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SYSCO CORP - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)




UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 30, 2019
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 1-6544
________________
syylogo.jpg
Sysco Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
74-1648137
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(IRS employer identification number)
 
 
1390 Enclave Parkway
 
Houston, Texas
77077-2099
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code:
(281) 584-1390

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 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  þ
 
Accelerated Filer ¨
Non-accelerated Filer ¨
 
Smaller Reporting Company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐    No ☑

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $1.00 Par Value
 
SYY
 
New York Stock Exchange
1.25% Notes due June 2023
 
SYY 23
 
New York Stock Exchange

513,975,346 shares of common stock were outstanding as of April 19, 2019.





TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
 
 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Page No.
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 




PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except for share data)
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Jun. 30, 2018
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
521,621

 
$
552,325

 
$
901,551

Accounts and notes receivable, less allowances of $59,643, $25,768 and $65,647
4,328,952

 
4,073,723

 
4,227,743

Inventories, net
3,344,683

 
3,125,413

 
3,259,771

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
211,155

 
187,880

 
231,064

Income tax receivable
49,138

 
64,112

 
95,742

Total current assets
8,455,549

 
8,003,453

 
8,715,871

Plant and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation
4,377,059

 
4,521,660

 
4,392,158

Other long-term assets
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
3,924,021

 
3,955,485

 
4,066,186

Intangibles, less amortization
888,466

 
979,812

 
1,056,068

Deferred income taxes
61,873

 
83,666

 
4,289

Other assets
493,831

 
526,328

 
394,570

Total other long-term assets
5,368,191

 
5,545,291

 
5,521,113

Total assets
$
18,200,799

 
$
18,070,404

 
$
18,629,142

 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Notes payable
$
5,733

 
$
4,176

 
$
6,606

Accounts payable
4,293,468

 
4,136,482

 
4,235,856

Accrued expenses
1,663,719

 
1,608,966

 
1,515,682

Accrued income taxes

 
56,793

 

Current maturities of long-term debt
537,238

 
782,329

 
288,055

Total current liabilities
6,500,158

 
6,588,746

 
6,046,199

Long-term liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
8,134,461

 
7,540,765

 
8,835,156

Deferred income taxes
219,587

 
319,124

 
161,193

Other long-term liabilities
949,636

 
1,077,163

 
1,199,472

Total long-term liabilities
9,303,684

 
8,937,052

 
10,195,821

Commitments and contingencies


 


 


Noncontrolling interest
35,060

 
37,649

 
35,909

Shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share
     Authorized 1,500,000 shares, issued none

 

 

Common stock, par value $1 per share
     Authorized 2,000,000,000 shares, issued 765,174,900 shares
765,175

 
765,175

 
765,175

Paid-in capital
1,425,079

 
1,383,619

 
1,357,399

Retained earnings
10,893,648

 
10,348,628

 
9,850,739

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1,483,469
)
 
(1,409,269
)
 
(1,075,484
)
Treasury stock at cost, 251,329,462,
244,533,248 and 244,419,011 shares
(9,238,536
)
 
(8,581,196
)
 
(8,546,616
)
Total shareholders’ equity
2,361,897

 
2,506,957

 
2,351,213

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
18,200,799

 
$
18,070,404

 
$
18,629,142

Note: The June 30, 2018 balance sheet has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1



Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
39-Week Period Ended
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
Sales
$
14,658,074

 
$
14,349,504

 
$
44,639,060

 
$
43,411,418

Cost of sales
11,903,776

 
11,673,876

 
36,209,265

 
35,242,736

Gross profit
2,754,298

 
2,675,628

 
8,429,795

 
8,168,682

Operating expenses
2,224,713

 
2,193,425

 
6,820,175

 
6,538,562

Operating income
529,585

 
482,203

 
1,609,620

 
1,630,120

Interest expense
94,514

 
136,145

 
270,643

 
303,015

Other expense (income), net
4,120

 
(18,826
)
 
15,449

 
(35,963
)
Earnings before income taxes
430,951

 
364,884

 
1,323,528

 
1,363,068

Income taxes
(9,132
)
 
34,799

 
185,023

 
381,230

Net earnings
$
440,083

 
$
330,085

 
$
1,138,505

 
$
981,838

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
0.86

 
$
0.63

 
$
2.20

 
$
1.88

Diluted earnings per share
0.85

 
0.63

 
2.17

 
1.85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average shares outstanding
514,185,453

 
521,832,671

 
517,637,952

 
523,468,845

Diluted shares outstanding
519,821,311

 
527,990,563

 
524,487,510

 
529,434,527


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2



Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
39-Week Period Ended
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
Net earnings
$
440,083

 
$
330,085

 
$
1,138,505

 
$
981,838

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
37,471

 
72,010

 
(88,989
)
 
212,594

Items presented net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of cash flow hedges
2,155

 
2,155

 
6,465

 
6,080

Change in net investment hedges
(9,466
)
 
(31,526
)
 
25,591

 
(47,703
)
Change in cash flow hedges
1,546

 
(10,473
)
 
(10,246
)
 
(7,355
)
Amortization of prior service cost
1,600

 
1,807

 
4,800

 
5,098

Amortization of actuarial loss
6,529

 
6,571

 
19,587

 
18,539

Actuarial loss

 

 
(32,511
)
 

Change in marketable securities
1,103

 

 
1,103

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
40,938

 
40,544

 
(74,200
)
 
187,253

Comprehensive income
$
481,021

 
$
370,629

 
$
1,064,305

 
$
1,169,091


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3



Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CHANGES IN CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except for share data)

Quarter to Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 

 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amounts
 
Totals
Balance as of December 29, 2018
765,174,900

 
$
765,175

 
$
1,465,461

 
$
10,654,711

 
$
(1,524,407
)
 
251,658,719

 
$
(9,193,304
)
 
$
2,167,636

Net earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
440,083

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
440,083

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37,471

 
 
 
 
 
37,471

Amortization of cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,155

 
 
 
 
 
2,155

Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,546

 
 
 
 
 
1,546

Change in net investment hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(9,466
)
 
 
 
 
 
(9,466
)
Reclassification of pension and other postretirement benefit plans amounts to net earnings, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,129

 
 
 
 
 
8,129

Change in marketable securities, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,103

 
 
 
 
 
1,103

Dividends declared ($0.39 per common share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(201,146
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(201,146
)
Treasury stock purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,835,170

 
(118,524
)
 
(118,524
)
Increase in ownership interest in subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
(54,877
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(54,877
)
Share-based compensation awards
 
 
 
 
14,495

 
 
 
 
 
(2,164,427
)
 
73,292

 
87,787

Balance as of March 30, 2019
765,174,900

 
$
765,175

 
$
1,425,079

 
$
10,893,648

 
$
(1,483,469
)
 
251,329,462

 
$
(9,238,536
)
 
$
2,361,897

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 

 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amounts
 
Totals
Balance as of December 30, 2017
765,174,900

 
$
765,175

 
$
1,361,470

 
$
9,708,263

 
$
(1,116,028
)
 
243,764,879

 
$
(8,450,278
)
 
$
2,268,602

Net earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
330,085

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
330,085

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72,010

 
 
 
 
 
72,010

Amortization of cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,155

 
 
 
 
 
2,155

Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(10,473
)
 
 
 
 
 
(10,473
)
Change in net investment hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(31,526
)
 
 
 
 
 
(31,526
)
Reclassification of pension and other postretirement benefit plans amounts to net earnings, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,378

 
 
 
 
 
8,378

Dividends declared ($0.36 per common share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(187,609
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(187,609
)
Treasury stock purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,686,585

 
(162,434
)
 
(162,434
)
Share-based compensation awards
 
 
 
 
(4,071
)
 
 
 
 
 
(2,032,453
)
 
66,096

 
62,025

Balance as of March 31, 2018
765,174,900

 
$
765,175

 
$
1,357,399

 
$
9,850,739

 
$
(1,075,484
)
 
244,419,011

 
$
(8,546,616
)
 
$
2,351,213



4



Year to Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 

 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amounts
 
Totals
Balance as of June 30, 2018
765,174,900

 
$
765,175

 
$
1,383,619

 
$
10,348,628

 
$
(1,409,269
)
 
244,533,248

 
$
(8,581,196
)
 
$
2,506,957

Net earnings
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,138,505

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,138,505

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(88,989
)
 
 

 
 

 
(88,989
)
Amortization of cash flow hedges, net of tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
6,465

 
 

 
 

 
6,465

Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(10,246
)
 
 
 
 
 
(10,246
)
Change in net investment hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25,591

 
 
 
 
 
25,591

Reclassification of pension and other postretirement benefit plans amounts to net earnings, net of tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
24,387

 
 

 
 

 
24,387

Pension funded status adjustment, net of tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(32,511
)
 
 

 
 

 
(32,511
)
Change in marketable securities, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,103

 
 
 
 
 
1,103

Dividends declared ($1.14 per common share)
 

 
 

 
 

 
(593,485
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(593,485
)
Treasury stock purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12,850,437

 
(868,527
)
 
(868,527
)
Increase in ownership interest in subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
(54,877
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(54,877
)
Share-based compensation awards
 

 
 

 
96,337

 
 

 
 

 
(6,054,223
)
 
211,187

 
307,524

Balance as of March 30, 2019
765,174,900

 
$
765,175

 
$
1,425,079

 
$
10,893,648

 
$
(1,483,469
)
 
251,329,462

 
$
(9,238,536
)
 
$
2,361,897

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 

 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amounts
 
Totals
Balance as of July 1, 2017
765,174,900

 
$
765,175

 
$
1,327,366

 
$
9,447,755

 
$
(1,262,737
)
 
235,135,699

 
$
(7,896,043
)
 
$
2,381,516

Net earnings
 

 
 

 
 

 
981,838

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
981,838

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
212,594

 
 

 
 

 
212,594

Amortization of cash flow hedges, net of tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
6,080

 
 

 
 

 
6,080

Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(7,355
)
 
 

 
 

 
(7,355
)
Change in net investment hedge, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(47,703
)
 
 
 
 
 
(47,703
)
Reclassification of pension and other postretirement benefit plans amounts to net earnings, net of tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
23,637

 
 

 
 

 
23,637

Dividends declared ($1.05 per common share)
 

 
 

 
 

 
(547,782
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(547,782
)
Treasury stock purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16,416,122

 
(888,966
)
 
(888,966
)
Increase in ownership interest in subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
 
(31,072
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(31,072
)
Share-based compensation awards
 

 
 

 
30,033

 
 

 
 

 
(7,132,810
)
 
238,393

 
268,426

Balance as of March 31, 2018
765,174,900

 
$
765,175

 
$
1,357,399

 
$
9,850,739

 
$
(1,075,484
)
 
244,419,011

 
$
(8,546,616
)
 
$
2,351,213


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


5



Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
39-Week Period Ended
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
1,138,505

 
$
981,838

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Share-based compensation expense
78,110

 
72,742

Depreciation and amortization
576,596

 
563,732

Amortization of debt issuance and other debt-related costs
16,244

 
21,095

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
53,104

Deferred income taxes
(98,206
)
 
142,242

Provision for losses on receivables
43,791

 
32,387

Other non-cash items
(7,677
)
 
3,325

Additional changes in certain assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses acquired:
 
 
 
(Increase) in receivables
(317,627
)
 
(157,355
)
(Increase) in inventories
(231,732
)
 
(202,779
)
(Increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets
(20,823
)
 
(27,301
)
Increase in accounts payable
231,213

 
111,888

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses
62,518

 
(65,993
)
(Decrease) in accrued income taxes
(41,813
)
 
(100,131
)
(Increase) in other assets
(14,819
)
 
(49,923
)
(Decrease) in other long-term liabilities 
(49,055
)
 
(257,936
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,365,225

 
1,120,935

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Additions to plant and equipment
(382,905
)
 
(372,612
)
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment
16,383

 
16,910

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
(97,530
)
 
(203,608
)
Purchase of marketable securities
(115,807
)
 

Other investing activities

 
3,252

Net cash (used for) investing activities
(579,859
)
 
(556,058
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Bank and commercial paper borrowings, net
200,000

 
638,300

Other debt borrowings
389,681

 
1,005,490

Other debt repayments
(278,234
)
 
(538,967
)
Tender and redemption premiums for senior notes

 
(281,762
)
Proceeds from stock option exercises
211,174

 
238,392

Treasury stock purchases
(866,714
)
 
(910,966
)
Dividends paid
(575,059
)
 
(534,741
)
Other financing activities
(20,663
)
 
(27,745
)
Net cash (used for) financing activities
(939,815
)
 
(411,999
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(11,619
)
 
24,745

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(166,068
)
 
177,623

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
715,844

 
869,502

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
549,776

 
$
1,047,125

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
252,377

 
$
226,882

Income taxes
379,728

 
218,059


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6



Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Unless this Form 10-Q indicates otherwise or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “Sysco,” or “the company” as used in this Form 10-Q refer to Sysco Corporation together with its consolidated subsidiaries and divisions.

