. Negative posts or comments about us, our brands or our products, or our suppliers and, in some cases, our competitors, on social or digital media, whether or not valid, could seriously damage our brands and reputation. In addition, we might fail to appropriately target our marketing efforts, anticipate consumer preferences, or invest sufficiently in maintaining, extending, and expanding our brand image. If we do not maintain, extend, and expand our reputation or brand image, then our product sales, financial condition, and operating results could be materially and adversely affected.
We must leverage our brand value to compete against private label products.
In nearly all of our product categories, we compete with branded products as well as private label products, which are typically sold at lower prices. Our products must provide higher value and/or quality to our consumers than alternatives, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty or inflation. Consumers may not buy our products if relative differences in value and/or quality between our products and private label products change in favor of competitors’ products or if consumers perceive such a change. If consumers prefer private label products, then we could lose market share or sales volumes, or our product mix could shift to lower margin offerings. A change in consumer preferences could also cause us to increase capital, marketing, and other expenditures, which could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
We may be unable to drive revenue growth in our key product categories or platforms, increase our market share, or add products that are in faster-growing and more profitable categories.
Our future results will depend on our ability to drive revenue growth in our key product categories or platforms as well as growth in the food and beverage industry in the countries in which we operate. Our future results will also depend on our ability to enhance our portfolio by adding innovative new products in faster-growing and more profitable categories or platforms and our ability to increase market share in our existing product categories or platforms. Our failure to drive revenue growth, limit market share decreases in our key product categories or platforms, or develop innovative products for new and existing categories or platforms could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
Product recalls or other product liability claims could materially and adversely affect us.
Selling products for human consumption involves inherent legal and other risks, including product contamination, spoilage, product tampering, allergens, or other adulteration. We have decided and could in the future decide to, and have been or could in the future be required to, recall products due to suspected or confirmed product contamination, adulteration, product mislabeling or misbranding, tampering, undeclared allergens, or other deficiencies. Product recalls or market withdrawals could result in significant losses due to their costs, the destruction of product inventory, and lost sales due to the unavailability of the product for a period of time.
We could also be adversely affected if consumers lose confidence in the safety and quality of certain of our food products or ingredients, or the food safety system generally. Adverse attention about these types of concerns, whether or not valid, may damage our reputation, discourage consumers from buying our products, or cause production and delivery disruptions that could negatively impact our net sales and financial condition.
We may also suffer losses if our products or operations violate applicable laws or regulations, or if our products cause injury, illness, or death. In addition, our marketing could face claims of false or deceptive advertising or other criticism. A significant product liability or other legal judgment or a related regulatory enforcement action against us, or a significant product recall, may materially and adversely affect our reputation and profitability. Moreover, even if a product liability or fraud claim is unsuccessful, has no merit, or is not pursued to conclusion, the negative publicity surrounding assertions against our products or processes could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
Climate change and legal or regulatory responses may have a long-term adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
Global average temperatures are gradually increasing due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which may contribute to significant changes in weather patterns around the globe and an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Decreased agricultural productivity in certain regions of the world as a result of changing weather patterns may limit the availability or increase the cost of natural resources and commodities, including dairy products, meat products, coffee beans, soybean and vegetable oils, sugar and other sweeteners, tomatoes, potatoes, corn products, wheat products, nuts, cocoa products, cucumbers, onions, other fruits and vegetables, spices, and flour used to
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manufacture our products, and could further decrease food security for communities around the world. Climate change could also affect our ability to procure necessary commodities at costs and in quantities we currently experience and may require us to make additional unplanned capital expenditures. Increasing concern over climate change may also adversely impact demand for our products, or increase operating costs, due to changes in consumer preferences that cause consumers to switch away from products or ingredients considered to have a high climate change impact.
Additionally, there is an increased focus by foreign, federal, state, and local regulatory and legislative bodies regarding environmental policies relating to climate change, regulating greenhouse gas emissions, energy policies, and sustainability. Increased energy or compliance costs and expenses due to the impacts of climate change and additional legal or regulatory requirements regarding climate change or designed to reduce or mitigate the effects of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions on the environment could be costly and may cause disruptions in, or an increase in the costs associated with, the running of our manufacturing and processing facilities and our business, as well as increase distribution and supply chain costs. Moreover, compliance with any such legal or regulatory requirements may require us to make significant changes to our business operations and strategy, which will likely incur substantial time, attention, and costs. Even if we make changes to align ourselves with such legal or regulatory requirements, we may still be subject to significant penalties if such laws and regulations are interpreted and applied in a manner inconsistent with our practices. The effects of climate change and legal or regulatory initiatives to address climate change could have a long-term adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
Finally, we might fail to effectively address increased attention from the media, stockholders, activists, and other stakeholders on climate change and related environmental sustainability matters. Such failure, or the perception that we have failed to act responsibly with respect to such matters or to effectively respond to new or additional regulatory requirements regarding climate change, whether or not valid, could result in adverse publicity and negatively affect our business and reputation. Moreover, from time to time we establish and publicly announce goals and commitments, including to reduce our impact on the environment. Our ability to achieve any stated goal, target, or objective is subject to numerous factors and conditions, many of which are outside of our control. Examples of such factors include evolving regulatory requirements affecting sustainability standards or disclosures or imposing different requirements, the pace of changes in technology, the availability of requisite financing, and the availability of suppliers that can meet our sustainability and other standards. If we fail to achieve, or are perceived to have failed or been delayed in achieving, or improperly report on our progress toward achieving these goals and commitments, it could negatively affect consumer preference for our products or investor confidence in our stock, as well as expose us to government enforcement actions and private litigation.
Business Risks
We may not successfully identify, complete, or realize the benefits from strategic acquisitions, alliances, divestitures, joint ventures, or other investments.
From time to time, we have evaluated and may continue to evaluate acquisition candidates, alliances, joint ventures, or other investments that may strategically fit our business objectives, and, as a result of some of these evaluations, we have acquired businesses or assets that we deem to be a strategic fit. We have also divested and may consider divesting businesses that do not meet our strategic objectives or growth or profitability targets. These activities may present financial, managerial, and operational risks including, but not limited to, diversion of management’s attention from existing core businesses, difficulties integrating or separating personnel and financial and other systems, inability to effectively and immediately implement control environment processes across a diverse employee population, adverse effects on existing or acquired customer and supplier business relationships, and potential disputes with buyers, sellers, or partners. Activities in such areas are regulated by numerous antitrust and competition laws in the United States, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions. We have in the past and may in the future be required to obtain approval of these transactions by competition authorities or to satisfy other legal requirements, and we may be unable to obtain such approvals or satisfy such requirements, each of which may result in additional costs, time delays, or our inability to complete such transactions.
To the extent we undertake acquisitions, alliances, joint ventures, investments, or other developments outside our established regions or in new categories, we may face additional risks related to such developments. For example, risks related to foreign operations include compliance with U.S. laws affecting operations outside of the United States, such as the FCPA, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, compliance with foreign regulations and laws, including tax laws, and exposure to politically and economically volatile developing markets. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
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To the extent we undertake divestitures, we may face additional risks related to such activities. For example, risks related to our ability to find appropriate buyers, execute transactions on favorable terms, separate divested business operations with minimal impact to our remaining operations, and effectively manage any transitional service arrangements. Further, our divestiture activities have in the past required, and may in the future require, us to recognize impairment charges. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
We may not be able to successfully execute our strategic initiatives.
We plan to continue to conduct strategic initiatives in various markets. Consumer demands, behaviors, tastes, and purchasing trends may differ in these markets and, as a result, our sales strategies may not be successful and our product sales may not meet expectations, or the margins on those sales may be less than currently anticipated. We may also face difficulties integrating new business operations with our current sourcing, distribution, information technology systems, and other operations. Additionally, we may not successfully complete any planned strategic initiatives, including achieving any previously announced productivity efficiencies and financial targets, any new business may not be profitable or meet our expectations, or any divestiture may not be completed without disruption. Any of these challenges could hinder our success in new markets or new distribution channels, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Our international operations subject us to additional risks and costs and may cause our profitability to decline.
We are a global company with sales and operations in numerous countries within developed and emerging markets. Approximately 29% of our 2021 net sales were generated outside of the United States. As a result, we are subject to risks inherent in global operations. These risks, which can vary substantially by market, are described in many of the risk factors discussed in this section and also include:
•compliance with U.S. laws affecting operations outside of the United States, including anti-bribery laws such as the FCPA;
•changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, tax laws or their interpretations, or tax audit implications;
•the imposition of increased or new tariffs, quotas, trade barriers, or similar restrictions on our sales or imports, trade agreements, regulations, taxes, or policies that might negatively affect our sales or costs;
•foreign currency devaluations or fluctuations in foreign currency values, including risks arising from the significant and rapid fluctuations in foreign currency exchange markets and the decisions made and positions taken to hedge such volatility;
•compliance with antitrust and competition laws, data privacy laws, and a variety of other local, national, and multi-national regulations and laws in multiple jurisdictions;
•discriminatory or conflicting fiscal policies in or across foreign jurisdictions;
•changes in capital controls, including foreign currency exchange controls, governmental foreign currency policies, or other limits on our ability to import raw materials or finished product into various countries or repatriate cash from outside the United States;
•challenges associated with cross-border product distribution;
•changes in local regulations and laws, the uncertainty of enforcement of remedies in foreign jurisdictions, and foreign ownership restrictions and the potential for nationalization or expropriation of property or other resources;
•risks and costs associated with political and economic instability, corruption, anti-American sentiment, and social and ethnic unrest in the countries in which we operate;
•the risks of operating in developing or emerging markets in which there are significant uncertainties regarding the interpretation, application, and enforceability of laws and regulations and the enforceability of contract rights and intellectual property rights;
•changing labor conditions and difficulties in staffing our operations;
•greater risk of uncollectible accounts or trade receivables and longer collection cycles; and
•design, implementation, and use of effective control environment processes across our various operations and employee base.
Slow economic growth or high unemployment in the markets in which we operate could constrain consumer spending, and declining consumer purchasing power could adversely impact our profitability. All of these factors could result in increased costs or decreased sales, and could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect them could reduce the value of our products and brands.
We consider our intellectual property rights, particularly and most notably our trademarks, but also our patents, trade secrets, trade dress, copyrights, and licensing agreements, to be a significant and valuable aspect of our business. We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and trade dress laws, as well as licensing agreements, third-party nondisclosure and assignment agreements, and policing of third-party misuses of our intellectual property. Our failure to develop or adequately protect our trademarks, products, new features of our products, or our technology, or any change in law or other changes that serve to lessen or remove the current legal protections of our intellectual property, may diminish our competitiveness and could materially harm our business and financial condition. We also license certain intellectual property, most notably trademarks, from third parties. To the extent that we are not able to contract with these third parties on favorable terms or maintain our relationships with these third parties, our rights to use certain intellectual property could be impacted.
We may be unaware of intellectual property rights of others that may cover some of our technology, brands, or products. Any litigation regarding patents or other intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. Third-party claims of intellectual property infringement might also require us to enter into costly license agreements. We also may be subject to significant damages or injunctions against development and sale of certain products.
The Sponsors have substantial control over us and may have conflicts of interest with us in the future.
As of December 25, 2021, the Sponsors own approximately 42% of our common stock. Two of 11 members of our Board are partners and/or board members of 3G Capital and two members of our Board are officers and/or directors of Berkshire Hathaway and/or its affiliates. In addition, Paulo Basilio, our Global Chief Financial Officer, is a partner of 3G Capital. As a result, the Sponsors have the potential to exercise influence over management and have substantial control over Board decisions, including those affecting our capital structure, such as the issuance of additional capital stock, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the implementation of stock repurchase programs, and the declaration and amount of dividends. The Sponsors also have substantial control over any action requiring the approval of the holders of our common stock, including adopting any amendments to our charter, electing directors, and approving mergers or sales of substantially all of our capital stock or our assets. In addition, to the extent that the Sponsors were to collectively hold a majority of our common stock, they together would have the power to take stockholder action by written consent to adopt amendments to our charter or take other actions, such as corporate transactions, that require the vote of holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock. Furthermore, the Sponsors are in the business of making investments in companies and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. The Sponsors may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. So long as the Sponsors continue to own a significant amount of our equity, they will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions.
We may be unable to realize the anticipated benefits from prior or future streamlining actions to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and improve our competitiveness.
We have implemented a number of initiatives, including development of an operations center and strategic long-term collaboration with suppliers, that we believe are important to position our business for future success and growth. We have evaluated and continue to evaluate changes to our organizational structure and operations to enable us to reduce costs, simplify or improve processes, and improve our competitiveness. Our future success may depend upon our ability to realize the benefits of these or other cost savings initiatives. In addition, certain of our initiatives may lead to increased costs in other aspects of our business such as increased conversion, outsourcing, or distribution costs. We must accurately predict costs and be efficient in executing any plans to achieve cost savings and operate efficiently in the highly competitive food and beverage industry, particularly in an environment of increased competitive activity. To capitalize on our efforts, we must carefully evaluate investments in our business and execute in those areas with the most potential return on investment. If we are unable to realize the anticipated benefits from any cost-saving efforts, we could be cost disadvantaged in the marketplace, and our competitiveness, production, profitability, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected.
Financial Risks
Our level of indebtedness, as well as our ability to comply with covenants under our debt instruments, could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness and are permitted to incur a substantial amount of additional indebtedness, including secured debt. Our existing debt, together with any incurrence of additional indebtedness, could have important consequences, including, but not limited to:
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•increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
•limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development, debt service requirements, acquisitions, and general corporate or other purposes;
•resulting in a downgrade to our credit rating, which could adversely affect our cost of funds, including our commercial paper programs, liquidity, and access to capital markets;
•restricting us from making strategic acquisitions or causing us to make non-strategic divestitures;
•limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who are not as highly leveraged;
•making it more difficult for us to make payments on our existing indebtedness;
•requiring a substantial portion of cash flows from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, thereby reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, payments of dividends, capital expenditures, and future business opportunities;
•exposing us to risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency, as we earn profits in a variety of foreign currencies and the majority of our debt is denominated in U.S. dollars; and
•in the case of any additional indebtedness, exacerbating the risks associated with our substantial financial leverage.
In addition, we may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or future debt or equity financings may not be available to us to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund other needs. As a result, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We may not be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on favorable terms, or at all. Any inability to generate sufficient cash flow or to refinance our indebtedness on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our indebtedness instruments contain customary representations, warranties, and covenants, including a financial covenant in our senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Senior Credit Facility”) to maintain a minimum shareholders’ equity (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses)). The creditors who hold our debt could accelerate amounts due in the event that we default, which could potentially trigger a default or acceleration of the maturity of our other debt. If our operating performance declines, or if we are unable to comply with any covenant, such as our ability to timely prepare and file our periodic reports with the SEC, we have in the past needed and may in the future need to obtain waivers from the required creditors under our indebtedness instruments to avoid being in default.
If we breach any covenants under our indebtedness instruments and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required creditors, or we may not be able to remedy compliance within the terms of any waivers approved by the required creditors. If this occurs, we would be in default under our indebtedness instruments and unable to access our Senior Credit Facility. In addition, certain creditors could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Additional impairments of the carrying amounts of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
As of December 25, 2021, we maintain 14 reporting units, nine of which comprise our goodwill balance. Our indefinite-lived intangible asset balance primarily consists of a number of individual brands. We test our reporting units and brands for impairment annually as of the first day of our second quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or brand is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include a sustained decrease in our market capitalization, increased competition or unexpected loss of market share, increased input costs beyond projections, disposals of significant brands or components of our business, unexpected business disruptions (for example due to a natural disaster, pandemic, or loss of a customer, supplier, or other significant business relationship), unexpected significant declines in operating results, significant adverse changes in the markets in which we operate, changes in income tax rates, changes in interest rates, or changes in management strategy. We test reporting units for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount. We test brands for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each brand with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit or brand exceeds its estimated fair value, we record an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount, in the case of reporting units, not to exceed the associated carrying amount of goodwill.
Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates, and market factors. Estimating the fair value of individual reporting units and brands requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, as well as industry, economic, and regulatory conditions. These assumptions and estimates include estimated future annual net cash flows, income tax considerations, discount rates, growth rates, royalty rates, contributory asset charges, and other market factors. If current expectations of future growth rates and margins are not met, if market factors outside of our control, such as discount rates, income tax rates, foreign currency exchange rates, or any factors that could be
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affected by COVID-19, change, or if management’s expectations or plans otherwise change, including updates to our long-term operating plans, then one or more of our reporting units or brands might become impaired in the future, which could negatively affect our operating results or net worth. Additionally, any decisions to divest certain non-strategic assets has led and could in the future lead to goodwill or intangible asset impairments.
Further, certain organizational changes have previously impacted, and could in the future impact, our internal reporting and reportable segments. These changes may also affect our reporting unit structure and require an interim impairment test (or transition test). We expect the organizational changes we announced in the fourth quarter of 2021 to impact our future internal reporting, reportable segments, and reporting unit structure and to require an interim impairment test in the second quarter of 2022, once the changes are effective. Additionally, any future plans to change reporting units, including as a result of integrating a new acquisition into an existing reporting unit that has a fair value below carrying amount of goodwill, has led, and could in the future lead, to an impairment of goodwill.
As a result of our annual and interim impairment tests and impairment tests related to assets held for sale, we recognized goodwill impairment losses of $318 million and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment losses of $1.3 billion in 2021, goodwill impairment losses of $2.3 billion and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment losses of $1.1 billion in 2020, and goodwill impairment losses of $1.2 billion and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment losses of $702 million in 2019. Our reporting units and brands that were impaired were written down to their respective fair values resulting in zero excess fair value over carrying amount as of the applicable impairment test dates. Accordingly, these and other reporting units and brands that have 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount as of the latest 2021 impairment testing date have a heightened risk of future impairments if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors change in the future. Reporting units with 20% or less fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $28.3 billion as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date and included: Enhancers, Specialty, and Away from Home (ESA), Kids, Snacks, and Beverages (KSB), Meal Foundations and Coffee (MFC), Canada Retail, Canada Foodservice, and Puerto Rico. Reporting units with between 20-50% fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $2.2 billion as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date and included Northern Europe and Asia. The Continental Europe reporting unit had a fair value over carrying amount in excess of 50% and a goodwill carrying amount of $961 million as of its latest 2021 impairment testing date. Brands with 20% or less fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate carrying amount after impairment of $21.3 billion as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date and included: Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Velveeta, Miracle Whip, Lunchables, Ore-Ida, Maxwell House, Classico, Cool Whip, Jet Puffed, Plasmon, and Wattie’s. The aggregate carrying amount of brands with fair value over carrying amount between 20-50% was $6.5 billion as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date. Although the remaining brands, with a carrying value of $11.8 billion, have more than 50% excess fair value over carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date, these amounts are also associated with the 2013 Heinz Acquisition and the 2015 Merger and are recorded on our consolidated balance sheet at their estimated acquisition date fair values. Therefore, if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors change in the future, these amounts are also susceptible to impairments.
Our net sales and net income may be exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
We derive a substantial portion of our net sales from international operations. We hold assets, incur liabilities, earn revenue, and pay expenses in a variety of currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Canadian dollar, British pound sterling, euro, Australian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Indonesian rupiah, New Zealand dollar, Brazilian real, and Russian ruble. Since our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates from period to period will have an impact on our reported results. We have implemented foreign currency hedges intended to reduce our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. However, these hedging strategies may not be successful, and any of our unhedged foreign exchange exposures will continue to be subject to market fluctuations. In addition, in certain circumstances, we may incur costs in one currency related to services or products for which we are paid in a different currency. As a result, factors associated with international operations, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates, could significantly affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Commodity, energy, and other input prices are volatile and could negatively affect our consolidated operating results.
We purchase and use large quantities of commodities, including dairy products, meat products, coffee beans, soybean and vegetable oils, sugar and other sweeteners, tomatoes, potatoes, corn products, wheat products, nuts, cocoa products, cucumbers, onions, other fruits and vegetables, spices, and flour to manufacture our products. In addition, we purchase and use significant quantities of resins, fiberboard, metals, cardboard, glass, paper, plastic, and other materials to package our products, and we use other inputs, such as electricity, natural gas, and water, to operate our facilities. We are also exposed to changes in oil prices, including diesel fuel, which influence both our packaging and transportation costs. Prices for commodities, energy, and other supplies are volatile and can fluctuate due to conditions that are difficult to predict, including global competition for resources, foreign currency fluctuations, severe weather, natural disasters, global climate change, water risk, health pandemics, crop failures, crop shortages due to plant disease or insect and other pest infestation, consumer, industrial, or investment demand, and changes in governmental regulation and trade, tariffs, alternative energy, including increased demand for biofuels, and
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agricultural programs. Additionally, we may be unable to maintain favorable arrangements with respect to the costs of procuring raw materials, packaging, services, and transporting products, which could result in increased expenses and negatively affect our operations. Furthermore, the cost of raw materials and finished products may fluctuate due to movements in cross-currency transaction rates. Rising commodity, energy, and other input costs could materially and adversely affect our cost of operations, including the manufacture, transportation, and distribution of our products, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Although we monitor our exposure to commodity and other input prices as an integral part of our overall risk management program, and seek to hedge against input price increases to the extent we deem appropriate, we do not fully hedge against changes in commodity prices, and our hedging strategies may not protect us from increases in specific raw materials costs. For example, hedging our costs for one of our key commodities, dairy products, is difficult because dairy futures markets are not as liquid as many other commodities futures markets. Continued volatility or sustained increases in the prices of commodities and other supplies we purchase could increase the costs of our products, and our profitability could suffer. Moreover, increases in the prices of our products to cover these increased costs may result in lower sales volumes, or we may be constrained from increasing the prices of our products by competitive and consumer pressures. If we are not successful in our hedging activities, or if we are unable to price our products to cover increased costs, then commodity and other input price volatility or increases could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
In 2021, we experienced higher than expected commodity costs and supply chain costs, including logistics, procurement, and manufacturing costs, largely due to inflationary pressures. We expect this cost inflation to remain elevated through at least 2022. Although we take measures to mitigate the impact of this inflation through pricing actions and efficiency gains, if these measures are not effective our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Even if such measures are effective, we expect that there could be a difference between the timing of when these beneficial actions impact our results of operations and when the cost inflation is incurred. Additionally, the pricing actions we take could result in a decrease in market share.
Volatility in the market value of all or a portion of the derivatives we use to manage exposures to fluctuations in commodity prices may cause volatility in our gross profit and net income.
We use commodity futures, options, and swaps to economically hedge the price of certain input costs, including vegetable oils, diesel fuel, corn products, packaging products, sugar, coffee beans, wheat products, meat products, natural gas, dairy products, and cocoa products. We recognize gains and losses based on changes in the values of these commodity derivatives. We recognize these gains and losses in cost of products sold in our consolidated statements of income to the extent we utilize the underlying input in our manufacturing process. We recognize the unrealized gains and losses on these commodity derivatives in general corporate expenses until realized; once realized, the gains and losses are recorded in the applicable segment’s operating results. Accordingly, changes in the values of our commodity derivatives may cause volatility in our gross profit and net income.
Regulatory Risks
Our compliance with laws and regulations, and related legal claims or regulatory enforcement actions, could expose us to significant liabilities and damage our reputation.
As a large, global food and beverage company, we operate in a highly regulated environment with constantly evolving legal and regulatory frameworks. Various laws and regulations govern our practices including, but not limited to, those related to advertising and marketing, product claims and labeling, the environment, intellectual property, consumer protection and product liability, commercial disputes, trade and export controls, anti-trust, data privacy, labor and employment, workplace health and safety, and tax. As a consequence, we face a heightened risk of legal claims and regulatory enforcement actions in the ordinary course of business. In addition, the imposition of new laws, changes in laws or regulatory requirements or changing interpretations thereof, and differing or competing regulations and standards across the markets where our products are made, manufactured, distributed, and sold have in the past and could continue to result in higher compliance costs, capital expenditures, and higher production costs, adversely impacting our product sales, financial condition, and results of operations. Furthermore, actions we have taken or may take, or decisions we have made or may make, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, may result in investigations, legal claims, or litigation against us.
As a result of any such legal claims or regulatory enforcement actions, we could be subject to monetary judgments, settlements, and civil and criminal actions, including fines, injunctions, product recalls, penalties, disgorgement of profits, or activity restrictions, which could materially and adversely affect our reputation, product sales, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. We evaluate these legal claims and regulatory enforcement actions to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we establish reserves and disclose relevant material litigation claims, legal proceedings, or regulatory enforcement actions as appropriate and in accordance with SEC rules and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
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Our assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from our current assessments and estimates. In addition, even if a claim is unsuccessful, without merit, or not pursued to completion, the cost of defending against or responding to such a claim, including expenses and management time, could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
We previously identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and if we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately and timely report our financial results, which could negatively impact our business, investor confidence, and the price of our common stock.
As previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2019, we identified a material weakness in the risk assessment component of internal control over financial reporting as we did not appropriately design controls in response to the risk of misstatement due to changes in our business environment. This material weakness resulted in misstatements that were corrected in the restatement included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2018. This material weakness in risk assessment also contributed to a material weakness arising from supplier contracts and related arrangements. We completed remediation measures related to the material weaknesses and concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 27, 2020. Completion of remediation does not provide assurance that our remediation or other controls will continue to operate properly or remain adequate.
If we are unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures, our ability to record, process, and report financial information accurately and to prepare financial statements within required time periods could be adversely affected, which could subject us to litigation, investigations, or penalties; negatively affect our liquidity, our access to capital markets, perceptions of our creditworthiness, our ability to complete acquisitions, our ability to maintain compliance with covenants under our debt instruments or derivative arrangements regarding the timely filing of periodic reports, or investor confidence in our financial reporting; or cause defaults, accelerations, or cross-accelerations under our debt instruments or derivative arrangements to the extent we are unable to obtain waivers from the required creditors or counterparties or to cure any breaches, any of which may require management resources or cause our stock price to decline.
A downgrade in our credit rating could adversely impact interest costs or access to future borrowings.
Our borrowing costs can be affected by short and long-term credit ratings assigned by rating organizations. A decrease in these credit ratings could limit our access to capital markets and increase our borrowing costs, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. In February 2020, Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) affirmed our long-term credit rating of Baa3 with a negative outlook and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) and S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) downgraded our long-term credit rating from BBB- to BB+ with a stable outlook from Fitch and a negative outlook from S&P. The downgrades by Fitch and S&P reduce our senior debt below investment grade, potentially resulting in higher borrowing costs on future financings and limiting access to our commercial paper program and other sources of funding which may result in us having to use more expensive sources of liquidity, such as our Senior Credit Facility. These downgrades do not constitute a default or event of default under our debt instruments. As of the date of this filing, we maintain a positive outlook from Fitch and S&P and a stable outlook from Moody’s.
Registered Securities Risks
Sales of our common stock in the public market could cause volatility in the price of our common stock or cause the share price to fall.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, sales of our common stock by the Sponsors, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock, and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. A sustained depression in the market price of our common stock has happened (which was a contributing factor to our decision to perform interim impairment tests for certain reporting units and brands in 2019 for which we ultimately recorded impairment losses) and could in the future happen, which could also reduce our market capitalization below the book value of net assets, which could increase the likelihood of recognizing goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment losses that could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Kraft Heinz, 3G Global Food Holdings, and Berkshire Hathaway entered into a registration rights agreement requiring us to register for resale under the Securities Act all registrable shares held by 3G Global Food Holdings and Berkshire Hathaway, which represents all shares of our common stock held by the Sponsors as of the date of the closing of the 2015 Merger. As of December 25, 2021, registrable shares represented approximately 42% of all outstanding shares of our common stock. Although the registrable shares are subject to certain holdback and suspension periods, the registrable shares are not subject to a “lock-up” or similar restriction under the registration rights agreement. Accordingly, offers and sales of a large number of registrable shares may be made pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act in accordance with the terms of the registration rights agreement. Sales of our common stock by the Sponsors to other persons would likely result in an
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increase in the number of shares being traded in the public market and may increase the volatility of the price of our common stock.
Our ability to pay regular dividends to our stockholders and the amounts of any such dividends are subject to the discretion of the Board and may be limited by our financial condition, debt agreements, or limitations under Delaware law.
Although it is currently anticipated that we will continue to pay regular quarterly dividends, any such determination to pay dividends and the amounts thereof will be at the discretion of the Board and will be dependent on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, income, legal requirements, including limitations under Delaware law, debt agreements, and other factors the Board deems relevant. The Board has previously decided, and may in the future decide, in its sole discretion, to change the amount or frequency of dividends or discontinue the payment of dividends entirely. For these reasons, stockholders will not be able to rely on dividends to receive a return on investment. Accordingly, realization of any gain on shares of our common stock may depend on the appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may never occur.
General Risk Factors
Unanticipated business disruptions and natural events in the locations in which we or our customers, suppliers, distributors, or regulators operate could adversely affect our ability to provide products to our customers or our results of operations.
We have a complex network of suppliers, owned and leased manufacturing locations, co-manufacturing locations, distribution networks, and information systems that support our ability to consistently provide our products to our customers. Factors that are hard to predict or beyond our control, such as weather or other geological events or natural disasters (including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, or wild fires), raw material shortages, fires or explosions, political unrest, geopolitical conflicts, terrorism, civil strife, acts of war, public corruption, expropriation, generalized labor unrest or labor shortages, or health pandemics (including COVID-19), could damage or disrupt our operations or the operations of our customers, suppliers, co-manufacturers, distributors, or regulators. These factors include, but are not limited to:
•natural disasters or other disruptions at any of our facilities or our suppliers’ or distributors’ facilities may impair or delay the delivery of our products; and
•influenza or other pandemics, such as COVID-19, could disrupt production of our products, reduce demand for certain of our products, or disrupt the marketplace in the away-from-home or retail environment with consequent material adverse effects on our results of operations.
These or other disruptions may require additional resources to restore our supply chain or distribution network. While we insure against many of these events and certain business interruption risks and have policies and procedures to manage business continuity planning, such insurance may not compensate us for any losses incurred and our business continuity plans may not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner. To the extent we are unable to respond to disruptions in our operations, whether by finding alternative suppliers or replacing capacity at key manufacturing or distribution locations; to quickly repair damage to our information, production, or supply systems; or to financially mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or effectively manage them if they occur, we may be late in delivering, or unable to deliver, products to our customers or to track orders, inventory, receivables, and payables. If that occurs, our customers’ confidence in us and long-term demand for our products could decline. Any of these events could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our performance may be adversely affected by economic and political conditions in the United States and in various other nations where we do business.
Our performance has been in the past and may continue in the future to be impacted by economic and political conditions in the United States and in other nations where we do business. Economic and financial uncertainties in our international markets, changes to major international trade arrangements, and the imposition of tariffs by certain foreign governments could negatively impact our operations and sales. For example, in 2020, the United Kingdom formally withdrew from the European Union (commonly referred to as “Brexit”) and subsequently entered into a trade agreement with the European Union, and we continue to monitor economic and political developments related to Brexit, including the potential for supply chain disruptions. Other factors impacting our operations in the United States and in international locations where we do business include export and import restrictions, foreign currency exchange rates, foreign currency devaluation, cash repatriation restrictions, recessionary conditions, foreign ownership restrictions, nationalization, the impact of hyperinflationary environments, terrorist acts, and political unrest. Such factors in either domestic or foreign jurisdictions, and our responses to them, could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
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We rely on our management team and other key personnel and may be unable to hire or retain key personnel or a highly skilled and diverse global workforce.
We depend on the skills, working relationships, and continued services of key personnel, including our experienced management team. In addition, our ability to achieve our operating goals depends on our ability to identify, hire, train, and retain qualified individuals. We compete with other companies both within and outside of our industry for talented personnel, and we may lose key personnel or fail to attract, train, and retain other talented personnel and a diverse global workforce with the skills and in the locations we need to operate and grow our business. Unplanned turnover, failure to attract and develop personnel with key emerging capabilities such as e-commerce and digital marketing skills, or failure to develop adequate succession plans for leadership positions, including the Chief Executive Officer position, could deplete our institutional knowledge base and erode our competitiveness. Changes in immigration laws and policies could also make it more difficult for us to recruit or relocate skilled employees. Any such loss, failure, or limitation could adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results.
We are significantly dependent on information technology, and we may be unable to protect our information systems against service interruption, misappropriation of data, or breaches of security.
We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to process, transmit, and store electronic and financial information, to manage a variety of business processes and activities, and to comply with regulatory, legal, and tax requirements. We also depend on our information technology infrastructure for digital marketing activities and for electronic communications among our locations, personnel, customers, and suppliers. These information technology systems, some of which are managed by third parties, may be susceptible to damage, invasions, disruptions, or shutdowns due to hardware failures, computer viruses, hacker attacks and other cybersecurity risks, telecommunication failures, user errors, catastrophic events, or other factors. If our information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption, or shutdown, by unintentional or malicious actions of employees and contractors or by cyberattacks, and our business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, we could experience business disruptions, reputational damage, transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, the leakage of confidential information, and the loss of customers and sales, causing our product sales, financial condition, and operating results to be adversely affected and the reporting of our financial results to be delayed.
In addition, if we are unable to prevent security breaches or disclosure of non-public information, we may suffer financial and reputational damage, litigation or remediation costs, fines, or penalties because of the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information belonging to us or to our partners, customers, consumers, or suppliers.
Misuse, leakage, or falsification of information could result in violations of data privacy laws and regulations, damage to our reputation and credibility, loss of opportunities to acquire or divest of businesses or brands, and loss of our ability to commercialize products developed through research and development efforts and, therefore, could have a negative impact on net sales. In addition, we may suffer financial and reputational damage because of lost or misappropriated confidential information belonging to us, our current or former employees, or to our suppliers or consumers, and may become subject to legal action and increased regulatory oversight. We could also be required to spend significant financial and other resources to remedy the damage caused by a security breach or to repair or replace networks and information systems.
We are also subject to various laws and regulations that are continuously evolving and developing regarding privacy, data protection, and data security, including those related to the collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer, and security of personal data. Such laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation and application, may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, which can result in inconsistent or conflicting requirements. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which became effective in May 2018, adds a broad array of requirements with respect to personal data, including the public disclosure of significant data breaches, and imposes substantial penalties for non-compliance. The California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), which became effective in January 2020, among other things, imposes additional requirements with respect to disclosure and deletion of personal information of California residents. The CCPA provides civil penalties for violations, as well as a private right of action for data breaches. GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy and data protection laws may increase our costs of compliance and risks of non-compliance, which could result in substantial penalties.
Our results could be adversely impacted as a result of increased pension, labor, and people-related expenses.
Inflationary pressures, shortages in the labor market, increased employee turnover, and changes in the availability of our workers could increase labor costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated operating results or financial condition. Our labor costs include the cost of providing employee benefits in the United States, Canada, and other foreign jurisdictions, including pension, health and welfare, and severance benefits. Any declines in market returns could adversely impact the funding of pension plans, the assets of which are invested in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income securities and other investments. Additionally, the annual costs of benefits vary with increased costs of health care and the outcome of collectively bargained wage and benefit agreements.
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Furthermore, we may be subject to increased costs or experience adverse effects to our operating results if we are unable to renew collectively bargained agreements on satisfactory terms. Our financial condition and ability to meet the needs of our customers could be materially and adversely affected if strikes or work stoppages and interruptions occur as a result of delayed negotiations with union-represented employees both in and outside of the United States.
We have observed an increasingly competitive labor market. Increased employee turnover, changes in the availability of our workers, including as a result of COVID-19-related absences, and labor shortages in our supply chain have resulted in, and could continue to result in, increased costs and have, and could again, impact our ability to meet consumer demand, both of which could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Changes in tax laws and interpretations could adversely affect our business.
We are subject to income and other taxes in the United States and in numerous foreign jurisdictions. Our domestic and foreign tax liabilities are dependent on the jurisdictions in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed. Additionally, the amount of taxes paid is subject to our interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate. A number of factors influence our effective tax rate, including changes in tax laws and treaties as well as the interpretation of existing laws and rules. Federal, state, and local governments and administrative bodies within the United States, which represents the majority of our operations, and other foreign jurisdictions have implemented, or are considering, a variety of broad tax, trade, and other regulatory reforms that may impact us. Moreover, under the current U.S. presidential administration, comprehensive changes to U.S. federal income tax laws have been proposed, including, among others, a proposal to increase the federal tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”). Additionally, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a global coalition of member countries, proposed a two-pillar plan to reform international taxation. The proposals aim to ensure a fairer distribution of profits among countries and impose a floor on tax competition through the introduction of a global minimum tax. It is not currently possible to accurately determine the potential comprehensive impact of these or future changes, but these changes could have a material impact on our effective tax rate, financial condition, and business.