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the company, without audit, with the exception of the June 30, 2018 consolidated balance sheet, which was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 (our 2018 Form 10-K). The financial statements include consolidated balance sheets, consolidated results of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in consolidated shareholders’ equity and consolidated cash flows. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise disclosed, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for all periods presented have been made.
  
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2018 Form 10-K. Certain footnote disclosures included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to applicable rules and regulations for interim financial statements.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, certain prior year items have been grouped as other investing activities. These primarily include proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, which have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation in accordance with new accounting standards related to the presentation of cash flows as described in Note 2, “Changes in Accounting”.

The following table sets forth the company’s reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
521,621

 
$
901,551

Restricted cash (1)
28,155

 
145,574

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
$
549,776

 
$
1,047,125



(1) 
Restricted cash primarily represents cash and cash equivalents of Sysco’s wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary, restricted for use to secure the insurer’s obligations for workers’ compensation, general liability and auto liability programs. Restricted cash is located within Other assets in each consolidated balance sheet.

2. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and has issued subsequent amendments to this guidance. This new standard superseded existing revenue recognition standards and eliminated all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition standard provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The revenue recognition principle in ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Sysco adopted the new standard effective July 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material impact on Sysco’s consolidated balance sheet or consolidated results of operations as of the adoption date or for the period ended March 30, 2019.


7



Guidance in Presentation of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, to address eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The eight specific issues are: (1) Debt Prepayment or Debt Extinguishment Costs; (2) Settlement of Zero-Coupon Debt Instruments or Other Debt Instruments with Coupon Interest Rates That Are Insignificant in Relation to the Effective Interest Rate of the Borrowing; (3) Contingent Consideration Payments Made after a Businesses Combination; (4) Proceeds from the Settlement of Insurance Claims; (5) Proceeds from the Settlement of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance Policies, including Bank-Owned Life Insurance Policies; (6) Distributions Received from Equity Method Invitees; (7) Beneficial Interests in Securitization Transactions; and (8) Separately Identifiable Cash and Application of the Predominance Principle. The company adopted this ASU retrospectively, effective July 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material effect on the company’s consolidated cash flow statement as of the adoption date or for the period ended March 30, 2019.

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, requiring that an employer report the service cost component of pension and postretirement benefits in the same line item or items as other compensation costs. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of a subtotal of income from operations. In addition, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization as applicable. The company adopted this ASU effective July 1, 2018, resulting in net cost of $8.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and net cost of $26.7 million for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 being reported in Other expense (income), net that would have previously been included in Operating expenses. The ASU was applied retrospectively, resulting in a net benefit of $3.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and a net benefit of $11.2 million for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, reported in Other expense (income), net.

3.  NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), specifying the accounting for leases, which supersedes the leases requirements in Topic 840, Leases. The objective of Topic 842 is to establish the principles that lessees and lessors shall apply to report useful information to users of financial statements about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from a lease. The amended guidance requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases currently classified as operating leases. In addition, Topic 842 expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, which is fiscal 2020 for Sysco.

To assess the impact of the standard, the company has formed a cross-functional steering committee to review the amended guidance and subsequent clarifications in order to understand the potential impact the new standard could have on the company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures, business processes, and internal controls. The company has substantially completed the process of gathering lease data and reviewing its lease portfolio and is in the process of completing an impact assessment with respect to the adoption of the provisions of the new standard. To facilitate this ongoing process, the company is currently implementing a third-party lease accounting software. The company will finalize its assessment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and adopt this standard on June 30, 2019, the first day of fiscal 2020.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which introduces a forward-looking approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. This guidance is effective for fiscal years-and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, which is the first quarter of fiscal 2021 for Sysco, with early adoption permitted. The company is currently reviewing the provisions of the new standard.

8




Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract, which aligns the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. The guidance amends Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 350 to include in its scope implementation costs of a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract and clarifies that a customer should apply ASC 350 to determine which implementation costs should be capitalized in such a cloud computing arrangement. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, which is the first quarter of fiscal 2021 for Sysco, with early adoption permitted. The company is currently reviewing the provisions of the new standard.

4. REVENUE

Adoption of ASC Topic 606, “Revenues from Contracts with Customers”

On July 1, 2018, Sysco adopted ASC Topic 606 with no significant impact to its financial position or results of operations, using the modified retrospective method. There were no contracts which were not completed as of July 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after July 1, 2018 are presented under ASC Topic 606, while prior period amounts have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Sysco had no adjustment to opening retained earnings as of July 1, 2018 as a result of adopting ASC Topic 606. There was no material impact on revenues for the quarter and 39 weeks ended March 30, 2019 as a result of applying ASC Topic 606.

Revenue Recognition

The company recognizes revenues when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is the point at which control of the promised goods or services are transferred to its customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration Sysco expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. For the majority of Sysco’s customer arrangements, control transfers to customers at a point-in-time when goods have been delivered, as that is generally when legal title, physical possession and risks and rewards of goods/services transfers to the customer. The timing of satisfaction of the performance obligation is not subject to significant judgment. While certain additional services may be identified within a contract, we have concluded that those services are individually immaterial in the context of the contract with the customer, and therefore, not assessed as performance obligations.

Sales tax collected from customers is not included in revenue, but rather recorded as a liability due to the respective taxing authorities. Shipping and handling costs include costs associated with the selection of products and delivery to customers and are included within operating expenses.

Product Sales Revenues

Sysco generates revenue primarily from the distribution and sale of food and related products to its customers. Substantially all revenue is recognized at the point in time in which the product is delivered to the customer. The company grants certain customers sales incentives, such as rebates or discounts, which are accounted for as variable consideration. The variable consideration is based on amounts known at the time the performance obligation is satisfied and, therefore, requires minimal judgment.

Contract Balances

After completion of Sysco’s performance obligations, the company has an unconditional right to consideration as outlined in its contracts with customers. Sysco’s customer receivables will generally be collected in less than 30 days in accordance with the underlying payment terms. Customer receivables, which are included in Accounts and notes receivable, less allowances in the consolidated balance sheet, were $4.1 billion and $3.8 billion as of March 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018, respectively.

Sysco has certain customer contracts in which upfront monies are paid to its customers. These payments have become industry practice and are not related to financing of the customer’s business. They are not associated with any distinct good or service to be received from the customer and, therefore, are treated as a reduction of transaction prices. All upfront payments are capitalized in Other Assets and amortized over the life of the contract or the expected life of the relationship with the customer on a straight-line basis. As of March 30, 2019, Sysco’s contract assets were not significant. Sysco has no significant commissions paid that are directly attributable to obtaining a particular contract.


9



Disaggregation of Sales

The following tables present our sales disaggregated by reportable segment and sales mix for the company’s principal product categories for the periods presented:

 
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
 
US Foodservice Operations
 
International Foodservice Operations
 
SYGMA
 
Other
 
Total
 
 
(In thousands)
Principal Product Categories
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fresh and frozen meats
 
$
2,035,201

 
$
389,126

 
$
386,074

 
$

 
$
2,810,401

Canned and dry products
 
1,812,070

 
554,653

 
69,730

 

 
2,436,453

Frozen fruits, vegetables, bakery and other
 
1,408,601

 
500,999

 
300,725

 

 
2,210,325

Dairy products
 
1,030,209

 
304,315

 
145,460

 

 
1,479,984

Poultry
 
1,013,513

 
195,816

 
200,518

 

 
1,409,847

Fresh produce
 
936,972

 
245,436

 
56,847

 

 
1,239,255

Paper and disposables
 
686,732

 
88,400

 
178,465

 
14,287

 
967,884

Seafood
 
624,953

 
166,103

 
32,959

 

 
824,015

Beverage products
 
277,421

 
129,366

 
136,876

 
19,787

 
563,450

Other (1)
 
279,611

 
183,677

 
29,658

 
223,514

 
716,460

Total Sales
 
$
10,105,283

 
$
2,757,891

 
$
1,537,312

 
$
257,588

 
$
14,658,074


(1) 
Other sales relate to non-food products, including textiles and amenities for our hotel supply business, equipment and subscription sales for our Sysco Labs business, and other janitorial products, medical supplies and smallwares.

 
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
 
US Foodservice Operations
 
International Foodservice Operations
 
SYGMA
 
Other
 
Total
 
 
(In thousands)
Principal Product Categories
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fresh and frozen meats
 
$
1,964,633

 
$
403,684

 
$
376,554

 
$

 
$
2,744,871

Canned and dry products
 
1,759,588

 
577,363

 
78,810

 

 
2,415,761

Frozen fruits, vegetables, bakery and other
 
1,325,252

 
618,684

 
296,774

 

 
2,240,710

Dairy products
 
1,016,360

 
314,272

 
151,835

 

 
1,482,467

Poultry
 
956,664

 
201,133

 
269,142

 

 
1,426,939

Fresh produce
 
878,802

 
248,261

 
59,016

 

 
1,186,079

Paper and disposables
 
646,278

 
95,295

 
181,112

 
13,804

 
936,489

Seafood
 
610,291

 
170,210

 
30,010

 

 
810,511

Beverage products
 
273,849

 
45,938

 
141,137

 
19,682

 
480,606

Other (1)
 
272,778

 
124,411

 
21,363

 
206,519

 
625,071

Total Sales
 
$
9,704,495

 
$
2,799,251

 
$
1,605,753

 
$
240,005

 
$
14,349,504


(1) 
Other sales relate to non-food products, including textiles and amenities for our hotel supply business, equipment and subscription sales for our Sysco Labs business, and other janitorial products, medical supplies and smallwares.


10



 
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
 
US Foodservice Operations
 
International Foodservice Operations
 
SYGMA
 
Other
 
Total
 
 
(In thousands)
Principal Product Categories
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fresh and frozen meats
 
$
6,241,367

 
$
1,218,668

 
$
1,132,476

 
$

 
$
8,592,511

Canned and dry products
 
5,463,772

 
1,777,733

 
214,070

 

 
7,455,575

Frozen fruits, vegetables, bakery and other
 
4,249,051

 
1,483,735

 
907,718

 

 
6,640,504

Dairy products
 
3,158,050

 
929,025

 
448,369

 

 
4,535,444

Poultry
 
3,042,028

 
620,940

 
681,253

 

 
4,344,221

Fresh produce
 
2,802,548

 
825,000

 
178,745

 

 
3,806,293

Paper and disposables
 
2,079,381

 
280,315

 
548,977

 
44,871

 
2,953,544

Seafood
 
1,868,294

 
550,953

 
81,795

 

 
2,501,042

Beverage products
 
839,173

 
342,753

 
420,414

 
63,389

 
1,665,729

Other (1)
 
848,135

 
540,317

 
81,559

 
674,186

 
2,144,197

Total Sales
 
$
30,591,799

 
$
8,569,439

 
$
4,695,376

 
$
782,446

 
$
44,639,060


(1) 
Other sales relate to non-food products, including textiles and amenities for our hotel supply business, equipment and subscription sales for our Sysco Labs business, and other janitorial products, medical supplies and smallwares.