Significant judgment, knowledge, and experience are required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. Our future effective tax rate is impacted by a number of factors including changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in geographic mix of income, increases in expenses not deductible for tax, including impairment of goodwill, and changes in available tax credits. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We are also regularly subject to audits by tax authorities. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different from our historical income tax provisions and accruals. Economic and political pressures to increase tax revenue in various jurisdictions may make resolving tax disputes more difficult. The results of an audit or litigation could adversely affect our financial statements in the period or periods for which that determination is made.
Volatility of capital markets or macroeconomic factors could adversely affect our business.
Changes in financial and capital markets, including market disruptions, limited liquidity, and interest rate volatility, may increase the cost of financing as well as the risks of refinancing maturing debt. Our U.S. dollar variable rate debt uses London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as a benchmark for determining interest rates and the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom intends to phase out the LIBOR rates associated with our outstanding variable rate debt by the end of June 2023. Based on our review of our debt securities, credit facilities, including our uncommitted revolving credit line, derivative instruments, and certain of our significant commercial contracts that may utilize LIBOR as the reference rate, we do not currently expect that the transition from LIBOR, including any legal or regulatory changes made in response to its future phase out, or the risks related to its discontinuance will have a material effect on our financing costs. However, we continue to evaluate the potential impact, which remains subject to uncertainty.
Some of our customers and counterparties are highly leveraged. Consolidations in some of the industries in which our customers operate have created larger customers, some of which are highly leveraged and facing increased competition and continued credit market volatility. These factors have caused some customers to be less profitable, increasing our exposure to credit risk. A significant adverse change in the financial and/or credit position of a customer or counterparty could require us to assume greater credit risk relating to that customer or counterparty and could limit our ability to collect receivables. This could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and liquidity.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
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Item 2. Properties.
Our corporate co-headquarters are located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois. Our co-headquarters are leased and house certain executive offices, our U.S. business units, and our administrative, finance, legal, and human resource functions. We maintain additional owned and leased offices throughout the regions in which we operate.
We manufacture our products in our network of manufacturing and processing facilities located throughout the world. As of December 25, 2021, we operated 79 manufacturing and processing facilities. We own 74 and lease five of these facilities. Our manufacturing and processing facilities count by segment as of December 25, 2021 was:
| Owned | Leased | ||||||||||
| United States | 33 | 1 | |||||||||
| International | 40 | 2 | |||||||||
| Canada | 1 | 2 | |||||||||
We maintain all of our manufacturing and processing facilities in good condition and believe they are suitable and are adequate for our present needs. We also enter into co-manufacturing arrangements with third parties if we determine it is advantageous to outsource the production of any of our products.
In 2021, we divested certain assets and operations, primarily in our global cheese and nuts businesses, including six owned manufacturing facilities in the United States. We also acquired two owned manufacturing facilities and one leased manufacturing facility in our International segment. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our acquisitions and divestitures.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
See Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq) under the ticker symbol “KHC.” At February 12, 2022, there were approximately 42,000 holders of record of our common stock.
See Equity and Dividends in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for a discussion of cash dividends declared on our common stock.
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
The following graph compares the cumulative total return on our common stock with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Consumer Staples Food and Soft Drink Products, which we consider to be our peer group. Companies included in the S&P Consumer Staples Food and Soft Drink Products index change periodically and are presented on the basis of the index as it is comprised on December 25, 2021. This graph covers the five-year period from December 30, 2016 (the last trading day of our fiscal year 2016) through December 23, 2021 (the last trading day of our fiscal year 2021). The graph shows total shareholder return assuming $100 was invested on December 30, 2016 and the dividends were reinvested on a daily basis.
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| Kraft Heinz | S&P 500 | S&P Consumer Staples Food and Soft Drink Products | |||||||||||||||
| December 30, 2016 | $ | 100.00 | $ | 100.00 | $ | 100.00 | |||||||||||
| December 29, 2017 | 91.60 | 121.83 | 111.74 | ||||||||||||||
| December 28, 2018 | 53.54 | 115.49 | 106.04 | ||||||||||||||
| December 27, 2019 | 41.08 | 153.57 | 137.25 | ||||||||||||||
| December 24, 2020 | 48.08 | 178.76 | 143.96 | ||||||||||||||
| December 23, 2021 | 50.53 | 231.39 | 163.58 | ||||||||||||||
The above performance graph shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities During the Three Months Ended December 25, 2021
Our share repurchase activity in the three months ended December 25, 2021 was:
Total Number of Shares Purchased(a) | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(b) | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
9/26/2021 — 10/30/2021 | 1,888,532 | $ | 36.85 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
10/31/2021 — 11/27/2021 | 1,421,051 | 36.97 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
11/28/2021 — 12/25/2021 | 53,208 | 34.56 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,362,791 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Includes (1) shares repurchased to offset the dilutive effect of the exercise of stock options using option exercise proceeds and the vesting restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”) and (2) shares withheld for tax liabilities associated with the vesting of RSUs and PSUs.
(b) We do not have any publicly-announced share repurchase plans or programs.
Item 6. [Reserved].
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Overview
Objective:
The following discussion provides an analysis of our financial condition and results of operations from management's perspective and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our objective is to also provide discussion of material events and uncertainties known to management that are reasonably likely to cause reported financial information not to be indicative of future operating results or of future financial condition and to offer information that provides an understanding of our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
See below for discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020. See Item 7, Management’s Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2020 for a detailed discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for 2020 compared to 2019.
Description of the Company:
We manufacture and market food and beverage products, including condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, and other grocery products throughout the world.
We manage and report our operating results through three reportable segments defined by geographic region: United States, International, and Canada.
During the fourth quarter of 2021, certain organizational changes were announced that will impact our future internal reporting and reportable segments. As a result of these changes, we plan to combine our United States and Canada zones to form the North America zone, and expect to have two reportable segments, North America and International. We expect that any change to our reportable segments will be effective in the second quarter of 2022.
See Note 21, Segment Reporting, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for our financial information by segment.
Acquisitions and Divestitures:
In 2021, we completed the sale of certain assets in our global nuts business (the “Nuts Transaction”) as well as the sale of certain assets in our global cheese businesses (the “Cheese Transaction”). The Nuts Transaction and the Cheese Transaction are not, individually or in the aggregate, considered a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations or financial results; therefore, the results of these businesses are included in continuing operations through the date of each sale. Additionally, in 2021, we completed the acquisition of Assan Gıda Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (the “Assan Foods Acquisition”) and BR Spices Indústria e Comércio de Alimentos Ltda (the “BR Spices Acquisition”), both of which are in our International segment. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information.
Items Affecting Comparability of Financial Results
Impairment Losses:
Our results of operations reflect goodwill impairment losses of $318 million and intangible asset impairment losses of $1.3 billion in 2021 compared to goodwill impairment losses of $2.3 billion and intangible asset impairment losses of $1.1 billion in 2020. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, and Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on these impairment losses.
COVID-19 Impacts:
We have been actively monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on our business. In 2020, particularly in March and April, we experienced consolidated net sales growth as higher demand for our retail products more than offset declines in our foodservice business. In 2021, we continued to experience strong retail demand compared to pre-pandemic periods. However, retail consumption declined when compared to the comparable 2020 period based on the strong consumer demand early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in March and April 2020. Beginning in the second quarter of 2021 and continuing through year end, our foodservice business experienced increased consumer demand compared to the comparable 2020 periods, which were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we continue to see decreased foodservice demand in certain parts of our global business, including the United States and Canada, compared to pre-pandemic periods. COVID-19 and its impacts are unprecedented and continuously evolving, and the long-term impacts to our financial condition and results of operations are still uncertain.
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See Liquidity and Capital Resources for additional information related to the impact of COVID-19 on our overall results. For information related to the impact of COVID-19 on our segment results see Results of Operations by Segment.
Inflation and Supply Chain Impacts:
In 2021, we experienced higher than expected commodity costs and supply chain costs, including logistics, procurement, and manufacturing costs, largely due to inflationary pressures. We expect this cost inflation to remain elevated through at least 2022. While these costs have a negative impact on our results of operations, we are currently taking measures to mitigate, and expect to continue to take measures to mitigate, the impact of this inflation through pricing actions and efficiency gains. However, we expect that there could be a difference between the timing of when these beneficial actions impact our results of operations and when the cost inflation is incurred. Additionally, the pricing actions we take could result in a decrease in market share.
Additionally, given the increased demand for our products combined with industry-wide supply chain issues, we have experienced capacity constraints for certain products when demand has exceeded our current manufacturing capacity. As discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources, we are working to expand capacity through increased capital investments. However, until these capacity constraints are alleviated, these constraints have the potential to impact our service levels, market share, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
We have observed an increasingly competitive labor market. Increased employee turnover, changes in the availability of our workers, including as a result of COVID-19-related absences, and labor shortages in our supply chain have resulted in, and could continue to result in, increased costs and have, and could again, impact our ability to meet consumer demand, both of which could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Results of Operations
We disclose in this report certain non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures assist management in comparing our performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations. For additional information and reconciliations from our consolidated financial statements see Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Summary of Results:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 26,042 | $ | 26,185 | (0.5) | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | 3,460 | 2,128 | 62.6 | % | |||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) | 1,024 | 361 | 183.7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to common shareholders | 1,012 | 356 | 184.5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS | 0.82 | 0.29 | 182.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Net Sales:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 26,042 | $ | 26,185 | (0.5) | % | |||||||||||
Organic Net Sales(a) | 23,714 | 23,293 | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
Fiscal Year 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year 2020:
Net sales decreased 0.5% to $26.0 billion in 2021 compared to $26.2 billion in 2020, including the unfavorable impact of divestitures (3.5 pp) and the favorable impact of foreign currency (1.2 pp). Organic Net Sales increased 1.8% to $23.7 billion in 2021 compared to $23.3 billion in 2020, driven by higher pricing (2.3 pp), which more than offset unfavorable volume/mix (0.5 pp). Pricing was higher across all segments, while unfavorable volume/mix in our United States and Canada segments more than offset favorable volume/mix in our International segment.
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Net Income/(Loss):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | $ | 3,460 | $ | 2,128 | 62.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) | 1,024 | 361 | 183.7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to common shareholders | 1,012 | 356 | 184.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(a) | 6,371 | 6,669 | (4.5) | % | |||||||||||||
(a) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
Fiscal Year 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year 2020:
Operating income/(loss) increased to $3.5 billion in 2021 compared to $2.1 billion in 2020, primarily driven by lower non-cash impairment losses in the current year. Non-cash impairment losses were $1.6 billion in 2021 compared to $3.4 billion in 2020. The remaining change in operating income/(loss) was a decrease of $447 million, primarily due to higher supply chain costs, reflecting inflationary pressure in logistics, procurement, and manufacturing costs; higher commodity costs, including key commodity (which we define as dairy, meat, and coffee) and packaging costs; the unfavorable impact of divestitures; higher restructuring expenses in the current period; and costs relating to the settlement of the previously disclosed SEC investigation. These decreases to operating income/(loss) more than offset efficiency gains, higher Organic Net Sales, the favorable impact of foreign currency, lower general corporate expenses, and lower depreciation and amortization expense.
Net income/(loss) increased 183.7% to $1.0 billion in 2021 compared to $361 million in 2020. This increase was driven by the operating income/(loss) factors discussed above (primarily lower non-cash impairment losses in the current year period), which more than offset higher interest expense and higher tax expense. Other expense/(income) was flat year over year.
•Interest expense was $2.0 billion in 2021 compared to $1.4 billion in 2020. This increase was primarily driven by a $917 million loss on extinguishment of debt recognized in the current year period related to the $6.0 billion reduction in our aggregate principal amount of senior notes from our tender offers, debt redemptions, and open-market debt repurchases in 2021 compared to a $124 million loss on extinguishment of debt recognized in the prior year in connection with our tender offer and debt redemptions in 2020. The 2020 period also included $22 million of interest expense related to the $4.0 billion drawn on our Senior Credit Facility in the first quarter of 2020 and repaid in the second quarter of 2020. The remaining change in interest expense was a decrease of approximately $118 million compared to the prior year period, as our long-term debt balance and associated interest expense were reduced through tender offers, debt redemptions, debt repurchases, and repayments.
•Our effective tax rate was 40.1% in 2021 compared to 65.0% in 2020. Our 2021 effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by rate reconciling items, primarily the tax impacts related to acquisitions and divestitures, which mainly reflect the impacts of the Nuts Transaction and Cheese Transaction, partially offset by current year capital losses; the revaluation of our deferred tax balances due to changes in international and state tax rates, mainly an increase in U.K. tax rates; the impact of the federal tax on GILTI; and non-deductible goodwill impairments. These impacts were partially offset by a favorable geographic mix of pre-tax income in various non-U.S. jurisdictions. Our 2020 effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by rate reconciling items, primarily related to non-deductible goodwill impairments, the impact of the federal tax on GILTI, and the revaluation of our deferred tax balances due to changes in international tax laws. These impacts were partially offset by a more favorable geographic mix of pre-tax income in various non-U.S. jurisdictions and the favorable impact of establishing certain deferred tax assets for state tax deductions.
•Other expense/(income) was $295 million of income in 2021 compared to $296 million of income in 2020. This change was primarily driven by an $86 million net loss on derivative activities in 2021 compared to a $154 million net gain on derivative activities in 2020 and a $115 million decrease in non-cash amortization of postemployment benefit plans prior service credits as compared to the prior year period. These impacts were partially offset by a $101 million net foreign exchange gain in 2021 compared to a $162 million net foreign exchange loss in 2020, a $44 million net gain on sales of businesses in 2021 compared to a $2 million net loss on sales of businesses in 2020, and a $26 million loss on the dissolution of a joint venture in 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 4.5% to $6.4 billion in 2021 compared to $6.7 billion in 2020, including the unfavorable impact of divestitures (2.2 pp) and the favorable impact of foreign currency (0.9 pp). Lower Adjusted EBITDA in the United States more than offset lower general corporate expenses and Adjusted EBITDA growth in our Canada and International segments.
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Diluted Earnings Per Share (“EPS”):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS | $ | 0.82 | $ | 0.29 | 182.8 | % | |||||||||||
Adjusted EPS(a) | 2.93 | 2.88 | 1.7 | % | |||||||||||||
(a) Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
Fiscal Year 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year 2020:
Diluted EPS increased 182.8% to $0.82 in 2021 compared to $0.29 in 2020, primarily driven by the net income/(loss) factors discussed above.
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS | $ | 0.82 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 0.53 | 182.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Restructuring activities | 0.05 | — | 0.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges | 0.01 | — | 0.01 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment losses | 1.07 | 2.59 | (1.52) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters | 0.05 | — | 0.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Losses/(gains) on sale of business(a) | 0.15 | (0.01) | 0.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt prepayment and extinguishment costs | 0.59 | 0.08 | 0.51 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Certain significant discrete income tax items | 0.19 | (0.07) | 0.26 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EPS(b) | $ | 2.93 | $ | 2.88 | $ | 0.05 | 1.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
Key drivers of change in Adjusted EPS(b): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Results of operations | $ | (0.08) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Results of divested operations | (0.10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 0.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expense/(income) | (0.02) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 0.18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Effect of dilutive equity awards(c) | (0.02) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 0.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Includes a gain on the remeasurement of a disposal group that was reclassified as held and used in the third quarter of 2021. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information.
(b) Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
(c) Represents the impact of changes in weighted average shares outstanding, primarily due to the dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards.
Adjusted EPS increased 1.7% to $2.93 in 2021 compared to $2.88 in 2020 primarily driven by lower taxes on adjusted earnings, lower interest expense, and lower depreciation and amortization costs, which more than offset lower Adjusted EBITDA, which includes the impact of our divestitures, higher equity award compensation expense, and unfavorable changes in other expense/(income).
Results of Operations by Segment
Management evaluates segment performance based on several factors, including net sales, Organic Net Sales, and Segment Adjusted EBITDA. Segment Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income/(loss) from continuing operations before interest expense, other expense/(income), provision for/(benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (excluding restructuring activities); in addition to these adjustments, we exclude, when they occur, the impacts of divestiture-related license income (e.g., income related to the sale of licenses in connection with the Cheese Transaction), restructuring activities, deal costs, unrealized gains/(losses) on commodity hedges (the unrealized gains and losses are recorded in general corporate expenses until realized; once realized, the gains and losses are recorded in the applicable segment’s operating results), impairment losses, certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters, and equity award compensation expense (excluding restructuring activities). Segment Adjusted EBITDA is a tool that can assist management and investors in comparing our performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations.
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Under highly inflationary accounting, the financial statements of a subsidiary are remeasured into our reporting currency (U.S. dollars) based on the legally available exchange rate at which we expect to settle the underlying transactions. Exchange gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in other expense/(income) on our consolidated statement of income, as nonmonetary currency devaluation, rather than accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) on our consolidated balance sheet, until such time as the economy is no longer considered highly inflationary. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information.
Net Sales:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Net sales: | |||||||||||
| United States | $ | 18,604 | $ | 19,204 | |||||||
| International | 5,691 | 5,341 | |||||||||
| Canada | 1,747 | 1,640 | |||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 26,042 | $ | 26,185 | |||||||
Organic Net Sales:
| 2021 Compared to 2020 | |||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
Organic Net Sales(a): | |||||||||||
| United States | $ | 16,667 | $ | 16,403 | |||||||
| International | 5,463 | 5,299 | |||||||||
| Canada | 1,584 | 1,591 | |||||||||
| Total Organic Net Sales | $ | 23,714 | $ | 23,293 | |||||||
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
Drivers of the changes in net sales and Organic Net Sales were:
| Net Sales | Currency | Acquisitions and Divestitures | Organic Net Sales | Price | Volume/Mix | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 Compared to 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | (3.1) | % | 0.0 pp | (4.7) pp | 1.6 | % | 2.1 pp | (0.5) pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | 6.5 | % | 3.4 pp | 0.0 pp | 3.1 | % | 2.6 pp | 0.5 pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | 6.5 | % | 7.0 pp | (0.1) pp | (0.4) | % | 2.9 pp | (3.3) pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kraft Heinz | (0.5) | % | 1.2 pp | (3.5) pp | 1.8 | % | 2.3 pp | (0.5) pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA: | |||||||||||
| United States | $ | 5,157 | $ | 5,557 | |||||||
| International | 1,066 | 1,058 | |||||||||
| Canada | 419 | 389 | |||||||||
| General corporate expenses | (271) | (335) | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (excluding restructuring activities) | (910) | (955) | |||||||||
| Divestiture-related license income | 4 | — | |||||||||
| Restructuring activities | (84) | (15) | |||||||||
| Deal costs | (11) | (8) | |||||||||
| Unrealized gains/(losses) on commodity hedges | (17) | 6 | |||||||||
| Impairment losses | (1,634) | (3,413) | |||||||||
| Certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters | (62) | — | |||||||||
| Equity award compensation expense (excluding restructuring activities) | (197) | (156) | |||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | 3,460 | 2,128 | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 2,047 | 1,394 | |||||||||
| Other expense/(income) | (295) | (296) | |||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | $ | 1,708 | $ | 1,030 | |||||||
United States:
| 2021 Compared to 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 18,604 | $ | 19,204 | (3.1) | % | |||||||||||
Organic Net Sales(a) | 16,667 | 16,403 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA | 5,157 | 5,557 | (7.2) | % | |||||||||||||
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
Fiscal Year 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year 2020:
Net sales decreased 3.1% to $18.6 billion in 2021 compared to $19.2 billion in 2020, including the unfavorable impact of divestitures (4.7 pp). Organic Net Sales increased 1.6% to $16.7 billion in 2021 compared to $16.4 billion in 2020, driven by higher pricing (2.1 pp), which more than offset unfavorable volume/mix (0.5 pp). Higher pricing was primarily driven by increases to mitigate rising input costs. Unfavorable volume/mix was primarily due to extraordinary COVID-19-related retail takeaway and the negative impact from exiting the McCafé licensing agreement, both in the prior year period, which more than offset higher foodservice sales and favorable changes in retail inventory levels versus the prior year period.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.2% to $5.2 billion in 2021 compared to $5.6 billion in 2020, including the unfavorable impact of divestitures (2.5 pp). The remaining change was primarily due to higher commodity costs, including key commodity and packaging costs; higher supply chain costs, reflecting inflationary pressure in logistics, procurement, and manufacturing costs; and lower volume more than offset higher pricing and efficiency gains.
International:
| 2021 Compared to 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 5,691 | $ | 5,341 | 6.5 | % | |||||||||||
Organic Net Sales(a) | 5,463 | 5,299 | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA | 1,066 | 1,058 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
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Fiscal Year 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year 2020:
Net sales increased 6.5% to $5.7 billion in 2021 compared to $5.3 billion in 2020, including the favorable impact of foreign currency (3.4 pp). Acquisitions and divestitures had an insignificant impact on net sales. Organic Net Sales increased 3.1% to $5.5 billion in 2021 compared to $5.3 billion in 2020, driven by higher pricing (2.6 pp) and favorable volume/mix (0.5 pp). Higher pricing included increases across markets primarily to mitigate rising input costs. Favorable volume/mix was primarily driven by higher foodservice sales in the current year period.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 0.7% to $1.1 billion in 2021 compared to $1.1 billion in 2020, primarily driven by efficiency gains, higher pricing, favorable mix, and the favorable impact of foreign currency (3.7 pp), which more than offset higher supply chain costs, reflecting inflationary pressure in manufacturing, procurement, and logistics; higher commodity costs; and lower volume.
Canada:
| 2021 Compared to 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,747 | $ | 1,640 | 6.5 | % | |||||||||||
Organic Net Sales(a) | 1,584 | 1,591 | (0.4) | % | |||||||||||||
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA | 419 | 389 | 7.8 | % | |||||||||||||
(a) Organic Net Sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section at the end of this item.
Fiscal Year 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year 2020:
Net sales increased 6.5% to $1.7 billion in 2021 compared to $1.6 billion in 2020, including the favorable impact of foreign currency (7.0 pp) and the unfavorable impact of divestitures (0.1 pp). Organic Net Sales decreased 0.4% to $1.6 billion in 2021 compared to $1.6 billion in 2020, due to unfavorable volume/mix (3.3 pp), which more than offset higher pricing (2.9 pp). Unfavorable volume/mix was primarily due to extraordinary COVID-19-related retail takeaway in the prior year period, which more than offset higher foodservice sales in the current year period. Pricing was higher primarily driven by increases to mitigate rising input costs, particularly in condiments and sauces and foodservice.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 7.8% to $419 million in 2021 compared to $389 million in 2020, primarily driven by higher pricing, efficiency gains, and the favorable impact of foreign currency (7.1 pp), which more than offset lower volume; higher supply chain costs, reflecting inflationary pressure in manufacturing, procurement, and logistics; and higher commodity costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe that cash generated from our operating activities and Senior Credit Facility will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our working capital needs, repayments of long-term debt, future contractual obligations, payment of our anticipated quarterly dividends, planned capital expenditures, restructuring expenditures, and contributions to our postemployment benefit plans for the next 12 months and to fund our announced acquisitions. An additional potential source of liquidity is access to capital markets. We intend to use our cash on hand for daily funding requirements.
Acquisitions and Divestitures:
In the second quarter of 2021, we received approximately $3.4 billion of cash consideration following the closing of the Nuts Transaction. In connection with the Nuts Transaction, we paid approximately $700 million of cash taxes in the second half of 2021, primarily to U.S. federal and state tax authorities. We primarily utilized the post-tax transaction proceeds, along with cash on hand, to fund opportunistic repayments of long-term debt, including our tender offers in the second quarter of 2021 and our debt redemption and open market debt repurchases in the third quarter of 2021.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we received approximately $3.2 billion of cash consideration following the closing of the Cheese Transaction. In connection with the Cheese Transaction, we expect to pay cash taxes of approximately $620 million in the first half of 2022, primarily to U.S. federal and state tax authorities. We primarily utilized the post-tax transaction proceeds to fund our open market debt repurchases and tender offer in the fourth quarter of 2021.
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Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2021, we completed the Assan Foods Acquisition, which included cash consideration of approximately $70 million, and the BR Spices Acquisition for an insignificant amount of cash consideration. In January 2022, we closed on our purchase of a majority stake in Just Spices GmbH for cash consideration of approximately $243 million. We expect to close on our purchase of a majority stake in Companhia Hemmer Indústria e Comércio in the first half of 2022 for cash consideration of approximately 1.2 billion Brazilian reais (approximately $211 million at December 25, 2021).
See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our acquisitions and divestitures. See Note 17, Debt, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our debt transactions.
Cash Flow Activity for 2021 Compared to 2020:
Net Cash Provided by/Used for Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.4 billion for the year ended December 25, 2021 compared to $4.9 billion for the year ended December 26, 2020. This increase was primarily driven by proceeds from the sale of licenses in connection with the Cheese Transaction, favorable changes in accounts payable compared to the prior year, largely due to favorable payment terms, and lower cash outflows for inventories. These impacts were partially offset by higher cash tax payments on divestitures in 2021 related to the Nuts Transaction, higher cash outflows for variable compensation in 2021 compared to 2020, higher cash outflows from increased promotional activity versus the prior year period, and lower Adjusted EBITDA.
Net Cash Provided by/Used for Investing Activities:
Net cash provided by investing activities was $4.0 billion for the year ended December 25, 2021 compared to net cash used for investing activities of $522 million for the year ended December 26, 2020. This change was primarily driven by proceeds from the sale of net assets in connection with the Nuts Transaction and the Cheese Transaction in the current year, partially offset by higher capital expenditures in 2021 compared to 2020 and the payments for the Assan Foods Acquisition and the BR Spices Acquisition in 2021. We had 2021 capital expenditures of $905 million compared to 2020 capital expenditures of $596 million. This increase is primarily due to increased capital investments, largely for capacity expansion, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused delays in our planned 2020 projects and spend. We expect 2022 capital expenditures to be approximately $1.0 billion, primarily driven by increased capital investments, largely for capacity expansion and cost improvement projects, maintenance, and technology.
Net Cash Provided by/Used for Financing Activities:
Net cash used for financing activities was $9.3 billion for the year ended December 25, 2021 compared to $3.3 billion for the year ended December 26, 2020. This change was primarily due to prior year proceeds from long-term debt issuances, higher repayments of long-term debt and debt prepayment and extinguishment costs in 2021 compared to 2020, and higher cash outflows related to equity awards in 2021 compared to 2020. See Note 17, Debt, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our long-term debt activity.
Cash Held by International Subsidiaries:
Of the $3.4 billion cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet at December 25, 2021, $867 million was held by international subsidiaries.
Subsequent to January 1, 2018, we consider the unremitted earnings of certain international subsidiaries that impose local country taxes on dividends to be indefinitely reinvested. For those undistributed earnings considered to be indefinitely reinvested, our intent is to reinvest these funds in our international operations, and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate the accumulated earnings to fund our U.S. cash requirements. The amount of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities for local country withholding taxes that would be owed related to our 2018 through 2021 accumulated earnings of certain international subsidiaries is approximately $50 million.
Our undistributed historic earnings in foreign subsidiaries through December 30, 2017 are currently not considered to be indefinitely reinvested. Related to these undistributed historic earnings, we had recorded a deferred tax liability of approximately $10 million on approximately $135 million of historic earnings at December 25, 2021 and a deferred tax liability of approximately $20 million on approximately $300 million of historic earnings at December 26, 2020. The deferred tax liability relates to local withholding taxes that will be owed when this cash is distributed.
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Trade Payables Programs:
In order to manage our cash flow and related liquidity, we work with our suppliers to optimize our terms and conditions, which include the extension of payment terms. Our current payment terms with our suppliers, which we deem to be commercially reasonable, generally range from 0 to 200 days. We also maintain agreements with third party administrators that allow participating suppliers to track payment obligations from us, and, at the sole discretion of the supplier, sell one or more of those payment obligations to participating financial institutions. We have no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to enter into these agreements and no direct financial relationship with the financial institutions. Our obligations to our suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment terms, are not impacted. Supplier participation in these agreements is voluntary. We estimate that the amounts outstanding under these programs were $820 million at December 25, 2021 and $740 million at December 26, 2020.
Borrowing Arrangements:
In February 2020, Fitch and S&P downgraded our long-term credit rating from BBB- to BB+. These downgrades adversely affect our ability to access the commercial paper market. In addition, we could experience an increase in interest costs as a result of the downgrades. These downgrades do not constitute a default or event of default under any of our debt instruments. Limitations on or elimination of our ability to access the commercial paper program may require us to borrow under the Senior Credit Facility, if necessary to meet liquidity needs. Our ability to borrow under the Senior Credit Facility is not affected by the downgrades. As of the date of this filing, our long-term debt is rated BB+ by both Fitch and S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s, with a positive outlook from Fitch and S&P and a stable outlook from Moody’s.
We have historically obtained funding through our U.S. and European commercial paper programs. We had no commercial paper outstanding at December 25, 2021, at December 26, 2020, or during the years ended December 25, 2021 or December 26, 2020.
We maintain our Senior Credit Facility, which, following the execution of a commitment increase amendment to the Credit Agreement in October 2020 and the extension letter agreement in April 2021, provides for a revolving commitment of $4.1 billion through July 6, 2023 and $4.0 billion through July 6, 2025. Subject to certain conditions, we may increase the amount of revolving commitments and/or add tranches of term loans in a combined aggregate amount of up to $900 million.
In the first quarter of 2020, as a precautionary measure to preserve financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global economy resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we borrowed $4.0 billion under our Senior Credit Facility. We repaid the full $4.0 billion during the second quarter of 2020. No amounts were drawn on our Senior Credit Facility at December 25, 2021, at December 26, 2020, or during the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 28, 2019.
The Credit Agreement contains representations, warranties, and covenants that are typical for these types of facilities and could upon the occurrence of certain events of default restrict our ability to access our Senior Credit Facility. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 25, 2021.
Long-Term Debt:
Our long-term debt, including the current portion, was $21.8 billion at December 25, 2021 and $28.3 billion at December 26, 2020. This decrease was primarily driven by the approximately $4.1 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes that were settled in connection with tender offers in 2021, the approximately $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes redeemed in 2021, the approximately $738 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes repurchased under Rule 10b5-1 plans in 2021, the $111 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that were repaid at maturity in February 2021, and the $34 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that were repaid at maturity in September 2021. We used cash on hand and proceeds from the Nuts Transaction to fund our tender offers in the second quarter of 2021 and our debt redemption and open market debt repurchases in the third quarter of 2021 and to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith. We used proceeds from the Cheese Transaction to fund our open market repurchases and tender offer in the fourth quarter of 2021 and to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith.
We have aggregate principal amounts of senior notes of approximately $6 million maturing in March 2022, approximately $381 million maturing in June 2022, and approximately $315 million maturing in August 2022.
We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through redemptions, tender offers, cash purchases, prepayments, refinancing, exchange offers, open market or privately-negotiated transactions, Rule 10b5-1 plans, or otherwise.
Our long-term debt contains customary representations, covenants, and events of default. We were in compliance with all financial covenants during the year ended December 25, 2021.
See Note 17, Debt, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on our long-term debt activity. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information on the Nuts Transaction and Cheese Transaction.
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Equity and Dividends:
We paid common stock dividends of $2.0 billion in 2021, 2020, and 2019. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2022, our Board declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock, which is payable on March 25, 2022 to stockholders of record on March 11, 2022.
The declaration of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board and depends on various factors, including our net income, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors that our Board deems relevant to its analysis and decision making.
Aggregate Contractual Obligations:
Related to our current and long-term material cash requirements, the following table summarizes our aggregate contractual obligations at December 25, 2021, which we expect to primarily fund with cash from operating activities (in millions):
| Material Cash Requirements | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2023-2024 | 2025-2026 | 2027 and Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt(a) | $ | 1,640 | $ | 3,305 | $ | 3,644 | $ | 28,645 | $ | 37,234 | |||||||||||||||||||
Finance leases(b) | 46 | 56 | 34 | 169 | 305 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating leases(c) | 155 | 214 | 150 | 229 | 748 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase obligations(d) | 541 | 772 | 401 | 282 | 1,996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities(e) | 39 | 125 | 98 | 167 | 429 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,421 | $ | 4,472 | $ | 4,327 | $ | 29,492 | $ | 40,712 | |||||||||||||||||||
(a) Amounts represent the expected cash payments of our long-term debt, including interest on variable and fixed rate long-term debt. Interest on variable rate long-term debt is calculated based on interest rates at December 25, 2021.
(b) Amounts represent the expected cash payments of our finance leases, including expected cash payments of interest expense.
(c) Operating leases represent the minimum rental commitments under non-cancellable operating leases net of sublease income.
(d) We have purchase obligations for materials, supplies, property, plant and equipment, and co-packing, storage, and distribution services based on projected needs to be utilized in the normal course of business. Other purchase obligations include commitments for marketing, advertising, capital expenditures, information technology, and professional services. Arrangements are considered purchase obligations if a contract specifies all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, a pricing structure, and approximate timing of the transaction. Several of these obligations are long-term and are based on minimum purchase requirements. Certain purchase obligations contain variable pricing components, and, as a result, actual cash payments are expected to fluctuate based on changes in these variable components. Due to the proprietary nature of some of our materials and processes, certain supply contracts contain penalty provisions for early terminations. We do not believe that a material amount of penalties is reasonably likely to be incurred under these contracts based upon historical experience and current expectations.
(e) Other long-term liabilities primarily consist of estimated payments for the one-time toll charge related to 2017 U.S. tax reform, as well as postretirement benefit commitments. Certain other long-term liabilities related to income taxes, insurance accruals, and other accruals included on the consolidated balance sheet are excluded from the above table as we are unable to estimate the timing of payments for these items.
Pension plan contributions were $15 million in 2021. We estimate that 2022 pension plan contributions will be approximately $12 million. Postretirement benefit plan contributions were $12 million in 2021. We estimate that 2022 postretirement benefit plan contributions will be approximately $13 million. Estimated future contributions take into consideration current economic conditions, which at this time are expected to have minimal impact on expected contributions for 2022. Beyond 2022, we are unable to reliably estimate the timing of contributions to our pension or postretirement plans. Our actual contributions and plans may change due to many factors, including changes in tax, employee benefit, or other laws and regulations, tax deductibility, significant differences between expected and actual pension or postretirement asset performance or interest rates, or other factors. As such, estimated pension and postretirement plan contributions for 2022 have been excluded from the above table.
At December 25, 2021, the amount of net unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, including an accrual of related interest and penalties along with positions only impacting the timing of tax benefits, was approximately $521 million. The timing of payments will depend on the progress of examinations with tax authorities. We do not expect a significant tax payment related to these obligations within the next year. We are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate as to if or when any significant cash settlements with taxing authorities may occur; therefore, we have excluded the amount of net unrecognized tax benefits from the above table.
Supplemental Guarantor Information:
The Kraft Heinz Company (as the “Parent Guarantor”) fully and unconditionally guarantees all the senior unsecured registered notes (collectively, the “KHFC Senior Notes”) issued by Kraft Heinz Foods Company (“KHFC”), our 100% owned operating subsidiary (the “Guarantee”). See Note 17, Debt, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional descriptions of these guarantees.
The payment of the principal, premium, and interest on the KHFC Senior Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Parent Guarantor, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the applicable indenture. None of the Parent Guarantor’s subsidiaries guarantee the KHFC Senior Notes.
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The Guarantee is the Parent Guarantor’s senior unsecured obligation and is: (i) pari passu in right of payment with all of the Parent Guarantor’s existing and future senior indebtedness; (ii) senior in right of payment to all of the Parent Guarantor’s future subordinated indebtedness; (iii) effectively subordinated to all of the Parent Guarantor’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets secured by that indebtedness; and (iv) effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the Parent Guarantor’s subsidiaries.
The KHFC Senior Notes are obligations exclusively of KHFC and the Parent Guarantor and not of any of the Parent Guarantor’s other subsidiaries. Substantially all of the Parent Guarantor’s operations are conducted through its subsidiaries. The Parent Guarantor’s other subsidiaries are separate legal entities that have no obligation to pay any amounts due under the KHFC Senior Notes or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans, or other payments. Except to the extent the Parent Guarantor is a creditor with recognized claims against its subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) and holders of preferred stock, if any, of its subsidiaries will have priority with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries over its claims (and therefore the claims of its creditors, including holders of the KHFC Senior Notes). Consequently, the KHFC Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to all liabilities of the Parent Guarantor’s subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that it may in the future acquire or establish. The obligations of the Parent Guarantor will terminate and be of no further force or effect in the following circumstances: (i) (a) KHFC’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or, except in the case of a guarantee of any direct or indirect parent of KHFC, covenant defeasance option in accordance with the applicable indenture, or KHFC’s obligations under the applicable indenture have been discharged in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture or (b) as specified in a supplemental indenture to the applicable indenture; and (ii) the Parent Guarantor has delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the applicable indenture have been complied with. The Guarantee is limited by its terms to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Parent Guarantor and KHFC (as subsidiary issuer of the KHFC Senior Notes) (together, the “Obligor Group”), on a combined basis after the elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions between the Parent Guarantor and subsidiary issuer and investments in any subsidiary that is a non-guarantor.
Summarized Statement of Income
| For the Year Ended | |||||
| December 25, 2021 | |||||
| Net sales | $ | 17,374 | |||
Gross profit(a) | 6,270 | ||||
| Goodwill impairment losses | 230 | ||||
| Intercompany service fees and other recharges | 3,813 | ||||
| Operating income/(loss) | 1,254 | ||||
| Equity in earnings/(losses) of subsidiaries | 1,360 | ||||
| Net income/(loss) | 1,012 | ||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to common shareholders | 1,012 | ||||
(a) In 2021, the Obligor Group recorded $435 million of net sales to the non-guarantor subsidiaries and $31 million of purchases from the non-guarantor subsidiaries.
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Summarized Balance Sheets
| December 25, 2021 | |||||
| ASSETS | |||||
| Current assets | $ | 6,484 | |||
Current assets due from affiliates(a) | 2,890 | ||||
| Non-current assets | 5,709 | ||||
| Goodwill | 8,860 | ||||
| Intangible assets, net | 2,222 | ||||
Non-current assets due from affiliates(b) | 207 | ||||
| LIABILITIES | |||||
| Current liabilities | $ | 5,091 | |||
Current liabilities due to affiliates(a) | 5,922 | ||||
| Non-current liabilities | 23,120 | ||||
Non-current liabilities due to affiliates(b) | 600 | ||||
(a) Represents receivables and short-term lending due from and payables and short-term lending due to non-guarantor subsidiaries.
(b) Represents long-term lending due from and long-term borrowings due to non-guarantor subsidiaries.
Commodity Trends
We purchase and use large quantities of commodities, including dairy products, meat products, coffee beans, soybean and vegetable oils, sugar and other sweeteners, tomatoes, potatoes, corn products, wheat products, nuts, and cocoa products, to manufacture our products. In addition, we purchase and use significant quantities of resins, fiberboard, metals, and cardboard to package our products, and we use electricity, diesel fuel, and natural gas in the manufacturing and distribution of our products. We continuously monitor worldwide supply and cost trends of these commodities.
Following the closing of the Nuts Transaction in the second quarter of 2021, our purchase and use of nuts has significantly decreased. As such, we no longer consider nuts to be one of our key commodities in the United States and Canada.
We define our key commodities in the United States and Canada as dairy, meat, and coffee. In 2021, we experienced cost increases for meat and coffee, while costs for dairy decreased. We also experienced cost increases for packaging materials due to market demand. We anticipate higher commodity costs to continue through at least 2022 due to inflationary pressures. We manage commodity cost volatility primarily through pricing and risk management strategies. As a result of these risk management strategies, our commodity costs may not immediately correlate with market price trends.
In 2021, dairy commodities, primarily milk and cheese, were the most significant cost components of our cheese products. Following the closing of the Cheese Transaction, we expect dairy commodities, primarily milk, cream, and cheese, to be the most significant components of our cheese products in 2022. We purchase our dairy raw material requirements from independent third parties, such as agricultural cooperatives and independent processors. Market supply and demand, as well as government programs, significantly influence the prices for milk and other dairy products. Significant cost components of our meat products include pork, beef, and poultry, which we primarily purchase from applicable local markets. Livestock feed costs and the global supply and demand for U.S. meats influence the prices of these meat products. The most significant cost component of our coffee products is coffee beans, which we purchase on global markets. Quality and availability of supply, currency fluctuations, and consumer demand for coffee products impact coffee bean prices.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, includes a summary of the significant accounting policies we used to prepare our consolidated financial statements. The following is a review of the more significant assumptions and estimates as well as accounting policies we used to prepare our consolidated financial statements.
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Revenue Recognition:
Our revenues are primarily derived from customer orders for the purchase of our products. We recognize revenues as performance obligations are fulfilled when control passes to our customers. We record revenues net of variable consideration, including consumer incentives and performance obligations related to trade promotions, excluding taxes, and including all shipping and handling charges billed to customers (accounting for shipping and handling charges that occur after the transfer of control as fulfillment costs). We also record a refund liability for estimated product returns and customer allowances as reductions to revenues within the same period that the revenue is recognized. We base these estimates principally on historical and current period experience factors. We recognize costs paid to third party brokers to obtain contracts as expenses as our contracts are generally less than one year.
Advertising, Consumer Incentives, and Trade Promotions:
We promote our products with advertising, consumer incentives, and performance obligations related to trade promotions. Consumer incentives and trade promotions include, but are not limited to, discounts, coupons, rebates, performance-based in-store display activities, and volume-based incentives. Variable consideration related to consumer incentive and trade promotion activities is recorded as a reduction to revenues based on amounts estimated as being due to customers and consumers at the end of a period. We base these estimates principally on historical utilization, redemption rates, and/or current period experience factors. We review and adjust these estimates at least quarterly based on actual experience and other information.
Advertising expenses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”). For interim reporting purposes, we charge advertising to operations as a percentage of estimated full year sales activity and marketing costs. We then review and adjust these estimates each quarter based on actual experience and other information. In 2021, we updated our definition of advertising expenses to reflect a more comprehensive view of costs that promote our brands to create or stimulate a desire to buy our products. Our definition of advertising expenses now includes advertising production costs, in-store advertising costs, agency fees, brand promotions and events, and sponsorships, in addition to costs to obtain advertising in television, radio, print, digital, and social channels. We have reflected these changes in all historical periods presented. We recorded advertising expenses of $1,039 million in 2021, $1,070 million in 2020, and $976 million in 2019. We also incur market research costs, which are recorded in SG&A but are excluded from advertising expenses.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets:
As of December 25, 2021, we maintain 14 reporting units, nine of which comprise our goodwill balance. These nine reporting units had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $31.3 billion at December 25, 2021. Our indefinite-lived intangible asset balance primarily consists of a number of individual brands, which had an aggregate carrying amount of $39.4 billion as of December 25, 2021.
We test our reporting units and brands for impairment annually as of the first day of our second quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or brand is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include a sustained decrease in our market capitalization, increased competition or unexpected loss of market share, increased input costs beyond projections, disposals of significant brands or components of our business, unexpected business disruptions (for example due to a natural disaster, pandemic, or loss of a customer, supplier, or other significant business relationship), unexpected significant declines in operating results, significant adverse changes in the markets in which we operate, changes in income tax rates, changes in interest rates, or changes in management strategy. We test reporting units for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount. We test brands for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each brand with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit or brand exceeds its estimated fair value, we record an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount, in the case of reporting units, not to exceed the associated carrying amount of goodwill.
Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates, and market factors. Estimating the fair value of individual reporting units and brands requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, as well as industry, economic, and regulatory conditions. These assumptions and estimates include estimated future annual net cash flows, income tax considerations, discount rates, growth rates, royalty rates, contributory asset charges, and other market factors. If current expectations of future growth rates and margins are not met, if market factors outside of our control, such as discount rates, income tax rates, foreign currency exchange rates, or any factors that could be affected by COVID-19, change, or if management’s expectations or plans otherwise change, including updates to our long-term operating plans, then one or more of our reporting units or brands might become impaired in the future. Additionally, any decisions to divest certain non-strategic assets has led and could in the future lead to goodwill or intangible asset impairments.
In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a short-term beneficial financial impact to our consolidated results. Retail sales have increased compared to pre-pandemic periods due to higher than anticipated consumer demand for our products. The foodservice channel, however, has experienced a negative impact from prolonged social distancing mandates limiting access to and capacity at away-from-home establishments for a longer period of time than was expected when they were originally put in place. Our Canada Foodservice reporting unit is the most exposed of our reporting units to the long-term
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impacts to away-from-home establishments as it is our only standalone foodservice reporting unit. While our other reporting units have varying levels of exposure to the foodservice channel, they also have exposure to the retail channel, which offsets some of the risk associated with the potential long-term impacts of shifts in net sales between retail and away-from-home establishments. Our Canada Foodservice reporting unit was impaired during our 2020 annual impairment test, reflecting our best estimate at that time of the future outlook and risks of this business. The Canada Foodservice reporting unit maintains an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of approximately $154 million as of December 25, 2021. A number of factors could result in further future impairments of our foodservice businesses, including but not limited to: mandates around closures of dining rooms in restaurants, distancing of people within establishments resulting in fewer customers, the total number of restaurant closures, changes in consumer preferences or regulatory requirements over product formats (e.g., table top packaging vs. single serve packaging), and consumer trends of dining-in versus dining-out. Given the evolving nature of, and uncertainty driven by, the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to evaluate the impact on our reporting units as adverse changes to these assumptions could result in future impairments.
As we consider the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to our indefinite-lived intangible assets, a number of factors could have a future adverse impact on our brands, including changes in consumer and consumption trends in both the short and long term, the extent of government mandates to shelter in place, total number of restaurant closures, economic declines, and reductions in consumer discretionary income. We have seen an increase in our retail business, as compared to pre-pandemic levels, in the short term that has more than offset declines in our foodservice business over the same period. Our brands are generally common across both the retail and foodservice businesses and the fair value of our brands are subject to a similar mix of positive and negative factors. Given the evolving nature and uncertainty driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to evaluate the impact on our brands.
As detailed in Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, we recorded impairment losses related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Our reporting units and brands that were impaired were written down to their respective fair values resulting in zero excess fair value over carrying amount as of the applicable impairment test dates. Accordingly, these and other reporting units and brands that have 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date have a heightened risk of future impairments if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors change in the future.
Reporting units with 20% or less fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $28.3 billion as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date and included: Enhancers, Specialty, and Away from Home (ESA), Kids, Snacks, and Beverages (KSB), Meal Foundations and Coffee (MFC), Canada Retail, Canada Foodservice, and Puerto Rico. Reporting units with between 20-50% fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $2.2 billion as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date and included Northern Europe and Asia. The Continental Europe reporting unit had a fair value over carrying amount in excess of 50% and a goodwill carrying amount of $961 million as of its latest 2021 impairment testing date. Our reporting units that have less than 3% excess fair value over carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date are considered at a heightened risk of future impairments and include our Canada Retail and Puerto Rico reporting units, which had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $1.4 billion. Additionally, our reporting units with no goodwill carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date are at risk of future impairment to the extent there is newly acquired goodwill assigned to the reporting unit and the fair value of the reporting unit (including the acquisition fair value) does not exceed the carrying amount of the reporting unit (including the acquired net assets).
Brands with 20% or less fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate carrying amount after impairment of $21.3 billion as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date and included: Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Velveeta, Miracle Whip, Lunchables, Ore-Ida, Maxwell House, Classico, Cool Whip, Jet Puffed, Plasmon, and Wattie’s. The aggregate carrying amount of brands with fair value over carrying amount between 20-50% was $6.5 billion as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date. Although the remaining brands, with a carrying amount of $11.8 billion, have more than 50% excess fair value over carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date, these amounts are also associated with the 2013 Heinz Acquisition and the 2015 Merger and are recorded on our consolidated balance sheet at their estimated acquisition date fair values. Therefore, if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors change in the future, these amounts are also susceptible to impairments. Our brands that have less than 3% excess fair value over carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date are considered at a heightened risk of future impairments and include our Kraft, Miracle Whip, Ore-Ida, Maxwell House, Classico, and Plasmon brands, which had an aggregate carrying amount of $14.2 billion.
We generally utilize the discounted cash flow method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in estimating the fair values include the estimated future annual net cash flows for each reporting unit (including net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, depreciation and amortization, working capital, and capital expenditures), income tax rates, long-term growth rates, and a discount rate that appropriately reflects the risks inherent in each future cash flow stream. We selected the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, management’s plans, and guideline companies.
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We utilize the excess earnings method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of certain of our largest brands. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in estimating the fair values include the estimated future annual net cash flows for each brand (including net sales, cost of products sold, and SG&A), contributory asset charges, income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, a discount rate that reflects the level of risk associated with the future earnings attributable to the brand, and management’s intent to invest in the brand indefinitely. We selected the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, management’s plans, and guideline companies.
We utilize the relief from royalty method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of our remaining brands. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in estimating the fair values include the estimated future annual net sales for each brand, royalty rates (as a percentage of net sales that would hypothetically be charged by a licensor of the brand to an unrelated licensee), income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, a discount rate that reflects the level of risk associated with the future cost savings attributable to the brand, and management’s intent to invest in the brand indefinitely. We selected the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, management’s plans, and guideline companies.
As detailed in Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, the Cheese Transaction closed in the fourth quarter of 2021. We received total consideration of approximately $3.34 billion, which included approximately $1.59 billion primarily attributed to the Kraft and Velveeta licenses that we granted to Lactalis and approximately $141 million attributed to the Cracker Barrel license that Lactalis granted to us, the amounts of which were based on the estimated fair values of the licensed portion of each brand as of the closing date of the Cheese Transaction. We utilized the excess earnings method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of the licensed portion of the Kraft brand and the relief from royalty method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of the licensed portions of the Velveeta brand and the Cracker Barrel brand. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in estimating these fair values include the estimated future annual net sales and net cash flows for each brand, contributory asset charges, royalty rates (as a percentage of net sales that would hypothetically be charged by a licensor of the brand to an unrelated licensee), income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, and a discount rate that reflects the level of risk associated with the future earnings attributable to each brand. We selected the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, and guideline companies.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, at the time the licensed rights were granted, we reassessed the remaining fair value of the retained portions of the Kraft and Velveeta brands and recorded a non-cash intangible asset impairment loss related to the Kraft brand of approximately $1.24 billion, which was recognized in SG&A.
The discount rates, long-term growth rates, and royalty rates used to estimate the fair values of our reporting units and our brands with 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount, as well as the goodwill or brand carrying amounts, as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date for each reporting unit or brand, were as follows:
| Goodwill or Brand Carrying Amount (in billions) | Discount Rate | Long-Term Growth Rate | Royalty Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reporting units | $ | 28.3 | 6.5 | % | 7.0 | % | 1.0 | % | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brands (excess earnings method) | 15.0 | 7.0 | % | 7.2 | % | 0.8 | % | 1.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brands (relief from royalty method) | 6.2 | 7.0 | % | 7.5 | % | 0.5 | % | 2.0 | % | 5.0 | % | 20.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assumptions used in impairment testing are made at a point in time and require significant judgment; therefore, they are subject to change based on the facts and circumstances present at each annual and interim impairment test date. Additionally, these assumptions are generally interdependent and do not change in isolation. However, as it is reasonably possible that changes in assumptions could occur, as a sensitivity measure, we have presented the estimated effects of isolated changes in discount rates, long-term growth rates, and royalty rates on the fair values of our reporting units and brands with 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount. These estimated changes in fair value are not necessarily representative of the actual impairment that would be recorded in the event of a fair value decline.
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If we had changed the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our reporting units and brands with 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount, as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date for each of these reporting units and brands, these isolated changes, which are reasonably possible to occur, would have led to the following increase/(decrease) in the aggregate fair value of these reporting units and brands (in billions):
| Discount Rate | Long-Term Growth Rate | Royalty Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50-Basis-Point | 25-Basis-Point | 100-Basis-Point | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase | Decrease | Increase | Decrease | Increase | Decrease | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reporting units | $ | (5.6) | $ | 6.8 | $ | 3.2 | $ | (2.9) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brands (excess earnings method) | (1.2) | 1.4 | 0.5 | (0.5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brands (relief from royalty method) | (0.5) | 0.7 | 0.2 | (0.2) | $ | 0.6 | $ | (0.6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods benefited. We review definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when conditions exist that indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Such conditions could include significant adverse changes in the business climate, current-period operating or cash flow losses, significant declines in forecasted operations, or a current expectation that an asset group will be disposed of before the end of its useful life. We perform undiscounted operating cash flow analyses to determine if an impairment exists. When testing for impairment of definite-lived intangible assets held for use, we group assets at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identifiable. If an impairment is determined to exist, the loss is calculated based on estimated fair value. Impairment losses on definite-lived intangible assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less costs of disposal.
See Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for our impairment testing results.
Postemployment Benefit Plans:
We maintain various retirement plans for the majority of our employees. These include pension benefits, postretirement health care benefits, and defined contribution benefits. The cost of these plans is charged to expense over an appropriate term based on, among other things, the cost component and whether the plan is active or inactive. Changes in the fair value of our plan assets result in net actuarial gains or losses. These net actuarial gains and losses are deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) and amortized within other expense/(income) in future periods using the corridor approach. The corridor is 10% of the greater of the market-related value of the plan’s asset or projected benefit obligation. Any actuarial gains and losses in excess of the corridor are then amortized over an appropriate term based on whether the plan is active or inactive.
For our postretirement benefit plans, our 2022 health care cost trend rate assumption will be 5.9%. We established this rate based upon our most recent experience as well as our expectation for health care trend rates going forward. We anticipate the weighted average assumed ultimate trend rate will be 4.8%. The year in which the ultimate trend rate is reached varies by plan, ranging between the years 2022 and 2030. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.
Our 2022 discount rate assumption will be 3.0% for service cost and 2.2% for interest cost for our postretirement plans. Our 2022 discount rate assumption will be 3.2% for service cost and 2.6% for interest cost for our U.S. pension plans and 2.4% for service cost and 1.8% for interest cost for our non-U.S. pension plans. We model these discount rates using a portfolio of high quality, fixed-income debt instruments with durations that match the expected future cash flows of the plans. Changes in our discount rates were primarily the result of changes in bond yields year-over-year.
Our 2022 expected return on plan assets will be 5.0% (net of applicable taxes) for our postretirement plans. Our 2022 expected rate of return on plan assets will be 4.6% for our U.S. pension plans and 2.6% for our non-U.S. pension plans. We determine our expected rate of return on plan assets from the plan assets’ historical long-term investment performance, current and future asset allocation, and estimates of future long-term returns by asset class. We attempt to maintain our target asset allocation by re-balancing between asset classes as we make contributions and monthly benefit payments.
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While we do not anticipate further changes in the 2022 assumptions for our U.S. and non-U.S. pension and postretirement benefit plans, as a sensitivity measure, a 100-basis-point change in our discount rate or a 100-basis-point change in the expected rate of return on plan assets would have the following effects, increase/(decrease) in cost (in millions):
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 100-Basis-Point | 100-Basis-Point | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase | Decrease | Increase | Decrease | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of change in discount rate on pension costs | $ | 9 | $ | (25) | $ | 10 | $ | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| Effect of change in expected rate of return on plan assets on pension costs | (43) | 43 | (29) | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of change in discount rate on postretirement costs | 1 | (1) | (1) | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of change in expected rate of return on plan assets on postretirement costs | (11) | 11 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Income Taxes:
We compute our annual tax rate based on the statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we earn income. Significant judgment is required in determining our annual tax rate and in evaluating the uncertainty of our tax positions. We recognize a benefit for tax positions that we believe will more likely than not be sustained upon examination. The amount of benefit recognized is the largest amount of benefit that we believe has more than a 50% probability of being realized upon settlement. We regularly monitor our tax positions and adjust the amount of recognized tax benefit based on our evaluation of information that has become available since the end of our last financial reporting period. The annual tax rate includes the impact of these changes in recognized tax benefits. When adjusting the amount of recognized tax benefits, we do not consider information that has become available after the balance sheet date, however we do disclose the effects of new information whenever those effects would be material to our financial statements. Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between the amount of benefit taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the amount of benefit recognized for financial reporting. These unrecognized tax benefits are recorded primarily within other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
We record valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. When assessing the need for valuation allowances, we consider future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the realizability of deferred tax assets in future years, we would adjust related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or decrease to income. The resolution of tax reserves and changes in valuation allowances could be material to our results of operations for any period but is not expected to be material to our financial position.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 3, New Accounting Standards, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.
Contingencies
See Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for a discussion of our contingencies.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The non-GAAP financial measures we provide in this report should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
To supplement the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have presented Organic Net Sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS, which are considered non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented may differ from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, and other companies may not define these non-GAAP financial measures in the same way. These measures are not substitutes for their comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, such as net sales, net income/(loss), diluted EPS, or other measures prescribed by U.S. GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures.
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Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to assist in comparing our performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision making by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations. Management believes that presenting our non-GAAP financial measures (i.e., Organic Net Sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS) is useful to investors because it (i) provides investors with meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain items, (ii) permits investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate historical performance, and (iii) otherwise provides supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating our results. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those measures, provides investors with additional understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business than could be obtained absent these disclosures.
Organic Net Sales is defined as net sales excluding, when they occur, the impact of currency, acquisitions and divestitures, and a 53rd week of shipments. We calculate the impact of currency on net sales by holding exchange rates constant at the previous year’s exchange rate, with the exception of highly inflationary subsidiaries, for which we calculate the previous year’s results using the current year’s exchange rate. Organic Net Sales is a tool that can assist management and investors in comparing our performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income/(loss) from continuing operations before interest expense, other expense/(income), provision for/(benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (excluding restructuring activities); in addition to these adjustments, we exclude, when they occur, the impacts of divestiture-related license income (e.g., income related to the sale of licenses in connection with the Cheese Transaction), restructuring activities, deal costs, unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges, impairment losses, certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters, and equity award compensation expense (excluding restructuring activities). Adjusted EBITDA is a tool that can assist management and investors in comparing our performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations. In 2021, we revised the definition of Adjusted EBITDA to adjust for the impact of certain legal and regulatory matters arising outside the ordinary course of our business and divestiture-related license income, as management believes such matters, when they occur, do not directly reflect our underlying operations.
Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted EPS excluding, when they occur, the impacts of restructuring activities, deal costs, unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges, impairment losses, certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters, losses/(gains) on the sale of a business, other losses/(gains) related to acquisitions and divestitures (e.g., tax and hedging impacts), nonmonetary currency devaluation (e.g., remeasurement gains and losses), debt prepayment and extinguishment costs, and certain significant discrete income tax items (e.g., U.S. and non-U.S. tax reform), and including, when they occur, adjustments to reflect preferred stock dividend payments on an accrual basis. We believe Adjusted EPS provides important comparability of underlying operating results, allowing investors and management to assess operating performance on a consistent basis. In 2021, we revised the definition of Adjusted EPS to adjust for the impact of certain legal and regulatory matters arising outside the ordinary course of our business and certain significant discrete income tax items beyond U.S. tax reform, as management believes such matters, when they occur, do not directly reflect our underlying operations.
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Reconciliation of Net Sales to Organic Net Sales
(dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
| Net Sales | Currency | Acquisitions and Divestitures | Organic Net Sales | Price | Volume/Mix | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 18,604 | $ | — | $ | 1,937 | $ | 16,667 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | 5,691 | 205 | 23 | 5,463 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | 1,747 | 114 | 49 | 1,584 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kraft Heinz | $ | 26,042 | $ | 319 | $ | 2,009 | $ | 23,714 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 19,204 | $ | — | $ | 2,801 | $ | 16,403 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | 5,341 | 22 | 20 | 5,299 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | 1,640 | — | 49 | 1,591 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kraft Heinz | $ | 26,185 | $ | 22 | $ | 2,870 | $ | 23,293 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year-over-year growth rates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | (3.1) | % | 0.0 pp | (4.7) pp | 1.6 | % | 2.1 pp | (0.5) pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | 6.5 | % | 3.4 pp | 0.0 pp | 3.1 | % | 2.6 pp | 0.5 pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | 6.5 | % | 7.0 pp | (0.1) pp | (0.4) | % | 2.9 pp | (3.3) pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kraft Heinz | (0.5) | % | 1.2 pp | (3.5) pp | 1.8 | % | 2.3 pp | (0.5) pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Reconciliation of Net Income/(Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) | $ | 1,024 | $ | 361 | |||||||
| Interest expense | 2,047 | 1,394 | |||||||||
| Other expense/(income) | (295) | (296) | |||||||||
| Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes | 684 | 669 | |||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | 3,460 | 2,128 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (excluding restructuring activities) | 910 | 955 | |||||||||
| Divestiture-related license income | (4) | — | |||||||||
| Restructuring activities | 84 | 15 | |||||||||
| Deal costs | 11 | 8 | |||||||||
| Unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges | 17 | (6) | |||||||||
| Impairment losses | 1,634 | 3,413 | |||||||||
| Certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters | 62 | — | |||||||||
| Equity award compensation expense (excluding restructuring activities) | 197 | 156 | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 6,371 | $ | 6,669 | |||||||
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Reconciliation of Diluted EPS to Adjusted EPS
(Unaudited)
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Diluted EPS | $ | 0.82 | $ | 0.29 | |||||||
Restructuring activities(a) | 0.05 | — | |||||||||
Unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges(b) | 0.01 | — | |||||||||
Impairment losses(c) | 1.07 | 2.59 | |||||||||
Certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters(d) | 0.05 | — | |||||||||
Losses/(gains) on sale of business(e) | 0.15 | (0.01) | |||||||||
Debt prepayment and extinguishment costs(f) | 0.59 | 0.08 | |||||||||
Certain significant discrete income tax items(g) | 0.19 | (0.07) | |||||||||
| Adjusted EPS | $ | 2.93 | $ | 2.88 | |||||||
(a) Gross expenses/(income) included in restructuring activities were expenses of $84 million ($64 million after-tax) in 2021 and income of $2 million ($3 million after-tax) in 2020 and were recorded in the following income statement line items:
•Cost of products sold included expenses of $13 million in 2021 and income of $20 million in 2020;
•SG&A included expenses of $70 million in 2021 and $35 million in 2020; and
•Other expense/(income) included expenses of $1 million in 2021 and income of $17 million in 2020.
(b) Gross expenses/(income) included in unrealized losses/(gains) on commodity hedges were expenses of $17 million ($13 million after-tax) in 2021 and income of $6 million ($4 million after-tax) in 2020 and were recorded in cost of products sold.
(c) Gross impairment losses included the following:
•Goodwill impairment losses of $318 million ($318 million after-tax) in 2021 and $2.3 billion ($2.3 billion after-tax) in 2020, which were recorded in SG&A;
•Intangible asset impairment losses of $1.3 billion ($1.0 billion after-tax) in 2021 and $1.1 billion ($829 million after-tax) in 2020, which were recorded in SG&A; and
•Property, plant and equipment asset impairment losses of $14 million ($1 million after-tax) in 2020, which were recorded in cost of products sold.
(d) Gross expenses included in certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters were $62 million ($62 million after-tax) in 2021 and were recorded in SG&A. These expenses relate to the settlement of the previously disclosed SEC investigation.
(e) Gross expenses/(income) included in losses/(gains) on sale of business were income of $44 million (expenses of $181 million after-tax) in 2021 and expenses of $2 million (income of $6 million after-tax) in 2020 and were recorded in other expense/(income).
(f) Gross expenses included in debt prepayment and extinguishment costs were $917 million ($728 million after-tax) in 2021 and $124 million ($93 million after-tax) in 2020 and were recorded in interest expense.
(g) Certain significant discrete income tax items were an expense of $235 million in 2021 and a benefit of $81 million in 2020. The impact in 2021 relates to the revaluation of our deferred tax balances due to an increase in U.K. tax rates. The benefit in 2020 relates to the revaluation of our deferred tax balances due to changes in state tax laws following U.S. tax reform and subsequent clarification or interpretation of state tax laws.
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risks from adverse changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, and interest rates. We monitor and manage these exposures as part of our overall risk management program. Our risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that volatility in these markets may have on our operating results. We maintain risk management policies that principally use derivative financial instruments to reduce significant, unanticipated fluctuations in earnings and cash flows that may arise from variations in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. We manage market risk by incorporating parameters within our risk management strategy that limit the types of derivative instruments, the derivative strategies we use, and the degree of market risk that we hedge with derivative instruments. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 13, Financial Instruments, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for details of our market risk management policies and the financial instruments used to hedge those exposures.
When we use financial instruments, we are exposed to credit risk that a counterparty might fail to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of our agreement. We minimize our credit risk by entering into transactions with counterparties with investment grade credit ratings, limiting the amount of exposure we have with each counterparty, and monitoring the financial condition of our counterparties. We maintain a policy of requiring that all significant, non-exchange traded derivative contracts are governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreement. By policy, we do not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor do we hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
Effect of Hypothetical 10% Fluctuation in Market Prices:
The potential gain or loss on the fair value of our outstanding commodity contracts, foreign exchange contracts, and cross-currency swap contracts, assuming a hypothetical 10% fluctuation in commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates, would have been (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | $ | 56 | $ | 39 | |||||||
| Foreign currency contracts | 130 | 141 | |||||||||
| Cross-currency swap contracts | 318 | 433 | |||||||||
It should be noted that any change in the fair value of our derivative contracts, real or hypothetical, would be significantly offset by an inverse change in the value of the underlying hedged items. In relation to foreign currency contracts, this hypothetical calculation assumes that each exchange rate would change in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar. Our utilization of financial instruments in managing market risk exposures described above is consistent with the prior year. Changes in our portfolio of financial instruments are a function of our results of operations, debt repayments and debt issuances, market effects on debt and foreign currency, and our acquisition and divestiture activities.
Effect of Hypothetical 1% Fluctuation in LIBOR:
Based on our current variable rate debt balance as of December 25, 2021, a hypothetical 1% increase in LIBOR would have an insignificant impact on our annual interest expense. The Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom will be phasing out the LIBOR rates associated with our outstanding variable rate debt by the end of June 2023. Given our current variable rate debt outstanding, we do not anticipate a significant impact to our annual interest expense as a result of the transition.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of The Kraft Heinz Company
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Kraft Heinz Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income, of equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 25, 2021, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 25, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Goodwill Impairment Assessments
As described in Notes 2 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance was $31.3 billion as of December 25, 2021. Management tests reporting units for impairment annually as of the first day of the second quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Reporting units are tested for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recorded based on the difference between the fair value and carrying amount, not to exceed the associated carrying amount of goodwill. Management recognized non-cash impairment losses of $318 million for the year ended December 25, 2021. Management utilizes the discounted cash flow method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of reporting units. As disclosed by management, management’s cash flow projections included significant assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, selling, general, and administrative costs (SG&A), depreciation and amortization, working capital, capital expenditures, income tax rates, discount rates, long-term growth rates, and other market factors.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the goodwill impairment assessments is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value of the reporting units; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, discount rates, and long-term growth rates; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment assessments, including controls over the valuation of the Company’s reporting units. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value of the reporting units; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow method; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the method; and (iv) evaluating the significant assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, discount rates and long-term growth rates. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, discount rates and long-term growth rates involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the reporting unit; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of (i) the Company’s discounted cash flow method and (ii) the discount rate and long-term growth rate assumptions.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Impairment Assessments
As described in Notes 2 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, which consists primarily of individual brands, was $39.4 billion as of December 25, 2021. Management tests brands for impairment annually as of the first day of the second quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a brand is less than its carrying amount. Brands are tested for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each brand with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a brand exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recorded based on the difference between the fair value and carrying amount. Management recognized non-cash impairment losses of $1.3 billion for the year ended December 25, 2021. As disclosed by management, management utilizes either an excess earnings method or relief from royalty method to estimate the fair value of its brands. Using the excess earnings method, management’s cash flow projections included significant assumptions relating to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, contributory asset charges, income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, discount rates, and other market factors. Using the relief from royalty method, management’s cash flow projections included significant assumptions related to net sales, royalty rates, income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, discount rates, and other market factors.
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The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment assessment is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value of the brands; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, long-term growth rates and discount rates for the excess earnings method and net sales, royalty rates, long-term growth rates and discount rates for the relief from royalty method; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment assessment, including controls over the valuation of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value of the brands; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the excess earnings and relief from royalty methods; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the methods; and (iv) evaluating the significant assumptions used by management related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, long-term growth rates and discount rates for the excess earnings method and net sales, royalty rates, long-term growth rates and discount rates for the relief from royalty method. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to net sales, cost of products sold, SG&A, long-term growth rates and discount rates for the excess earnings method and net sales, royalty rates, long-term growth rates and discount rates for the relief from royalty method involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the individual brands; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of (i) the Company’s excess earnings and relief from royalty methods and (ii) the royalty rate for the relief from royalty method and long-term growth rate and discount rate assumptions for the excess earnings method and relief from royalty method.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 17, 2022
We have served as the Company’s or its predecessors' auditor since 1979.