 
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
 
US Foodservice Operations
 
International Foodservice Operations
 
SYGMA
 
Other
 
Total
 
 
(In thousands)
Principal Product Categories
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fresh and frozen meats
 
$
5,971,490

 
$
1,250,050

 
$
1,138,404

 
$

 
$
8,359,944

Canned and dry products
 
5,241,179

 
1,750,597

 
245,569

 

 
7,237,345

Frozen fruits, vegetables, bakery and other
 
3,908,210

 
1,890,105

 
858,500

 

 
6,656,815

Poultry
 
3,000,575

 
621,150

 
843,861

 

 
4,465,586

Dairy products
 
3,053,156

 
938,288

 
480,894

 

 
4,472,338

Fresh produce
 
2,705,538

 
770,590

 
188,508

 

 
3,664,636

Paper and disposables
 
1,940,107

 
297,663

 
546,146

 
42,639

 
2,826,555

Seafood
 
1,786,608

 
535,874

 
74,894

 

 
2,397,376

Beverage products
 
815,081

 
145,816

 
426,401

 
62,134

 
1,449,432

Other (1)
 
812,718

 
371,416

 
76,392

 
620,865

 
1,881,391

Total Sales
 
$
29,234,662

 
$
8,571,549

 
$
4,879,569

 
$
725,638

 
$
43,411,418


(1) 
Other sales relate to non-food products, including textiles and amenities for our hotel supply business, equipment and subscription sales for our Sysco Labs business, and other janitorial products, medical supplies and smallwares.

5.  ACQUISITIONS

During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, the company paid cash of $97.5 million for acquisitions. These acquisitions did not have a material effect on the company’s operating results, cash flows or financial position. Certain acquisitions involve contingent consideration that may include earnout agreements that are typically payable over periods of up to three years in the event that certain operating results are achieved. As of March 30, 2019, aggregate contingent consideration outstanding was $19.4 million, of which $14.2 million was recorded as earnout liabilities. Earnout liabilities are all measured using unobservable inputs that are considered a Level 3 measurement.

11




In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, Sysco consummated the acquisition of the remaining 23% interest in Iowa Premium, LLC, making the previously consolidated entity a wholly-owned subsidiary. The transaction resulted in a reduction of Sysco’s non-controlling interest within Other long-term liabilities and a reduction in Paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet for the period ended March 30, 2019. The company is in the process of selling all of its interests in Iowa Premium, LLC and expects to consummate this sale in the near term. The held for sale assets and the held for sale liabilities are not significant to the consolidated balance sheet of Sysco.

6.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

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 (i.e., an exit price). The accounting guidance includes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which include management’s own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk.

Sysco’s policy is to invest in only high-quality investments. Cash equivalents primarily include cash deposits, time deposits, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high-quality money market funds and all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value:

Cash deposits included in cash equivalents are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. These are included within cash equivalents as a Level 1 measurement in the tables below.
Time deposits and commercial paper included in cash equivalents are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. These are included within cash equivalents as a Level 2 measurement in the tables below.
Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor from an actively traded exchange. These are included within cash equivalents as Level 1 measurements in the tables below.
Fixed income securities are valued using evaluated bid prices based on a compilation of observable market information or a broker quote in a non-active market. Inputs used vary by type of security, but include spreads, yields, rate benchmarks, rate of prepayment, cash flows, rating changes and collateral performance and type.
The interest rate swap agreements are valued using a swap valuation model that utilizes an income approach using observable market inputs including interest rates, LIBOR swap rates and credit default swap rates.
The foreign currency swap agreements, including cross-currency swaps, are valued using a swap valuation model that utilizes an income approach applying observable market inputs including interest rates, LIBOR swap rates for U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, pound sterling and euro currencies, and credit default swap rates.
Foreign currency forwards are valued based on exchange rates quoted by domestic and foreign banks for similar instruments.
Fuel swap contracts are valued based on observable market transactions of forward commodity prices.

The fair value of the company’s marketable securities are all measured using inputs that are considered a Level 2 measurement, as they are actively traded and are valued using quoted market prices in active markets. The location and the fair value of the company’s marketable securities in the consolidated balance sheet are disclosed in Note 7, "Marketable Securities." The fair value of the company’s derivative instruments are all measured using inputs that are considered a Level 2 measurement, as they are not actively traded and are valued using pricing models that use observable market quotations. The location and the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities designated as hedges in the consolidated balance sheet are disclosed in Note 8, “Derivative Financial Instruments.”


12



The following tables present the company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 30, 2019June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of Mar. 30, 2019
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
105,717

 
$
200

 
$

 
$
105,917

Other assets (1)
28,155

 

 

 
28,155

Total assets at fair value
$
133,872

 
$
200

 
$

 
$
134,072


(1) 
Represents restricted cash balance recorded within other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of Jun. 30, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
169,214

 
$
30,190

 
$

 
$
199,404

Other assets (1)
163,519

 

 

 
163,519

Total assets at fair value
$
332,733

 
$
30,190

 
$

 
$
362,923


(1) 
Represents restricted cash balance recorded within other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.

 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of Mar. 31, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
384,528

 
$
49,190

 
$

 
$
433,718

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1)
43,364

 

 

 
43,364

Other assets (1)
102,211

 

 

 
102,211

Total assets at fair value
$
530,103

 
$
49,190

 
$

 
$
579,293



(1) 
Represents restricted cash balances recorded within other current assets and other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.

The carrying values of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated their respective fair values due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of Sysco’s total debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the company for new debt with the same maturities as existing debt, and is considered a Level 2 measurement. The fair value of total debt was approximately $8.9 billion, $8.4 billion and $9.3 billion as of March 30, 2019, June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The carrying value of total debt was $8.7 billion, $8.3 billion and $9.1 billion as of March 30, 2019June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively.


13



7. MARKETABLE SECURITIES

In March 2019, Sysco began to invest a portion of the assets held by its wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary in a restricted investment portfolio of marketable fixed income securities, which have been classified and accounted for as available-for-sale. The company includes fixed income securities maturing in less than twelve months within Prepaid expenses and other current assets and includes fixed income securities maturing in more than twelve months within Other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The company records the amounts at fair market value, which is determined using quoted market prices at the end of the reporting period. Unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The following table presents the company’s available-for-sale marketable securities as of March 30, 2019:

 
March 30, 2019
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Short-Term Marketable Securities
 
Long-Term Marketable Securities
 
(in thousands)
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate bonds
$
86,843

 
$
563

 
$
(15
)
 
$
87,391

 
$
8,990

 
$
78,401

Government bonds
28,964

 
848

 

 
29,812

 

 
29,812

Total marketable securities
$
115,807

 
$
1,411

 
$
(15
)
 
$
117,203

 
$
8,990

 
$
108,213



The fixed income securities held at March 30, 2019 had effective maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately ten years. The company did not realize any gains or losses on its marketable securities during the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

8.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Sysco uses derivative financial instruments to enact hedging strategies for risk mitigation purposes; however, the company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Hedging strategies are used to manage interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and fuel price risk.

Hedging of interest rate risk

Sysco manages its debt portfolio with interest rate swaps from time to time to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and floating rates. In December 2018, the company entered into an interest rate swap agreement that effectively converted €500.0 million of fixed rate debt maturing in 2023 to floating rate debt.

Hedging of foreign currency risk

Sysco enters into cross-currency swap contracts to hedge the foreign currency transaction risk of certain intercompany loans. There are no credit-risk related contingent features associated with these swaps, which have been designated as cash flow hedges. The company also uses cross-currency swap contracts and euro-bond denominated debt to hedge the foreign currency exposure of our net investment in certain foreign operations. Additionally, Sysco’s operations in Europe have inventory purchases denominated in currencies other than their functional currency, such as the euro, U.S. dollar, Polish zloty and Danish krone. These inventory purchases give rise to foreign currency exposure between the functional currency of each entity and these currencies. The company enters into foreign currency forward swap contracts to sell the applicable entity’s functional currency and buy currencies matching the inventory purchase, which operate as cash flow hedges of the company’s foreign currency-denominated inventory purchases.

Hedging of fuel price risk

Sysco uses fuel commodity swap contracts to hedge against the risk of the change in the price of diesel on anticipated future purchases. These swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges.


14



None of the company’s hedging instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features. Details of outstanding hedging instruments as of March 30, 2019 are below:
Maturity Date of the Hedging Instrument
 
Currency / Unit of Measure
 
Notional Value
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Hedging of interest rate risk
 
 
 
 
April 2019
 
U.S. Dollar
 
500
October 2020
 
U.S. Dollar
 
750
July 2021
 
U.S. Dollar
 
500
June 2023
 
Euro
 
500
March 2025
 
U.S. Dollar
 
500
 
 
 
 
 
Hedging of foreign currency risk
 
 
 
 
Various (April 2019 to August 2019)
 
Swedish Krona
 
321
Various (April 2019 to December 2019)
 
British Pound Sterling
 
21
Various (April 2019 to December 2019)
 
U.S. Dollar
 
1
June 2021
 
Canadian Dollar
 
300
July 2021
 
British Pound Sterling
 
234
August 2021
 
British Pound Sterling
 
466
June 2023
 
Euro
 
500
 
 
 
 
 
Hedging of fuel risk
 
 
 
 
Various (March 31, 2019 to May 2020)
 
Gallons
 
57


The location and the fair value of derivative instruments designated as hedges in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 30, 2019, June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
 
 
Derivative Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet location
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Jun. 30, 2018
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Fair Value Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
Other assets
 
$
18,627

 
$

 
$
1,800

Interest rate swaps
Other current liabilities
 
50

 
6,820

 

Interest rate swaps
Other long-term liabilities
 
22,461

 
49,734

 
49,256

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel Swaps
Other current assets
 
$
1,025

 
$
15,316

 
$
12,381

Foreign currency forwards
Other current assets
 
192

 
693

 
533

Fuel swaps
Other assets
 
397

 

 

Cross currency swaps
Other current assets
 

 
4,284

 

Cross currency swaps
Other assets
 
5,464

 
3,454

 

Fuel Swaps
Other current liabilities
 
5,352

 

 

Foreign currency forwards
Other current liabilities
 
945

 
71

 
88

Fuel swaps
Other long-term liabilities
 
85

 

 

Cross currency swaps
Other long-term liabilities
 
5,465

 
14,201

 
34,690

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Investment Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency swaps
Other assets
 
$

 
$
10,709

 
$
7,946

Foreign currency swaps
Other long-term liabilities
 
13,592

 
39,690

 
71,784



15




Gains or losses recognized in the consolidated results of operations for cash flow hedging relationships are not significant for each of the periods presented. The location and amount of gains or losses recognized in the consolidated results of operations for fair value hedging relationships for each of the periods, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
 
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold
 
Operating Expense
 
Interest Expense
 
 
(In thousands)
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the consolidated results of operations in which the effects of fair value or cash flow hedges are recorded
 
$
11,903,776

 
$
2,224,713

 
$
94,514

Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged items (1)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(41,657
)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 

 

 
18,865


(1) 
The hedged total includes interest expense of $17.1 million and change in fair value of debt of $24.6 million.

 
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold
 
Operating Expense
 
Interest Expense
 
 
(In thousands)
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the consolidated results of operations in which the effects of fair value or cash flow hedges are recorded
 
$
11,673,876

 
$
2,193,425

 
$
136,145

Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged items (1)
 
$

 
$

 
$
419

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 

 

 
(15,740
)

(1) 
The hedged total includes interest expense of $13.6 million and change in fair value of debt of $14.1 million.

 
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold
 
Operating Expense
 
Interest Expense
 
 
(In thousands)
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the consolidated results of operations in which the effects of fair value or cash flow hedges are recorded
 
$
36,209,265

 
$
6,820,175

 
$
270,643

Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged items (1)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(97,164
)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 

 

 
39,556


(1) 
The hedged total includes interest expense of $47.8 million and change in fair value of debt of $49.3 million.


16



 
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold
 
Operating Expense
 
Interest Expense
 
 
(In thousands)
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the consolidated results of operations in which the effects of fair value or cash flow hedges are recorded
 
$
35,242,736

 
$
6,538,562

 
$
303,015

Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged items (1)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(22,325
)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 

 

 
(26,729
)

(1) 
The hedged total includes interest expense of $47.8 million and change in fair value of debt of $25.5 million.

The location and effect of cash flow and net investment hedge accounting on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the 13-week periods ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel swaps
$
16,276

 
Operating expense
 
$
(961
)
Foreign currency contracts
(14,244
)
 
Cost of goods sold
 
14

Total
$
2,032

 
 
 
$
(947
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives in net investment hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
(15,387
)
 
N/A
 
$

Foreign denominated debt
10,550

 
N/A
 

Total
$
(4,837
)
 
 
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel swaps
$
(1,195
)
 
Operating expense
 
$
4,438

Foreign currency contracts
(12,875
)
 
Cost of goods sold
 
348

Total
$
(14,070
)
 
 
 
$
4,786

 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives in net investment hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
(24,420
)
 
N/A
 
$

Foreign denominated debt
(16,400
)
 
N/A
 

Total
$
(40,820
)
 
 
 
$



17



The location and effect of cash flow and net investment hedge accounting on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the 39-week periods ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel swaps
$
(19,541
)
 
Operating expense
 
$
8,432

Foreign currency contracts
6,416

 
Cost of goods sold
 
505

Total
$
(13,125
)
 
 
 
$
8,937

 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives in net investment hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
18,984

 
N/A
 
$

Foreign denominated debt
22,650

 
N/A
 

Total
$
41,634

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel swaps
$
18,855

 
Operating expense
 
$
5,679

Foreign currency contracts
(27,450
)
 
Cost of goods sold
 
1,178

Total
$
(8,595
)
 
 
 
$
6,857

 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives in net investment hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
$
(56,580
)
 
N/A
 
$

Foreign denominated debt
(45,000
)
 
N/A
 

Total
$
(101,580
)
 
 
 
$



18



The location and carrying amount of hedged liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 30, 2019 are as follows:
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities)
 
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities)
 
(In thousands)
Balance sheet location:
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
(499,997
)
 
$
58

Long-term debt
(2,311,161
)
 
3,264



The location and carrying amount of hedged liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2018 are as follows:
 
Jun. 30, 2018
 
Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities)
 
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities)
 
(In thousands)
Balance sheet location:
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
(499,610
)
 
$
5,097

Long-term debt
(1,743,732
)
 
47,555


The location and carrying amount of hedged liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities)
 
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities)
 
(In thousands)
Balance sheet location:
 
 
 
Long-term debt
$
(2,242,904
)
 
$
45,030



9. DEBT

Sysco has a commercial paper program allowing the company to issue short-term unsecured notes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2.0 billion. As of March 30, 2019, there was $200.0 million in commercial paper issuances outstanding. Any outstanding amounts are classified within long-term debt, as the program is supported by a long-term revolving credit facility. During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, aggregate outstanding commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings ranged from zero to approximately $669.0 million.

In March 2019, Sysco repaid 5.375% senior notes totaling $250 million at maturity utilizing a combination of cash flow from operations and commercial paper issuances.

Senior notes offering

On September 25, 2018, Sysco’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Sysco Canada Inc. (Sysco Canada), issued senior notes totaling CDN $500.0 million. The senior notes were issued in Canada with a coupon rate of 3.65% and pricing, as a percentage of par, of 99.962%. Net proceeds from the offering were used to repay internal debt that was created in fiscal 2018 when the company repatriated earnings from its Canadian operations back to Sysco Corporation, and to repay outstanding borrowings under Sysco’s commercial paper program, along with other general corporate purposes. Interest on the senior notes will be paid semi-annually

19



on April 25 and October 25, beginning April 25, 2019. At Sysco Canada’s option, any or all of the senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity. If Sysco Canada elects to redeem the senior notes before the date that is two months prior to the maturity date, Sysco Canada will pay an amount equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the senior notes to be redeemed; or (2) the applicable yield price, plus in either case, any accrued and unpaid interest on the senior notes to be redeemed to the date of redemption. If Sysco Canada elects to redeem a series of senior notes on or after the applicable date described in the preceding sentence, Sysco Canada will pay an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the senior notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the senior notes redeemed to the redemption date.

10.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
39-Week Period Ended
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
(In thousands, except for share
and per share data)
 
(In thousands, except for share
and per share data)
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
440,083

 
$
330,085

 
$
1,138,505

 
$
981,838

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding
514,185,453

 
521,832,671

 
517,637,952

 
523,468,845

Dilutive effect of share-based awards
5,635,858

 
6,157,892

 
6,849,558

 
5,965,682

Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding
519,821,311

 
527,990,563

 
524,487,510

 
529,434,527

Basic earnings per share
$
0.86

 
$
0.63

 
$
2.20

 
$
1.88

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.85

 
$
0.63

 
$
2.17

 
$
1.85



The number of securities that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was approximately 2,583,000 and 25,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively. The number of options that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was approximately 2,260,000 and 3,071,000 for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively.

11.  OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income is net earnings plus certain other items that are recorded directly to shareholders’ equity, such as foreign currency translation adjustment, amounts related to cash flow hedging arrangements, certain amounts related to pension and other postretirement plans and changes in marketable securities. Comprehensive income was $481.0 million and $370.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively. Comprehensive income was $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively.


20



A summary of the components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related tax effects for each of the periods presented is as follows:
 
 
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
Amount
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost
Other expense, net
 
$
2,133

 
$
533

 
$
1,600

Amortization of actuarial loss, net
Other expense, net
 
8,706

 
2,177

 
6,529

Total reclassification adjustments
 
 
10,839

 
2,710

 
8,129

Foreign currency translation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
N/A
 
37,471

 

 
37,471

Marketable securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in marketable securities
N/A
 
1,396

 
293

 
1,103

Hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in cash flow hedges
Operating expenses (1)
 
2,032

 
486

 
1,546

Change in net investment hedges
N/A
 
(4,837
)
 
4,629

 
(9,466
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments
 
 
(2,805
)
 
5,115

 
(7,920
)
Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of cash flow hedges
Interest expense
 
2,873

 
718

 
2,155

Total other comprehensive income
 
 
$
49,774

 
$
8,836

 
$
40,938


(1) 
Amount partially impacts operating expense for fuel swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges.

21



 
 
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
Amount
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Amortization of prior service cost
Other expense, net
 
$
2,409

 
$
602

 
$
1,807

Amortization of actuarial loss, net
Other expense, net
 
8,761

 
2,190

 
6,571

Total reclassification adjustments
 
 
11,170

 
2,792

 
8,378

Foreign currency translation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
N/A
 
72,010

 

 
72,010

Hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in cash flow hedges
Operating expenses (1)
 
(14,070
)
 
(3,597
)
 
(10,473
)
Change in net investment hedges
N/A
 
(40,820
)
 
(9,294
)
 
(31,526
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments
 
 
(54,890
)
 
(12,891
)
 
(41,999
)
Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of cash flow hedges
Interest expense
 
2,873

 
718

 
2,155

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
$
31,163

 
$
(9,381
)
 
$
40,544


(1) 
Amount partially impacts operating expense for fuel swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges.

22




 
 
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
Amount
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Other comprehensive income before
reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
 
 
$
(36,891
)
 
$
(4,380
)
 
$
(32,511
)
Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost
Other expense, net
 
6,399

 
1,599

 
4,800

Amortization of actuarial loss, net
Other expense, net
 
26,118

 
6,531

 
19,587

Total reclassification adjustments
 
 
32,517

 
8,130

 
24,387

Foreign currency translation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
N/A
 
(88,989
)
 

 
(88,989
)
Marketable securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in marketable securities
N/A
 
1,396

 
293

 
1,103

Hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in cash flow hedges
Operating expenses (1)
 
(13,125
)
 
(2,879
)
 
(10,246
)
Change in net investment hedges
N/A
 
41,634

 
16,043

 
25,591

Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments
 
 
28,509

 
13,164

 
15,345

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of cash flow hedges
Interest expense
 
8,619

 
2,154

 
6,465

Total other comprehensive income
 
 
$
(54,839
)
 
$
19,361

 
$
(74,200
)

(1) 
Amount partially impacts operating expense for fuel swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges.


23



 
 
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
Amount
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Amortization of prior service cost
Other expense, net
 
$
7,227

 
$
2,129

 
$
5,098

Amortization of actuarial loss, net
Other expense, net
 
26,283

 
7,744

 
18,539

Total reclassification adjustments
 
 
33,510

 
9,873

 
23,637

Foreign currency translation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
N/A
 
212,594

 

 
212,594

Hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in cash flow hedges
Operating expenses (1)
 
(7,720
)
 
(365
)
 
(7,355
)
Change in net investment hedges
N/A
 
(70,739
)
 
(23,036
)
 
(47,703
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments
 
 
(78,459
)
 
(23,401
)
 
(55,058
)
Reclassification adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of cash flow hedges
Interest expense
 
8,619

 
2,539

 
6,080

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
$
176,264

 
$
(10,989
)
 
$
187,253


(1) 
Amount partially impacts operating expense for fuel swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges.

The following tables provide a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the periods presented:
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans,
net of tax
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Hedging,
net of tax
 
Marketable Securities,
net of tax
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Balance as of Jun. 30, 2018
$
(1,095,059
)
 
$
(171,043
)
 
$
(143,167
)
 
$

 
$
(1,409,269
)
Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation

 
(88,989
)
 

 

 
(88,989
)
Amortization of cash flow hedges

 

 
6,465

 

 
6,465

Change in net investment hedges

 

 
25,591

 

 
25,591

Change in cash flow hedge

 

 
(10,246
)
 

 
(10,246
)
Net actuarial loss
(32,511
)
 

 

 

 
(32,511
)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost
4,800

 

 

 

 
4,800

Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial losses
19,587

 

 

 

 
19,587

Change in marketable securities

 

 

 
1,103

 
1,103

Balance as of Mar. 30, 2019
$
(1,103,183
)
 
$
(260,032
)
 
$
(121,357
)
 
$
1,103

 
$
(1,483,469
)


24



 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans,
net of tax
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Hedging,
net of tax
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Balance as of Jul. 1, 2017
$
(974,232
)
 
$
(148,056
)
 
$
(140,449
)
 
$
(1,262,737
)
Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation

 
212,594

 

 
212,594

Amortization of cash flow hedges

 

 
6,080

 
6,080

Change in net investment hedges

 

 
(47,703
)
 
(47,703
)
Change in cash flow hedges

 

 
(7,355
)
 
(7,355
)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost
5,098

 

 

 
5,098

Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial losses
18,539

 

 

 
18,539

Balance as of Mar. 31, 2018
$
(950,595
)
 
$
64,538

 
$
(189,427
)
 
$
(1,075,484
)


12.  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Sysco provides compensation benefits to employees under several share-based payment arrangements, including various long-term employee stock incentive plans and the 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

Stock Incentive Plans

In the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, options to purchase 2,609,755 shares were granted to employees. The fair value of each option award is estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average grant-date fair value per option granted during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 was $11.70.