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in millions, except per share data)
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 26,042 | $ | 26,185 | $ | 24,977 | |||||||||||
| Cost of products sold | 17,360 | 17,008 | 16,830 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 8,682 | 9,177 | 8,147 | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding impairment losses | 3,588 | 3,650 | 3,178 | ||||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment losses | 318 | 2,343 | 1,197 | ||||||||||||||
| Intangible asset impairment losses | 1,316 | 1,056 | 702 | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 5,222 | 7,049 | 5,077 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | 3,460 | 2,128 | 3,070 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 2,047 | 1,394 | 1,361 | ||||||||||||||
| Other expense/(income) | (295) | (296) | (952) | ||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | 1,708 | 1,030 | 2,661 | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes | 684 | 669 | 728 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) | 1,024 | 361 | 1,933 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 12 | 5 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | 1,012 | $ | 356 | $ | 1,935 | |||||||||||
| Per share data applicable to common shareholders: | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings/(loss) | $ | 0.83 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 1.59 | |||||||||||
| Diluted earnings/(loss) | 0.82 | 0.29 | 1.58 | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
49
The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in millions)
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) | $ | 1,024 | $ | 361 | $ | 1,933 | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax: | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (236) | 327 | 246 | ||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on net investment hedges | 169 | (321) | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of net investment hedges | 35 | 26 | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on net investment hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | (29) | (17) | (16) | ||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges | (91) | 144 | (10) | ||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of cash flow hedges | 27 | 24 | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on cash flow hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | 68 | (116) | (41) | ||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial gains/(losses) arising during the period | 232 | (27) | (70) | ||||||||||||||
| Prior service credits/(costs) arising during the period | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Net postemployment benefit losses/(gains) reclassified to net income/(loss) | (26) | (118) | (234) | ||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income/(loss) | 149 | (78) | (72) | ||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) | 1,173 | 283 | 1,861 | ||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 18 | 8 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | 1,155 | $ | 275 | $ | 1,856 | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
50
The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions, except per share data)
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,445 | $ | 3,417 | |||||||
Trade receivables (net of allowances of $48 at December 25, 2021 and $48 at December 26, 2020) | 1,957 | 2,063 | |||||||||
| Inventories | 2,729 | 2,773 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | 136 | 132 | |||||||||
| Other current assets | 716 | 574 | |||||||||
| Assets held for sale | 11 | 1,863 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 8,994 | 10,822 | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 6,806 | 6,876 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 31,296 | 33,089 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 43,542 | 46,667 | |||||||||
| Other non-current assets | 2,756 | 2,376 | |||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 93,394 | $ | 99,830 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Commercial paper and other short-term debt | $ | 14 | $ | 6 | |||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 740 | 230 | |||||||||
| Trade payables | 4,753 | 4,304 | |||||||||
| Accrued marketing | 804 | 946 | |||||||||
| Interest payable | 268 | 358 | |||||||||
| Income taxes payable | 541 | 114 | |||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 1,944 | 2,086 | |||||||||
| Liabilities held for sale | — | 17 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 9,064 | 8,061 | |||||||||
| Long-term debt | 21,061 | 28,070 | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 10,536 | 11,462 | |||||||||
| Accrued postemployment costs | 205 | 243 | |||||||||
| Long-term deferred income | 1,534 | 6 | |||||||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 1,542 | 1,745 | |||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 43,942 | 49,587 | |||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16) | |||||||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interest | 4 | — | |||||||||
| Equity: | |||||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value (5,000 shares authorized; 1,235 shares issued and 1,224 shares outstanding at December 25, 2021; 1,228 shares issued and 1,223 shares outstanding at December 26, 2020) | 12 | 12 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 53,379 | 55,096 | |||||||||
| Retained earnings/(deficit) | (1,682) | (2,694) | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) | (1,824) | (1,967) | |||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost (11 shares at December 25, 2021 and 5 shares at December 26, 2020) | (587) | (344) | |||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | 49,298 | 50,103 | |||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | 150 | 140 | |||||||||
| TOTAL EQUITY | 49,448 | 50,243 | |||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ | 93,394 | $ | 99,830 | |||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
51
The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(in millions)
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings/(Deficit) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Losses) | Treasury Stock, at Cost | Noncontrolling Interest | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 29, 2018 | $ | 12 | $ | 58,723 | $ | (4,853) | $ | (1,943) | $ | (282) | $ | 118 | $ | 51,775 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) excluding redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | — | 1,935 | — | — | 6 | 1,941 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) | — | — | — | (79) | — | 7 | (72) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared-common stock ($1.60 per share) | — | (1,959) | — | — | — | — | (1,959) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared-noncontrolling interest ($75.63 per share) | — | — | — | — | — | (5) | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of accounting standards adopted in the period | — | — | (136) | 136 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options, issuance of other stock awards, and other | — | 64 | (6) | — | 11 | — | 69 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 28, 2019 | 12 | 56,828 | (3,060) | (1,886) | (271) | 126 | 51,749 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) excluding redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | — | 356 | — | — | 15 | 371 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) | — | — | — | (81) | — | 3 | (78) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared-common stock ($1.60 per share) | — | (1,973) | — | — | — | — | (1,973) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared-noncontrolling interest ($75.32 per share) | — | — | — | — | — | (4) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options, issuance of other stock awards, and other | — | 241 | 10 | — | (73) | — | 178 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 26, 2020 | 12 | 55,096 | (2,694) | (1,967) | (344) | 140 | 50,243 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) excluding redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | — | 1,012 | — | — | 12 | 1,024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) | — | — | — | 143 | — | 6 | 149 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared-common stock ($1.60 per share) | — | (1,979) | — | — | — | — | (1,979) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared-noncontrolling interest ($108.71 per share) | — | — | — | — | — | (8) | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options, issuance of other stock awards, and other | — | 262 | — | — | (243) | — | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 25, 2021 | $ | 12 | $ | 53,379 | $ | (1,682) | $ | (1,824) | $ | (587) | $ | 150 | $ | 49,448 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
52
The Kraft Heinz Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in millions)
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) | $ | 1,024 | $ | 361 | $ | 1,933 | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to operating cash flows: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 910 | 969 | 994 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of postemployment benefit plans prior service costs/(credits) | (7) | (122) | (306) | ||||||||||||||
| Divestiture-related license income | (4) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Equity award compensation expense | 197 | 156 | 46 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax provision/(benefit) | (1,042) | (343) | (293) | ||||||||||||||
| Postemployment benefit plan contributions | (27) | (27) | (32) | ||||||||||||||
| Goodwill and intangible asset impairment losses | 1,634 | 3,399 | 1,899 | ||||||||||||||
| Nonmonetary currency devaluation | — | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss/(gain) on sale of business | (44) | 2 | (420) | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of license | 1,587 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 917 | 124 | 98 | ||||||||||||||
| Other items, net | (187) | (54) | (142) | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in current assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Trade receivables | 87 | (26) | 140 | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories | (144) | (249) | (307) | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 408 | 207 | (58) | ||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | (32) | 40 | 80 | ||||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 87 | 486 | (90) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities | 5,364 | 4,929 | 3,552 | ||||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | (905) | (596) | (768) | ||||||||||||||
| Payments to acquire business, net of cash acquired | (74) | — | (199) | ||||||||||||||
| Settlement of net investment hedges | (28) | 25 | 590 | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of business, net of cash disposed | 5,014 | — | 1,875 | ||||||||||||||
| Other investing activities, net | 31 | 49 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used for) investing activities | 4,038 | (522) | 1,511 | ||||||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | (6,202) | (4,697) | (4,795) | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | — | 3,500 | 2,967 | ||||||||||||||
| Debt prepayment and extinguishment costs | (924) | (116) | (99) | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from revolving credit facility | — | 4,000 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Repayments of revolving credit facility | — | (4,000) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper | — | — | 557 | ||||||||||||||
| Repayments of commercial paper | — | — | (557) | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | (1,959) | (1,958) | (1,953) | ||||||||||||||
| Other financing activities, net | (259) | (60) | (33) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities | (9,344) | (3,331) | (3,913) | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (30) | 62 | (6) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | |||||||||||||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) | 28 | 1,138 | 1,144 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | 3,418 | 2,280 | 1,136 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | 3,446 | $ | 3,418 | $ | 2,280 | |||||||||||
| CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest | $ | 1,196 | $ | 1,286 | $ | 1,306 | |||||||||||
| Income taxes, net of refunds | 1,295 | 1,027 | 974 | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
53
The Kraft Heinz Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
Organization
On July 2, 2015 (the “2015 Merger Date”) through a series of transactions, we consummated the merger of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (“Kraft”) with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz”) (the “2015 Merger”). At the closing of the 2015 Merger, Heinz was renamed The Kraft Heinz Company. Before the consummation of the 2015 Merger, Heinz was controlled by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and 3G Global Food Holdings, LP (together, the “Sponsors”), following their acquisition of H. J. Heinz Company on June 7, 2013 (the “2013 Heinz Acquisition”).
We operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in December in each calendar year. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to years and quarters contained herein pertain to our fiscal years and fiscal quarters. Our 2021 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 25, 2021, the 2020 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 26, 2020, and the 2019 fiscal year was a 52-week period that ended on December 28, 2019.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include The Kraft Heinz Company and all of our controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions are eliminated.
Reportable Segments
We manage and report our operating results through three reportable segments defined by geographic region: United States, International, and Canada.
During the fourth quarter of 2021, certain organizational changes were announced that will impact our future internal reporting and reportable segments. As a result of these changes, we plan to combine our United States and Canada zones to form the North America zone, and expect to have two reportable segments, North America and International. We expect that any change to our reportable segments will be effective in the second quarter of 2022.
Considerations Related to COVID-19
The ongoing spread of COVID-19 throughout the United States and internationally, as well as measures implemented by governmental authorities and private businesses in an attempt to minimize transmission of the virus (including social distancing mandates, shelter-in-place orders, vaccine mandates, and business restrictions and shutdowns) and consumer responses to such measures and the pandemic have had and continue to have negative and positive implications for portions of our business. Though many areas have relaxed restrictions, varying levels remain throughout the world, are continuously evolving, and may be increased, including as a result of further outbreaks, resurgences, or the emergence of new variants.
In the preparation of these financial statements and related disclosures we have assessed the impact that COVID-19 has had on our estimates, assumptions, forecasts, and accounting policies and made additional disclosures, as necessary. As COVID-19 and its impacts are unprecedented and ever evolving, future events and effects related to the pandemic cannot be determined with precision and actual results could significantly differ from estimates or forecasts.
See Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, and Note 17, Debt, for further discussion of COVID-19 considerations.
Use of Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which requires us to make accounting policy elections, estimates, and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, reserves, and expenses. These accounting policy elections, estimates, and assumptions are based on our best estimates and judgments. We evaluate our policy elections, estimates, and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. We believe these estimates to be reasonable given the current facts available. We adjust our policy elections, estimates, and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Market volatility, including foreign currency exchange rates, increases the uncertainty inherent in our estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from estimates. If actual amounts differ from estimates, we include the revisions in our consolidated results of operations in the period the actual amounts become known. Historically, the aggregate differences, if any, between our estimates and actual amounts in any year have not had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
54
Reclassifications
We made reclassifications and adjustments to certain previously reported financial information to conform to our current period presentation. In the first quarter of 2021, we reclassified certain balances, which were previously reported in prepaid expenses, to inventories on our consolidated balance sheets. Certain financial statement line items in our consolidated balance sheet at December 26, 2020 and our consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were adjusted, as necessary, to reflect these reclassifications. See Note 7, Inventories, for additional information.
Held for Sale
At December 25, 2021, we classified certain assets and liabilities as held for sale in our consolidated balance sheet, including inventory in our International segment and certain manufacturing equipment and land use rights across the globe. At December 26, 2020, we classified certain assets and liabilities as held for sale in our consolidated balance sheet, primarily relating to the divestiture of certain of our cheese businesses, a business in our International segment, and certain manufacturing equipment and land use rights across the globe. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information.
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition:
Our revenues are primarily derived from customer orders for the purchase of our products. We recognize revenues as performance obligations are fulfilled when control passes to our customers. We record revenues net of variable consideration, including consumer incentives and performance obligations related to trade promotions, excluding taxes, and including all shipping and handling charges billed to customers (accounting for shipping and handling charges that occur after the transfer of control as fulfillment costs). We also record a refund liability for estimated product returns and customer allowances as reductions to revenues within the same period that the revenue is recognized. We base these estimates principally on historical and current period experience factors. We recognize costs paid to third party brokers to obtain contracts as expenses as our contracts are generally less than one year.
Advertising, Consumer Incentives, and Trade Promotions:
We promote our products with advertising, consumer incentives, and performance obligations related to trade promotions. Consumer incentives and trade promotions include, but are not limited to, discounts, coupons, rebates, performance-based in-store display activities, and volume-based incentives. Variable consideration related to consumer incentive and trade promotion activities is recorded as a reduction to revenues based on amounts estimated as being due to customers and consumers at the end of a period. We base these estimates principally on historical utilization, redemption rates, and/or current period experience factors. We review and adjust these estimates at least quarterly based on actual experience and other information.
Advertising expenses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”). For interim reporting purposes, we charge advertising to operations as a percentage of estimated full year sales activity and marketing costs. We then review and adjust these estimates each quarter based on actual experience and other information. In 2021, we updated our definition of advertising expenses to reflect a more comprehensive view of costs that promote our brands to create or stimulate a desire to buy our products. Our definition of advertising expenses now includes advertising production costs, in-store advertising costs, agency fees, brand promotions and events, and sponsorships, in addition to costs to obtain advertising in television, radio, print, digital, and social channels. We have reflected these changes in all historical periods presented. We recorded advertising expenses of $1,039 million in 2021, $1,070 million in 2020, and $976 million in 2019. We also incur market research costs, which are recorded in SG&A but are excluded from advertising expenses.
Research and Development Expense:
We expense costs as incurred for product research and development within SG&A. Research and development expenses were approximately $140 million in 2021, $119 million in 2020, and $112 million in 2019.
Stock-Based Compensation:
We recognize compensation costs related to equity awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award, which is generally to five years, or on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the awards. These costs are primarily recognized within SG&A. We estimate expected forfeitures rather than recognizing forfeitures as they occur in determining our equity award compensation costs. We classify equity award compensation costs primarily within general corporate expenses. See Note 11, Employees’ Stock Incentive Plans, for additional information.
55
Postemployment Benefit Plans:
We maintain various retirement plans for the majority of our employees. These include pension benefits, postretirement health care benefits, and defined contribution benefits. The cost of these plans is charged to expense over an appropriate term based on, among other things, the cost component and whether the plan is active or inactive. Changes in the fair value of our plan assets result in net actuarial gains or losses. These net actuarial gains and losses are deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) and amortized within other expense/(income) in future periods using the corridor approach. The corridor is 10% of the greater of the market-related value of the plan’s asset or projected benefit obligation. Any actuarial gains and losses in excess of the corridor are then amortized over an appropriate term based on whether the plan is active or inactive. See Note 12, Postemployment Benefits, for additional information.
Income Taxes:
We recognize income taxes based on amounts refundable or payable for the current year and record deferred tax assets or liabilities for any difference between the financial reporting and tax basis of our assets and liabilities. We also recognize deferred tax assets for temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards, and tax credit carryforwards. Inherent in determining our annual tax rate are judgments regarding business plans, planning opportunities, and expectations about future outcomes. Realization of certain deferred tax assets, primarily net operating loss and other carryforwards, is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction prior to the expiration of the carryforward periods.
We apply a more-likely-than-not threshold to the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions. Accordingly, we recognize the amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being ultimately realized upon settlement. Future changes in judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions will affect our results in the quarter of such change.
We record valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. When assessing the need for valuation allowances, we consider future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the realizability of deferred tax assets in future years, we would adjust related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding adjustment to our provision for/(benefit from) income taxes. The resolution of tax reserves and changes in valuation allowances could be material to our results of operations for any period, but is not expected to be material to our financial position.
Common Stock and Preferred Stock Dividends:
Dividends are recorded as a reduction to retained earnings. When we have an accumulated deficit, dividends are recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Cash equivalents include term deposits with banks, money market funds, and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The fair value of cash equivalents approximates the carrying amount. Cash and cash equivalents that are legally restricted as to withdrawal or usage is classified in other current assets or other non-current assets, as applicable, on the consolidated balance sheets.
Inventories:
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We value inventories primarily using the average cost method.
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost and depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over periods ranging from three years to 20 years and buildings and improvements over periods up to 40 years. Capitalized software costs are included in property, plant and equipment if we have the contractual right to take possession of the software at any time and it is feasible for us to either run the software on our own hardware or contract with a third party to host the software. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software, which do not exceed seven years. We review long-lived assets for impairment when conditions exist that indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Such conditions could include significant adverse changes in the business climate, current-period operating or cash flow losses, significant declines in forecasted operations, or a current expectation that an asset group will be disposed of before the end of its useful life. We perform undiscounted operating cash flow analyses to determine if an impairment exists. When testing for impairment of assets held for use, we group assets at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identifiable. If an impairment is determined to exist, the loss is calculated based on estimated fair value. Impairment losses on assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less costs of disposal.
56
Hosted Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract:
Deferred implementation costs for hosted cloud computing service arrangements are stated at historical cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the hosting arrangement that the implementation costs relate to. Deferred implementation costs for these arrangements are included in prepaid expenses and amortized to SG&A. The corresponding cash flows related to these arrangements will be reported within operating activities. We review the deferred implementation costs for impairment when we believe the deferred costs may no longer be recoverable. Such conditions could include situations where the arrangement is not expected to provide substantive service potential, a significant change occurs in the manner in which the arrangement is used or expected to be used, including early cancellation or termination of the arrangement, or situations where the arrangement has had, or will have, a significant change made to it. In instances where we have concluded that an impairment exists, we accelerate the deferred costs on the consolidated balance sheet for immediate expense recognition in SG&A.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets:
We maintain 14 reporting units, nine of which comprise our goodwill balance. Our indefinite-lived intangible asset balance primarily consists of a number of individual brands. We test our reporting units and brands for impairment annually as of the first day of our second quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or brand is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include a sustained decrease in our market capitalization, increased competition or unexpected loss of market share, increased input costs beyond projections, disposals of significant brands or components of our business, unexpected business disruptions (for example due to a natural disaster, pandemic, or loss of a customer, supplier, or other significant business relationship), unexpected significant declines in operating results, significant adverse changes in the markets in which we operate, changes in income tax rates, changes in interest rates, or changes in management strategy. We test reporting units for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount. We test brands for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each brand with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit or brand exceeds its estimated fair value, we record an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount, in the case of reporting units, not to exceed the associated carrying amount of goodwill.
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods benefited. We review definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when conditions exist that indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Such conditions could include significant adverse changes in the business climate, current-period operating or cash flow losses, significant declines in forecasted operations, or a current expectation that an asset group will be disposed of before the end of its useful life. We perform undiscounted operating cash flow analyses to determine if an impairment exists. When testing for impairment of definite-lived intangible assets held for use, we group assets at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identifiable. If an impairment is determined to exist, the loss is calculated based on estimated fair value. Impairment losses on definite-lived intangible assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less costs of disposal.
See Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information.
Leases:
We determine whether a contract is or contains a lease at contract inception based on the presence of identified assets and our right to obtain substantially all the economic benefit from or to direct the use of such assets. When we determine a lease exists, we record a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and corresponding lease liability on our consolidated balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term. Lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are recognized at the lease commencement date at the value of the lease liability and are adjusted for any prepayments, lease incentives received, and initial direct costs incurred. Lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term. As the discount rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable in most of our leases, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Our lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.
We do not record lease contracts with a term of 12 months or less on our consolidated balance sheets.
We recognize fixed lease expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, we recognize amortization expense over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the underlying assets or the lease term. In instances of title transfer, expense is recognized over the useful life. Interest expense on a finance lease is recognized using the effective interest method over the lease term.
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We have lease agreements with non-lease components that relate to the lease components (e.g., common area maintenance such as cleaning or landscaping, insurance, etc.). We account for each lease and any non-lease components associated with that lease as a single lease component for all underlying asset classes. Accordingly, all costs associated with a lease contract are accounted for as lease costs.
Certain leasing arrangements require variable payments that are dependent on usage or output or may vary for other reasons, such as insurance and tax payments. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate are excluded from lease payments in the measurement of the ROU asset and lease liability and are recognized as expense in the period in which the payment occurs.
Our lease agreements do not include significant restrictions or covenants, and residual value guarantees are generally not included within our leases.
Financial Instruments:
As we source our commodities on global markets and periodically enter into financing or other arrangements abroad, we use a variety of risk management strategies and financial instruments to manage commodity price, foreign currency exchange rate, and interest rate risks. Our risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on our operating results. One way we do this is through actively hedging our risks through the use of derivative instruments. As a matter of policy, we do not use highly leveraged derivative instruments, nor do we use financial instruments for speculative purposes.
Derivatives are recorded on our consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value, which fluctuates based on changing market conditions.
Certain derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges and qualify for hedge accounting treatment, while others are not designated as hedging instruments and are marked to market through net income/(loss). The gains and losses on cash flow hedges are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) and are recognized in net income/(loss) at the time the hedged item affects net income/(loss), in the same line item as the underlying hedged item. The excluded component on cash flow hedges is recognized in net income/(loss) over the life of the hedging relationship in the same income statement line item as the underlying hedged item. We also designate certain derivatives and non-derivatives as net investment hedges to hedge the net assets of certain foreign subsidiaries which are exposed to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in the value of these derivatives and remeasurements of our non-derivatives designated as net investment hedges are calculated each period using the spot method, with changes reported in foreign currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses). Such amounts will remain in accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) until the complete or substantially complete liquidation of our investment in the underlying foreign operations. The excluded component on derivatives designated as net investment hedges is recognized in net income/(loss) within interest expense. The income statement classification of gains and losses related to derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments is determined based on the underlying intent of the contracts. Cash flows related to the settlement of derivative instruments designated as net investment hedges of foreign operations are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows within investing activities. All other cash flows related to derivative instruments are classified in the same line item as the cash flows of the related hedged item, which is generally within operating activities.
To qualify for hedge accounting, a specified level of hedging effectiveness between the hedging instrument and the item being hedged must be achieved at inception and maintained throughout the hedged period. When a hedging instrument no longer meets the specified level of hedging effectiveness, we reclassify the related hedge gains or losses previously deferred into other comprehensive income/(losses) to net income/(loss) within other expense/(income). We formally document our risk management objectives, our strategies for undertaking the various hedge transactions, the nature of and relationships between the hedging instruments and hedged items, and the method for assessing hedge effectiveness. Additionally, for qualified hedges of forecasted transactions, we specifically identify the significant characteristics and expected terms of the forecasted transactions. If it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, the hedge will no longer be effective and all of the derivative gains or losses would be recognized in net income/(loss) in the current period.
Unrealized gains and losses on our commodity derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recorded in cost of products sold and are included within general corporate expenses until realized. Once realized, the gains and losses are included within the applicable segment operating results. See Note 13, Financial Instruments, for additional information.
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Our designated and undesignated derivative contracts include:
•Net investment hedges. We have numerous investments in our foreign subsidiaries, the net assets of which are exposed to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. We manage this risk by utilizing derivative and non-derivative instruments, including cross-currency swap contracts, foreign exchange contracts, and certain foreign denominated debt designated as net investment hedges. We exclude the interest accruals and any off-market values on cross-currency swap contracts and the forward points on foreign exchange forward contracts from the assessment and measurement of hedge effectiveness. We recognize the interest accruals and any amortization of off-market values on cross-currency swap contracts in net income/(loss) within interest expense. We amortize the forward points on foreign exchange contracts into net income/(loss) within interest expense over the life of the hedging relationship.
•Foreign currency cash flow hedges. We use various financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to changes in exchange rates from third-party and intercompany actual and forecasted transactions. Our principal foreign currency exposures that are hedged include the euro, British pound sterling, and Canadian dollar. These instruments include cross-currency swap contracts and foreign exchange forward and option contracts. Substantially all of these derivative instruments are highly effective and qualify for hedge accounting treatment. We exclude the interest accruals on cross-currency swap contracts (when interest is not a hedged item) and the forward points and option premiums or discounts on foreign exchange contracts from the assessment and measurement of hedge effectiveness and amortize such amounts into net income/(loss) in the same line item as the underlying hedged item over the life of the hedging relationship.
•Interest rate cash flow hedges. From time to time, we have used derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps, as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. We have primarily used interest rate swaps to hedge the variability of interest payment cash flows on a portion of our future debt obligations.
•Commodity derivatives. We are exposed to price risk related to forecasted purchases of certain commodities that we primarily use as raw materials. We enter into commodity purchase contracts primarily for vegetable oils, corn products, sugar, coffee beans, wheat products, meat products, dairy products, and cocoa products. These commodity purchase contracts generally are not subject to the accounting requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities under the normal purchases and normal sales exception. We also use commodity futures, options, and swaps to economically hedge the price of certain commodity costs, including the commodities noted above, as well as diesel fuel, packaging products, and natural gas. We do not designate these commodity contracts as hedging instruments. We also occasionally use futures to economically cross hedge a commodity exposure.
Translation of Foreign Currencies:
For all significant foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each period end. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) on our consolidated balance sheet. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net income/(loss) for the period.
Highly Inflationary Accounting:
We apply highly inflationary accounting if the cumulative inflation rate in an economy for a three-year period meets or exceeds 100%. Under highly inflationary accounting, the financial statements of a subsidiary are remeasured into our reporting currency (U.S. dollars) based on the legally available exchange rate at which we expect to settle the underlying transactions. Exchange gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in other expense/(income) on our consolidated statement of income, rather than accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) on our consolidated balance sheet, until such time as the economy is no longer considered highly inflationary. Certain non-monetary assets and liabilities are recorded at the applicable historical exchange rates. We apply highly inflationary accounting to the results of our subsidiaries in Venezuela and Argentina, which resulted in insignificant nonmonetary currency devaluation losses in other expense/(income) in 2021, 2020, and 2019. The net monetary assets of each of our subsidiaries in Venezuela and Argentina were insignificant at December 25, 2021. Our results of operations in both Venezuela and Argentina reflect those of controlled subsidiaries.
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Note 3. New Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Year
Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes:
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12 to simplify the accounting in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes. This guidance removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also clarifies and simplifies other areas of ASC 740. Certain amendments in this update must be applied on a prospective basis, certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective basis, and certain amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings/(deficit) in the period of adoption. This ASU became effective in the first quarter of 2021. The adoption of this ASU did not impact our financial statements or the related disclosures.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers:
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08 to amend the accounting for contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations. The guidance requires entities engaged in a business combination to recognize and measure contract assets acquired and contract liabilities assumed in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, rather than at fair value on the acquisition date. The amendments also apply to other contracts such as contract liabilities arising from nonfinancial assets under ASC 610-20, Other Income – Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets. The ASU will be effective beginning in the first quarter of 2023. Early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period. We currently expect to adopt ASU 2021-08 in the first quarter of 2023 on a prospective basis. While the impact of these amendments is dependent on the nature of any future transactions, we currently do not expect this ASU to have a significant impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.
Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting:
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04 to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance for accounting for contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the transition from discontinued reference rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), to alternative reference rates. The new accounting requirements can be applied from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. While we currently do not expect this new guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements or related disclosures, we continue to evaluate our contracts and the optional expedients provided by the new standard.
Note 4. Acquisitions and Divestitures
Acquisitions
Assan Foods Acquisition:
On October 1, 2021 (the “Assan Foods Acquisition Date”), we acquired all of the outstanding equity interests in Assan Gıda Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (“Assan Foods”), a condiments and sauces manufacturer based in Turkey, from third parties Kibar Holding Anonim Şirketi and a holder of registered shares of Assan Foods (the “Assan Foods Acquisition”).
The Assan Foods Acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Total consideration related to the Assan Foods Acquisition was approximately $79 million, including cash consideration of $70 million and contingent consideration of approximately $9 million. We utilized fair values at the Assan Foods Acquisition Date to allocate the total consideration exchanged to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The purchase price allocation for the Assan Foods Acquisition is preliminary and subject to adjustment.
The fair value estimates of the assets acquired are subject to adjustment during the measurement period (up to one year from the Assan Foods Acquisition Date). The primary areas of accounting for the Assan Foods Acquisition that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired, residual goodwill, and any related tax impact. The fair values of these net assets acquired are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. While we believe that such preliminary estimates provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, we will evaluate any additional information prior to finalization of the fair value. During the measurement period, we will adjust preliminary valuations assigned to assets and liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the Assan Foods Acquisition Date, that, if known, would have resulted in revised values for these items as of that date. The impact of all changes, if any, that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments will be included in current period earnings.
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The preliminary purchase price allocation to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Assan Foods Acquisition was (in millions):
| Cash | $ | 4 | |||
| Trade receivables | 24 | ||||
| Inventories | 26 | ||||
| Other current assets | 2 | ||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 12 | ||||
| Other non-current assets | 4 | ||||
| Short-term debt | (21) | ||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | (5) | ||||
| Trade payables | (25) | ||||
| Other current liabilities | (2) | ||||
| Long-term debt | (4) | ||||
| Net assets acquired | 15 | ||||
| Goodwill on acquisition | 64 | ||||
| Total consideration | $ | 79 | |||
The Assan Foods Acquisition preliminarily resulted in $64 million of non tax deductible goodwill relating principally to additional capacity that the Assan Foods manufacturing facilities will provide for our brands in the EMEA East region. This goodwill was assigned to the EMEA East reporting unit within our International segment. See Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information.
We used carrying values as of the Assan Foods Acquisition Date to value certain current and non-current assets and liabilities, as we determined that they represented the fair value of those items at such date.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we extinguished approximately $29 million of the short- and long-term debt assumed as a part of the Assan Foods Acquisition, resulting in approximately $1 million of long-term debt remaining related to the Assan Foods Acquisition at December 25, 2021. The loss on extinguishment related to the repayment of this debt was insignificant. Cash payments related to debt extinguishment are classified as cash outflows from financing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Just Spices Acquisition:
In December 2021, we entered into a definitive agreement with certain third-party shareholders of Just Spices GmbH (“Just Spices”) to acquire 85% of the shares of Just Spices (the “Just Spices Acquisition”). Just Spices is a German-based company focused on direct-to-consumer sales of premium spice blends. The Just Spices Acquisition closed in January 2022 for cash consideration of approximately 214 million euros (approximately $243 million at December 25, 2021). The initial accounting for the transaction is incomplete as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as the information necessary to complete such evaluation is in the process of being obtained and more thoroughly evaluated. We have not yet determined the purchase price allocation, including the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities.
Hemmer Acquisition:
In September 2021, we entered into a definitive agreement with certain third-party shareholders of Companhia Hemmer Indústria e Comércio (“Hemmer”) to acquire a majority of the outstanding equity interests of Hemmer for cash consideration of approximately 1.2 billion Brazilian reais (approximately $211 million at December 25, 2021) (the “Hemmer Acquisition”). Hemmer is a Brazilian food and beverage manufacturing company focused on the condiments and sauces category. The Hemmer Acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Primal Acquisition:
On January 3, 2019 (the “Primal Acquisition Date”), we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests in Primal Nutrition, LLC (“Primal Nutrition”) (the “Primal Acquisition”), a better-for-you brand primarily focused on condiments, sauces, and dressings, with growing product lines in healthy snacks and other categories. The Primal Kitchen brand holds leading positions in the e-commerce and natural channels.
The Primal Acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The total cash consideration paid for Primal Nutrition was $201 million. We utilized estimated fair values at the Primal Acquisition Date to allocate the total consideration exchanged to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Such allocation for the Primal Acquisition was final as of September 28, 2019.
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The final purchase price allocation to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Primal Acquisition was (in millions):
| Cash | $ | 2 | |||
| Other current assets | 15 | ||||
| Identifiable intangible assets | 66 | ||||
| Current liabilities | (6) | ||||
| Net assets acquired | 77 | ||||
| Goodwill on acquisition | 124 | ||||
| Total consideration | $ | 201 | |||
The Primal Acquisition resulted in $124 million of tax deductible goodwill relating principally to planned expansion of the Primal Kitchen brand into new channels and categories. This goodwill was allocated to the United States segment.
The purchase price allocation to identifiable intangible assets acquired in the Primal Acquisition was:
| Fair Value (in millions of dollars) | Weighted Average Life (in years) | ||||||||||
| Definite-lived trademarks | $ | 52.5 | 15 | ||||||||
| Customer-related assets | 13.5 | 20 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 66.0 | |||||||||
We valued trademarks using the relief from royalty method and customer-related assets using the distributor method. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in developing the valuations included the estimated annual net cash flows for each definite-lived intangible asset (including net sales, cost of products sold, selling and marketing costs, and working capital/contributory asset charges), the discount rate that appropriately reflects the risk inherent in each future cash flow stream, the assessment of each asset’s life cycle, and competitive trends, as well as other factors. We determined the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, management’s plans, and market comparables.
We used carrying values as of the Primal Acquisition Date to value certain current and non-current assets and liabilities, as we determined that they represented the fair value of those items at the Primal Acquisition Date.
Other Acquisitions:
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we acquired a majority stake in BR Spices Indústria e Comércio de Alimentos Ltda. (“BR Spices”), a manufacturer of spices and other seasonings in Brazil, for an insignificant amount of cash consideration (the “BR Spices Acquisition”). At December 25, 2021, redeemable noncontrolling interest on our consolidated balance sheet relates to BR Spices.
Deal Costs:
Related to our acquisitions, we incurred insignificant deal costs in 2021 and 2019. We recognized these deal costs in SG&A. There were no deal costs related to acquisitions in 2020.
Divestitures
Cheese Transaction:
In September 2020, we entered into a definitive agreement with a third party, an affiliate of Groupe Lactalis (“Lactalis”), to sell certain assets in our global cheese business, as well as to license certain trademarks, for total consideration of approximately $3.34 billion, including approximately $3.20 billion of cash consideration and approximately $141 million related to a perpetual license for the Cracker Barrel brand that Lactalis granted to us for certain products (the “Cheese Transaction”). The Cheese Transaction closed on November 29, 2021 (the “Cheese Transaction Closing Date”) and had two primary components. The first component related to the perpetual licenses for the Kraft and Velveeta brands that we granted to Lactalis for certain cheese products (the “Kraft and Velveeta Licenses”), along with a three-year transitional license that we granted to Lactalis for the Philadelphia brand (the “Philadelphia License” and collectively, the “Cheese Divestiture Licenses”). The second component related to the net assets transferred to Lactalis (the “Cheese Disposal Group”).
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Of the $3.34 billion total consideration, approximately $1.59 billion was attributed to the Cheese Divestiture Licenses based on the estimated fair value of the licensed portion of each brand. Lactalis received the rights to the Kraft and Velveeta brands in association with the manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and sale of certain cheese products in certain countries. Lactalis also received the rights to certain know-how in manufacturing the authorized cheese products. Additionally, Lactalis received the rights to use the Philadelphia brand logo on certain Kraft shredded cheese products as the sale of such products are wound down. As of the Cheese Transaction Closing Date, the license income is recognized as a reduction to SG&A, as it does not constitute our ongoing major or central operations. The license income related to the Kraft and Velveeta Licenses will be recognized over approximately 30 years. The license income related to the Philadelphia License will be recognized over approximately three years. In 2021, we recognized an insignificant amount of license income related to the Cheese Divestiture Licenses. On an annual basis, we expect to recognize license income of approximately $55 million related to the Cheese Divestiture Licenses, which will be classified as divestiture-related license income.
The remaining $1.75 billion of consideration was attributed to the Cheese Disposal Group. The net assets in the Cheese Disposal Group were associated with our natural, grated, cultured, and specialty cheese businesses in the U.S., our grated cheese business in Canada, and our grated, processed, and natural cheese businesses outside the U.S. and Canada. The Cheese Disposal Group included our global intellectual property rights to several brands, including, among others, Cracker Barrel, Breakstone’s, Knudsen, Athenos, Polly-O, and Hoffman’s, along with the Cheez Whiz brand in the majority of the countries outside of the U.S. and Canada. The Cheese Disposal Group also included certain inventories, three manufacturing facilities and one distribution center in the U.S., and certain other manufacturing equipment.
Included in the consideration attributed to the Cheese Disposal Group was the perpetual license that Lactalis granted to us for the Cracker Barrel brand for certain products, including macaroni and cheese. Following the closing of the Cheese Transaction, we recognized the Cracker Barrel license as a definite-lived intangible asset on our consolidated balance sheet, which will be amortized over 30 years. The total consideration for the Cheese Transaction included approximately $141 million, as noted above, which was the estimated fair value of the licensed portion of the Cracker Barrel brand as of the Cheese Transaction Closing Date.
In the third quarter of 2020, we determined that the Cheese Disposal Group met the held for sale criteria. Accordingly, we presented the assets and liabilities of the Cheese Disposal Group as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at December 26, 2020. As of September 15, 2020, the date the Cheese Disposal Group was determined to be held for sale, we tested the individual assets included within the Cheese Disposal Group for impairment. The net assets of the Cheese Disposal Group had an aggregate carrying amount above their then-current $1.78 billion estimated fair value. We determined that the goodwill within the Cheese Disposal Group was partially impaired. Accordingly, we recorded a non-cash impairment loss of $300 million, which was recognized in SG&A, in the third quarter of 2020.
In the second quarter of 2021, we assessed the fair value less costs to sell of the net assets of the Cheese Disposal Group and recorded an estimated pre-tax loss on sale of business of approximately $27 million, which was recognized in other expense/(income).
Following the closing of the Cheese Transaction in the fourth quarter of 2021, we recognized an incremental pre-tax gain on sale of business of $27 million in other expense/(income). In 2021, the total gain/loss on sale of business related to the Cheese Transaction was insignificant. Additional considerations related to the Cheese Transaction included the treatment of the Cheese Divestiture Licenses upon closing of the transaction. In the fourth quarter of 2021, at the time the licensed rights were granted, we reassessed the remaining fair value of the retained portions of the Kraft and Velveeta brands and recorded a non-cash intangible asset impairment loss related to the Kraft brand of approximately $1.24 billion, which was recognized in SG&A. See Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information.
We utilized the excess earnings method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of the licensed portion of the Kraft brand and the relief from royalty method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of the licensed portions of the Velveeta brand and the Cracker Barrel brand. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in estimating these fair values include the estimated future annual net sales and net cash flows for each brand, contributory asset charges, royalty rates (as a percentage of net sales that would hypothetically be charged by a licensor of the brand to an unrelated licensee), income tax considerations, long-term growth rates, and a discount rate that reflects the level of risk associated with the future earnings attributable to each brand. We selected the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, and guideline companies. Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates, and market factors. See Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information on the underlying assumptions and sensitivities.
The Cheese Transaction is not considered a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations or financial results; therefore, it was not reported as discontinued operations.
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Nuts Transaction:
In February 2021, we entered into a definitive agreement with a third party, Hormel Foods Corporation (“Hormel”), to sell certain assets in our global nuts business for total consideration of approximately $3.4 billion (the “Nuts Transaction”). The net assets transferred in the Nuts Transaction included, among other things, our intellectual property rights to the Planters brand and to the Corn Nuts brand, three manufacturing facilities in the U.S., and the associated inventories (collectively, the “Nuts Disposal Group”).