In the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, 578,102 performance share units (PSUs) were granted to employees. Based on the jurisdiction in which the employee resides, some of these PSUs were granted with forfeitable dividend equivalents. The fair value of each PSU award granted with a dividend equivalent is based on the company’s stock price as of the date of grant. For PSUs granted without dividend equivalents, the fair value was reduced by the present value of expected dividends during the vesting period. The weighted average grant-date fair value per performance share unit granted during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 was $74.86. The PSUs will convert into shares of Sysco common stock at the end of the performance period based on financial performance targets consisting of Sysco’s earnings per share compound annual growth rate and adjusted return on invested capital.

In the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, 616,868 restricted stock units were granted to employees. The weighted average grant-date fair value per restricted stock unit granted during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 was $63.91.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Plan participants purchased 739,051 shares of common stock under the Sysco ESPP during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019. The weighted average fair value per employee stock purchase right issued pursuant to the ESPP was $10.22 during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019. The fair value of each stock purchase right is estimated as the difference between the stock price and the employee purchase price.

All Share-Based Payment Arrangements

The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of operations was $78.1 million and $72.7 million for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively.

As of March 30, 2019, there was $141.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.98 years.


25



13.  INCOME TAXES

Effective Tax Rate

The effective tax rates for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were (2.12)% and 13.98%, respectively. The lower effective tax rates for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 are primarily due to (1) Sysco’s determination in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 to recognize the favorable impact of $95.1 million of foreign tax credits generated as a result of distributions to Sysco from our foreign operations at the end of fiscal 2018, which fully offset our transition tax liability, (2) lower U.S. tax rates from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act), which were not yet fully applicable as of the third quarter of fiscal 2018, and (3) the favorable impact of excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation that totaled $11.3 million and $33.2 million for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively. These reductions were partially offset by additional U.S. federal tax as a result of the global intangible low taxed income (GILTI) regime, which the company is accounting for as a periodic cost. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 of 9.54% and the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 of 27.97% reflects the favorable impact of (1) a net tax benefit attributable to the change in the federal statutory tax rate as a result of the Tax Act, (2) the tax benefit of $44.4 million attributable to a contribution to the U.S. Retirement Plan, and (3) excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation that totaled $14.9 million and $45.7 million for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively. An additional factor that impacted the effective tax rate for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 was the favorable impact of changes in tax law in various foreign jurisdictions of $8.1 million. These benefits were partially offset by the negative impacts of the transition tax resulting from the Tax Act.

In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Job Act, the company recognized the provisional impacts related to re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities and the one-time transition tax in its results for the annual period ended June 30, 2018. In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the company completed its accounting for all aspects of the Tax Act, with a corresponding adjustment of $15.1 million to income tax expense related to transition tax, and a benefit of $3.2 million attributable to realizability of certain deferred tax assets.

Uncertain Tax Positions

As of March 30, 2019, the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefit and related accrued interest was $26.6 million and $4.6 million, respectively. It is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit with respect to certain of the company’s unrecognized tax positions will increase or decrease in the next twelve months. At this time, an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change cannot be made.

Other

The determination of the company’s provision for income taxes requires judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. The company’s provision for income taxes reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state, as well as foreign, jurisdictions. Jurisdictional tax law changes, increases or decreases in permanent differences between book and tax items, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and the company’s change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate.

14.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

Sysco is engaged in various legal proceedings that have arisen but have not been fully adjudicated. The likelihood of loss for these legal proceedings, based on definitions within contingency accounting literature, ranges from remote to reasonably possible to probable. When probable and reasonably estimable, the losses have been accrued. Although the final results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, based on estimates of the range of potential losses associated with these matters, management does not believe the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the company.


26



15.  BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The company has aggregated certain of its operating segments into three reportable segments. “Other” financial information is attributable to the company’s other operating segments that do not meet the quantitative disclosure thresholds.

U.S. Foodservice Operations - primarily includes U.S. Broadline operations, which distribute a full line of food products including custom-cut meat, seafood, specialty produce, specialty imports and a wide variety of non-food products;
International Foodservice Operations - includes operations in the Americas and Europe, which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products. The Americas primarily consists of operations in Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as our operations that distribute to international customers. Our European operations primarily consist of operations in the United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Ireland and Sweden;
SYGMA - our U.S. customized distribution subsidiary; and
Other - primarily our hotel supply operations and Sysco Labs, which includes our suite of technology solutions that help support the business needs of our customers and provide support for some of our business technology needs.

The accounting policies for the segments are the same as those disclosed by Sysco for its consolidated financial statements. Corporate expenses generally include all expenses of the corporate office and Sysco’s shared services center. These expenses also include all share-based compensation costs.

The following tables set forth certain financial information for Sysco’s reportable business segments. Sysco reclassified prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs in accordance with ASU 2017-07.

 
13-Week Period Ended
 
39-Week Period Ended
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
Sales:
(In thousands)
 
(In thousands)
U.S. Foodservice Operations
$
10,105,283

 
$
9,704,495

 
$
30,591,799

 
$
29,234,662

International Foodservice Operations
2,757,891

 
2,799,251

 
8,569,439

 
8,571,549

SYGMA
1,537,312

 
1,605,753

 
4,695,376

 
4,879,569

Other
257,588

 
240,005

 
782,446

 
725,638

Total
$
14,658,074

 
$
14,349,504

 
$
44,639,060

 
$
43,411,418

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
39-Week Period Ended
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
Operating income:
(In thousands)
 
(In thousands)
U.S. Foodservice Operations
$
765,425

 
$
696,671

 
$
2,318,660

 
$
2,186,327

International Foodservice Operations
10,145

 
19,476

 
62,000

 
148,874

SYGMA
11,668

 
4,477

 
17,213

 
12,675

Other
6,376

 
8,962

 
22,429

 
22,072

Total segments
793,614

 
729,586

 
2,420,302

 
2,369,948

Corporate
(264,029
)
 
(247,383
)
 
(810,682
)
 
(739,828
)
Total operating income
529,585

 
482,203

 
1,609,620

 
1,630,120

Interest expense
94,514

 
136,145

 
270,643

 
303,015

Other expense (income), net
4,120

 
(18,826
)
 
15,449

 
(35,963
)
Earnings before income taxes
$
430,951

 
$
364,884

 
$
1,323,528

 
$
1,363,068



16.  SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION - SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

On January 19, 2011, the wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries of Sysco Corporation at that time entered into full and unconditional guarantees of all outstanding senior notes and debentures of Sysco Corporation. All subsequent issuances of

27



senior notes and debentures in the U.S. have also been guaranteed by these subsidiaries. As of March 30, 2019, Sysco had a total of $8.3 billion in senior notes and debentures that was covered by these guarantees.

All subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company, all guarantees are full and unconditional and all guarantees are joint and several, except that the guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor with respect to a series of senior notes or debentures may be released under certain customary circumstances. If we exercise our defeasance option with respect to the senior notes or debentures of any series, then any subsidiary guarantor effectively will be released with respect to that series. Further, each subsidiary guarantee will remain in full force and effect until the earliest to occur of the date, if any, on which (1) the applicable subsidiary guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation or (2) Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation consolidates with or merges into the applicable subsidiary guarantor.

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present separately the financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows of the parent issuer (Sysco Corporation), the guarantors (certain of the company’s U.S. Broadline subsidiaries), and all other non-guarantor subsidiaries of Sysco (Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries) on a combined basis with eliminating entries.
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Sysco
 
Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Current assets
$
163,070

 
$
4,281,687

 
$
4,010,792

 
$

 
$
8,455,549

Intercompany receivables
7,078,153

 
124,572

 
1,672,208

 
(8,874,933
)
 

Investment in subsidiaries
6,227,092

 

 
1,193,850

 
(7,420,942
)
 

Plant and equipment, net
243,519

 
2,101,630

 
2,031,910

 

 
4,377,059

Other assets
755,655

 
687,844

 
4,432,595

 
(507,903
)
 
5,368,191

Total assets
$
14,467,489

 
$
7,195,733

 
$
13,341,355

 
$
(16,803,778
)
 
$
18,200,799

Current liabilities
$
918,395

 
$
992,713

 
$
4,589,050

 
$

 
$
6,500,158

Intercompany payables
2,917,036

 
2,753,120

 
3,204,777

 
(8,874,933
)
 

Long-term debt
7,697,302

 
8,621

 
428,538

 

 
8,134,461

Other liabilities
572,859

 
525,069

 
579,198

 
(507,903
)
 
1,169,223

Noncontrolling interest

 

 
35,060

 

 
35,060

Shareholders’ equity
2,361,897

 
2,916,210

 
4,504,732

 
(7,420,942
)
 
2,361,897

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
14,467,489

 
$
7,195,733

 
$
13,341,355

 
$
(16,803,778
)
 
$
18,200,799



28



 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Jun. 30, 2018
 
Sysco
 
Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Current assets
$
157,994

 
$
4,018,444

 
$
3,827,015

 
$

 
$
8,003,453

Intercompany receivables
6,621,438

 
270,748

 
5,793,352

 
(12,685,538
)
 

Investment in subsidiaries
4,896,004

 

 
983,625

 
(5,879,629
)
 

Plant and equipment, net
278,855

 
2,181,576

 
2,061,229

 

 
4,521,660

Other assets
788,473

 
611,004

 
4,593,537

 
(447,723
)
 
5,545,291

Total assets
$
12,742,764

 
$
7,081,772

 
$
17,258,758

 
$
(19,012,890
)
 
$
18,070,404

Current liabilities
$
1,233,541

 
$
886,305

 
$
4,468,900

 
$

 
$
6,588,746

Intercompany payables
882,487

 
3,798,134

 
8,004,917

 
(12,685,538
)
 

Long-term debt
7,470,334

 
8,285

 
62,146

 

 
7,540,765

Other liabilities
649,445

 
508,387

 
686,178

 
(447,723
)
 
1,396,287

Noncontrolling interest

 

 
37,649

 

 
37,649

Shareholders’ equity
2,506,957

 
1,880,661

 
3,998,968

 
(5,879,629
)
 
2,506,957

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
12,742,764

 
$
7,081,772

 
$
17,258,758

 
$
(19,012,890
)
 
$
18,070,404


 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
Sysco
 
Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Current assets
$
273,948

 
$
4,093,321

 
$
4,348,602

 
$

 
$
8,715,871

Intercompany receivables
3,344,142

 
590,025

 

 
(3,934,167
)
 

Investment in subsidiaries
7,771,987

 

 

 
(7,771,987
)
 

Plant and equipment, net
263,472

 
2,047,608

 
2,081,078

 

 
4,392,158

Other assets
891,242

 
553,270

 
4,761,664

 
(685,063
)
 
5,521,113

Total assets
$
12,544,791

 
$
7,284,224

 
$
11,191,344

 
$
(12,391,217
)
 
$
18,629,142

Current liabilities
$
623,141

 
$
3,704,927

 
$
1,718,131

 
$

 
$
6,046,199

Intercompany payables

 

 
3,934,167

 
(3,934,167
)
 

Long-term debt
8,761,475

 
6,429

 
67,252

 

 
8,835,156

Other liabilities
808,962

 
531,480

 
705,286

 
(685,063
)
 
1,360,665

Noncontrolling interest

 

 
35,909

 

 
35,909

Shareholders’ equity
2,351,213

 
3,041,388

 
4,730,599

 
(7,771,987
)
 
2,351,213

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
12,544,791

 
$
7,284,224

 
$
11,191,344

 
$
(12,391,217
)
 
$
18,629,142




29



 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
For the 13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
Sysco
 
Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$

 
$
9,135,852

 
$
6,098,725

 
$
(576,503
)
 
$
14,658,074

Cost of sales

 
7,392,718

 
5,087,561

 
(576,503
)
 
11,903,776

Gross profit

 
1,743,134

 
1,011,164

 

 
2,754,298

Operating expenses
206,795

 
1,025,383

 
992,535

 

 
2,224,713

Operating income (loss)
(206,795
)
 
717,751

 
18,629

 

 
529,585

Interest expense (income) (1)
55,925

 
(43,056
)
 
81,645

 

 
94,514

Other expense (income), net
(1,730
)
 
(80
)
 
5,930

 

 
4,120

Earnings (losses) before income taxes
(260,990
)
 
760,887

 
(68,946
)
 

 
430,951

Income tax (benefit) provision
(183,601
)
 
188,703

 
(14,234
)
 

 
(9,132
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
517,472

 

 
107,865

 
(625,337
)
 

Net earnings
440,083

 
572,184

 
53,153

 
(625,337
)
 
440,083

Other comprehensive income (loss)
40,938

 

 
37,471

 
(37,471
)
 
40,938

Comprehensive income
$
481,021

 
$
572,184

 
$
90,624

 
$
(662,808
)
 
$
481,021

 

(1) 
Interest expense (income) includes $43.1 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation for the third quarter ended March 30, 2019. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.

 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
For the 13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Sysco
 
Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$

 
$
8,762,013

 
$
6,078,876

 
$
(491,385
)
 
$
14,349,504

Cost of sales

 
7,105,014

 
5,060,247

 
(491,385
)
 
11,673,876

Gross profit

 
1,656,999

 
1,018,629

 

 
2,675,628

Operating expenses
192,451

 
1,002,854

 
998,120

 

 
2,193,425

Operating income (loss)
(192,451
)
 
654,145

 
20,509

 

 
482,203

Interest expense (income) (1)
160,334

 
(28,743
)
 
4,554

 

 
136,145

Other expense (income), net
(8,744
)
 
612

 
(10,694
)
 

 
(18,826
)
Earnings (losses) before income taxes
(344,041
)
 
682,276

 
26,649

 

 
364,884

Income tax (benefit) provision
(117,286
)
 
151,090

 
995

 

 
34,799

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
556,840

 

 

 
(556,840
)
 

Net earnings
330,085

 
531,186

 
25,654

 
(556,840
)
 
330,085

Other comprehensive income (loss)
40,544

 

 
72,010

 
(72,010
)
 
40,544

Comprehensive income
$
370,629

 
$
531,186

 
$
97,664

 
$
(628,850
)
 
$
370,629


(1) 
Interest expense (income) includes $28.7 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation for the third quarter ended March 31, 2018. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.


30



 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
For the 39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
Sysco
 
Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$

 
$
27,716,772

 
$
18,662,548

 
$
(1,740,260
)
 
$
44,639,060

Cost of sales

 
22,434,604

 
15,514,921

 
(1,740,260
)
 
36,209,265

Gross profit

 
5,282,168

 
3,147,627

 

 
8,429,795

Operating expenses
659,697

 
3,113,409

 
3,047,069

 

 
6,820,175

Operating income (loss)
(659,697
)
 
2,168,759

 
100,558

 

 
1,609,620

Interest expense (income) (1)
160,830

 
(73,515
)
 
183,328

 

 
270,643

Other expense (income), net
8,642

 
(220
)
 
7,027

 

 
15,449

Earnings (losses) before income taxes
(829,169
)
 
2,242,494

 
(89,797
)
 

 
1,323,528

Income tax (benefit) provision
(350,246
)
 
556,107

 
(20,838
)
 

 
185,023

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
1,617,428

 

 
330,236

 
(1,947,664
)
 

Net earnings
1,138,505

 
1,686,387

 
261,277

 
(1,947,664
)
 
1,138,505

Other comprehensive income (loss)
(74,200
)
 

 
(88,989
)
 
88,989

 
(74,200
)
Comprehensive income
$
1,064,305

 
$
1,686,387

 
$
172,288

 
$
(1,858,675
)
 
$
1,064,305

 

(1) 
Interest expense (income) includes $73.5 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.

 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
For the 39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Sysco
 
Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$

 
$
26,537,840

 
$
18,368,427

 
$
(1,494,849
)
 
$
43,411,418

Cost of sales

 
21,482,727

 
15,254,858

 
(1,494,849
)
 
35,242,736

Gross profit

 
5,055,113

 
3,113,569

 

 
8,168,682

Operating expenses
599,300

 
3,002,446

 
2,936,816

 

 
6,538,562

Operating income (loss)
(599,300
)
 
2,052,667

 
176,753

 

 
1,630,120

Interest expense (income) (1)
368,099

 
(80,048
)
 
14,964

 

 
303,015

Other expense (income), net
(27,573
)
 
1,466

 
(9,856
)
 

 
(35,963
)
Earnings (losses) before income taxes
(939,826
)
 
2,131,249

 
171,645

 

 
1,363,068

Income tax (benefit) provision
(333,562
)
 
663,476

 
51,316

 

 
381,230

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
1,588,102

 

 

 
(1,588,102
)
 

Net earnings
981,838

 
1,467,773

 
120,329

 
(1,588,102
)
 
981,838

Other comprehensive income (loss)
187,253

 

 
212,594

 
(212,594
)
 
187,253

Comprehensive income
$
1,169,091

 
$
1,467,773

 
$
332,923

 
$
(1,800,696
)
 
$
1,169,091


(1) 
Interest expense (income) includes $80.0 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.


31



 
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
 
For the 39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
Sysco
 
Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Elimination (1)
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows provided by (used for):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
976,731

 
$
132,990

 
$
255,504

 
$

 
$
1,365,225

Investing activities
349,816

 
(133,190
)
 
(293,088
)
 
(503,397
)
 
(579,859
)
Financing activities
(1,338,077
)
 
(6,850
)
 
(98,285
)
 
503,397

 
(939,815
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash

 

 
(11,619
)
 

 
(11,619
)
Net (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(11,530
)
 
(7,050
)
 
(147,488
)
 

 
(166,068
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of period
29,144

 
111,843

 
574,857

 

 
715,844

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of period
$
17,614

 
$
104,793

 
$
427,369

 
$

 
$
549,776


(1) 
Represents primarily intercompany loans between the subsidiaries and the parent, Sysco Corporation.

 
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
 
For the 39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Sysco
 
Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Elimination (1)
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows provided by (used for):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
333,522

 
$
328,096

 
$
459,317

 
$

 
$
1,120,935

Investing activities
(118,952
)
 
(235,164
)
 
(349,564
)
 
147,622

 
(556,058
)
Financing activities
(227,327
)
 
(5,609
)
 
(31,441
)
 
(147,622
)
 
(411,999
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash

 

 
24,745

 

 
24,745

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(12,757
)
 
87,323

 
103,057

 

 
177,623

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period
111,576

 
18,788

 
739,138

 

 
869,502

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period
$
98,819

 
$
106,111

 
$
842,195

 
$

 
$
1,047,125


(1) 
Represents primarily intercompany loans between the subsidiaries and the parent, Sysco Corporation.


32



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

This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2018, and for the fiscal year then ended, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 (our 2018 Form 10-K), as well as the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) and notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) contained in this report.

Sysco’s results of operations for fiscal 2019 and 2018 were impacted by restructuring and transformational project costs consisting of: (1) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives; (2) severance and facility closure charges; and (3) restructuring charges. Our results of operations for fiscal 2019 and 2018 are also impacted by the following acquisition-related items: (1) intangible amortization expense and (2) integration costs. In addition, fiscal 2018 results of operations were impacted by multi-employer pension plan (MEPP) withdrawal charges and debt extinguishment charges. Sysco’s results of operations for fiscal 2019 and 2018 are also impacted by reform measures from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act) enacted on December 22, 2017. The impact for fiscal 2019 and 2018 includes a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries and the impact for fiscal 2019 also includes the recognition of a foreign tax credit. Additionally, the impact for fiscal 2018 also includes: (1) a net benefit from remeasuring Sysco’s accrued income taxes, deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets due to the changes in tax rates; and (2) a benefit from contributions made to fund the U.S. Retirement Plan (Pension Plan). These fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 items are collectively referred to as “Certain Items.” All acquisition-related costs in fiscal 2019 and 2018 that have been designated as Certain Items relate to the fiscal 2017 acquisition of Cucina Lux Investments Limited (the Brakes Acquisition). Our discussion below of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures and exclude the impact from Certain Items.

More information on the rationale for the use of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) numbers can be found under “Non-GAAP Reconciliations.”

Highlights and Trends

Highlights

Our third quarter performance reflects improved year-over-year growth, including the ongoing cost savings associated with our business transformation initiatives. These savings have accelerated in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. As a result, our operating income and net earnings increased in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018, both including and excluding Certain Items. Tax benefits also contributed to our net earnings increase.


33



Comparisons of results from the third quarter of fiscal 2019 to the third quarter of fiscal 2018:

Sales:
increased 2.2%, or $308.6 million, to $14.7 billion;
Operating income:
increased 9.8%, or $47.4 million, to $529.6 million;
adjusted operating income increased 16.6%, or $88.1 million, to $620.2 million;
Net earnings:
increased 33.3%, or $110.0 million, to $440.1 million;
adjusted net earnings increased 15.6%, or $55.6 million, to $411.2 million;
Basic earnings per share:
increased 36.5%, or $0.23, to $0.86 per share;
Diluted earnings per share:
increased 34.9%, or $0.22, to $0.85 per share; and
adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 17.4%, or $0.12, to $0.79 per share.

Comparisons of results from the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018:

Sales:
increased 2.8%, or $1.2 billion, to $44.6 billion;
Operating income:
decreased 1.3%, or $20.5 million, to $1.6 billion;
adjusted operating income increased 8.5%, or $149.3 million, to $1.9 billion;
Net earnings:
increased 16.0%, or $156.7 million, to $1.1 billion;
adjusted net earnings increased 10.5%, or $121.9 million, to $1.3 billion;
Basic earnings per share:
increased 17.0%, or $0.32, to $2.20 per share;
Diluted earnings per share:
increased 17.3%, or $0.32, to $2.17 per share; and
adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 11.5%, or $0.25, to $2.45 per share.

See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” for an explanation of the non-GAAP financial measures listed above and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Trends

In the restaurant industry, overall sales trends remain mixed during the quarter, with unfavorable weather impacting February sales, followed by sequentially increasing sales in March. While same store sales were positive, traffic declines were experienced. Although the industry trends have been varied, the overall macroeconomic conditions remain primarily favorable for our customers, as illustrated by continued low unemployment and strong gross domestic product growth. The economic outlook in the international geographies in which we operate was mostly positive; however, the United Kingdom (U.K.) is experiencing low consumer confidence due to the uncertain outcome of Brexit. In France, social unrest continues to impact tourism and, consequently, food away from home consumption. In Canada, the consumer confidence index has been rising.

Our sales and gross profit growth during the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 was driven by solid case growth within our U.S. Broadline operations, with local customer growth exceeding national customer growth. Strong category management activities also positively impacted our gross profit results. Additionally, we experienced growth in Sysco-branded products among our local customers. Meanwhile, inflation is a factor that contributes to the level of sales and gross profit growth. We experienced inflation at a rate of 2.25% during the third quarter of fiscal 2019, primarily in the frozen, poultry and meat categories. Our sales growth has been stronger in our U.S. Broadline operations, with slower growth experienced in our International businesses, with the exception of our Canadian operations. Brexit uncertainty has negatively affected sales in the U.K., while “yellow vest” protests have negatively impacted sales in France. A strengthening U.S. dollar has negatively impacted our sales growth by 1.1% for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and 0.7% for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, as we translate our foreign sales, due to foreign currency exchange rate impacts.