As of February 10, 2021, the date the Nuts Disposal Group was determined to be held for sale, we tested the individual assets included within the Nuts Disposal Group for impairment. The net assets of the Nuts Disposal Group had an aggregate carrying amount above their $3.4 billion estimated fair value. We determined that the goodwill within the Nuts Disposal Group was partially impaired. As a result, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment loss of $230 million, which was recognized in SG&A, in the first quarter of 2021. Additionally, we recorded an estimated pre-tax loss on sale of business of $19 million in the first quarter of 2021 primarily related to estimated costs to sell, which was recognized in other expense/(income).
The Nuts Transaction closed in the second quarter of 2021. As a result of the Nuts Transaction closing, we recognized an incremental pre-tax loss on sale of business of $17 million in other expense/(income) in the second quarter of 2021. In the third and fourth quarters of 2021, we recorded insignificant adjustments to our estimated costs to sell, which resulted in an insignificant pre-tax gain on sale of business that was recognized in other expense/(income). In 2021, the total pre-tax loss on sale of business for the Nuts Transaction was $34 million, all of which was recognized in other expense/(income) on our consolidated statement of income.
The Nuts Transaction is not considered a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations or financial results; therefore, it was not reported as discontinued operations.
Other Potential Dispositions:
In the fourth quarter of 2019, we determined a business in our International segment was held for sale and recorded an estimated pre-tax loss on sale of business of $71 million within other expense/(income). In the third quarter of 2021, we exhausted negotiations with our most recently identified buyer for this business. As of September 25, 2021, we determined that the related disposal group no longer met the held for sale criteria as there was no longer an active plan to sell and the sale was not probable within the next year. Accordingly, we reclassified the disposal group as held and used and remeasured the disposal group, which resulted in a $75 million pre-tax gain recorded in other expense/(income) in the third quarter of 2021. Consistent with the presentation of the pre-tax loss recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019, this gain was included in loss/(gain) on sale of business within other expense/(income) on our consolidated statement of income. The difference between the initial loss on sale of business and the gain resulting from remeasurement of the disposal group was due to foreign currency fluctuations.
In the first quarter of 2020, we had deemed a separate business in our International segment held for sale and recorded an estimated pre-tax loss on sale of business of $3 million within other expense/(income). In the fourth quarter of 2020, we deemed this business no longer held for sale and reversed the corresponding pre-tax loss. The related assets and liabilities were no longer classified as held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet at December 26, 2020.
Heinz India Transaction:
In October 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement with two third-parties, Zydus Wellness Limited and Cadila Healthcare Limited (collectively, the “Buyers”), to sell 100% of our equity interests in Heinz India Private Limited (“Heinz India”) for approximately 46 billion Indian rupees (approximately $655 million at the Heinz India Closing Date (defined below)) (the “Heinz India Transaction”). In connection with the Heinz India Transaction, we transferred to the Buyers, among other assets and operations, our global intellectual property rights to several brands, including Complan, Glucon-D, Nycil, and Sampriti. Our core brands (i.e., Heinz and Kraft) were not transferred. The Heinz India Transaction closed on January 30, 2019 (the “Heinz India Closing Date”). Related to the Heinz India Transaction, we recognized a pre-tax gain on sale of business in other expense/(income) of $249 million in 2019.
The components of the pre-tax gain recognized in 2019 were as follows (in millions):
| Proceeds | $ | 655 | |||
| Less investment in Heinz India | (355) | ||||
| Recognition of tax indemnification | (48) | ||||
| Other | (3) | ||||
| Pre-tax gain on sale of Heinz India | $ | 249 | |||
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In connection with the Heinz India Transaction, we agreed to indemnify the Buyers from and against any tax losses for any taxable period prior to the Heinz India Closing Date, including taxes for which we are liable as a result of any transaction that occurred on or before such date. To determine the fair value of our tax indemnity we made various assumptions, including the range of potential dates the tax matters will be resolved, the range of potential future cash flows, the probabilities associated with potential resolution dates and potential future cash flows, and the discount rate. We recorded tax indemnity liabilities related to the Heinz India Transaction totaling approximately $48 million, including $18 million in other current liabilities and $30 million in other non-current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet as of the Heinz India Closing Date. We also recorded a corresponding $48 million reduction of the pre-tax gain on the Heinz India Transaction within other expense/(income) in our consolidated statement of income in the first quarter of 2019. Future changes to the fair value of these tax indemnity liabilities will continue to impact other expense/(income) throughout the life of the exposures as a component of the gain on sale of business for the Heinz India Transaction.
The other component of the pre-tax gain on the sale of Heinz India in the table above primarily related to losses on net investment hedges of our investment in Heinz India, which were settled in the first quarter of 2019, and were partially offset by a local India tax recovery in the third quarter of 2019.
In 2020, we recognized an insignificant pre-tax loss on sale of business primarily related to certain adjustments to the tax indemnity liabilities. In 2021, we recognized an insignificant pre-tax gain on sale of business related to certain adjustments to the tax indemnity liabilities. These pre-tax losses/(gains) on sale of business were recognized within other expense/(income) on our consolidated statement of income.
Canada Natural Cheese Transaction:
In November 2018, we entered into a definitive agreement with a third-party, Parmalat SpA (“Parmalat”), to sell certain assets in our natural cheese business in Canada for approximately 1.6 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $1.2 billion at the Canada Natural Cheese Closing Date (defined below)) (the “Canada Natural Cheese Transaction”). In connection with the Canada Natural Cheese Transaction, we transferred certain assets to Parmalat, including the intellectual property rights to Cracker Barrel in Canada and P’Tit Quebec globally. The Canada Natural Cheese Transaction closed on July 2, 2019 (the “Canada Natural Cheese Closing Date”). Related to the Canada Natural Cheese Transaction, we recognized a pre-tax gain of $242 million, which was included in other expense/(income) in 2019.
The components of the pre-tax gain were as follows (in millions):
| Proceeds | $ | 1,236 | |||
| Less carrying value of Canada Natural Cheese net assets | (995) | ||||
| Other | 1 | ||||
| Pre-tax gain resulting from Canada Natural Cheese Transaction | $ | 242 | |||
Deal Costs:
Related to our divestitures, we incurred insignificant deal costs in 2021 and 2020. We incurred deal costs of $17 million in 2019. We recognized these deal costs in SG&A.
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Held for Sale
Our assets and liabilities held for sale, by major class, were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | — | $ | 33 | |||||||
| Inventories | 5 | 385 | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 5 | 257 | |||||||||
Goodwill (net of impairment of $300 at December 26, 2020) | — | 281 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 1 | 873 | |||||||||
| Other | — | 34 | |||||||||
| Total assets held for sale | $ | 11 | $ | 1,863 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
| Other | — | 17 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities held for sale | $ | — | $ | 17 | |||||||
The balances held for sale at December 25, 2021 included inventory in our International segment related to the Cheese Transaction and certain manufacturing equipment and land use rights across the globe. The balances held for sale at December 26, 2020 primarily related to the Cheese Transaction, a business in our International segment, and certain manufacturing equipment and land use rights across the globe. We recorded non-cash goodwill impairment losses of $300 million in the third quarter of 2020 related to the Cheese Transaction. As a result, goodwill held for sale in the table above is presented net of cumulative goodwill impairment losses of $300 million at December 26, 2020.
Note 5. Restructuring Activities
As part of our restructuring activities, we incur expenses that qualify as exit and disposal costs under U.S. GAAP. These include severance and employee benefit costs and other exit costs. Severance and employee benefit costs primarily relate to cash severance, non-cash severance, including accelerated equity award compensation expense, and pension and other termination benefits. Other exit costs primarily relate to lease and contract terminations. We also incur expenses that are an integral component of, and directly attributable to, our restructuring activities, which do not qualify as exit and disposal costs under U.S. GAAP. These include asset-related costs and other implementation costs. Asset-related costs primarily relate to accelerated depreciation and asset impairment charges. Other implementation costs primarily relate to start-up costs of new facilities, professional fees, asset relocation costs, costs to exit facilities, and costs associated with restructuring benefit plans.
Employee severance and other termination benefit packages are primarily determined based on established benefit arrangements, local statutory requirements, and historical benefit practices. We recognize the contractual component of these benefits when payment is probable and estimable; additional elements of severance and termination benefits associated with non-recurring benefits are recognized ratably over each employee’s required future service period. Charges for accelerated depreciation are recognized on long-lived assets that will be taken out of service before the end of their normal service, in which case depreciation estimates are revised to reflect the use of the asset over its shortened useful life. Asset impairments establish a new fair value basis for assets held for disposal or sale, and those assets are written down to expected net realizable value if carrying value exceeds fair value. All other costs are recognized as incurred.
Restructuring Activities:
We have restructuring programs globally, which are focused primarily on workforce reduction and factory closure and consolidation. In 2021, we eliminated approximately 430 positions related to these programs. As of December 25, 2021, we expect to eliminate approximately 750 additional positions in 2022, primarily outside of the United States and Canada. In 2021, restructuring activities resulted in expenses of $84 million and included $34 million of severance and employee benefit costs and $50 million of other implementation costs. Restructuring activities resulted in income of $2 million in 2020 and expenses of $108 million in 2019.
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Our net liability balance for restructuring project costs that qualify as exit and disposal costs under U.S. GAAP was (in millions):
| Severance and Employee Benefit Costs | Other Exit Costs | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 26, 2020 | $ | 10 | $ | 20 | $ | 30 | |||||||||||
| Charges/(credits) | 34 | — | 34 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash payments | (17) | (4) | (21) | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 25, 2021 | $ | 27 | $ | 16 | $ | 43 | |||||||||||
We expect the majority of the liability for severance and employee benefit costs as of December 25, 2021 to be paid by the end of 2022. The liability for other exit costs primarily relates to lease obligations. The cash impact of these obligations will continue for the duration of the lease terms, which expire between 2022 and 2026.
Total Expenses/(Income):
Total expense/(income) related to restructuring activities by income statement caption, were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Severance and employee benefit costs - Cost of products sold | $ | 12 | $ | — | $ | (3) | |||||||||||
| Severance and employee benefit costs - SG&A | 21 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| Severance and employee benefit costs - Other expense/(income) | 1 | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Asset-related costs - Cost of products sold | — | 13 | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Asset-related costs - SG&A | — | — | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Other costs - Cost of products sold | 1 | (33) | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| Other costs - SG&A | 49 | 34 | 32 | ||||||||||||||
| Other costs - Other expense/(income) | — | (17) | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 84 | $ | (2) | $ | 108 | ||||||||||||
We do not include our restructuring activities within Segment Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in Note 21, Segment Reporting). The pre-tax impact of allocating such expenses to our segments would have been (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 9 | $ | (10) | $ | 37 | |||||||||||
| International | 22 | (15) | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Canada | 6 | 14 | 18 | ||||||||||||||
| General corporate expenses | 47 | 9 | 24 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 84 | $ | (2) | $ | 108 | ||||||||||||
Note 6. Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, as reported on our consolidated balance sheets, to cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, as reported on our consolidated statements of cash flows (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,445 | $ | 3,417 | |||||||
| Restricted cash included in other non-current assets | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 3,446 | $ | 3,418 | |||||||
At December 26, 2020, cash and cash equivalents excluded amounts classified as held for sale. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information.
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Note 7. Inventories
Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Packaging and ingredients | $ | 571 | $ | 482 | |||||||
| Spare parts | 208 | 219 | |||||||||
| Work in process | 268 | 268 | |||||||||
| Finished product | 1,682 | 1,804 | |||||||||
| Inventories | $ | 2,729 | $ | 2,773 | |||||||
At December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, inventories excluded amounts classified as held for sale. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information.
In the first quarter of 2021, we reclassified certain balances from prepaid expenses to inventories on our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation, for additional information.
Note 8. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Land | $ | 207 | $ | 219 | |||||||
| Buildings and improvements | 2,508 | 2,514 | |||||||||
| Equipment and other | 6,957 | 6,914 | |||||||||
| Construction in progress | 1,002 | 792 | |||||||||
| 10,674 | 10,439 | ||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | (3,868) | (3,563) | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | $ | 6,806 | $ | 6,876 | |||||||
At December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, property, plant and equipment, net, excluded amounts classified as held for sale. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information. Depreciation expense was $671 million in 2021, $705 million in 2020, and $708 million in 2019.
Note 9. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill:
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, were (in millions):
| United States | International | Canada | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 26, 2020 | $ | 28,429 | $ | 3,160 | $ | 1,500 | $ | 33,089 | |||||||||||||||
| Impairment losses | (35) | (53) | — | (88) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisitions | — | 74 | — | 74 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Divestitures | (1,653) | — | (9) | (1,662) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Translation adjustments and other | 4 | (127) | 6 | (117) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 25, 2021 | $ | 26,745 | $ | 3,054 | $ | 1,497 | $ | 31,296 | |||||||||||||||
At December 26, 2020, goodwill excluded amounts classified as held for sale related to the Cheese Transaction, which closed in the fourth quarter of 2021. Additionally, the amounts included in divestitures in the table above represent the goodwill that was previously reclassified to assets held for sale and tested and determined to be partially impaired in connection with the Nuts Transaction. The resulting impairment loss of $230 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2021. The Nuts Transaction closed in the second quarter of 2021. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information related to the Cheese Transaction and the Nuts Transaction and their financial statement impacts.
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2021 Goodwill Impairment Testing
In the first quarter of 2021, we announced the Nuts Transaction and determined that the Nuts Disposal Group was held for sale. Accordingly, based on a relative fair value allocation, we reclassified $1.7 billion of goodwill to assets held for sale, which included a portion of goodwill from four of our reporting units. The Nuts Transaction primarily affected our Kids, Snacks, and Beverages (“KSB”) reporting unit but also affected, to a lesser extent, our Enhancers, Specialty, and Away From Home (“ESA”), Canada Foodservice, and Puerto Rico reporting units. These reporting units were evaluated for impairment prior to their representative inclusion in the Nuts Disposal Group as well as on a post-reclassification basis. The fair value of all reporting units was determined to be in excess of their carrying amounts in both scenarios and, therefore, no impairment was recorded.
We test our reporting units for impairment annually as of the first day of our second quarter, which was March 28, 2021 for our 2021 annual impairment test. In performing this test, we incorporated information that was known through the date of filing of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 26, 2021. We utilized the discounted cash flow method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. As a result of our 2021 annual impairment test, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of approximately $35 million in SG&A in the second quarter of 2021 related to our Puerto Rico reporting unit within our United States segment. With the update of our five-year operating plan in the second quarter of 2021, we established a revised downward outlook for net sales for this reporting unit. After the impairment, the goodwill carrying amount of the Puerto Rico reporting unit is approximately $14 million.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we completed the Assan Foods Acquisition and the BR Spices Acquisition, both in our International segment. We assigned the goodwill related to the Assan Foods Acquisition to our EMEA East reporting unit and the goodwill related to the BR Spices Acquisition to our Latin America (“LATAM”) reporting unit. Prior to these acquisitions, the EMEA East and LATAM reporting units had no goodwill carrying amounts due to previous impairments. The acquisitions changed the composition of each of the reporting units, triggering an interim impairment test. We determined that the carrying amount of each reporting unit exceeded its fair value as of December 25, 2021. As a result, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $53 million in SG&A in our International segment, which represented all of the goodwill of the EMEA East and LATAM reporting units.
As of December 25, 2021, we maintain 14 reporting units, nine of which comprise our goodwill balance. These nine reporting units had an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $31.3 billion at December 25, 2021. As of their latest 2021 impairment testing date, six reporting units had 20% or less fair value over carrying amount and an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of $28.3 billion, two reporting units had between 20-50% fair value over carrying amount and a goodwill carrying amount of $2.2 billion, and one reporting unit had over 50% fair value over carrying amount and a goodwill carrying amount of $961 million.
We test our reporting units for impairment annually as of the first day of our second quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.
Accumulated impairment losses to goodwill were $10.9 billion at December 25, 2021 and $10.5 billion at December 26, 2020.
2020 Goodwill Impairment Testing
As previously disclosed, in the first quarter of 2020, following changes to our internal reporting and reportable segments, the composition of certain of our reporting units changed, and we performed an interim impairment test (or transition test) on the affected reporting units on both a pre- and post-reorganization basis.
We performed our pre-reorganization impairment test as of December 29, 2019, which was our first day of 2020. There were no impairment losses resulting from our pre-reorganization impairment test.
We performed our post-reorganization impairment test as of December 29, 2019. There were six reporting units in scope for our post-reorganization impairment test: Northern Europe, Continental Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan (“ANJ”), Latin America (“LATAM”), and Puerto Rico. As a result of our post-reorganization impairment test, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $226 million in SG&A in the first quarter of 2020 related to two reporting units contained within our International segment, including $83 million related to our ANJ reporting unit and $143 million related to our LATAM reporting unit, which represented all of the goodwill associated with these reporting units. The remaining reporting units tested as part of our post-reorganization impairment test each had excess fair value over carrying amount as of December 29, 2019.
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We performed our 2020 annual impairment test as of March 29, 2020, which was the first day of our second quarter in 2020. We utilized the discounted cash flow method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. Through the performance of the 2020 annual impairment test, we identified impairments related to our U.S. Foodservice, Canada Retail, Canada Foodservice, and EMEA East reporting units. As a result, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $1.8 billion in SG&A in the second quarter of 2020, which included an $815 million impairment loss in our Canada Retail reporting unit within our Canada segment, a $655 million impairment loss in our U.S. Foodservice reporting unit within our United States segment, a $205 million impairment loss in our Canada Foodservice reporting unit within our Canada segment, and a $142 million impairment loss in our EMEA East reporting unit within our International segment. These impairments were primarily due to the completion of our enterprise strategy and five-year operating plan in the second quarter of 2020.
As previously disclosed, in the third quarter of 2020, following changes to our United States zone reporting structure, the composition of certain of our reporting units changed and we performed an interim impairment test (or transition test) on the affected reporting units on both a pre- and post-reorganization basis.
We performed our pre-reorganization impairment test as of June 28, 2020, which was our first day of the third quarter of 2020. There were no impairment losses resulting from this pre-reorganization impairment test.
We performed our post-reorganization impairment test as of June 28, 2020. There were three reporting units in scope for our post-reorganization impairment test: ESA, KSB, and Meal Foundations and Coffee (“MFC”). These reporting units, which were tested as part of this post-reorganization impairment test, each had excess fair value over carrying amount as of June 28, 2020.
Additionally, in the third quarter of 2020, we announced the Cheese Transaction and determined that the Cheese Disposal Group was held for sale. Accordingly, based on a relative fair value allocation, we reclassified $580 million of goodwill to assets held for sale, which included a portion of goodwill from seven of our reporting units. Following the reclassification of a portion of goodwill from our reporting units, we determined that a triggering event had occurred for the remaining portion of each of the impacted reporting units, and we tested each for impairment as of September 15, 2020, the triggering event date. The triggering event impairment test did not result in an impairment of the remaining portion of any impacted reporting units.
In the third quarter of 2020, we recorded a non-cash impairment loss of $300 million in SG&A, which was related to the Cheese Disposal Group’s goodwill. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information on the Cheese Transaction and its financial statement impacts.
2019 Goodwill Impairment Testing
In connection with the preparation of our first quarter 2019 financial statements, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair values of three of our pre-reorganization reporting units (EMEA East, Brazil and Latin America Exports) were below their carrying amounts. As such we performed an interim impairment test on these reporting units as of March 30, 2019. As a result of our interim impairment test, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $620 million in SG&A in the first quarter of 2019. We recorded a $286 million impairment loss in our EMEA East reporting unit, a $205 million impairment loss in our Brazil reporting unit, and a $129 million impairment loss in our Latin America Exports reporting unit. The impairment of the Brazil reporting unit represented all of the goodwill of that reporting unit. We determined the factors contributing to the impairment loss were the result of circumstances that arose during the first quarter of 2019. These reporting units were part of our International segment as discussed above.
We performed our 2019 annual impairment test as of March 31, 2019, which was the first day of our second quarter in 2019. We utilized the discounted cash flow method under the income approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. Through the performance of the 2019 annual impairment test, we identified an impairment related to the U.S. Refrigerated reporting unit (one of our pre-reorganization reporting units). As a result, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $118 million in SG&A in the second quarter of 2019 within our United States segment. This impairment was primarily due to an increase in the discount rate used for fair value estimation.
In the fourth quarter of 2019, in connection with the preparation of our year-end financial statements, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair values of three of our pre-reorganization reporting units (Australia and New Zealand, Latin America Exports, and Northeast Asia) were below their carrying amounts. As such, we performed an interim impairment test on these reporting units as of December 28, 2019. As a result of our interim impairment test, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $453 million in SG&A in the fourth quarter of 2019. We recognized a $357 million non-cash impairment loss in our Australia and New Zealand reporting unit and a $96 million non-cash impairment loss in our Latin America Exports reporting unit. The impairment of the Australia and New Zealand reporting unit represented all of the goodwill of that reporting unit. We determined the factors contributing to the impairment loss were the result of circumstances that arose during the fourth quarter of 2019. These reporting units were part of our International segment as discussed above. We concluded that an impairment charge was not required for our Northeast Asia reporting unit.
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Additional Goodwill Considerations
Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates, and market factors. Estimating the fair value of individual reporting units requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, as well as industry, economic, and regulatory conditions. These assumptions and estimates include estimated future annual net cash flows, income tax rates, discount rates, growth rates, and other market factors. If current expectations of future growth rates and margins are not met, if market factors outside of our control, such as discount rates, income tax rates, foreign currency exchange rates, or any factors that could be affected by COVID-19, change, or if management’s expectations or plans otherwise change, including updates to our long-term operating plans, then one or more of our reporting units might become impaired in the future. Additionally, any decisions to divest certain non-strategic assets has led and could in the future lead to goodwill impairments.
As discussed in Note 1, Basis of Presentation, during the fourth quarter of 2021, certain organizational changes were announced that will impact our future internal reporting and reportable segments. As a result of these changes, we plan to combine our United States and Canada zones to form the North America zone, and expect to have two reportable segments, North America and International. We expect that any change to our reportable segments would be effective in the second quarter of 2022. These changes are also expected to affect our reporting unit structure and will require an interim impairment test (or transition test) in the second quarter of 2022.
In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a short-term beneficial financial impact to our consolidated results. Retail sales have increased compared to pre-pandemic periods due to higher than anticipated consumer demand for our products. The foodservice channel, however, has experienced a negative impact from prolonged social distancing mandates limiting access to and capacity at away-from-home establishments for a longer period of time than was expected when they were originally put in place. Our Canada Foodservice reporting unit is the most exposed of our reporting units to the long-term impacts to away-from-home establishments as it is our only standalone foodservice reporting unit. While our other reporting units have varying levels of exposure to the foodservice channel, they also have exposure to the retail channel, which offsets some of the risk associated with the potential long-term impacts of shifts in net sales between retail and away-from-home establishments. Our Canada Foodservice reporting unit was impaired during our 2020 annual impairment test, reflecting our best estimate at that time of the future outlook and risks of this business. The Canada Foodservice reporting unit maintains an aggregate goodwill carrying amount of approximately $154 million as of December 25, 2021. A number of factors could result in further future impairments of our foodservice (or away-from-home) businesses, including but not limited to: mandates around closures of dining rooms in restaurants, distancing of people within establishments resulting in fewer customers, the total number of restaurant closures, changes in consumer preferences or regulatory requirements over product formats (e.g., table top packaging vs. single serve packaging), and consumer trends of dining-in versus dining-out. Given the evolving nature of, and uncertainty driven by, the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to evaluate the impact on our reporting units as adverse changes to these assumptions could result in future impairments.
Our reporting units that were impaired were written down to their respective fair values resulting in zero excess fair value over carrying amount as of the applicable impairment test dates. Accordingly, these and other reporting units that have 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date have a heightened risk of future impairments if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors change in the future. Although the remaining reporting units have more than 20% excess fair value over carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date, these amounts are also primarily associated with the 2013 Heinz Acquisition and the 2015 Merger and are recorded on our consolidated balance sheet at their estimated acquisition date fair values. Therefore, if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors change in the future, these amounts are also susceptible to impairments.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Changes in the carrying amount of indefinite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consisted of trademarks, were (in millions):
| Balance at December 26, 2020 | $ | 42,267 | |||
| Impairment losses | (1,307) | ||||
| Divestitures | (1,487) | ||||
| Translation adjustments | (54) | ||||
| Balance at December 25, 2021 | $ | 39,419 | |||
At December 26, 2020, indefinite-lived intangible assets excluded amounts classified as held for sale related to the Cheese Transaction, which closed in the fourth quarter of 2021. Indefinite-lived intangible asset amounts included in divestitures in the table above represent amounts previously reclassified to assets held for sale related to the Planters trademark in connection with the Nuts Transaction, which closed in the second quarter of 2021. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information on the Cheese Transaction and the Nuts Transaction.
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2021 Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairment Testing
We performed our 2021 annual impairment test as of March 28, 2021, which was the first day of our second quarter in 2021. As a result of our 2021 annual impairment test, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $69 million in SG&A in the second quarter of 2021 related to two brands, Plasmon and Maxwell House. We recorded non-cash impairment losses of $45 million in our International segment related to Plasmon and $24 million in our United States segment related to Maxwell House, consistent with the ownership of the trademarks. The impairment of the Plasmon brand was largely due to downward revised revenue expectations for infant nutrition in Italy. The impairment of the Maxwell House brand was primarily due to downward revised revenue expectations for mainstream coffee in the U.S. These brands had an aggregate carrying amount of $822 million prior to this impairment and $753 million after this impairment.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, following the monetization of the licensed portions of the Kraft and Velveeta brands in connection with the closing of the Cheese Transaction, we performed an interim impairment test on these brands as of November 29, 2021, the Cheese Transaction Closing Date. While the Velveeta brand had a fair value in excess of its carrying amount, the Kraft brand had a fair value below its carrying amount. Accordingly, we recorded a non-cash impairment loss of $1.2 billion in SG&A in the fourth quarter of 2021 related to the Kraft brand. We recognized this impairment loss in our United States segment, consistent with the ownership of the Kraft trademark.
Our indefinite-lived intangible asset balance primarily consists of a number of individual brands, which had an aggregate carrying amount of $39.4 billion at December 25, 2021. As of their latest 2021 impairment testing date, brands with 20% or less fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate carrying amount after impairment of $21.3 billion, brands with between 20-50% fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate carrying amount of $6.5 billion, and brands that had over 50% fair value over carrying amount had an aggregate carrying amount of $11.8 billion. We test our brands for impairment annually as of the first day of our second quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a brand is less than its carrying amount.
2020 Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairment Testing
We performed our 2020 annual impairment test as of March 29, 2020, which was the first day of our second quarter in 2020. As a result of our 2020 annual impairment test, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $1.1 billion in SG&A in the second quarter of 2020 primarily related to nine brands (Oscar Mayer, Maxwell House, Velveeta, Cool Whip, Plasmon, ABC, Classico, Wattie’s, and Planters), which included impairment losses of $949 million in our United States segment, $100 million in our International segment, and $7 million in our Canada segment, consistent with the ownership of the trademarks. We recognized a $626 million impairment loss related to the Oscar Mayer brand, a $140 million impairment loss related to the Maxwell House brand, and a $290 million impairment loss primarily related to seven other brands (Velveeta, Cool Whip, Plasmon, ABC, Classico, Wattie’s, and Planters).
2019 Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairment Testing
We performed our 2019 annual impairment test as of March 31, 2019, which was the first day of our second quarter in 2019. As a result of our 2019 annual impairment test, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $474 million in SG&A in the second quarter of 2019 primarily related to six brands (Miracle Whip, Velveeta, Lunchables, Maxwell House, Philadelphia, and Cool Whip). This impairment loss was recorded in our United States segment, consistent with the ownership of the trademarks. The impairment for these brands was largely due to an increase in the discount rate assumptions used for the fair value estimations. These brands had an aggregate carrying value of $13.5 billion prior to this impairment and $13.0 billion after this impairment.
In the fourth quarter of 2019, in connection with the preparation of our year-end financial statements, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair values of two of our brands, Maxwell House and Wattie’s, were below their carrying amounts. As a result, we performed an interim impairment test on these brands as of December 28, 2019. While we determined that the Wattie’s brand was not impaired, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $213 million in SG&A in our United States segment, consistent with the ownership of the Maxwell House trademark, in the fourth quarter of 2019. We determined the factors contributing to the impairment loss were the result of circumstances that arose during the fourth quarter of 2019.
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Additional Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Considerations
Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates, and market factors. Estimating the fair value of individual brands requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, as well as industry, economic, and regulatory conditions. These assumptions and estimates include estimated future annual net cash flows, income tax considerations, discount rates, growth rates, royalty rates, contributory asset charges, and other market factors. If current expectations of future growth rates and margins are not met, if market factors outside of our control, such as discount rates, income tax rates, foreign currency exchange rates, or any factors that could be affected by COVID-19, change, or if management’s expectations or plans otherwise change, including updates to our long-term operating plans, then one or more of our brands might become impaired in the future. Additionally, any decisions to divest certain non-strategic assets has led and could in the future lead to intangible asset impairments.
As we consider the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to our indefinite-lived intangible assets, a number of factors could have a future adverse impact on our brands, including changes in consumer and consumption trends in both the short and long term, the extent of government mandates to shelter in place, total number of restaurant closures, economic declines, and reductions in consumer discretionary income. We have seen an increase in our retail business, as compared to pre-pandemic levels, in the short term that has more than offset declines in our foodservice business over the same period. Our brands are generally common across both the retail and foodservice businesses and the fair value of our brands are subject to a similar mix of positive and negative factors. Given the evolving nature and uncertainty driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to evaluate the impact on our brands.
Our brands that were impaired were written down to their respective fair values resulting in zero excess fair value over carrying amount as of the applicable impairment test dates. Accordingly, these and other individual brands that have 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date have a heightened risk of future impairments if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors change in the future. Although the remaining brands have more than 20% excess fair value over carrying amount as of their latest 2021 impairment testing date, these amounts are also associated with the 2013 Heinz Acquisition and the 2015 Merger and are recorded on our consolidated balance sheet at their estimated acquisition date fair values. Therefore, if any assumptions, estimates, or market factors change in the future, these amounts are also susceptible to impairments.
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Definite-lived intangible assets were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Accumulated Amortization | Net | Gross | Accumulated Amortization | Net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trademarks | $ | 2,091 | $ | (556) | $ | 1,535 | $ | 2,000 | $ | (478) | $ | 1,522 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer-related assets | 3,617 | (1,040) | 2,577 | 3,808 | (942) | 2,866 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 17 | (6) | 11 | 15 | (3) | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 5,725 | $ | (1,602) | $ | 4,123 | $ | 5,823 | $ | (1,423) | $ | 4,400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
At December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, definite-lived intangible assets excluded amounts classified as held for sale. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information on amounts held for sale.
Amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets was $239 million in 2021, $264 million in 2020, and $286 million in 2019. Aside from amortization expense, the decrease in definite-lived intangible assets from December 26, 2020 to December 25, 2021 primarily reflects the assets sold in connection with the Nuts Transaction, including certain customer-related assets with a net carrying value of $133 million and the Corn Nuts trademark with a net carrying value of $25 million, the impact of foreign currency, and $9 million of non-cash impairment losses related to a trademark in our International segment. These impacts were partially offset by $143 million of additions primarily related to the Cracker Barrel license in connection with the Cheese Transaction and $14 million related to assets reclassified as held and used. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information on the Nuts Transaction and the Cheese Transaction. The impairment of definite-lived intangible assets in the second quarter of 2021 related to a trademark that had a net carrying value that was deemed not to be recoverable. This $9 million non-cash impairment loss was recognized in SG&A.
We estimate that amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets will be approximately $240 million in 2022 and 2023 and $230 million in each of the following three years.
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Note 10. Income Taxes
Provision for/(Benefit from) Income Taxes:
Income/(loss) before income taxes and the provision for/(benefit from) income taxes, consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes: | |||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | (215) | $ | 363 | $ | 796 | |||||||||||
| Non-U.S. | 1,923 | 667 | 1,865 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,708 | $ | 1,030 | $ | 2,661 | |||||||||||
| Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes: | |||||||||||||||||
| Current: | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. federal | $ | 1,421 | $ | 634 | $ | 466 | |||||||||||
| U.S. state and local | 120 | 91 | 116 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. | 185 | 287 | 439 | ||||||||||||||
| 1,726 | 1,012 | 1,021 | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred: | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. federal | (1,086) | (232) | (209) | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. state and local | (211) | (109) | (7) | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. | 255 | (2) | (77) | ||||||||||||||
| (1,042) | (343) | (293) | |||||||||||||||
| Total provision for/(benefit from) income taxes | $ | 684 | $ | 669 | $ | 728 | |||||||||||
We record tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options and other equity instruments within our tax provision. Accordingly, we recognized a tax benefit in our consolidated statements of income of $8 million in 2021, $4 million in 2020, and $12 million in 2019 related to tax benefits upon the exercise of stock options and other equity instruments.
Effective Tax Rate:
The effective tax rate on income/(loss) before income taxes differed from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the following reasons:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| U.S. federal statutory tax rate | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Tax on income of foreign subsidiaries | (12.9) | % | (26.1) | % | (7.5) | % | |||||||||||
| U.S. state and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit | (0.5) | % | 0.6 | % | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||
| Audit settlements and changes in uncertain tax positions | 0.4 | % | 3.7 | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Global intangible low-taxed income | 5.5 | % | 6.5 | % | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | 4.7 | % | 57.2 | % | 9.3 | % | |||||||||||
| (Losses)/gains related to acquisitions and divestitures | 12.9 | % | 0.1 | % | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Movement of valuation allowance reserves | 0.1 | % | (0.4) | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax effect of tax law changes | 9.8 | % | (2.1) | % | (0.5) | % | |||||||||||
| Other | (0.9) | % | 4.5 | % | (1.4) | % | |||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 40.1 | % | 65.0 | % | 27.4 | % | |||||||||||
The provision for income taxes consists of provisions for federal, state, and foreign income taxes. We operate in an international environment; accordingly, the consolidated effective tax rate is a composite rate reflecting the earnings in various locations and the applicable tax rates. Additionally, the calculation of the percentage point impact of goodwill impairment and other items on the effective tax rate shown in the table above are affected by income/(loss) before income taxes. The percentage point impacts on the effective tax rates fluctuate due to income/(loss) before income taxes, which included goodwill and intangible asset impairment losses in all years presented in the table. Fluctuations in the amount of income generated across locations around the world could impact comparability of reconciling items between periods. Additionally, small movements in tax rates due to a change in tax law or a change in tax rates that causes us to revalue our deferred tax balances produces volatility in our effective tax rate.
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Our 2021 effective tax rate was an expense of 40.1% on pre-tax income. Our effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by rate reconciling items, primarily the tax impacts related to acquisitions and divestitures, which mainly reflect the impacts of the Nuts Transaction and Cheese Transaction, partially offset by current year capital losses; the revaluation of our deferred tax balances due to changes in international and state tax rates, mainly an increase in U.K. tax rates; the impact of the federal tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”); and non-deductible goodwill impairments. These impacts were partially offset by a favorable geographic mix of pre-tax income in various non-U.S. jurisdictions.
Our 2020 effective tax rate was an expense of 65.0% on pre-tax income. Our effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by rate reconciling items, primarily related to non-deductible goodwill impairments, the impact of the federal tax on GILTI, and the revaluation of our deferred tax balances due to changes in international tax laws. These impacts were partially offset by a more favorable geographic mix of pre-tax income in various non-U.S. jurisdictions and the favorable impact of establishing certain deferred tax assets for state tax deductions.
Our 2019 effective tax rate was an expense of 27.4% on pre-tax income. Our effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by rate reconciling items, primarily related to non-deductible goodwill impairments, the impact of the federal tax on GILTI, an increase in uncertain tax position reserves, the establishment of certain state valuation allowance reserves, and the tax impacts from the Heinz India Transaction and Canada Natural Cheese Transaction. These impacts were partially offset by the reversal of certain withholding tax obligations and changes in estimates of certain 2018 U.S. income and deductions.
See Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information related to our impairment losses. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information on the Nuts Transaction, Cheese Transaction, Heinz India Transaction, and Canada Natural Cheese Transaction.
Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities:
The tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards that gave rise to deferred income tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | $ | 10,215 | $ | 11,041 | |||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 765 | 764 | |||||||||
| Other | 335 | 183 | |||||||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities | 11,315 | 11,988 | |||||||||
| Deferred income tax assets: | |||||||||||
| Benefit plans | (84) | (177) | |||||||||
| Deferred income | (373) | (29) | |||||||||
| Other | (557) | (552) | |||||||||
| Deferred income tax assets | (1,014) | (758) | |||||||||
| Valuation allowance | 101 | 105 | |||||||||
| Net deferred income tax liabilities | $ | 10,402 | $ | 11,335 | |||||||
At December 26, 2020, deferred income tax liabilities excluded amounts classified as held for sale. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information.
The decrease in net deferred income tax liabilities from December 26, 2020 to December 25, 2021 was primarily driven by a decrease in deferred income tax liabilities due to the disposition of intangible assets in connection with the Nuts Transaction and the Cheese Transaction and intangible asset impairment losses in 2021 as well as an increase in deferred income tax assets related to deferred income from the Cheese Divestiture Licenses. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information related to the Nuts Transaction and Cheese Transaction and their financial statement impacts. See Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information on the impairment losses.
At December 25, 2021, foreign operating loss carryforwards totaled $511 million. Of that amount, $38 million expire between 2022 and 2041; the other $474 million do not expire. We have recorded $146 million of deferred tax assets related to these foreign operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets of $57 million have been recorded for U.S. state and local operating loss carryforwards. These losses expire between 2022 and 2041.
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Uncertain Tax Positions:
At December 25, 2021, our unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions were $441 million. If we had recognized all of these benefits, the impact on our effective tax rate would have been $406 million. It is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by as much as $38 million in the next 12 months primarily due to the progression of federal, state, and foreign audits in process. Our unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions are included in income taxes payable and other non-current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.
The changes in our unrecognized tax benefits were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at the beginning of the period | $ | 421 | $ | 406 | $ | 387 | |||||||||||
| Increases for tax positions of prior years | 13 | 13 | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Decreases for tax positions of prior years | (51) | (34) | (39) | ||||||||||||||
| Increases based on tax positions related to the current year | 75 | 57 | 60 | ||||||||||||||
| Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities | (1) | (8) | (20) | ||||||||||||||
| Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations | (16) | (13) | (10) | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at the end of the period | $ | 441 | $ | 421 | $ | 406 | |||||||||||
Our unrecognized tax benefits increased during 2021 and 2020 mainly as a result of a net increase for tax positions related to the current and prior years in the U.S. and certain state and foreign jurisdictions, which were partially offset by decreases related to audit settlements with federal, state, and foreign taxing authorities and statute of limitations expirations.
We include interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in our tax provision. Our provision for/(benefit from) income taxes included a $9 million expense in 2021 and a $10 million expense in 2020 related to interest and penalties. The expense related to interest and penalties in 2019 was insignificant. Accrued interest and penalties were $81 million as of December 25, 2021 and $72 million as of December 26, 2020.
Other Income Tax Matters:
Tax Examinations:
In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including such major jurisdictions as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As of December 25, 2021, we have substantially concluded all national income tax matters through 2019 for the Netherlands, through 2016 for the United States, through 2016 for Australia, through 2012 for the United Kingdom and Canada, through 2014 for Italy, and through 2006 for Brazil. We have substantially concluded all U.S. state income tax matters through 2007.
Cash Held by International Subsidiaries:
Related to our undistributed historic earnings that are currently not considered to be indefinitely reinvested, we had recorded a deferred tax liability of approximately $10 million on approximately $135 million of historic earnings at December 25, 2021 and a deferred tax liability of approximately $20 million on approximately $300 million of historic earnings at December 26, 2020. The deferred tax liability relates to local withholding taxes that will be owed when this cash is distributed.
Subsequent to January 1, 2018, we consider the unremitted earnings of certain international subsidiaries that impose local country taxes on dividends to be indefinitely reinvested. For those undistributed earnings considered to be indefinitely reinvested, our intent is to reinvest these funds in our international operations, and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate the accumulated earnings to fund our U.S. cash requirements. The amount of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities for local country withholding taxes that would be owed related to our 2018 through 2021 accumulated earnings of certain international subsidiaries is approximately $50 million.
Divestitures:
In the second half of 2021, we paid approximately $700 million of cash taxes related to the Nuts Transaction.
In the first half of 2022, we expect to pay cash taxes of approximately $620 million related to the Cheese Transaction.
Note 11. Employees’ Stock Incentive Plans
We grant equity awards, including stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and performance share units (“PSUs”), to select employees to provide long-term performance incentives to our employees.
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Stock Plans
We had activity related to equity awards from the following plans in 2021, 2020, and 2019:
2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan:
In May 2020, our stockholders approved The Kraft Heinz Company 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Omnibus Plan”), which was adopted by our Board of Directors (“Board”) in March 2020. The 2020 Omnibus Plan became effective March 2, 2020 (the “Plan Effective Date”) and will expire on the tenth anniversary of the Plan Effective Date. The 2020 Omnibus Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 36 million shares of our common stock for awards to employees, non-employee directors, and other key personnel. The 2020 Omnibus Plan provides for the grant of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, deferred stock, performance awards, other stock-based awards, and cash-based awards. Equity awards granted under the 2020 Omnibus Plan include awards that vest in full at the end of a three-year period as well as awards that vest in annual installments over or four years beginning on the second anniversary of the original grant date. Non-qualified stock options have a maximum exercise term of 10 years from the date of the grant. As of the Plan Effective Date, awards will no longer be granted under The Kraft Heinz Company 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the H. J. Heinz Holding Corporation 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Kraft Foods Group, Inc. 2012 Performance Incentive Plan, or any other equity plans other than the 2020 Omnibus Plan.
2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan:
In April 2016, our stockholders approved The Kraft Heinz Company 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2016 Omnibus Plan”), which was adopted by our Board in February 2016. The 2016 Omnibus Plan authorized grants of up to 18 million shares of our common stock pursuant to options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs, deferred stock, performance awards, investment rights, other stock-based awards, and cash-based awards. Equity awards granted under the 2016 Omnibus Plan prior to 2019 generally vest in full at the end of a five-year period. Equity awards granted under the 2016 Omnibus Plan in 2019 include awards that vest in full at the end of and five-year periods as well as awards that become exercisable in annual installments over to four years beginning on the second anniversary of the original grant date. Non-qualified stock options have a maximum exercise term of 10 years. Equity awards granted under the 2016 Omnibus Plan since inception include non-qualified stock options, RSUs, and PSUs.
2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan:
Prior to approval of the 2016 Omnibus Plan, we issued non-qualified stock options to select employees under the H. J. Heinz Holding Corporation 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2013 Omnibus Plan”). As a result of the 2015 Merger, each outstanding Heinz stock option was converted into 0.443332 of a Kraft Heinz stock option. Following this conversion, the 2013 Omnibus Plan authorized the issuance of up to 17,555,947 shares of our common stock. Non-qualified stock options awarded under the 2013 Omnibus Plan vest in full at the end of a five-year period and have a maximum exercise term of 10 years. These non-qualified stock options have vested and become exercisable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 2013 Omnibus Plan and the relevant award agreements.
Kraft 2012 Performance Incentive Plan:
Prior to the 2015 Merger, Kraft issued equity-based awards, including stock options and RSUs, under the Kraft Foods Group, Inc. 2012 Performance Incentive Plan (“2012 Performance Incentive Plan”). As a result of the 2015 Merger, each outstanding Kraft stock option was converted into an option to purchase a number of shares of our common stock based upon an option adjustment ratio, and each outstanding Kraft RSU was converted into one Kraft Heinz RSU. These options generally become exercisable in three annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the original grant date, and have a maximum exercise term of 10 years. These RSUs generally vest in full on the third anniversary of the original grant date. In accordance with the terms of the 2012 Performance Incentive Plan, vesting generally accelerated for holders of Kraft awards who were terminated without cause within 2 years of the 2015 Merger Date. These Kraft Heinz equity awards have vested and become exercisable in accordance with the terms and conditions that were applicable immediately prior to the completion of the 2015 Merger.
In addition, prior to the 2015 Merger, Kraft issued performance-based, long-term incentive awards (“Kraft Performance Shares”), which vested based on varying performance, market, and service conditions. In connection with the 2015 Merger, all outstanding Kraft Performance Shares were converted into cash awards, payable in two installments: (i) a 2015 pro-rata payment based upon the portion of the Kraft Performance Share cycle completed prior to the 2015 Merger and (ii) the remaining value of the award to be paid on the earlier of the first anniversary of the closing of the 2015 Merger and a participant's termination without cause.
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Stock Options
We use the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of stock option grants. Our weighted average Black-Scholes fair value assumptions were:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | 1.03 | % | 0.45 | % | 1.46 | % | |||||||||||
| Expected term | 6.5 years | 6.5 years | 6.5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Expected volatility | 32.1 | % | 33.6 | % | 31.2 | % | |||||||||||
| Expected dividend yield | 4.6 | % | 5.7 | % | 5.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Weighted average grant date fair value per share | $ | 6.63 | $ | 4.77 | $ | 4.11 | |||||||||||
The risk-free interest rate represented the constant maturity U.S. Treasury rate in effect at the grant date, with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the options. The expected life is the period over which our employees are expected to hold their options. Due to the lack of historical data, we calculated expected life using the weighted average vesting period and the contractual term of the options. We estimated volatility using a blended volatility approach of term-matched historical volatility from our daily stock prices and weighted average implied volatility. We estimated the expected dividend yield using the quarterly dividend divided by the three-month average stock price, annualized and continuously compounded.
Our stock option activity and related information was:
| Number of Stock Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) | Average Remaining Contractual Term | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 26, 2020 | 13,479,668 | $ | 43.71 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | 1,021,901 | 37.05 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | (733,998) | 53.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | (1,989,503) | 26.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 25, 2021 | 11,778,068 | 45.43 | $ | 36 | 4 years | ||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at December 25, 2021 | 7,369,931 | 45.04 | 21 | 3 years | |||||||||||||||||||
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the period was $23 million in 2021, $24 million in 2020, and $10 million in 2019.
Cash received from options exercised was $53 million in 2021, $85 million in 2020, and $17 million in 2019. The tax benefit realized from stock options exercised was $12 million in 2021, $16 million in 2020, and $18 million in 2019.
Our unvested stock options and related information was:
| Number of Stock Options | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share) | ||||||||||
| Unvested options at December 26, 2020 | 4,919,593 | $ | 8.37 | ||||||||
| Granted | 1,021,901 | 6.63 | |||||||||
| Forfeited | (93,249) | 5.95 | |||||||||
| Vested | (1,440,108) | 9.89 | |||||||||
| Unvested options at December 25, 2021 | 4,408,137 | 7.52 | |||||||||
Restricted Stock Units
RSUs represent a right to receive one share or the value of one share upon the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable plan and award agreement.
We used the stock price on the grant date to estimate the fair value of our RSUs. Certain of our RSUs are not dividend eligible. We discounted the fair value of these RSUs based on the dividend yield. Dividend yield was estimated using the quarterly dividend divided by the three-month average stock price, annualized and continuously compounded. The grant date fair value of RSUs is amortized to expense over the vesting period.
The weighted average grant date fair value per share of our RSUs granted during the year was $36.36 in 2021, $29.27 in 2020, and $25.77 in 2019. All RSUs granted in 2021, 2020, and 2019 were dividend eligible.
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Our RSU activity and related information was:
| Number of Units | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share) | ||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 26, 2020 | 14,235,922 | $ | 31.32 | ||||||||
| Granted | 3,370,438 | 36.36 | |||||||||
| Forfeited | (1,564,027) | 31.06 | |||||||||
| Vested | (3,565,943) | 30.03 | |||||||||
| Outstanding at December 25, 2021 | 12,476,390 | 33.08 | |||||||||
The aggregate fair value of RSUs that vested during the period was $135 million in 2021, $6 million in 2020, and $2 million in 2019.
Performance Share Units
PSUs represent a right to receive one share or the value of one share upon the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable plan and award agreement and are subject to achievement or satisfaction of performance or market conditions specified by the Compensation Committee of our Board.
For our PSUs that are tied to performance conditions, we used the stock price on the grant date to estimate the fair value. The PSUs are not dividend eligible; therefore, we discounted the fair value of the PSUs based on the dividend yield. Dividend yield was estimated using the quarterly dividend divided by the three-month average stock price, annualized and continuously compounded. The grant date fair value of PSUs is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the awards. We adjust the expense based on the likelihood of future achievement of performance metrics.
In 2019, in addition to the performance-based PSUs granted, we granted PSUs to our Chief Executive Officer that are tied to market-based conditions. The grant date fair value of these PSUs was determined based on a Monte Carlo simulation model. A discount was applied to the Monte Carlo valuation to reflect the lack of marketability during a mandatory post-vest holding period of three years. The related compensation expense is recognized regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied, provided that the requisite service has been provided. The number of PSUs that ultimately vest is based on achievement of the market-based components.
The weighted average grant date fair value per share of our PSUs granted during the year was $35.03 in 2021, $28.50 in 2020, and $25.31 in 2019. Our expected dividend yield was 4.63% in 2021, 5.10% in 2020, and 5.39% in 2019.
Our PSU activity and related information was:
| Number of Units | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share) | ||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 26, 2020 | 7,778,710 | $ | 33.16 | ||||||||
| Granted | 1,571,066 | 35.03 | |||||||||
| Forfeited | (2,213,616) | 52.03 | |||||||||
| Vested | (1,816,180) | 29.16 | |||||||||
| Outstanding at December 25, 2021 | 5,319,980 | 27.24 | |||||||||
The aggregate fair value of PSUs that vested during the period was $69 million in 2021. No PSUs vested in 2020 or 2019.
Total Equity Awards
Equity award compensation cost and the related tax benefit was (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax compensation cost | $ | 197 | $ | 156 | $ | 46 | |||||||||||
| Related tax benefit | (43) | (33) | (9) | ||||||||||||||
| After-tax compensation cost | $ | 154 | $ | 123 | $ | 37 | |||||||||||
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested equity awards was $285 million at December 25, 2021 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2 years.
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Note 12. Postemployment Benefits
We maintain various retirement plans for the majority of our employees. Current defined benefit pension plans are provided primarily for certain domestic union and foreign employees. Local statutory requirements govern many of these plans. The pension benefits of our unionized workers are in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement covering their employment. Defined contribution plans are provided for certain domestic unionized, non-union hourly, and salaried employees as well as certain employees in foreign locations.
We provide health care and other postretirement benefits to certain of our eligible retired employees and their eligible dependents. Certain of our U.S. and Canadian employees may become eligible for such benefits. We may modify plan provisions or terminate plans at our discretion. The postretirement benefits of our unionized workers are in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement covering their employment.
We remeasure our postemployment benefit plans at least annually.
Pension Plans
Obligations and Funded Status:
The projected benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets, and funded status of our were (in millions):
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 4,191 | $ | 4,501 | $ | 2,359 | $ | 2,187 | |||||||||||||||
| Service cost | 5 | 6 | 16 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | 90 | 123 | 29 | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits paid | (132) | (189) | (116) | (115) | |||||||||||||||||||
Actuarial losses/(gains)(a) | (125) | 421 | (35) | 144 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Plan amendments | — | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Currency | — | — | (28) | 84 | |||||||||||||||||||
Settlements(b) | (180) | (671) | (2) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Special/contractual termination benefits | 3 | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation at end of year | 3,852 | 4,191 | 2,224 | 2,359 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | 4,627 | 4,835 | 3,023 | 2,841 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Actual return on plan assets | 130 | 652 | 28 | 176 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Employer contributions | — | — | 15 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits paid | (132) | (189) | (117) | (114) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Currency | — | — | (37) | 108 | |||||||||||||||||||
Settlements(b) | (180) | (671) | (2) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year | 4,445 | 4,627 | 2,910 | 3,023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net pension liability/(asset) recognized at end of year | $ | (593) | $ | (436) | $ | (686) | $ | (664) | |||||||||||||||
(a) Actuarial losses/(gains) were primarily due to a change in the discount rate assumption utilized in measuring plan obligations.
(b) Settlements represent $182 million in lump sum payments in 2021 and the full settlement of pension benefit obligations of $509 million through the purchase of a group annuity contract and an additional $162 million in lump sum payments in 2020.
The accumulated benefit obligation, which represents benefits earned to the measurement date, was $3.8 billion at December 25, 2021 and $4.2 billion at December 26, 2020 for the U.S. pension plans. The accumulated benefit obligation for the non-U.S. pension plans was $2.1 billion at December 25, 2021 and $2.2 billion at December 26, 2020.
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The combined U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans resulted in net pension assets of $1.3 billion at December 25, 2021 and $1.1 billion at December 26, 2020. We recognized these amounts on our consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Other non-current assets | $ | 1,366 | $ | 1,205 | |||||||
| Other current liabilities | (5) | (6) | |||||||||
| Accrued postemployment costs | (82) | (99) | |||||||||
| Net pension asset/(liability) recognized | $ | 1,279 | $ | 1,100 | |||||||
For certain of our U.S. and non-U.S. plans that were underfunded based on accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets, the projected benefit obligations, accumulated benefit obligations, and the fair value of plan assets were (in millions):
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Projected benefit obligation | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 162 | $ | 181 | |||||||||||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | — | — | 155 | 174 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets | — | — | 75 | 76 | |||||||||||||||||||
All of our U.S. plans were overfunded based on plan assets in excess of accumulated benefit obligations as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020.
For certain of our U.S. and non-U.S. plans that were underfunded based on projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets, the projected benefit obligations, accumulated benefit obligations, and the fair value of plan assets were (in millions):
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Projected benefit obligation | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 162 | $ | 181 | |||||||||||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | — | — | 155 | 174 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets | — | — | 75 | 76 | |||||||||||||||||||
All of our U.S. plans were overfunded based on plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligations as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020.
We used the following weighted average assumptions to determine our projected benefit obligations under the pension plans:
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate | 3.1 | % | 2.8 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Rate of compensation increase | 4.0 | % | 4.0 | % | 3.8 | % | 3.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Discount rates for our U.S. and non-U.S. plans were developed from a model portfolio of high quality, fixed-income debt instruments with durations that match the expected future cash flows of the plans.
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Components of Net Pension Cost/(Benefit):
Net pension cost/(benefit) consisted of the following (in millions):
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | 5 | $ | 6 | $ | 7 | $ | 16 | $ | 16 | $ | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | 90 | 123 | 163 | 29 | 38 | 51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | (186) | (206) | (229) | (94) | (103) | (143) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service costs/(credits) | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized losses/(gains) | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Settlements | (11) | (24) | — | 1 | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Curtailments | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special/contractual termination benefits | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net pension cost/(benefit) | $ | (99) | $ | (101) | $ | (59) | $ | (44) | $ | (48) | $ | (69) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
We present all non-service cost components of net pension cost/(benefit) within other expense/(income) on our consolidated statements of income. In 2021, we recognized special/contractual termination benefits for our U.S plans related to the Nuts Transaction, including a loss of $3 million. These special/contractual termination benefits are recorded in other expense/(income) as a component of our pre-tax loss/(gain) on sale of business on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 25, 2021.
We used the following weighted average assumptions to determine our net pension costs for the years ended:
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate - Service cost | 3.1 | % | 3.5 | % | 4.6 | % | 2.1 | % | 2.5 | % | 3.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate - Interest cost | 2.3 | % | 2.8 | % | 4.1 | % | 1.2 | % | 1.8 | % | 2.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected rate of return on plan assets | 4.2 | % | 4.4 | % | 5.7 | % | 3.1 | % | 3.8 | % | 5.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of compensation increase | 4.0 | % | 4.1 | % | 4.1 | % | 3.5 | % | 3.7 | % | 3.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount rates for our U.S. and non-U.S. plans were developed from a model portfolio of high quality, fixed-income debt instruments with durations that match the expected future cash flows of the plans. We determine our expected rate of return on plan assets from the plan assets' historical long-term investment performance, target asset allocation, and estimates of future long-term returns by asset class.
Plan Assets:
The underlying basis of the investment strategy of our defined benefit plans is to ensure that pension funds are available to meet the plans’ benefit obligations when they are due. Our investment objectives include: investing plan assets in a high-quality, diversified manner in order to maintain the security of the funds; achieving an optimal return on plan assets within specified risk tolerances; and investing according to local regulations and requirements specific to each country in which a defined benefit plan operates. The investment strategy expects equity investments to yield a higher return over the long term than fixed-income securities, while fixed-income securities are expected to provide certain matching characteristics to the plans’ benefit payment cash flow requirements. Our investment policy specifies the type of investment vehicles appropriate for the applicable plan, asset allocation guidelines, criteria for the selection of investment managers, procedures to monitor overall investment performance as well as investment manager performance. It also provides guidelines enabling the applicable plan fiduciaries to fulfill their responsibilities.
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Our weighted average asset allocations were:
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-income securities | 83 | % | 81 | % | 53 | % | 57 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 16 | % | 16 | % | 21 | % | 23 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1 | % | 3 | % | 9 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Real estate | — | % | — | % | — | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Certain insurance contracts | — | % | — | % | 17 | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||
Our pension investment strategy for U.S. plans is designed to align our pension assets with our projected benefit obligation to reduce volatility. In 2021, we targeted an investment of approximately 85% of our U.S. plan assets in fixed-income securities and approximately 15% in return-seeking assets, primarily equity securities. Beginning in 2022, we are targeting an investment of approximately 75% of our U.S. plan assets in fixed-income securities, approximately 15% in alternatives, primarily real assets and diversified credit, and approximately 10% in return-seeking assets, primarily equity securities.
For pension plans outside the United States, our investment strategy is subject to local regulations and the asset/liability profiles of the plans in each individual country. In aggregate, the long-term asset allocation targets of our non-U.S. plans are broadly characterized as a mix of approximately 83% fixed-income securities and certain insurance contracts, and approximately 17% in return-seeking assets, primarily equity securities.
The fair value of pension plan assets at December 25, 2021 was determined using the following fair value measurements (in millions):
| Asset Category | Total Fair Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Government bonds | $ | 316 | $ | 316 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds and other fixed-income securities | 4,092 | — | 4,092 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed-income securities | 4,408 | 316 | 4,092 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 171 | 171 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 247 | 245 | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate | 6 | — | — | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Certain insurance contracts | 488 | — | — | 488 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value excluding investments measured at net asset value | 5,320 | 732 | 4,094 | 494 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments measured at net asset value(a) | 2,035 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total plan assets at fair value | $ | 7,355 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Amount includes cash collateral of $239 million associated with our securities lending program, which is reflected as an asset, and a corresponding securities lending payable of $239 million, which is reflected as a liability. The net impact on total plan assets at fair value is zero.
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The fair value of pension plan assets at December 26, 2020 was determined using the following fair value measurements (in millions):
| Asset Category | Total Fair Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Government bonds | $ | 320 | $ | 320 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds and other fixed-income securities | 3,532 | — | 3,531 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed-income securities | 3,852 | 320 | 3,531 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 232 | 232 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 545 | 542 | 3 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate | 35 | — | — | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Certain insurance contracts | 47 | — | — | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value excluding investments measured at net asset value | 4,711 | 1,094 | 3,534 | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments measured at net asset value(a) | 2,939 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total plan assets at fair value | $ | 7,650 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Amount includes cash collateral of $227 million associated with our securities lending program, which is reflected as an asset, and a corresponding securities lending payable of $227 million, which is reflected as a liability. The net impact on total plan assets at fair value is zero.
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used to measure the fair value of pension plan assets, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each type of asset is generally classified.
Government Bonds. These securities consist of direct investments in publicly traded U.S. fixed interest obligations (principally debentures). Such investments are valued using quoted prices in active markets. These securities are included in Level 1.
Corporate Bonds and Other Fixed-Income Securities. These securities consist of publicly traded U.S. and non-U.S. fixed interest obligations (principally corporate bonds). Such investments are valued through consultation and evaluation with brokers in the institutional market using quoted prices and other observable market data. As such, these securities are included in Level 2. Any securities that are in default are included in Level 3.
Equity Securities. These securities consist of direct investments in the stock of publicly traded companies. Such investments are valued based on the closing price reported in an active market on which the individual securities are traded. As such, the direct investments are classified as Level 1.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. This consists of direct cash holdings and institutional short-term investment vehicles. Direct cash holdings are valued based on cost, which approximates fair value and are classified as Level 1. Certain institutional short-term investment vehicles are valued daily and are classified as Level 1. Other cash equivalents that are not traded on an active exchange, such as bank deposits, are classified as Level 2.
Real Estate. These holdings consist of real estate investments and are generally classified as Level 3.
Certain Insurance Contracts. This category consists of group annuity contracts that have been purchased to cover a portion of the plan members and have been classified as Level 3.
Investments Measured at Net Asset Value. This category consists of pooled funds, short-term investments, and partnership/corporate feeder interests.
•Pooled funds. The fair values of participation units held in collective trusts are based on their net asset values, as reported by the managers of the collective trusts and as supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions occurring as of or close to the financial statement date. The fair value of these investments measured at net asset value is excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Investments in the collective trusts can be redeemed on each business day based upon the applicable net asset value per unit. Investments in the international large/mid cap equity collective trust can be redeemed on the last business day of each month and at least one business day during the month.
The mutual fund investments are not traded on an exchange, and a majority of these funds are held in a separate account managed by a fixed income manager. The fair values of these investments are based on their net asset values, as reported by the managers and as supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions occurring as of or close to the financial statement date. The fair value of these investments measured at net asset value is excluded from the fair value hierarchy. The objective of the account is to provide superior return with reasonable risk, where performance is expected to exceed Barclays Long U.S. Credit Index. Investments in this account can be redeemed with a written notice to the investment manager.
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•Short-term investments. Short-term investments largely consist of a money market fund, the fair value of which is based on the net asset value reported by the manager of the fund and supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions. The fair value of these investments measured at net asset value is excluded from the fair value hierarchy. The money market fund is designed to provide safety of principal, daily liquidity, and a competitive yield by investing in high quality money market instruments. The investment objective of the money market fund is to provide the highest possible level of current income while still maintaining liquidity and preserving capital.
•Partnership/corporate feeder interests. Fair value estimates of the equity partnership are based on their net asset values, as reported by the manager of the partnership. The fair value of these investments measured at net asset value is excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Investments in the equity partnership may be redeemed once per month upon 10 days’ prior written notice to the General Partner, subject to the discretion of the General Partner. The investment objective of the equity partnership is to seek capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities.
The fair values of the corporate feeder are based upon the net asset values of the equity master fund in which it invests. The fair value of these investments measured at net asset value is excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Investments in the corporate feeder can be redeemed quarterly with at least 90 days’ notice. The investment objective of the corporate feeder is to generate long-term returns by investing in large, liquid equity securities with attractive fundamentals.
Changes in our Level 3 plan assets for the year ended December 25, 2021 included (in millions):
| Asset Category | December 26, 2020 | Additions | Net Realized Gain/(Loss) | Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) | Net Purchases, Issuances and Settlements | Transfers Into/(Out of) Level 3 | December 25, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate | $ | 35 | $ | — | $ | (1) | $ | (1) | $ | (27) | $ | — | $ | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds and other fixed-income securities | 1 | — | — | — | — | (1) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certain insurance contracts | 47 | 464 | — | (13) | (10) | — | 488 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Level 3 investments | $ | 83 | $ | 464 | $ | (1) | $ | (14) | $ | (37) | $ | (1) | $ | 494 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in our Level 3 plan assets for the year ended December 26, 2020 included (in millions):
| Asset Category | December 28, 2019 | Additions | Net Realized Gain/(Loss) | Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) | Net Purchases, Issuances and Settlements | Transfers Into/(Out of) Level 3 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate | $ | 45 | $ | — | $ | (1) | $ | (6) | $ | — | $ | (3) | $ | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds and other fixed-income securities | 3 | — | — | — | — | (2) | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certain insurance contracts | 49 | — | — | 3 | (5) | — | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Level 3 investments | $ | 97 | $ | — | $ | (1) | $ | (3) | $ | (5) | $ | (5) | $ | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Employer Contributions:
In 2021, we contributed $15 million to our non-U.S. pension plans. We did not contribute to our U.S. pension plans. We estimate that 2022 pension contributions will be approximately $12 million to our non-U.S. pension plans. We do not plan to make contributions to our U.S. pension plans in 2022. Estimated future contributions take into consideration current economic conditions, which at this time are expected to have minimal impact on expected contributions for 2022. Our actual contributions and plans may change due to many factors, including changes in tax, employee benefit, or other laws and regulations, tax deductibility, significant differences between expected and actual pension asset performance or interest rates, or other factors.
Future Benefit Payments:
The estimated future benefit payments from our pension plans at December 25, 2021 were (in millions):
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 331 | $ | 87 | |||||||
| 2023 | 314 | 83 | |||||||||
| 2024 | 304 | 84 | |||||||||
| 2025 | 294 | 87 | |||||||||
| 2026 | 271 | 90 | |||||||||
| 2027-2031 | 1,124 | 477 | |||||||||
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Postretirement Plans
Obligations and Funded Status:
The accumulated benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, and funded status of our postretirement benefit plans were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 1,302 | $ | 1,313 | |||||||
| Service cost | 6 | 6 | |||||||||
| Interest cost | 20 | 33 | |||||||||
| Benefits paid | (94) | (108) | |||||||||
Actuarial losses/(gains)(a) | (121) | 56 | |||||||||
Plan amendments(b) | (116) | — | |||||||||
| Currency | 1 | 2 | |||||||||
| Curtailments | (3) | — | |||||||||
| Benefit obligation at end of year | 995 | 1,302 | |||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | 1,153 | 1,114 | |||||||||
| Actual return on plan assets | 80 | 134 | |||||||||
| Employer contributions | 13 | 13 | |||||||||
| Benefits paid | (95) | (108) | |||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year | 1,151 | 1,153 | |||||||||
| Net postretirement benefit liability/(asset) recognized at end of year | $ | (156) | $ | 149 | |||||||
(a) Actuarial losses/(gains) were primarily due to a change in the discount rate assumption utilized in measuring plan obligations.
(b) Driven primarily by a plan amendment that changed the benefit structure for a subset of the retiree population.
We recognized the net postretirement benefit asset/(liability) on our consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Other non-current assets | $ | 287 | $ | 4 | |||||||
| Other current liabilities | (8) | (8) | |||||||||
| Accrued postemployment costs | (123) | (145) | |||||||||
| Net postretirement benefit asset/(liability) recognized | $ | 156 | $ | (149) | |||||||
For certain of our postretirement benefit plans that were underfunded based on accumulated postretirement benefit obligations in excess of plan assets, the accumulated benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 131 | $ | 153 | |||||||
| Fair value of plan assets | — | — | |||||||||
We used the following weighted average assumptions to determine our postretirement benefit obligations:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Discount rate | 2.8 | % | 2.3 | % | |||||||
| Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year | 5.9 | % | 6.2 | % | |||||||
| Ultimate trend rate | 4.8 | % | 4.8 | % | |||||||
Discount rates for our plans were developed from a model portfolio of high-quality, fixed-income debt instruments with durations that match the expected future cash flows of the plans. Our expected health care cost trend rate is based on historical costs and our expectation for health care cost trend rates going forward.
The year that the health care cost trend rate reaches the ultimate trend rate varies by plan and ranges between 2022 and 2030 as of December 25, 2021. Assumed health care costs trend rates have a significant impact on the amounts reported for the postretirement benefit plans.
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Components of Net Postretirement Cost/(Benefit):
Net postretirement cost/(benefit) consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | 6 | $ | 6 | $ | 6 | |||||||||||
| Interest cost | 20 | 33 | 46 | ||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | (49) | (49) | (53) | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service costs/(credits) | (8) | (122) | (306) | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized losses/(gains) | (16) | (14) | (8) | ||||||||||||||
| Curtailments | (4) | — | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| Net postretirement cost/(benefit) | $ | (51) | $ | (146) | $ | (320) | |||||||||||
We present all non-service cost components of net postretirement cost/(benefit) within other expense/(income) on our consolidated statements of income. In 2021, we recognized a curtailment gain of $4 million related to the Nuts Transaction. This gain is recorded in other expense/(income) as a component of our pre-tax loss/(gain) on sale of business on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 25, 2021.
The amortization of prior service credits was primarily driven by plan amendments in 2015 and 2016. We estimate that amortization of prior service credits will be insignificant in each of the next five years.
We used the following weighted average assumptions to determine our net postretirement benefit plans cost for the years ended:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Discount rate - Service cost | 2.7 | % | 3.3 | % | 4.2 | % | |||||||||||
| Discount rate - Interest cost | 1.6 | % | 2.7 | % | 3.8 | % | |||||||||||
| Expected rate of return on plan assets | 4.4 | % | 4.7 | % | 5.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Health care cost trend rate | 5.9 | % | 6.2 | % | 6.5 | % | |||||||||||
Discount rates for our plans were developed from a model portfolio of high-quality, fixed-income debt instruments with durations that match the expected future cash flows of the plans. We determine our expected rate of return on plan assets from the plan assets' target asset allocation and estimates of future long-term returns by asset class. Our expected health care cost trend rate is based on historical costs and our expectation for health care cost trend rates going forward.
Plan Assets:
The underlying basis of the investment strategy of our U.S. postretirement plans is to ensure that funds are available to meet the plans’ benefit obligations when they are due by investing plan assets in a high-quality, diversified manner in order to maintain the security of the funds. The investment strategy expects equity investments to yield a higher return over the long term than fixed-income securities, while fixed-income securities are expected to provide certain matching characteristics to the plans’ benefit payment cash flow requirements.
Our weighted average asset allocations were:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Fixed-income securities | 61 | % | 62 | % | |||||||
| Equity securities | 36 | % | 34 | % | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 3 | % | 4 | % | |||||||
Our postretirement benefit plan investment strategy is subject to local regulations and the asset/liability profiles of the plans in each individual country. Our investment strategy is designed to align our postretirement benefit plan assets with our postretirement benefit obligation to reduce volatility. In aggregate, our long-term asset allocation targets are broadly characterized as a mix of approximately 70% in fixed-income securities and approximately 30% in return-seeking assets, primarily equity securities.
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The fair value of postretirement benefit plan assets at December 25, 2021 was determined using the following fair value measurements (in millions):
| Asset Category | Total Fair Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Government bonds | $ | 112 | $ | 112 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds and other fixed-income securities | 590 | — | 590 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed-income securities | 702 | 112 | 590 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 236 | 236 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value excluding investments measured at net asset value | 938 | 348 | 590 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investments measured at net asset value | 213 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total plan assets at fair value | $ | 1,151 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The fair value of postretirement benefit plan assets at December 26, 2020 was determined using the following fair value measurements (in millions):
| Asset Category | Total Fair Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Government bonds | $ | 121 | $ | 121 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds and other fixed-income securities | 596 | — | 596 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed-income securities | 717 | 121 | 596 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 218 | 218 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value excluding investments measured at net asset value | 935 | 339 | 596 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investments measured at net asset value | 218 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total plan assets at fair value | $ | 1,153 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used to measure the fair value of postretirement benefit plan assets, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each type of asset is generally classified.
Government Bonds. These securities consist of direct investments in publicly traded U.S. fixed interest obligations (principally debentures). Such investments are valued using quoted prices in active markets. These securities are included in Level 1.
Corporate Bonds and Other Fixed-Income Securities. These securities consist of publicly traded U.S. and non-U.S. fixed interest obligations (principally corporate bonds and tax-exempt municipal bonds). Such investments are valued through consultation and evaluation with brokers in the institutional market using quoted prices and other observable market data. As such, these securities are included in Level 2.
Equity Securities. These securities consist of direct investments in the stock of publicly traded companies. Such investments are valued based on the closing price reported in an active market on which the individual securities are traded. As such, the direct investments are classified as Level 1.
Investments Measured at Net Asset Value. This category consists of pooled funds and short-term investments.
•Pooled funds. The fair values of participation units held in collective trusts are based on their net asset values, as reported by the managers of the collective trusts and as supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions occurring as of or close to the financial statement date. The fair value of these investments measured at net asset value is excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Investments in the collective trusts can be redeemed on each business day based upon the applicable net asset value per unit. Investments in the international large/mid cap equity collective trust can be redeemed on the last business day of each month and at least one business day during the month.
The mutual fund investments are not traded on an exchange. The fair values of the mutual fund investments that are not traded on an exchange are based on their net asset values, as reported by the managers and as supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions occurring as of or close to the financial statement date. The fair value of these investments measured at net asset value is excluded from the fair value hierarchy.
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•Short-term investments. Short-term investments largely consist of a money market fund, the fair value of which is based on the net asset value reported by the manager of the fund and supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions. The fair value of these investments measured at net asset value is excluded from the fair value hierarchy. The money market fund is designed to provide safety of principal, daily liquidity, and a competitive yield by investing in high quality money market instruments. The investment objective of the money market fund is to provide the highest possible level of current income while still maintaining liquidity and preserving capital.
Employer Contributions:
In 2021, we contributed $12 million to our postretirement benefit plans. We estimate that 2022 postretirement benefit plan contributions will be approximately $13 million. Estimated future contributions take into consideration current economic conditions, which at this time are expected to have minimal impact on expected contributions for 2022. Our actual contributions and plans may change due to many factors, including changes in tax, employee benefit, or other laws and regulations, tax deductibility, significant differences between expected and actual postretirement plan asset performance or interest rates, or other factors.
Future Benefit Payments:
Our estimated future benefit payments for our postretirement plans at December 25, 2021 were (in millions):
| 2022 | $ | 93 | |||
| 2023 | 89 | ||||
| 2024 | 84 | ||||
| 2025 | 80 | ||||
| 2026 | 76 | ||||
| 2027-2031 | 318 | ||||
Other Plans
We sponsor and contribute to employee savings plans that cover eligible salaried, non-union, and union employees. Our contributions and costs are determined by the matching of employee contributions, as defined by the plans. Amounts charged to expense for defined contribution plans totaled $103 million in 2021, $91 million in 2020, and $88 million in 2019.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Losses)
Our accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) pension and postretirement benefit plans balances, before tax, consisted of the following (in millions):
| Pension Benefits | Postretirement Benefits | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial gain/(loss) | $ | 28 | $ | (3) | $ | 475 | $ | 224 | $ | 503 | $ | 221 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior service credit/(cost) | (14) | (14) | 23 | 31 | 9 | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 14 | $ | (17) | $ | 498 | $ | 255 | $ | 512 | $ | 238 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The net postemployment benefits recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss), consisted of the following (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Net postemployment benefit gains/(losses) arising during the period: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial gains/(losses) arising during the period - Pension Benefits | $ | 39 | $ | (55) | $ | (103) | |||||||||||
| Net actuarial gains/(losses) arising during the period - Postretirement Benefits | 267 | 29 | 41 | ||||||||||||||
| Prior service credits/(costs) arising during the period - Postretirement Benefits | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 306 | (26) | (61) | |||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit/(expense) | (77) | 4 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 229 | $ | (22) | $ | (66) | ||||||||||||
| Reclassification of net postemployment benefit losses/(gains) to net income/(loss): | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized losses/(gains) - Pension Benefits | $ | 3 | $ | 2 | $ | 1 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized losses/(gains) - Postretirement Benefits | (16) | (14) | (8) | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service costs/(credits) - Postretirement Benefits | (8) | (122) | (306) | ||||||||||||||
| Net settlement and curtailment losses/(gains) - Pension Benefits | (11) | (24) | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Net settlement and curtailment losses/(gains) - Postretirement Benefits | — | — | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Other losses/(gains) on postemployment benefits | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| (32) | (158) | (312) | |||||||||||||||
| Tax (benefit)/expense | 6 | 40 | 78 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | (26) | $ | (118) | $ | (234) | ||||||||||||
Note 13. Financial Instruments
We maintain a policy of requiring that all significant, non-exchange traded derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreement, and these master agreements and their schedules contain certain obligations regarding the delivery of certain financial information upon demand.
Derivative Volume:
The notional values of our outstanding derivative instruments were (in millions):
| Notional Amount | |||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | $ | 592 | $ | 384 | |||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | 3,359 | 3,658 | |||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts | 7,239 | 8,189 | |||||||||
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments:
Fair value is defined 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. The fair values and the levels within the fair value hierarchy of derivative instruments recorded on the consolidated balance sheets were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets and Liabilities (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Total Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | Liabilities | Assets | Liabilities | Assets | Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(a) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 24 | $ | 19 | $ | 24 | $ | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-currency contracts(b) | — | — | 247 | 212 | 247 | 212 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts(c) | 41 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 43 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(a) | — | — | 15 | 18 | 15 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fair value | $ | 41 | $ | 17 | $ | 288 | $ | 254 | $ | 329 | $ | 271 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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(a) At December 25, 2021, the fair value of our derivative assets was recorded in other current assets ($31 million) and other non-current assets ($8 million), and the fair value of our derivative liabilities was recorded in other current liabilities ($33 million) and other non-current liabilities ($4 million).
(b) At December 25, 2021, the fair value of our derivative assets was recorded in other current assets ($74 million) and other non-current assets ($173 million), and the fair value of our derivative liabilities was recorded in other current liabilities ($42 million) and other non-current liabilities ($170 million).
(c) At December 25, 2021, the fair value of our derivative assets was recorded in other current assets and the fair value of derivative liabilities was recorded in other current liabilities.
| December 26, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets and Liabilities (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Total Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | Liabilities | Assets | Liabilities | Assets | Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(a) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 9 | $ | 46 | $ | 9 | $ | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-currency contracts(b) | — | — | 298 | 333 | 298 | 333 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts(c) | 50 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 53 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(a) | — | — | 20 | 9 | 20 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fair value | $ | 50 | $ | 14 | $ | 330 | $ | 389 | $ | 380 | $ | 403 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) At December 26, 2020, the fair value of our derivative assets was recorded in other current assets ($28 million) and other non-current assets ($1 million), and the fair value of our derivative liabilities was recorded in other current liabilities ($50 million) and other non-current liabilities ($5 million).
(b) At December 26, 2020, the fair value of our derivative assets was recorded in other non-current assets, and the fair value of our derivative liabilities was recorded in other current liabilities ($41 million) and other non-current liabilities ($292 million).
(c) At December 26, 2020, the fair value of our derivative assets was recorded in other current assets and the fair value of derivative liabilities was recorded in other current liabilities.
Our derivative financial instruments are subject to master netting arrangements that allow for the offset of assets and liabilities in the event of default or early termination of the contract. We elect to record the gross assets and liabilities of our derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets. If the derivative financial instruments had been netted on the consolidated balance sheets, the asset and liability positions each would have been reduced by $155 million at December 25, 2021 and $315 million at December 26, 2020. We had collected collateral related to commodity derivative margin requirements of $12 million at December 25, 2021 and $25 million at December 26, 2020, which were included in other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.
Level 1 financial assets and liabilities consist of commodity future and options contracts and are valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 financial assets and liabilities consist of commodity swaps, foreign exchange forwards, options, and swaps, and cross-currency swaps. Commodity swaps are valued using an income approach based on the observable market commodity index prices less the contract rate multiplied by the notional amount. Foreign exchange forwards and swaps are valued using an income approach based on observable market forward rates less the contract rate multiplied by the notional amount. Foreign exchange options are valued using an income approach based on a Black-Scholes-Merton formula. This formula uses present value techniques and reflects the time value and intrinsic value based on observable market rates. Cross-currency swaps are valued based on observable market spot and swap rates.
We did not have any Level 3 financial assets or liabilities in any period presented.
Our calculation of the fair value of financial instruments takes into consideration the risk of nonperformance, including counterparty credit risk.
Net Investment Hedging:
At December 25, 2021, we had the following items designated as net investment hedges:
•Non-derivative foreign denominated debt with principal amounts of €650 million and £400 million;
•Cross-currency contracts with notional amounts of £677 million ($900 million), C$1.4 billion ($1.1 billion), €1.9 billion ($2.1 billion), and ¥9.6 billion ($85 million); and
•Foreign exchange contracts denominated in Chinese renminbi with an aggregate notional amount of $119 million.
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We periodically use non-derivative instruments such as non-U.S. dollar financing transactions or non-U.S. dollar assets or liabilities, including intercompany loans, to hedge the exposure of changes in underlying foreign currency denominated subsidiary net assets, and they are designated as net investment hedges. At December 25, 2021, we had Chinese renminbi intercompany loans with an aggregate notional amount of $418 million designated as net investment hedges.
The component of the gains and losses on our net investment in these designated foreign operations, driven by changes in foreign exchange rates, are economically offset by fair value movements on the effective portion of our cross-currency contracts and foreign exchange contracts and remeasurements of our foreign denominated debt.
Interest Rate Hedging:
From time to time we have had derivatives designated as interest rate hedges, including interest rate swaps. We no longer have any outstanding interest rate swaps. We continue to amortize the realized hedge losses that were deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) into interest expense through the original maturity of the related long-term debt instruments.
Cash Flow Hedge Coverage:
At December 25, 2021, we had entered into foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges for periods not exceeding the next two years and into cross-currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges for periods not exceeding the next seven years.
Deferred Hedging Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges:
Based on our valuation at December 25, 2021 and assuming market rates remain constant through contract maturities, we expect transfers to net income/(loss) of unrealized losses on foreign currency cash flow hedges and interest rate cash flow hedges during the next 12 months to each be insignificant. Additionally, we expect transfers to net income/(loss) of unrealized gains on cross-currency cash flow hedges during the next 12 months to be insignificant.
Concentration of Credit Risk:
Counterparties to our foreign exchange derivatives consist of major international financial institutions. We continually monitor our positions and the credit ratings of the counterparties involved and, by policy, limit the amount of our credit exposure to any one party. While we may be exposed to potential losses due to the credit risk of non-performance by these counterparties, losses are not anticipated. We closely monitor the credit risk associated with our counterparties and customers and to date have not experienced material losses.
Economic Hedging:
We enter into certain derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments in accordance with our risk management strategy, which have an economic impact of largely mitigating commodity price risk and foreign currency exposures. Gains and losses are recorded in net income/(loss) as a component of cost of products sold for our commodity contracts and other expense/(income) for our cross currency and foreign exchange contracts.
Divestiture Hedging:
We entered into foreign exchange derivative contracts to economically hedge the foreign currency exposure related to the Heinz India Transaction. These derivative contracts settled in the first quarter of 2019 resulting in a gain of $5 million, including a gain of $6 million recorded within other expense/(income) and a loss of $1 million recorded within interest expense. These losses are classified as other losses/(gains) related to acquisitions and divestitures. Additionally, we entered into foreign exchange contracts which were designated as net investment hedges related to our investment in Heinz India. In 2019, these net investment hedges settled at a loss of $6 million. This loss was subsequently reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) to other expense/(income) in our condensed consolidated statement of income in the first quarter of 2019 when the Heinz India Transaction closed. These losses are classified as losses/(gains) on the sale of a business. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information related to the Heinz India Transaction.
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Derivative Impact on the Statements of Comprehensive Income:
The following table presents the pre-tax amounts of derivative gains/(losses) deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) and the income statement line item that will be affected when reclassified to net income/(loss) (in millions):
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Losses) Component | Gains/(Losses) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income/(Losses) Related to Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Location of Gains/(Losses) When Reclassified to Net Income/(Loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | $ | (1) | $ | 1 | $ | — | Net sales | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | (11) | (2) | (36) | Cost of products sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (excluded component) | — | (2) | 2 | Cost of products sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | 1 | — | — | SG&A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | — | — | (23) | Other expense/(income) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts | (119) | 221 | 43 | Other expense/(income) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts (excluded component) | 28 | 26 | 28 | Other expense/(income) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts | (22) | (11) | — | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment hedges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | 1 | 1 | 13 | Other expense/(income) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (excluded component) | 2 | (2) | (1) | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts | 144 | (370) | (67) | Other expense/(income) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts (excluded component) | 44 | 30 | 30 | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gains/(losses) recognized in statements of comprehensive income | $ | 67 | $ | (108) | $ | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Derivative Impact on the Statements of Income:
The following tables present the pre-tax amounts of derivative gains/(losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) to net income/(loss) and the affected income statement line items (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | Cost of products sold | SG&A | Interest expense | Other expense/ (income) | Cost of products sold | Interest expense | Other expense/ (income) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total amounts presented in the consolidated statements of income in which the following effects were recorded | $ | 26,042 | $ | 17,360 | $ | 5,222 | $ | 2,047 | $ | (295) | $ | 17,008 | $ | 1,394 | $ | (296) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains/(losses) related to derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | $ | (1) | $ | (46) | $ | (1) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 19 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (excluded component) | — | (3) | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | — | — | — | — | — | — | (2) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts | — | — | — | (23) | (91) | — | (11) | 143 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts (excluded component) | — | — | — | — | 27 | — | — | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (excluded component) | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | (2) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts (excluded component) | — | — | — | 36 | — | — | 25 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains/(losses) related to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | — | 158 | — | — | — | (69) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | — | — | — | — | (31) | — | — | (15) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gains/(losses) recognized in statements of income | $ | (1) | $ | 109 | $ | (1) | $ | 15 | $ | (86) | $ | (50) | $ | 10 | $ | 154 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of products sold | Interest expense | Other expense/ (income) | |||||||||||||||
| Total amounts presented in the consolidated statements of income in which the following effects were recorded | $ | 16,830 | $ | 1,361 | $ | (952) | |||||||||||
| Gains/(losses) related to derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges: | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | $ | 23 | $ | — | $ | (22) | |||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (excluded component) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | — | (4) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts | — | — | 23 | ||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts (excluded component) | — | — | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Net investment hedges: | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | — | — | (6) | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (excluded component) | — | (1) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts (excluded component) | — | 30 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Gains/(losses) related to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | 43 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | — | — | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency contracts | — | — | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| Total gains/(losses) recognized in statements of income | $ | 66 | $ | 25 | $ | 33 | |||||||||||
Non-Derivative Impact on Statements of Comprehensive Income:
Related to our non-derivative foreign-denominated debt instruments designated as net investment hedges, we recognized pre-tax gains of $75 million in 2021, pre-tax losses of $57 million in 2020, and pre-tax gains of $52 million in 2019. These amounts were recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss).
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Note 14. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Losses)
The components of, and changes in, accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses), net of tax, were as follows (in millions):
| Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | Net Postemployment Benefit Plan Adjustments | Net Cash Flow Hedge Adjustments | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 29, 2018 | $ | (2,476) | $ | 492 | $ | 41 | $ | (1,943) | |||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 239 | — | — | 239 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on net investment hedges | 1 | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of net investment hedges | 22 | — | — | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on net investment hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | (16) | — | — | (16) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges | — | — | (10) | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of cash flow hedges | — | — | 29 | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on cash flow hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | — | — | (41) | (41) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial gains/(losses) arising during the period | — | (70) | — | (70) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Prior service credits/(costs) arising during the period | — | 1 | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net postemployment benefit losses/(gains) reclassified to net income/(loss) | — | (234) | — | (234) | |||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting standards adopted in the period(a) | — | 114 | 22 | 136 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income/(loss) | 246 | (189) | — | 57 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 28, 2019 | (2,230) | 303 | 41 | (1,886) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 324 | — | — | 324 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on net investment hedges | (321) | — | — | (321) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of net investment hedges | 26 | — | — | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on net investment hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | (17) | — | — | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges | — | — | 144 | 144 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of cash flow hedges | — | — | 24 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on cash flow hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | — | — | (116) | (116) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial gains/(losses) arising during the period | — | (27) | — | (27) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net postemployment benefit losses/(gains) reclassified to net income/(loss) | — | (118) | — | (118) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income/(loss) | 12 | (145) | 52 | (81) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 26, 2020 | (2,218) | 158 | 93 | (1,967) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (242) | — | — | (242) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on net investment hedges | 169 | — | — | 169 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of net investment hedges | 35 | — | — | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on net investment hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | (29) | — | — | (29) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges | — | — | (91) | (91) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of cash flow hedges | — | — | 27 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on cash flow hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | — | — | 68 | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial gains/(losses) arising during the period | — | 232 | — | 232 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net postemployment benefit losses/(gains) reclassified to net income/(loss) | — | (26) | — | (26) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income/(loss) | (67) | 206 | 4 | 143 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 25, 2021 | $ | (2,285) | $ | 364 | $ | 97 | $ | (1,824) | |||||||||||||||
(a) In the first quarter of 2019, we adopted ASU 2018-02 related to reclassifying tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses). See Note 3, New Accounting Standards, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2019 for additional information.
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The gross amount and related tax benefit/(expense) recorded in, and associated with, each component of other comprehensive income/(loss) were as follows (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Before Tax Amount | Tax | Net of Tax Amount | Before Tax Amount | Tax | Net of Tax Amount | Before Tax Amount | Tax | Net of Tax Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | $ | (242) | $ | — | $ | (242) | $ | 324 | $ | — | $ | 324 | $ | 239 | $ | — | $ | 239 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on net investment hedges | 220 | (51) | 169 | (426) | 105 | (321) | (2) | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of net investment hedges | 46 | (11) | 35 | 28 | (2) | 26 | 29 | (7) | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on net investment hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | (38) | 9 | (29) | (23) | 6 | (17) | (23) | 7 | (16) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges | (152) | 61 | (91) | 209 | (65) | 144 | (16) | 6 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of cash flow hedges | 28 | (1) | 27 | 24 | — | 24 | 30 | (1) | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net deferred losses/(gains) on cash flow hedges reclassified to net income/(loss) | 138 | (70) | 68 | (175) | 59 | (116) | (48) | 7 | (41) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial gains/(losses) arising during the period | 308 | (76) | 232 | (30) | 3 | (27) | (65) | (5) | (70) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior service credits/(costs) arising during the period | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net postemployment benefit losses/(gains) reclassified to net income/(loss) | (32) | 6 | (26) | (158) | 40 | (118) | (312) | 78 | (234) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) were as follows (in millions):
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Losses) Component | Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Losses) to Net Income/(Loss) | Affected Line Item in the Statements of Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses/(gains) on net investment hedges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(a) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6 | Other expense/(income) | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(b) | (2) | 2 | 1 | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-currency contracts(b) | (36) | (25) | (30) | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses/(gains) on cash flow hedges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(c) | 1 | — | — | Net sales | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(c) | 49 | (19) | (23) | Cost of products sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(c) | 1 | — | — | SG&A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(c) | — | — | 22 | Other expense/(income) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-currency contracts(c) | 64 | (169) | (51) | Other expense/(income) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-currency contracts(c) | 22 | 11 | — | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts(d) | 1 | 2 | 4 | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses/(gains) on hedges before income taxes | 100 | (198) | (71) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses/(gains) on hedges, income taxes | (61) | 65 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses/(gains) on hedges | $ | 39 | $ | (133) | $ | (57) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses/(gains) on postemployment benefits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized losses/(gains)(e) | $ | (13) | $ | (12) | $ | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)(e) | (8) | (122) | (306) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Settlement and curtailment losses/(gains)(e) | (11) | (24) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other losses/(gains) on postemployment benefits | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses/(gains) on postemployment benefits before income taxes | (32) | (158) | (312) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses/(gains) on postemployment benefits, income taxes | 6 | 40 | 78 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses/(gains) on postemployment benefits | $ | (26) | $ | (118) | $ | (234) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Represents the reclassification of hedge losses/(gains) resulting from the complete or substantially complete liquidation of our investment in the underlying foreign operations.
(b) Represents recognition of the excluded component in net income/(loss).
(c) Includes amortization of the excluded component and the effective portion of the related hedges.
(d) Represents amortization of realized hedge losses that were deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses) through the maturity of the related long-term debt instruments.
(e) These components are included in the computation of net periodic postemployment benefit costs. See Note 12, Postemployment Benefits, for additional information.
In this note we have excluded activity and balances related to noncontrolling interest due to their insignificance. This activity was primarily related to foreign currency translation adjustments.
Note 15. Financing Arrangements
We enter into various product financing arrangements to facilitate supply from our vendors. Balance sheet classification is based on the nature of the arrangements. We have concluded that our obligations to our suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment terms, are impacted by their participation in the program and therefore we classify amounts outstanding within other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. We had approximately $215 million at December 25, 2021 and approximately $236 million at December 26, 2020 on our consolidated balance sheets related to these arrangements.
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Transfers of Financial Assets:
Since 2020, we have had a nonrecourse accounts receivable factoring program whereby certain eligible receivables are sold to third party financial institutions in exchange for cash. The program provides us with an additional means for managing liquidity. Under the terms of the arrangement, we act as the collecting agent on behalf of the financial institutions to collect amounts due from customers for the receivables sold. We account for the transfer of receivables as a true sale at the point control is transferred through derecognition of the receivable on our consolidated balance sheet. Receivables sold under this accounts receivable factoring program were approximately $50 million during 2020. No receivables were sold under this accounts receivable factoring program during 2021, and there were no amounts outstanding as of December 25, 2021 or December 26, 2020. The incremental costs of factoring receivables under this arrangement were insignificant for the year ended December 26, 2020. The proceeds from the sales of receivables are included in cash from operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in legal proceedings, claims, and governmental inquiries, inspections, or investigations (“Legal Matters”) arising in the ordinary course of our business. While we cannot predict with certainty the results of Legal Matters in which we are currently involved or may in the future be involved, we do not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve the Legal Matters that are currently pending will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Class Actions and Stockholder Derivative Actions:
The Kraft Heinz Company and certain of our current and former officers and directors are currently defendants in a consolidated securities class action lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Union Asset Management Holding AG, et al. v. The Kraft Heinz Company, et al. The consolidated amended class action complaint, which was filed on August 14, 2020 and also names 3G Capital, Inc. and several of its subsidiaries and affiliates (“3G Entities”) as defendants, asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, based on allegedly materially false or misleading statements and omissions in public statements, press releases, investor presentations, earnings calls, Company documents, and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings regarding the Company’s business, financial results, and internal controls, and further alleges the 3G Entities engaged in insider trading and misappropriated the Company’s material, non-public information. The plaintiffs seek damages in an unspecified amount, attorneys’ fees, and other relief. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended class action complaint, which motion the court denied in an order dated August 11, 2021.
In addition, our Employee Benefits Administration Board and certain of The Kraft Heinz Company’s current and former officers and employees are currently defendants in an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) class action lawsuit, Osborne v. Employee Benefits Administration Board of Kraft Heinz, et al., which is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit purport to represent a class of current and former employees who were participants in and beneficiaries of various retirement plans which were co-invested in a commingled investment fund known as the Kraft Foods Savings Plan Master Trust (the “Master Trust”) during the period of May 4, 2017 through February 21, 2019. An amended complaint was filed on June 28, 2019. The amended complaint alleges violations of Section 502 of ERISA based on alleged breaches of obligations as fiduciaries subject to ERISA by allowing the Master Trust to continue investing in our common stock, and alleges additional breaches of fiduciary duties by current and former officers for their purported failure to monitor Master Trust fiduciaries. The plaintiffs seek damages in an unspecified amount, attorneys’ fees, and other relief. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, which motion the court granted in an order dated August 23, 2021, before entering judgment in favor of the Company on September 14, 2021. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on October 13, 2021. The parties subsequently filed a stipulation of voluntary dismissal with prejudice on December 7, 2021, and the appellate court dismissed the appeal with prejudice on that same date.
Certain of The Kraft Heinz Company’s current and former officers and directors and the 3G Entities are also named as defendants in a stockholder derivative action, In re Kraft Heinz Shareholder Derivative Litigation, which had been previously consolidated in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and is now pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The court appointed lead plaintiffs and plaintiffs’ counsel on October 21, 2021, and lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint on November 22, 2021. The consolidated amended complaint asserts state law claims for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment, as well as federal claims for contribution for alleged violations of Sections 10(b) and 21D of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, based on allegedly materially false or misleading statements and omissions in public statements and SEC filings, and for implementing cost cutting measures that allegedly damaged the Company. The plaintiffs seek damages in an unspecified amount, attorneys’ fees, and other relief.
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Certain of The Kraft Heinz Company’s current and former officers and directors and the 3G Entities are also named as defendants in a consolidated stockholder derivative action, In re Kraft Heinz Company Derivative Litigation, which was filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The consolidated amended complaint, which was filed on April 27, 2020, alleges state law claims, contending that the 3G Entities were controlling stockholders who owed fiduciary duties to the Company, and that they breached those duties by allegedly engaging in insider trading and misappropriating the Company’s material, non-public information. The complaint further alleges that certain of The Kraft Heinz Company’s current and former officers and directors breached their fiduciary duties to the Company by purportedly making materially misleading statements and omissions regarding the Company’s financial performance and the impairment of its goodwill and intangible assets, and by supposedly approving or allowing the 3G Entities’ alleged insider trading. The complaint seeks relief against the defendants in the form of damages, disgorgement of all profits obtained from the alleged insider trading, contribution and indemnification, and an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint, which motion the court granted in an order dated December 15, 2021. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on January 13, 2022.
We intend to vigorously defend against these lawsuits; however, we cannot reasonably estimate the potential range of loss, if any, due to the early stage of these proceedings.
United States Government Investigations:
On September 3, 2021, The Kraft Heinz Company reached a settlement with the SEC, concluding and resolving in its entirety the previously disclosed SEC investigation. Under the terms of the settlement, we, without admitting or denying the findings in the administrative order issued by the SEC, agreed to pay a civil penalty of $62 million and to cease and desist from violations of specified provisions of the federal securities laws and rules promulgated thereunder. We recorded an accrual for the full amount of the penalty in the second quarter of 2021, which was reflected in other current liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet at June 26, 2021 and in SG&A in our condensed consolidated statements of income, and paid the penalty in the third quarter of 2021. As previously disclosed, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois (“USAO”) had been reviewing the matter. We have not received any contact from the USAO within the past two years.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase Obligations:
We have purchase obligations for materials, supplies, property, plant and equipment, and co-packing, storage, and distribution services based on projected needs to be utilized in the normal course of business. Other purchase obligations include commitments for marketing, advertising, capital expenditures, information technology, and professional services.
As of December 25, 2021, our take-or-pay purchase obligations were as follows (in millions):
| 2022 | $ | 541 | |||
| 2023 | 457 | ||||
| 2024 | 315 | ||||
| 2025 | 221 | ||||
| 2026 | 180 | ||||
| Thereafter | 282 | ||||
| Total | $ | 1,996 | |||
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest:
In 2016, we entered into a joint venture with a minority partner to manufacture, package, market, and distribute food products. We controlled the operations and included this business in our consolidated results. Our minority partner had put options that, if it chose to exercise, would require us to purchase portions of its equity interest at a future date. The minority partner’s put options were reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a redeemable noncontrolling interest. We previously accreted the redeemable noncontrolling interest to its estimated redemption value over the term of the put options. During 2020, we issued a notice of termination to our minority partner, indicating our intent to dissolve and liquidate the joint venture as provided for within our agreement. The joint venture was dissolved in December 2020. As a result of this dissolution, we recognized a pre-tax loss of approximately $26 million in other expense/(income) for the year ended December 26, 2020.
Note 17. Debt
We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through redemptions, tender offers, cash purchases, prepayments, refinancing, exchange offers, open market or privately negotiated transactions, Rule 10b5-1 plans, or otherwise. Cash payments related to debt extinguishment are classified as cash outflows from financing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Any gains or losses on extinguishment of debt are recognized in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income.
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Borrowing Arrangements:
On July 6, 2015, together with Kraft Heinz Foods Company (“KHFC”), our 100% owned operating subsidiary, we entered into a credit agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), which provided an initial senior unsecured revolving commitment in the aggregate amount of $4.0 billion (as amended, the “Senior Credit Facility”). In June 2018, we entered into an agreement effective on July 6, 2018 to extend the maturity date of our Senior Credit Facility from July 6, 2021 to July 6, 2023 and to provide a $400 million euro equivalent swing line facility, which is available under the initial revolving commitment of $4.0 billion, for short-term loans denominated in euros on a same-day basis. In March 2020, we entered into an extension letter agreement (the “2020 Extension Agreement”), which extends the maturity date of $3.9 billion under the Senior Credit Facility from July 6, 2023 to July 6, 2024. The revolving commitments of each lender that did not agree to the 2020 Extension Agreement continue to terminate on July 6, 2023. On October 9, 2020, we entered into a commitment increase amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement, which provides for incremental revolving commitments by two additional lenders in the amount of $50 million each, or $100 million in aggregate. Following the execution of the Amendment, the Senior Credit Facility provides for a revolving commitment of $4.1 billion through July 6, 2023 and $4.0 billion through July 6, 2024. On April 9, 2021, we entered into another extension letter agreement (the “2021 Extension Agreement”), which extends the maturity date of $4.0 billion under the Senior Credit Facility from July 6, 2024 to July 6, 2025.
In the first quarter of 2020, as a precautionary measure to preserve financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global economy resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we borrowed $4.0 billion under our Senior Credit Facility. We repaid the full $4.0 billion during the second quarter of 2020. No amounts were drawn on our Senior Credit Facility at December 25, 2021, at December 26, 2020, or during the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 28, 2019.
The Credit Agreement includes a $1.0 billion sub-limit for borrowings in alternative currencies (i.e., euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollars, or other lawful currencies readily available and freely transferable and convertible into U.S. dollars), as well as a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $300 million. Subject to certain conditions, we may increase the amount of revolving commitments and/or add tranches of term loans in a combined aggregate amount of up to $900 million.
Any committed borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a variable annual rate based on LIBOR/EURIBOR/CDOR loans or an alternate base rate/Canadian prime rate, in each case subject to an applicable margin based upon the long-term senior unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt rating assigned to us. The borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility have interest rates based on, at our election, base rate, LIBOR, EURIBOR, CDOR, or Canadian prime rate plus a spread ranging from 87.5 to 175 basis points for LIBOR, EURIBOR, and CDOR loans, and 0 to 75 basis points for base rate or Canadian prime rate loans.
The Senior Credit Facility contains representations, warranties, and covenants that are typical for these types of facilities and could, upon the occurrence of certain events of default, restrict our ability to access our Senior Credit Facility. The Credit Agreement requires us to maintain a minimum shareholders’ equity (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/(losses)) of at least $35 billion. We were in compliance with this covenant as of December 25, 2021.
The obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by KHFC and The Kraft Heinz Company in the case of indebtedness and other liabilities of any subsidiary borrower.
In March 2020, together with KHFC, we entered into an uncommitted revolving credit line agreement, which provides for borrowings up to $300 million. Each borrowing under this uncommitted revolving credit line agreement is due within six months of the disbursement date. In March 2021, we amended the uncommitted revolving credit line agreement to extend the final maturity date of the agreement from June 9, 2021 to June 9, 2022. As of December 25, 2021, no amounts had been drawn on this facility.
We have historically obtained funding through our U.S. and European commercial paper programs. We had no commercial paper outstanding at December 25, 2021, at December 26, 2020, or during the years ended December 25, 2021 or December 26, 2020.
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Long-Term Debt:
The following table summarizes our long-term debt obligations.
Priority (a) | Maturity Dates | Interest Rates (b) | Carrying Values | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. dollar notes(c) | Senior Notes | 2022–2050 | 0.776%–7.125% | $ | 18,049 | $ | 24,251 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Euro notes(c) | Senior Notes | 2023–2028 | 1.500%–2.250% | 2,877 | 3,100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British pound sterling notes: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2030 Notes(d) | Senior Notes | February 18, 2030 | 6.250% | 172 | 175 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other British pound sterling notes(c) | Senior Notes | July 1, 2027 | 4.125% | 533 | 539 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term debt | Various | 2022–2035 | 0.500%–13.350% | 42 | 41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 128 | 194 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt | 21,801 | 28,300 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 740 | 230 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, excluding current portion | $ | 21,061 | $ | 28,070 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Priority of debt indicates the order which debt would be paid if all debt obligations were due on the same day. Senior secured debt takes priority over unsecured debt. Senior debt has greater seniority than subordinated debt.
(b) Floating interest rates are stated as of December 25, 2021.
(c) Kraft Heinz fully and unconditionally guarantees these notes, which were issued by KHFC.
(d) The 6.250% Pound Sterling Senior Secured Notes due February 18, 2030 (the “2030 Notes”) were issued by H.J. Heinz Finance UK Plc. Kraft Heinz and KHFC fully and unconditionally guarantee the 2030 Notes. The 2030 Notes now rank pari passu in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior obligations. Kraft Heinz became guarantor of the 2030 Notes in connection with the 2015 Merger. The 2030 Notes were previously only guaranteed by KHFC.
Our long-term debt contains customary representations, covenants, and events of default. We were in compliance with all such covenants at December 25, 2021.
At December 26, 2020, our long-term debt excluded amounts classified as held for sale. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information.
Long-term Debt Transactions:
The table below summarizes our aggregate principal amount of long-term debt outstanding, excluding financing leases, before and after our current year debt transactions, specifically tender offers, debt redemptions, open-market debt repurchases, and debt repayments (in millions):
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| Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding as of December 26, 2020 | Tender Offers | Open Market Debt Repurchases | Debt Redemptions | Debt Repayments | Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding as of December 25, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.500% senior notes due June 2022(c) | $ | 631 | $ | 250 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 381 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
4.000% senior notes due June 2023(e) | 447 | — | — | 447 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.950% senior notes due July 2025(a)(g) | 1,609 | 812 | — | 797 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.000% senior notes due June 2026(a)(d) | 2,000 | 88 | 36 | — | — | 1,876 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6.375% senior notes due July 2028(b) | 235 | 17 | — | — | — | 218 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.625% senior notes due January 2029(b)(c)(d)(f)(h) | 1,100 | 701 | 30 | — | — | 369 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.750% senior notes due April 2030(b)(d) | 1,000 | 254 | 3 | — | — | 743 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.250% senior notes due March 2031(c) | 1,350 | 966 | — | — | — | 384 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6.750% senior notes due March 2032(b)(c) | 437 | 132 | — | — | — | 305 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5.000% senior notes due July 2035(b)(c)(d)(f)(h) | 1,000 | 285 | 29 | — | — | 686 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6.875% senior notes due January 2039(b)(d)(f)(h) | 878 | 29 | 38 | — | — | 811 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7.125% senior notes due August 2039(b)(d)(h) | 931 | 51 | 21 | — | — | 859 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.625% senior notes due October 2039(b)(f)(h) | 500 | 101 | 1 | — | — | 398 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6.500% senior notes due February 2040(b)(d)(f)(h) | 788 | 39 | 43 | — | — | 706 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5.000% senior notes due June 2042(b)(d)(f)(h) | 2,000 | 334 | 134 | — | — | 1,532 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5.200% senior notes due July 2045(d)(f)(h) | 2,000 | — | 189 | — | — | 1,811 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.375% senior notes due June 2046(d)(f)(h) | 3,000 | — | 214 | — | — | 2,786 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating rate senior notes due February 2021(i) | 111 | — | — | — | 111 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.125% senior notes due September 2021(i) | 34 | — | — | — | 34 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long-term debt(j) | 7,842 | — | — | — | — | 7,606 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 27,893 | $ | 4,059 | $ | 738 | $ | 1,244 | $ | 145 | $ | 21,471 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Included in the Q1 2021 Tender Offer (defined below).
(b) Included in the Q2 2021 Tender Offers (defined below).
(c) Included in the Q4 2021 Tender Offer (defined below).
(d) Included in the Q2 2021 Repurchases (defined below).
(e) Included in the Q2 2021 Debt Redemption (defined below).
(f) Included in the Q3 2021 Repurchases (defined below).
(g) Included in the Q3 2021 Debt Redemption (defined below).
(h) Included in the Q4 2021 Repurchases (defined below).
(i) Repaid at maturity.
(j) Represents the aggregate principal amount of all of our long-term debt obligations, excluding finance leases, that were not impacted by current year debt transactions. Foreign-denominated long-term debt is reflected at the foreign currency exchange rate in effect at each period end.
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At December 25, 2021, aggregate principal maturities of our long-term debt excluding finance leases were (in millions):
| 2022 | $ | 709 | |||
| 2023 | 852 | ||||
| 2024 | 626 | ||||
| 2025 | 3 | ||||
| 2026 | 1,879 | ||||
| Thereafter | 17,402 | ||||
Tender Offers:
2021 Tender Offers
In February 2021, KHFC commenced a cash tender offer to purchase up to the maximum combined aggregate purchase price of $1.0 billion, including principal and premium but excluding accrued and unpaid interest (the “Q1 2021 Maximum Tender Amount”), of its outstanding 3.950% senior notes due July 2025, 3.000% senior notes due June 2026, 4.000% senior notes due June 2023, and 3.500% senior notes due June 2022 (the “Q1 2021 Tender Offer”), listed in order of priority. Based on participation, KHFC elected to settle the Q1 2021 Tender Offer on the early settlement date, March 9, 2021. Since the aggregate purchase price of the senior notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the early tender time exceeded the Q1 2021 Maximum Tender Amount, we did not accept for purchase any of the 3.500% senior notes due June 2022 or the 4.000% senior notes due June 2023. The aggregate principal amount of senior notes validly tendered and accepted was approximately $900 million. Refer to the table above for the amount extinguished by senior note in the Q1 2021 Tender Offer.
In June 2021, KHFC commenced cash tender offers to purchase up to the maximum combined aggregate purchase price of $2.8 billion, including principal and premium but excluding accrued and unpaid interest, of its 5.000% senior notes due June 2042, 5.000% senior notes due July 2035, 4.625% senior notes due January 2029, 4.625% senior notes due October 2039, 3.750% senior notes due April 2030, 6.500% senior notes due February 2040, 6.375% senior notes due July 2028, 6.750% senior notes due March 2032, 6.875% senior notes due January 2039, and 7.125% senior notes due August 2039 (the “Q2 2021 Tender Offers”), listed in order of priority. KHFC settled the Q2 2021 Tender Offers on June 14, 2021 and June 16, 2021. The aggregate principal amount of senior notes validly tendered and accepted was approximately $1.4 billion. Refer to the table above for the amount extinguished by senior note in the Q2 2021 Tender Offers.
In November 2021, KHFC commenced a cash tender offer to purchase up to the maximum combined aggregate purchase price of $2.0 billion, including principal and premium but excluding accrued and unpaid interest (the “Q4 2021 Maximum Tender Amount”), of its 3.500% senior notes due June 2022, 4.625% senior notes due January 2029, 4.250% senior notes due March 2031, 6.750% senior notes due March 2032, 5.000% senior notes due July 2035, 6.500% senior notes due February 2040, 5.000% senior notes due June 2042, 5.200% senior notes due July 2045, 6.875% senior notes due January 2039, 7.125% senior notes due August 2039, 5.500% senior notes due June 2050, and 4.875% senior notes due October 2049 (the “Q4 2021 Tender Offer” and, together with the Q1 2021 Tender Offer and the Q2 2021 Tender Offers, the “2021 Tender Offers”), listed in order of priority. KHFC settled the Q4 2021 Tender Offer on December 6, 2021. Since the aggregate purchase price of the senior notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the early tender time exceeded the Q4 2021 Maximum Tender Amount, we did not accept for purchase any of the 6.500% senior notes due February 2040, 5.000% senior notes due June 2042, 5.200% senior notes due July 2045, 6.875% senior notes due January 2039, 7.125% senior notes due August 2039, 5.500% senior notes due June 2050, and 4.875% senior notes due October 2049. The aggregate principal amount of senior notes validly tendered and accepted was approximately $1.7 billion. Refer to the table above for the amount extinguished by senior note in the Q4 2021 Tender Offers.
Related to the 2021 Tender Offers, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $636 million within interest expense on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 25, 2021, which included a loss of $106 million in the first quarter of 2021 related to the Q1 2021 Tender Offer, a loss of $256 million in the second quarter of 2021 related to the Q2 2021 Tender Offers, and a loss of $274 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 related to the Q4 2021 Tender Offer. These losses primarily reflect the payment of early tender premiums and fees associated with the 2021 Tender Offers as well as the write-off of unamortized premiums, debt issuance costs, and discounts. Related to the 2021 Tender Offers, we recognized debt prepayment and extinguishment costs of $636 million on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 25, 2021, which reflects the $636 million loss on extinguishment of debt adjusted for the non-cash write-off of unamortized premiums of $24 million, unamortized debt issuance costs of $17 million, and unamortized discounts of $7 million.
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2020 Tender Offer
In May 2020, KHFC commenced a cash tender offer to purchase up to the maximum combined aggregate purchase price of $2.2 billion, excluding accrued and unpaid interest (the “2020 Maximum Tender Amount”), of its outstanding floating rate senior notes due February 2021, 3.500% senior notes due June 2022, 3.500% senior notes due July 2022, floating rate senior notes due August 2022, 4.000% senior notes due June 2023, 3.950% senior notes due July 2025, and 3.000% senior notes due June 2026 (the “2020 Tender Offer”), listed in order of priority. As a result of the 2020 Tender Offer, KHFC extinguished approximately $2.1 billion aggregate principal amounts of senior notes in the second quarter of 2020. None of the 3.000% senior notes due June 2026 were tendered based on the aggregate principal amount of senior notes validly tendered exceeding the 2020 Maximum Tender Amount. See Note 18, Debt, to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2020 for additional information on the 2020 Tender Offer.
In connection with the 2020 Tender Offer, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $71 million within interest expense on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 26, 2020. This loss primarily reflects the payment of early tender premiums and fees associated with the 2020 Tender Offer as well as the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, premiums, and discounts. Related to the 2020 Tender Offer, we recognized debt prepayment and extinguishment costs of $68 million on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 26, 2020, which reflect the $71 million loss on extinguishment of debt adjusted for the non-cash write-off of unamortized premiums of $1 million, unamortized debt issuance costs of $3 million, and unamortized discounts of $1 million.
2019 Tender Offer
In September 2019, KHFC commenced an offer to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding 5.375% senior notes due February 2020 (the “First 2019 Tender Offer”). The First 2019 Tender Offer expired on September 9, 2019 with a settlement date of September 10, 2019. Additionally, on September 11, 2019, KHFC commenced an offer to purchase for cash up to the maximum combined aggregate purchase price of $2.5 billion, excluding accrued and unpaid interest, of its outstanding 3.500% senior notes due June 2022, 3.500% senior notes due July 2022, 4.000% senior notes due June 2023, and 4.875% second lien senior secured notes due February 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) (the “Second 2019 Tender Offer” and, together with the First 2019 Tender Offer, the “2019 Tender Offers”). The Second 2019 Tender Offer settled on September 26, 2019.
The aggregate principal amounts of senior notes validly tendered pursuant to the 2019 Tender Offers was $2.7 billion and the aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes validly tendered pursuant to the 2019 Tender Offers was $224 million.
In connection with the 2019 Tender Offers, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $88 million within interest expense on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 28, 2019. This loss primarily reflects the payment of early tender premiums and fees associated with the 2019 Tender Offers as well as the write-off of unamortized debt premiums, issuance costs, and discounts. Related to the 2019 Tender Offers, we recognized debt prepayment and extinguishment costs of $91 million on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 28, 2019, which reflect the $88 million loss on extinguishment of debt adjusted for the non-cash write-off of unamortized premiums of $10 million, unamortized debt issuance costs of $5 million, and unamortized discounts of $2 million.
Open Market Debt Repurchases:
In 2021, we repurchased approximately $738 million of certain of our senior notes under Rule 10b5-1 plans, including $207 million in the second quarter of 2021 (the “Q2 2021 Repurchases”), $221 million in the third quarter of 2021 (the “Q3 2021 Repurchases”), and $310 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 (the “Q4 2021 Repurchases” and, together with the Q2 2021 Repurchases and the Q3 2021 Repurchases, the “2021 Repurchases”). Refer to the table above to see which senior notes had amounts extinguished as part of the 2021 Repurchases.
In connection with the 2021 Repurchases, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $152 million within interest expense on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 25, 2021, which included a loss of $28 million in the second quarter of 2021 related to the Q2 2021 Repurchases, a loss of $52 million in the third quarter of 2021 related to the Q3 2021 Repurchases, and a loss of $72 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 related to the Q4 2021 Repurchases. These losses primarily reflect the payment of premiums associated with the repurchases as well as the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, premiums, and discounts. Related to the 2021 Repurchases, we recognized debt prepayment and extinguishment costs of $162 million on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 25, 2021, which reflect the $152 million loss on extinguishment of debt adjusted for the non-cash write-off of unamortized premiums of $15 million, unamortized discounts of $2 million, and unamortized debt issuance costs of $3 million.
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Debt Redemptions:
2021 Debt Redemptions
In April 2021, KHFC issued a notice of redemption of all of its 4.000% senior notes due June 2023, effective May 1, 2021 (the “Q2 2021 Debt Redemption”). Prior to the redemption, approximately $447 million aggregate principal amount was outstanding.
In June 2021, KHFC issued a notice of redemption of all of its 3.950% senior notes due July 2025, effective July 14, 2021 (the “Q3 2021 Debt Redemption” and, together with the Q2 2021 Debt Redemption, the “2021 Debt Redemptions”). Prior to the redemption, approximately $797 million aggregate principal amount was outstanding.
In connection with the 2021 Debt Redemptions, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $129 million within interest expense on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 25, 2021, which included a loss of $34 million in the second quarter of 2021 related to the Q2 2021 Debt Redemption and a loss of $95 million in the third quarter of 2021 related to the Q3 2021 Debt Redemption. These losses primarily reflect the payment of premiums and fees associated with the redemptions as well as the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs. Related to the 2021 Debt Redemptions, we recognized debt prepayment and extinguishment costs of $126 million on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 25, 2021, which reflect the $129 million loss on extinguishment of debt adjusted for the non-cash write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs of $3 million.
2020 Debt Redemptions
Concurrently with the commencement of the 2020 Tender Offer, KHFC issued a notice of conditional redemption of all of its $300 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of 3.375% senior notes due June 2021 and $976 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of its 2025 Notes (the “First 2020 Debt Redemptions”). The First 2020 Debt Redemptions were effective and completed in the second quarter of 2020.
In September 2020, KHFC issued a notice of redemption of all of its 3.500% senior notes due July 2022, of which $302 million aggregate principal amount was outstanding (the “Second 2020 Debt Redemption” and, together with the First 2020 Debt Redemption, the “2020 Debt Redemptions”). The effective date of the Second 2020 Debt Redemption was October 24, 2020.
In connection with the 2020 Debt Redemptions, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $53 million within interest expense on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 26, 2020. This loss primarily reflects the payment of premiums and fees associated with the redemptions as well as the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs. Related to the 2020 Debt Redemptions, we recognized debt prepayment and extinguishment costs of $48 million on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 26, 2020, which reflect the $53 million loss on extinguishment of debt adjusted for the non-cash write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs of $5 million.
2019 Debt Redemptions
In September 2019, concurrently with the commencement of the First 2019 Tender Offer, we issued a notice of redemption by Kraft Heinz Canada ULC, our 100% owned subsidiary, of all of its 2.700% Canadian dollar senior notes due July 2020, of which 300 million Canadian dollar aggregate principal amount was outstanding, and a notice of partial redemption by KHFC of $800 million of its 2.800% senior notes due July 2020, of which $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount was outstanding (the “First 2019 Debt Redemptions”). The effective date of the First 2019 Debt Redemptions was October 3, 2019.
Concurrently with the commencement of the Second 2019 Tender Offer, we issued a notice of partial redemption providing for the redemption of $500 million aggregate principal amount of KHFC’s remaining 2.800% senior notes due July 2020 (the “Second 2019 Debt Redemption” and, together with the First 2019 Debt Redemptions, the “2019 Debt Redemptions”). The effective date of the Second 2019 Debt Redemption was October 11, 2019. Following the 2019 Debt Redemptions, KHFC’s 2.800% senior notes due July 2020 had $200 million aggregate principal amount outstanding.
In connection with the 2019 Debt Redemptions, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10 million within interest expense on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 28, 2019. This loss primarily reflects the payment of premiums and fees associated with the redemptions as well as the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs. Related to the 2019 Debt Redemptions, we recognized debt prepayment and extinguishment costs of $8 million on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 28, 2019, which reflect the $10 million loss on extinguishment of debt adjusted for the non-cash write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs of $2 million.
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Debt Issuances:
2020 Debt Issuances
In May 2020, KHFC issued $1,350 million aggregate principal amount of 3.875% senior notes due May 2027, $1,350 million aggregate principal amount of 4.250% senior notes due March 2031, and $800 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% senior notes due June 2050 (collectively, the “2020 Notes”). The 2020 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by The Kraft Heinz Company as to payment of principal, premium, and interest on a senior unsecured basis. We used the proceeds from the 2020 Notes to fund the 2020 Tender Offer and First 2020 Debt Redemptions and to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith.
2019 Debt Issuances
In September 2019, KHFC issued $1,000 million aggregate principal amount of 3.750% senior notes due April 2030, $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.625% senior notes due October 2039, and $1,500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due October 2049 (collectively, the “2019 Notes”). The 2019 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by The Kraft Heinz Company as to payment of principal, premium, and interest on a senior unsecured basis. We used the proceeds from the 2019 Notes to fund the Second 2019 Tender Offer and to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith and to fund the Second 2019 Debt Redemption.
Debt Issuance Costs:
Debt issuance costs are reflected as a direct deduction of our long-term debt balance on the consolidated balance sheets. We incurred debt issuance costs $31 million in 2020 and $25 million in 2019. We did not incur any debt issuance costs in 2021. Unamortized debt issuance costs were $97 million at December 25, 2021 and $130 million at December 26, 2020. Amortization of debt issuance costs was $12 million in 2021, $11 million in 2020, and $15 million in 2019.
Debt Premium:
Unamortized debt premiums are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as a direct addition to the carrying amount of debt. Unamortized debt premium, net, was $298 million at December 25, 2021 and $344 million at December 26, 2020. Amortization of our debt premium, net, was $16 million in 2021, $14 million in 2020, and $34 million in 2019.
Debt Repayments:
In February 2021, we repaid $111 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that matured in the period.
In September 2021, we repaid $34 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that matured in the period.
In February 2020, we repaid $405 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that matured in the period.
In July 2020, we repaid $200 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes and 500 million Canadian dollars aggregate principal amount of senior notes that matured in the period.
In August 2019, we repaid $350 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that matured in the period.
Fair Value of Debt:
At December 25, 2021, the aggregate fair value of our total debt was $25.7 billion as compared with a carrying value of $21.8 billion. At December 26, 2020, the aggregate fair value of our total debt was $32.1 billion as compared with a carrying value of $28.3 billion. Our short-term debt had a carrying value that approximated its fair value at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020. We determined the fair value of our long-term debt using Level 2 inputs. Fair values are generally estimated based on quoted market prices for identical or similar instruments.
Note 18. Leases
We have operating and finance leases, primarily for warehouse, production, and office facilities and equipment. Our lease contracts have remaining contractual lease terms of up to 19 years, some of which include options to extend the term by up to 10 years. We include renewal options that are reasonably certain to be exercised as part of the lease term. Additionally, some lease contracts include termination options. We do not expect to exercise the majority of our termination options and generally exclude such options when determining the term of our leases. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for our lease accounting policy.
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The components of our lease costs were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating lease costs | $ | 176 | $ | 173 | $ | 191 | |||||||||||
| Finance lease costs: | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of right-of-use assets | 34 | 31 | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest on lease liabilities | 6 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Short-term lease costs | 17 | 20 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| Variable lease costs | 1,192 | 1,313 | 1,270 | ||||||||||||||
| Sublease income | (9) | (11) | (14) | ||||||||||||||
| Total lease costs | $ | 1,416 | $ | 1,533 | $ | 1,493 | |||||||||||
Our variable lease costs primarily consist of inventory related costs, such as materials, labor, and overhead components in our manufacturing and distribution arrangements that also contain a fixed component related to an embedded lease. These variable lease costs are determined based on usage or output or may vary for other reasons such as changes in material prices, taxes, or insurance. Certain of our variable lease costs are based on fluctuating indices or rates. These leases are included in our ROU assets and lease liabilities based on the index or rate at the lease commencement date. The future variability in these indices and rates is unknown; therefore, it is excluded from our future minimum lease payments and is not a component of our ROU assets or lease liabilities.
Losses/(gains) on sales and leaseback transactions, net, were insignificant for 2021 and 2019. We had no losses/(gains) on sale and leaseback transactions in 2020.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to our leases was (in millions, except lease term and discount rate):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Leases | Finance Leases | Operating Leases | Finance Leases | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets | $ | 569 | $ | 126 | $ | 562 | $ | 195 | |||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities (current) | 133 | 30 | 135 | 78 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities (non-current) | 484 | 98 | 475 | 116 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term | 7 years | 12 years | 7 years | 9 years | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate | 3.5 | % | 4.1 | % | 3.8 | % | 3.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
Operating lease ROU assets are included in and finance lease ROU assets are included in property, plant and equipment, net, on our consolidated balance sheets. The current portion of operating lease liabilities is included in , and the current portion of finance lease liabilities is included in the on our consolidated balance sheets. The non-current portion of operating lease liabilities is included in , and the non-current portion of finance lease liabilities is included in on our consolidated balance sheets. At December 26, 2020, operating and finance lease ROU assets, the current portion of operating and finance lease liabilities, and the non-current portion of operating and finance lease liabilities excluded amounts classified as held for sale. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information.
Cash flows arising from lease transactions were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating cash inflows/(outflows) from operating leases | $ | (179) | $ | (191) | $ | (196) | |||||||||||
| Operating cash inflows/(outflows) from finance leases | (6) | (7) | (6) | ||||||||||||||
| Financing cash inflows/(outflows) from finance leases | (33) | (35) | (28) | ||||||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 41 | 147 | 42 | ||||||||||||||
| Finance leases | 14 | 39 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
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Future minimum lease payments for leases in effect at December 25, 2021 were (in millions):
| Operating Leases | Finance Leases | ||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 152 | $ | 34 | |||||||
| 2023 | 116 | 20 | |||||||||
| 2024 | 90 | 14 | |||||||||
| 2025 | 79 | 10 | |||||||||
| 2026 | 63 | 8 | |||||||||
| Thereafter | 196 | 79 | |||||||||
| Total future undiscounted lease payments | 696 | 165 | |||||||||
| Less imputed interest | (79) | (37) | |||||||||
| Total lease liability | $ | 617 | $ | 128 | |||||||
At December 25, 2021, our operating and finance leases that had not yet commenced were approximately $202 million. This balance is primarily composed of a 20-year lease for a warehouse facility with a future minimum lease commitment of approximately $109 million. We expect to take control of the leased assets in 2022.
Note 19. Capital Stock
Common Stock
Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 5.0 billion shares of common stock.
Shares of common stock issued, in treasury, and outstanding were (in millions of shares):
| Shares Issued | Treasury Shares | Shares Outstanding | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 29, 2018 | 1,224 | (4) | 1,220 | ||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options, issuance of other stock awards, and other | — | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 28, 2019 | 1,224 | (3) | 1,221 | ||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options, issuance of other stock awards, and other | 4 | (2) | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 26, 2020 | 1,228 | (5) | 1,223 | ||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options, issuance of other stock awards, and other | 7 | (6) | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 25, 2021 | 1,235 | (11) | 1,224 | ||||||||||||||
Note 20. Earnings Per Share
Our earnings per common share (“EPS”) were:
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic Earnings Per Common Share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | 1,012 | $ | 356 | $ | 1,935 | |||||||||||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding | 1,224 | 1,223 | 1,221 | ||||||||||||||
| Net earnings/(loss) | $ | 0.83 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 1.59 | |||||||||||
| Diluted Earnings Per Common Share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | 1,012 | $ | 356 | $ | 1,935 | |||||||||||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding | 1,224 | 1,223 | 1,221 | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive equity awards | 12 | 5 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, including dilutive effect | 1,236 | 1,228 | 1,224 | ||||||||||||||
| Net earnings/(loss) | $ | 0.82 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 1.58 | |||||||||||
We use the treasury stock method to calculate the dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards in the denominator for diluted EPS. Anti-dilutive shares were 7 million in 2021, 9 million in 2020, and 10 million in 2019.
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Note 21. Segment Reporting
We manage and report our operating results through three reportable segments defined by geographic region: United States, International, and Canada.
Management evaluates segment performance based on several factors, including net sales and Segment Adjusted EBITDA. Segment Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income/(loss) from continuing operations before interest expense, other expense/(income), provision for/(benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (excluding restructuring activities); in addition to these adjustments, we exclude, when they occur, the impacts of divestiture-related license income (e.g., income related to the sale of licenses in connection with the Cheese Transaction), restructuring activities, deal costs, unrealized gains/(losses) on commodity hedges (the unrealized gains and losses are recorded in general corporate expenses until realized; once realized, the gains and losses are recorded in the applicable segment’s operating results), impairment losses, certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters, and equity award compensation expense (excluding restructuring activities). Segment Adjusted EBITDA is a tool that can assist management and investors in comparing our performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations. Management uses Segment Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources.
Management does not use assets by segment to evaluate performance or allocate resources. Therefore, we do not disclose assets by segment.
Net sales by segment were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Net sales: | |||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 18,604 | $ | 19,204 | $ | 17,844 | |||||||||||
| International | 5,691 | 5,341 | 5,251 | ||||||||||||||
| Canada | 1,747 | 1,640 | 1,882 | ||||||||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 26,042 | $ | 26,185 | $ | 24,977 | |||||||||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA was (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA: | |||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 5,157 | $ | 5,557 | $ | 4,829 | |||||||||||
| International | 1,066 | 1,058 | 1,004 | ||||||||||||||
| Canada | 419 | 389 | 487 | ||||||||||||||
| General corporate expenses | (271) | (335) | (256) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (excluding restructuring activities) | (910) | (955) | (985) | ||||||||||||||
| Divestiture-related license income | 4 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Restructuring activities | (84) | (15) | (102) | ||||||||||||||
| Deal costs | (11) | (8) | (19) | ||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains/(losses) on commodity hedges | (17) | 6 | 57 | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment losses | (1,634) | (3,413) | (1,899) | ||||||||||||||
| Certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters | (62) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Equity award compensation expense (excluding restructuring activities) | (197) | (156) | (46) | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) | 3,460 | 2,128 | 3,070 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 2,047 | 1,394 | 1,361 | ||||||||||||||
| Other expense/(income) | (295) | (296) | (952) | ||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes | $ | 1,708 | $ | 1,030 | $ | 2,661 | |||||||||||
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Total depreciation and amortization expense by segment was (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense: | |||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 542 | $ | 609 | $ | 609 | |||||||||||
| International | 234 | 221 | 231 | ||||||||||||||
| Canada | 38 | 35 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
| General corporate expenses | 96 | 104 | 119 | ||||||||||||||
| Total depreciation and amortization expense | $ | 910 | $ | 969 | $ | 994 | |||||||||||
Total capital expenditures by segment were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures: | |||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 433 | $ | 318 | $ | 393 | |||||||||||
| International | 348 | 212 | 283 | ||||||||||||||
| Canada | 44 | 29 | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| General corporate expenses | 80 | 37 | 65 | ||||||||||||||
| Total capital expenditures | $ | 905 | $ | 596 | $ | 768 | |||||||||||
Net sales by platform were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Taste Elevation | $ | 7,267 | $ | 6,808 | $ | 6,581 | |||||||||||
| Fast Fresh Meals | 6,665 | 6,819 | 6,298 | ||||||||||||||
| Easy Meals Made Better | 4,927 | 4,909 | 4,314 | ||||||||||||||
| Real Food Snacking | 1,808 | 2,296 | 2,201 | ||||||||||||||
| Flavorful Hydration | 1,777 | 1,648 | 1,495 | ||||||||||||||
| Easy Indulgent Desserts | 1,034 | 999 | 919 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 2,564 | 2,706 | 3,169 | ||||||||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 26,042 | $ | 26,185 | $ | 24,977 | |||||||||||
In 2021, following the divestiture of certain of our global cheese businesses, we reorganized certain products within our platforms to reflect how we plan to manage our business going forward, including the role assigned to these products and platforms within our business. We have reflected these changes in all historical periods presented.
Net sales by product category were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Condiments and sauces | $ | 7,302 | $ | 6,813 | $ | 6,406 | |||||||||||
| Cheese and dairy | 4,922 | 5,131 | 4,890 | ||||||||||||||
| Ambient foods | 2,896 | 2,954 | 2,475 | ||||||||||||||
| Frozen and chilled foods | 2,698 | 2,599 | 2,371 | ||||||||||||||
| Meats and seafood | 2,613 | 2,515 | 2,406 | ||||||||||||||
| Refreshment beverages | 1,786 | 1,655 | 1,504 | ||||||||||||||
| Coffee | 847 | 1,062 | 1,271 | ||||||||||||||
| Infant and nutrition | 441 | 433 | 512 | ||||||||||||||
| Desserts, toppings and baking | 1,157 | 1,121 | 1,032 | ||||||||||||||
| Nuts and salted snacks | 464 | 1,047 | 966 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 916 | 855 | 1,144 | ||||||||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 26,042 | $ | 26,185 | $ | 24,977 | |||||||||||
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Concentration of Risk:
Our largest customer, Walmart Inc., represented approximately 22% of our net sales in both 2021 and 2020 and approximately 21% of our net sales in 2019. All of our segments have sales to Walmart Inc.
Geographic Financial Information:
We had significant sales in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our net sales by geography were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Net sales: | |||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 18,604 | $ | 19,204 | $ | 17,844 | |||||||||||
| Canada | 1,747 | 1,640 | 1,882 | ||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 1,147 | 1,103 | 1,007 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 4,544 | 4,238 | 4,244 | ||||||||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 26,042 | $ | 26,185 | $ | 24,977 | |||||||||||
We had significant long-lived assets in the United States. Long-lived assets are comprised of property, plant and equipment, net of related accumulated depreciation. Our long-lived assets by geography were (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Long-lived assets: | |||||||||||
| United States | $ | 4,547 | $ | 4,705 | |||||||
| Other | 2,259 | 2,171 | |||||||||
| Total long-lived assets | $ | 6,806 | $ | 6,876 | |||||||
At December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, long-lived assets by geography excluded amounts classified as held for sale. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information.
Note 22. Other Financial Data
Consolidated Statements of Income Information
Other expense/(income)
Other expense/(income) consists of the following (in millions):
| December 25, 2021 | December 26, 2020 | December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization of postemployment benefit plans prior service costs/(credits) | $ | (7) | $ | (122) | $ | (306) | |||||||||||
Net pension and postretirement non-service cost/(benefit)(a) | (214) | (201) | (172) | ||||||||||||||
Loss/(gain) on sale of business(b) | (44) | 2 | (420) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | (15) | (27) | (36) | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange losses/(gains) | (101) | 162 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Derivative losses/(gains) | 86 | (154) | (39) | ||||||||||||||
| Other miscellaneous expense/(income) | — | 44 | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| Other expense/(income) | $ | (295) | $ | (296) | $ | (952) | |||||||||||
(a) Excludes amortization of prior service costs/(credits).
(b) Includes a gain on the remeasurement of a disposal group that was reclassified as held and used in the third quarter of 2021.
We present all non-service cost components of net pension cost/(benefit) and net postretirement cost/(benefit) within other expense/(income) on our consolidated statements of income. See Note 12, Postemployment Benefits, for additional information on these components, including any curtailments and settlements, as well as information on our prior service credit amortization. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Divestitures, for additional information related to our loss/(gain) on sale of business. See Note 13, Financial Instruments, for information related to our derivative impacts.
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Other expense/(income) was $295 million of income in 2021 compared to $296 million of income in 2020. This change was primarily driven by an $86 million net loss on derivative activities in 2021 compared to a $154 million net gain on derivative activities in 2020 and a $115 million decrease in non-cash amortization of postemployment benefit plans prior service credits as compared to the prior year period. These impacts were partially offset by a $101 million net foreign exchange gain in 2021 compared to a $162 million net foreign exchange loss in 2020, a $44 million net gain on sales of businesses in 2021 compared to a $2 million net loss on sales of businesses in 2020, and a $26 million loss on the dissolution of a joint venture in 2020.
Other expense/(income) was $296 million of income in 2020 compared to $952 million of income in 2019. This change was primarily driven by a $2 million net loss on sales of businesses in 2020 compared to a $420 million net gain on sale of business in 2019, a $184 million decrease in non-cash amortization of postemployment benefit plans prior service credits as compared to the prior year period, a $162 million net foreign exchange loss in 2020 compared to a $10 million net foreign exchange loss in 2019, and a $26 million loss on the dissolution of a joint venture in 2020. These impacts were partially offset by a $154 million net gain on derivative activities in 2020 compared to a $39 million net gain on derivative activities in 2019. See Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, for additional information related to our dissolved joint venture.
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 25, 2021. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of December 25, 2021, were effective and provided reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with other members of management, evaluated the changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 25, 2021. We determined that there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 25, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those written policies and procedures that:
•pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets;
•provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
•provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with management and director authorization; and
•provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021 based on the framework described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has also audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021, as stated in their report which appears herein under Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
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Item 9B. Other Information.
Not applicable.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Information required by this Item 10 is included under the caption “Information about our Executive Officers” contained in Item 1, Business, of this report and under the headings Proposal 1. Election of Directors, Corporate Governance and Board Matters—Codes of Conduct, Beneficial Ownership of Kraft Heinz Stock—Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports, Board Committees and Membership—Committee Structure and Membership, and Other Information—Stockholder Proposals in our definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on May 5, 2022 (“2022 Proxy Statement”). This information is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Information required by this Item 11 is included under the headings Board Committees and Membership—Compensation Committee—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation, Director Compensation, Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Executive Compensation Tables, and Pay Ratio Disclosure in our 2022 Proxy Statement. This information is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The number of shares to be issued upon exercise or vesting of awards issued under, and the number of shares remaining available for future issuance under our equity compensation plans at December 25, 2021 were:
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights(1) | Weighted average exercise price per share of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | |||||||||||||||
| Plan Category | (a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 29,577,435 | $ | 45.43 | 25,590,076 | |||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 29,577,435 | 25,590,076 | |||||||||||||||
(1) Includes the vesting of RSUs and PSUs.
Information related to the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is included under the heading Beneficial Ownership of Kraft Heinz Stock in our 2022 Proxy Statement. This information is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Information required by this Item 13 is included under the heading Corporate Governance and Board Matters—Related Person Transactions in our 2022 Proxy Statement. This information is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Information required by this Item 14 is included under the headings Proposal 4. Ratification of the Selection of Independent Auditors—Independent Auditors’ Fees and Services and Proposal 4. Ratification of the Selection of Independent Auditors—Pre-Approval Policy in our 2022 Proxy Statement. This information is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules
| Page No. | |||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 238) | |||||
S-1 | |||||
Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted either because such schedules are not required or are not applicable.
(b) The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report:
| Exhibit No. | Descriptions | |||||||
| 2.1 | ||||||||
| 2.2 | ||||||||
| 2.3 | ||||||||
| 2.4 | ||||||||
| 2.5 | ||||||||
| 2.6 | ||||||||
| 2.7 | ||||||||
| 2.8 | ||||||||
| 2.9 | ||||||||
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| 2.10 | ||||||||
| 3.1 | ||||||||
| 3.2 | ||||||||
| 3.3 | ||||||||
| 4.1 | ||||||||
| 4.2 | ||||||||
| 4.3 | ||||||||
| 4.4 | ||||||||
| 4.5 | ||||||||
| 4.6 | ||||||||
| 4.7 | ||||||||
| 4.8 | ||||||||
| 4.9 | ||||||||
| 4.10 | ||||||||
| 4.11 | ||||||||
| 4.12 | ||||||||
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| 4.13 | ||||||||
| 4.14 | ||||||||
| 4.15 | ||||||||
| 4.16 | ||||||||
| 4.17 | ||||||||
| 4.18 | ||||||||
| 4.19 | ||||||||
| 4.20 | ||||||||
| 4.21 | ||||||||
| 4.22 | ||||||||
| 4.23 | ||||||||
| 4.24 | ||||||||
| 4.25 | ||||||||
| 4.26 | ||||||||
| 4.27 | ||||||||
| 4.28 | ||||||||
| 4.29 | ||||||||
| 4.30 | ||||||||
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| 4.31 | ||||||||
| 10.1 | ||||||||
| 10.2 | ||||||||
| 10.3 | ||||||||
| 10.4 | ||||||||
| 10.5 | ||||||||
| 10.6 | ||||||||
| 10.7 | ||||||||
| 10.8 | ||||||||
| 10.9 | ||||||||
| 10.10 | ||||||||
| 10.11 | ||||||||
| 10.12 | ||||||||
| 10.13 | ||||||||
| 10.14 | ||||||||
| 10.15 | ||||||||
| 10.16 | ||||||||
| 10.17 | ||||||||
| 10.18 | ||||||||
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| 10.19 | ||||||||
| 10.20 | ||||||||
| 10.21 | ||||||||
| 10.22 | ||||||||
| 10.23 | ||||||||
| 10.24 | ||||||||
| 10.25 | ||||||||
| 10.26 | ||||||||
| 10.27 | ||||||||
| 10.28 | ||||||||
| 10.29 | ||||||||
| 10.30 | ||||||||
| 10.31 | ||||||||
| 10.32 | ||||||||
| 10.33 | ||||||||
| 10.34 | ||||||||
| 10.35 | ||||||||
| 21.1 | ||||||||
| 22.1 | ||||||||
| 23.1 | ||||||||
| 24.1 | ||||||||
| 31.1 | ||||||||
| 31.2 | ||||||||
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| 32.1 | ||||||||
| 32.2 | ||||||||
| 101.1 | The following materials from The Kraft Heinz Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 25, 2021 formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and (vii) document and entity information.* | |||||||
| 104.1 | The cover page from The Kraft Heinz Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 25, 2021, formatted in inline XBRL.* | |||||||
| + | Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | |||||||
| * | Filed herewith. | |||||||
| ** | Furnished herewith. | |||||||
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
The Kraft Heinz Company | |||||||||||
Date: | February 17, 2022 | ||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Paulo Basilio | ||||||||||
| Paulo Basilio | |||||||||||
| Executive Vice President and Global Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
(Principal Financial Officer) | |||||||||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated:
| Signature | Title | Date | ||||||||||||
| /s/ Miguel Patricio | Chief Executive Officer and Director | February 17, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Miguel Patricio | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||||||||
| /s/ Paulo Basilio | Executive Vice President and Global Chief Financial Officer | February 17, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Paulo Basilio | (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer) | |||||||||||||
| /s/ Vince Garlati | Vice President, Global Controller | February 17, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Vince Garlati | (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||||||||||
Alexandre Behring* | Chair of the Board | |||||||
John T. Cahill* | Vice Chair of the Board | |||||||
John C. Pope* | Lead Director | |||||||
Gregory E. Abel* | Director | |||||||
João M. Castro-Neves* | Director | |||||||
| Lori Dickerson Fouché* | Director | |||||||
| Timothy Kenesey* | Director | |||||||
Elio Leoni Sceti* | Director | |||||||
| Susan Mulder* | Director | |||||||
Alexandre Van Damme* | Director | |||||||
| *By: | /s/ Paulo Basilio | ||||
| Paulo Basilio | |||||
| Attorney-In-Fact | |||||
| February 17, 2022 | |||||
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The Kraft Heinz Company
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For the Years Ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, and December 28, 2019
(in millions)
| Additions | Deductions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Balance at Beginning of Period | Charged to Costs and Expenses | Charged to Other Accounts(a) | Write-offs and Reclassifications | Balance at End of Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 25, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowances related to trade accounts receivable | $ | 48 | $ | 5 | $ | 1 | $ | (6) | $ | 48 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Allowances related to deferred taxes | 105 | 1 | — | (5) | 101 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 153 | $ | 6 | $ | 1 | $ | (11) | $ | 149 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 26, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowances related to trade accounts receivable | $ | 33 | $ | 21 | $ | — | $ | (6) | $ | 48 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Allowances related to deferred taxes | 112 | (3) | — | (4) | 105 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 145 | $ | 18 | $ | — | $ | (10) | $ | 153 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowances related to trade accounts receivable | $ | 24 | $ | 11 | $ | — | $ | (2) | $ | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Allowances related to deferred taxes | 81 | 31 | — | — | 112 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 105 | $ | 42 | $ | — | $ | (2) | $ | 145 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Primarily relates to acquisitions and currency translation.
S-1