We believe that technology continues to be one of our fundamental enablers of growth as we transform our business to serve our customers in ways that best meet their needs. We are continuing to provide new capabilities and tools to enable an

34



improved experience of doing business with Sysco, including new ordering tools, which have driven our e-commerce ordering utilization to more than 53% with our local customers.

Our operating expenses increased during the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, due to investments we made in our business, particularly in our International segment, such as our integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France, and from increased supply chain costs in both transportation and warehouse, primarily in our U.S. operations. Strength in the labor markets is a positive factor contributing to sales growth in the U.S. and Canada; however, it is also impacting our operating expenses due to the tightening labor market in these geographies, including increased overtime expense and higher costs associated with hiring. We are addressing these challenges by continuing to drive productivity, putting tighter controls in place on how we manage costs and focusing on retention initiatives for specialized recruiting, training and onboarding efforts to better retain talent in our supply chain operations, and we are experiencing positive results from these efforts.

We have multiple transformation initiatives underway, some of which include:

A Finance Transformation Roadmap that modernizes our global financial platform, starting within our U.S. operations. We are centralizing activities, automating work and working with offshore partners where transactional work can be accomplished more efficiently and cost effectively. This project is underway and is expected to continue to produce benefits through the end of this fiscal year and beyond;
A Smart Spending initiative, which is focused on reducing our indirect spend in certain categories to drive productivity and savings. This project is underway and is expected to continue to produce benefits through the end of this fiscal year and beyond;
A Canadian Regionalization project, which is focused on optimizing the leadership and overall structure of our Canadian operations that have historically been highly decentralized. This project is underway and is expected to continue to produce benefits through the end of this fiscal year and beyond;
Other Corporate office expense initiatives, which are focused on the reprioritization of our administrative work, where we are looking for new and innovative ways to drive costs out of the business, and which will align with our transformational efforts, to drive growth. As an example, in February 2019, we implemented executive leadership and organizational changes resulting in the reduction of 10% of our corporate support salaried positions.

We have completed several new acquisitions thus far in fiscal 2019 within our U.S. Foodservice Operations and our International Foodservice Operations as follows:

U.S. Foodservice Operations

In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we acquired Waugh Foods, Inc., a leading Illinois broadline distributor with approximately $40 million in annual sales; and
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we acquired J & M Wholesale Meats and Imperio Foods, Inc., leading California distributors with approximately $44 million in combined annual sales.

In addition to the acquisitions noted above, in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we purchased the remaining 23% interest in Iowa Premium, LLC. Sysco initially acquired an interest in the specialty meat company in fiscal 2014. We are in the process of selling all of our interests in Iowa Premium LLC.

International Foodservice Operations

In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we acquired Classic Drinks, an established specialist wine and spirits distributor in Ireland with approximately €42 million in annual sales.

Strategy

Our objective to improve the overall customer experience is a core element of our success in recent years and will continue to be a key focus as we move forward. We have identified four key strategic priorities that we believe will accelerate our current growth and guide us into the future. These priorities are to:

enrich the customer experience;
deliver operational excellence;
optimize our business; and
activate the power of our people.


35



Fiscal 2019 is the second year in our current three-year plan that was established in fiscal 2018 and includes our strategic and financial objectives through fiscal 2020, which will enable us to continue transforming our business, while improving the customer experience of doing business with Sysco. We believe our four key strategic priorities will help us achieve our target financial objectives, including:

reaching $650 million to $700 million of adjusted operating income growth as compared to fiscal 2017;
growing earnings per share faster than operating income; and
achieving 16% in adjusted return on invested capital for existing businesses.

In accomplishing these goals, we believe that, by fiscal 2020, we could achieve, as compared to fiscal 2017; (1) sales growth of 4% to 4.5%; (2) adjusted operating income growth of 9%; and (3) adjusted diluted earnings per share results in the range of $3.85 to $3.95 in fiscal 2020, representing an increase of approximately 16%. We do not expect our improvements to occur evenly on a quarterly basis. The key levers to achieve these targets include an emphasis on accelerating locally managed customer case growth and driving leverage between gross profit growth and adjusted expense growth. If the planned sale of Iowa Premium LLC were consummated, it would result in the reduction of planned operating income of approximately $25 million, and, consequently, we would expect to deliver our adjusted operating income growth target at the low end of the range.

Our operating income goal was established on an adjusted basis given Certain Item charges that were applicable in fiscal 2018, which primarily were due to restructuring and Brakes-related acquisition costs. The business transformation initiatives we have in place will allow us to continue to grow our business and capitalize on our strong fundamentals. We are placing further emphasis on assessing our work in order to effectively centralize and standardize our business, including leveraging technology and strengthening Sysco overall. We will continue to focus on strong implementation and execution, while accelerating some of this work, all of which position us to achieve our financial objectives.

See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” for an explanation of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
39-Week Period Ended
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 31, 2018
Sales
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
 %
Cost of sales
81.2

 
81.4

 
81.1

 
81.2

Gross profit
18.8

 
18.6

 
18.9

 
18.8

Operating expenses
15.2

 
15.3

 
15.3

 
15.0

Operating income
3.6

 
3.3

 
3.6

 
3.8

Interest expense
0.6

 
0.9

 
0.6

 
0.7

Other expense (income), net
0.1

 
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.1
)
Earnings before income taxes
2.9

 
2.5

 
3.0

 
3.2

Income taxes
(0.1
)
 
0.2

 
0.4

 
0.9

Net earnings
3.0
 %
 
2.3
 %
 
2.6
%
 
2.3
 %


36



The following table sets forth the change in the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
39-Week Period Ended
 
Mar. 30, 2019
 
Mar. 30, 2019
Sales
2.2
 %
 
2.8
 %
Cost of sales
2.0

 
2.7

Gross profit
2.9

 
3.2

Operating expenses
1.4

 
4.3

Operating income
9.8

 
(1.3
)
Interest expense
(30.6
)
 
(10.7
)
Other expense (income), net (1) (2)
(121.9
)
 
(143.0
)
Earnings before income taxes
18.1

 
(2.9
)
Income taxes
(126.2
)
 
(51.5
)
Net earnings
33.3
 %
 
16.0
 %
Basic earnings per share
36.5
 %
 
17.0
 %
Diluted earnings per share
34.9

 
17.3

Average shares outstanding
(1.5
)
 
(1.1
)
Diluted shares outstanding
(1.5
)
 
(0.9
)

(1) 
Other expense (income), net was expense of $4.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and income of $18.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018.
(2) 
Other expense (income), net was expense of $15.4 million in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 and income of $36.0 million in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018.


37



The following represents our results by reportable segments:
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
U.S. Foodservice Operations
 
International Foodservice Operations
 
SYGMA
 
Other
 
Corporate
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$
10,105,283

 
$
2,757,891

 
$
1,537,312

 
$
257,588

 
$

 
$
14,658,074

Sales increase (decrease)
4.1
%
 
(1.5
)%
 
(4.3
)%
 
7.3
 %
 
 
 
2.2
%
Percentage of total
68.9
%
 
18.8
 %
 
10.5
 %
 
1.8
 %
 
 
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
$
765,425

 
$
10,145

 
$
11,668

 
$
6,376

 
$
(264,029
)
 
$
529,585

Operating income increase (decrease)
9.9
%
 
(47.9
)%
 
160.6
 %
 
(28.9
)%
 
 
 
9.8
%
Percentage of total segments
96.4
%
 
1.3
 %
 
1.5
 %
 
0.8
 %
 
 
 
100.0
%
Operating income as a percentage of sales
7.6
%
 
0.4
 %
 
0.8
 %
 
2.5
 %
 
 
 
3.6
%

 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
U.S. Foodservice Operations
 
International Foodservice Operations
 
SYGMA
 
Other
 
Corporate
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$
9,704,495

 
$
2,799,251

 
$
1,605,753

 
$
240,005

 
$

 
$
14,349,504

Percentage of total
67.6
%
 
19.5
%
 
11.2
%
 
1.7
%
 
 
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
$
696,671

 
$
19,476

 
$
4,477

 
$
8,962

 
$
(247,383
)
 
$
482,203

Percentage of total segments
95.5
%
 
2.7
%
 
0.6
%
 
1.2
%
 
 
 
100.0
%
Operating income as a percentage of sales
7.2
%
 
0.7
%
 
0.3
%
 
3.7
%
 
 
 
3.3
%

 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
U.S. Foodservice Operations
 
International Foodservice Operations
 
SYGMA
 
Other
 
Corporate
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$
30,591,799

 
$
8,569,439

 
$
4,695,376

 
$
782,446

 
$

 
$
44,639,060

Sales increase (decrease)
4.6
%
 
 %
 
(3.8
)%
 
7.8
%
 
 
 
2.8
 %
Percentage of total
68.5
%
 
19.2
 %
 
10.5
 %
 
1.8
%
 
 
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
$
2,318,660

 
$
62,000

 
$
17,213

 
$
22,429

 
$
(810,682
)
 
$
1,609,620

Operating income increase (decrease)
6.1
%
 
(58.4
)%
 
35.8
 %
 
1.6
%
 
 
 
(1.3
)%
Percentage of total segments
95.8
%
 
2.6
 %
 
0.7
 %
 
0.9
%
 
 
 
100.0
 %
Operating income as a percentage of sales
7.6
%
 
0.7
 %
 
0.4
 %
 
2.9
%
 
 
 
3.6
 %

 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
U.S. Foodservice Operations
 
International Foodservice Operations
 
SYGMA
 
Other
 
Corporate
 
Consolidated
Totals
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$
29,234,662

 
$
8,571,549

 
$
4,879,569

 
$
725,638

 
$

 
$
43,411,418

Percentage of total
67.3
%
 
19.7
%
 
11.2
%
 
1.8
%
 
 
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
$
2,186,327

 
$
148,874

 
$
12,675

 
$
22,072

 
$
(739,828
)
 
$
1,630,120

Percentage of total segments
92.3
%
 
6.3
%
 
0.5
%
 
0.9
%
 
 
 
100.0
%
Operating income as a percentage of sales
7.5
%
 
1.7
%
 
0.3
%
 
3.0
%
 
 
 
3.8
%


38



Based on information in Note 15, “Business Segment Information,” in both the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations collectively represented approximately 87.7% of Sysco’s overall sales. In the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations collectively represented approximately 97.7% and 98.4% of the total segment operating income, respectively. This illustrates that these segments represent the majority of our total segment results when compared to the other reportable segment.

Results of U.S. Foodservice Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Change in Dollars
 
% Change
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$
10,105,283

 
$
9,704,495

 
$
400,788

 
4.1
%
Gross profit
2,009,129

 
1,911,704

 
97,425

 
5.1

Operating expenses
1,243,704

 
1,215,033

 
28,671

 
2.4

Operating income
$
765,425

 
$
696,671

 
$
68,754

 
9.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
$
2,009,129

 
$
1,911,704

 
$
97,425

 
5.1
%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)
1,240,777

 
1,213,333

 
27,444

 
2.3

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)
$
768,352

 
$
698,371

 
$
69,981

 
10.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Change in Dollars
 
 % Change
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$
30,591,799

 
$
29,234,662

 
$
1,357,137

 
4.6
%
Gross profit
6,101,175

 
5,813,453

 
287,722

 
4.9

Operating expenses
3,782,515

 
3,627,126

 
155,389

 
4.3

Operating income
$
2,318,660

 
$
2,186,327

 
$
132,333

 
6.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
$
6,101,175

 
$
5,813,453

 
$
287,722

 
4.9
%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)
3,779,657

 
3,625,426

 
154,231

 
4.3

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)
$
2,321,518

 
$
2,188,027

 
$
133,491

 
6.1
%


39



Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in the major factors impacting sales as compared to the corresponding prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
13-Week Period
 
(In millions)
Cause of change
Percentage
 
Dollars
Case volume
1.4
 %
 
$
136.3

Inflation
2.4

 
233.6

Acquisitions
0.7

 
63.4

Other (1)
(0.4
)
 
(32.5
)
Total sales increase
4.1
 %
 
$
400.8

 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
39-Week Period
 
(In millions)
Cause of change
Percentage
 
Dollars
Case volume
2.3
 %
 
$
679.2

Inflation
1.3

 
369.0

Acquisitions
0.9

 
277.6

Other (1)
0.1

 
31.3

Total sales increase
4.6
 %
 
$
1,357.1


(1) 
Case volume excludes the volume impact from our custom-cut meat companies that do not measure volume in cases. Any impact in volumes from these operations is included within “Other.”

Sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were 4.1% higher than the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The primary drivers of the increase were inflation and modest case volume growth in our U.S. Broadline operations. Case volumes from our U.S. Broadline operations, including acquisitions within the last 12 months, increased 2.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and included a 3.1% improvement in locally managed customer case growth, along with an increase of 0.9% in national customer case volume. Sales from acquisitions within the last 12 months favorably impacted locally managed customer sales by 0.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 2019; therefore, organic local case volume, which excludes acquisitions, grew 2.2%. Sales for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were 4.6% higher than the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. The primary driver of the increase was a mix of both local and national customer case volume growth in our U.S. Broadline operations, as well as inflation. Case volumes from our U.S. Broadline operations, including acquisitions within the last 12 months, increased 3.6% in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 compared to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 and included a 3.9% improvement in locally managed customer case growth, along with an increase of 3.2% in national customer case volume. Sales from acquisitions within the last 12 months favorably impacted locally managed customer sales by 1.2% for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019; therefore, organic local case volume, which excludes acquisitions, grew 2.7%.

Operating Income

Operating income increased 9.9% and 6.1% for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018.

Gross profit dollars increased 5.1% and 4.9% in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, driven primarily by continued positive momentum from category management, year-over-year improvement in inbound freight and continued growth in our Sysco-branded products. Our Sysco brand sales to local customers increased by approximately 28 and 52 basis points for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively. The estimated change in product costs, an internal measure of inflation or deflation, for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 for our U.S. Broadline operations was inflation of 2.3% and 1.2%, respectively. For the third quarter of fiscal 2019, this change in product costs was primarily driven by inflation in the frozen foods, poultry and meat categories. For the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, this change in product costs was primarily driven by inflation in the frozen foods, paper and dry

40



categories, and partially offset by deflation in the poultry category. Gross margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of sales, was 19.88% and 19.94% in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, which was an increase of 18 basis points and 6 basis points from the gross margin of 19.70% and 19.89% in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, primarily attributable to an increase in the rate of inflation.

Operating expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 increased 2.4%, or $28.7 million, compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Operating expenses for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 increased 4.3%, or $155.4 million, compared to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. Our operating expense growth is primarily driven by continued supply chain cost challenges in transportation and warehouse, including increased overtime expense and higher costs associated with hiring. We are addressing these challenges by continuing to drive productivity, implementing tighter controls on how we manage costs and focusing on retention initiatives, including specialized recruiting, training and onboarding efforts, to better retain talent in our supply chain operations and we are experiencing positive results from these efforts. The growth in operating expenses included a $15.4 million and $93.7 million increase in pay-related expenses in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. The slower rate of growth in operating expenses during the third quarter of fiscal 2019 was favorably impacted by our Finance Transformation Roadmap and Smart Spending initiatives.

Results of International Foodservice Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Change in Dollars
 
% Change
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$
2,757,891

 
$
2,799,251

 
$
(41,360
)
 
(1.5
)%
Gross profit
565,116

 
583,226

 
(18,110
)
 
(3.1
)
Operating expenses
554,971

 
563,750

 
(8,779
)
 
(1.6
)
Operating income
$
10,145

 
$
19,476

 
$
(9,331
)
 
(47.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
$
565,116

 
$
583,226

 
$
(18,110
)
 
(3.1
)%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)
507,018

 
538,519

 
(31,501
)
 
(5.8
)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)
$
58,098

 
$
44,707

 
$
13,391

 
30.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Change in Dollars
 
 % Change
 
(In thousands)
Sales
$
8,569,439

 
$
8,571,549

 
$
(2,110
)
 
 %
Gross profit
1,770,543

 
1,797,976

 
(27,433
)
 
(1.5
)
Operating expenses
1,708,543

 
1,649,102

 
59,441

 
3.6

Operating income
$
62,000

 
$
148,874

 
$
(86,874
)
 
(58.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
$
1,770,543

 
$
1,797,976

 
$
(27,433
)
 
(1.5
)%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)
1,533,928

 
1,579,049

 
(45,121
)
 
(2.9
)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)
$
236,615

 
$
218,927

 
$
17,688

 
8.1
 %


41



Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in the major components impacting sales as compared to the corresponding prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
13-Week Period
 
(In millions)
Cause of change
Percentage
 
Dollars
Inflation
3.9
 %
 
$
110.1

Acquisitions
0.9

 
25.7

Foreign currency
(5.6
)
 
(157.0
)
Other (1)
(0.7
)
 
(20.2
)
Total sales increase
(1.5
)%
 
$
(41.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
39-Week Period
 
(In millions)
Cause of change
Percentage
 
Dollars
Inflation
2.7
 %
 
$
232.1

Acquisitions
1.0

 
85.8

Foreign currency
(3.7
)
 
(317.6
)
Other (1)

 
(2.4
)
Total sales increase
 %
 
$
(2.1
)

(1) 
The impact of volumes as a component of sales growth from international operations are included within “Other.” Volume in our foreign operations includes volume metrics that differ from country to country and cannot be aggregated on a consistent, comparable basis.

Sales for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were 1.5% lower and flat, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, primarily due to changes in foreign exchange rates used to translate our foreign sales into U.S. dollars, partially offset by product cost inflation in Europe and Canada. Sales performance improved in Canada in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively. Sales grew in the U.K., but were adversely impacted by low consumer confidence, which reflected the effects of Brexit uncertainty. Our business in France was adversely impacted by social unrest and by some operational challenges associated with integrating Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France. We experienced moderate increases in sales within our Latin America operations, including Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama.

Operating Income

Operating income decreased by $9.3 million and $86.9 million, or 47.9% and 58.4%, for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. Our operating expenses decreased during the third quarter of fiscal 2019 due to expense management in our Canadian operations partially benefiting from our ongoing regionalization efforts. Our operating expenses increased during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 due to investments we made in our business, including the integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France. These activities resulted in restructuring charges that were combined with our Brakes Acquisition-related costs that are included within Certain Items. Operating income, on an adjusted basis, increased by $13.4 million and $17.7 million, or 30.0% and 8.1%, for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018.

Gross profit dollars decreased by 3.1% and 1.5% in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, primarily attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates.

Operating expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased 1.6%, or $8.8 million, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018, due to expense management in our Canadian operations partially benefiting from our ongoing regionalization efforts. Our operating expenses increased during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 due to investments we made in our business,

42



including the integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France. These activities resulted in restructuring charges that were combined with our Brakes Acquisition-related costs that are included within Certain Items. We incurred restructuring charges of $2.0 million and $58.1 million relating to our France integration during the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively. Operating expenses, on an adjusted basis, for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 decreased 5.8% and 2.9%, or $31.5 million and $45.1 million, respectively, compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. Changes in foreign exchange rates used to translate our foreign operating expenses into U.S. dollars contributed to these decreases.

Results of SYGMA and Other Segment

For SYGMA, sales were 4.3% and 3.8% lower in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, primarily from a modest decline in case volume due to transitioned customers, as we continue to take a disciplined approach toward improving profitability. Operating income increased by $7.2 million and $4.5 million in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, due to improved gross margins and solid expense management, including decreases in transportation costs in supply chain driven by costs related to labor, driver staffing and fleet maintenance. We continue to optimize our business in the segment and remain focused on improving our operational performance.

For the operations that are grouped within Other, operating income decreased 28.9%, or $2.6 million, in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Operating income increased 1.6%, or $0.4 million, in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, as compared to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. Guest Supply gross profit grew 3.3% and 5.6%, respectively, in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019; however, the business was negatively impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates and continued cost challenges.

Corporate Expenses

Corporate expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 increased $17.8 million, or 7.5%, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018, due primarily to an increase in expenses related to our business technology initiatives along with higher pay-related expenses, partly driven by higher severance and relocation charges. Corporate expenses in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 increased $65.5 million, or 9.0%, as compared to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, due primarily to an increase in expenses related to our business technology initiatives, including accelerated depreciation on certain ERP systems and software platforms that we are no longer using, along with higher pay-related expenses, partly driven by higher severance and relocation charges. Corporate expenses, on an adjusted basis, increased $1.4 million, or 0.6%, and $1.8 million, or 0.3%, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively.

Included in corporate expenses are Certain Items that totaled $39.4 million and $127.7 million in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to $22.9 million and $64.1 million in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. Certain Items impacting the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were primarily expenses associated with our business transformation initiatives, as well as severance charges associated with our organizational changes. Certain Items in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 were primarily expenses associated with our business technology transformation initiatives, Brakes integration costs, professional fees on three-year financial objectives and severance charges.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $41.6 million and $32.4 million for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, primarily due to a favorable comparison to the prior year as a result of the redemption of certain series of senior notes and debentures pursuant to a tender offer in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Interest charges related to the redemption costs noted above were considered Certain Items. Our interest expense, excluding Certain Items, increased $11.5 million and $20.7 million for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, due to higher floating interest rates and a higher average balance of fixed rate debt.

Net Earnings

Net earnings increased 33.3% and 16.0% in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of the prior year, due primarily to the items noted above for operating income and interest expense, as well as items impacting our income taxes that are discussed in Note 13, “Income Taxes.” These included the favorable impact of foreign tax credits generated as a result of distributions to Sysco from our foreign operations at the end of fiscal 2018, lower tax rates resulting from the enactment of the Tax Act and the favorable impact of excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation. In the third quarter of fiscal 2018, lower U.S. tax rates from the Tax Act were not yet fully applicable.

43




Adjusted net earnings, excluding Certain Items, increased 15.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, primarily due to gross profit growth and a decline in operating expense, along with a favorable tax expense comparison to the prior year. Adjusted net earnings, excluding Certain Items, increased 10.5% in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, primarily from gross profit growth and favorable expense growth, as well as tax benefits.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were $0.86, a 36.5% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $0.63 per share. Diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were $0.85, a 34.9% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $0.63 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items, in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were $0.79, a 17.4% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $0.67 per share. These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed above related to net earnings in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Basic earnings per share in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were $2.20, a 17.0% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $1.88 per share. Diluted earnings per share in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were $2.17, a 17.3% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $1.85 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items, in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were $2.45, an 11.5% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $2.19 per share. These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed above related to net earnings in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Sysco’s results of operations for fiscal 2019 and 2018 are impacted by restructuring and transformational project costs consisting of: (1) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives; (2) severance and facility closure charges; and (3) restructuring charges. Our results of operations for fiscal 2019 and 2018 are also impacted by the following acquisition-related items: (1) intangible amortization expense and (2) integration costs. In addition, fiscal 2018 results of operations were impacted by MEPP withdrawal charges and debt extinguishment charges. Sysco’s results of operations for fiscal 2019 and 2018 are also impacted by reform measures from the Tax Act. The impact for fiscal 2019 and 2018 includes a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries and the impact for fiscal 2019 also includes the impact of recognizing a foreign tax credit. The impact for fiscal 2018 also includes: (1) a net benefit from remeasuring Sysco’s accrued income taxes, deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets due to the changes in tax rates; and (2) a benefit from contributions made to fund the Pension Plan. All acquisition-related costs in fiscal 2019 and 2018 that have been excluded relate to the fiscal 2017 Brakes Acquisition.

The fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 items described above and excluded from our non-GAAP measures are collectively referred to as “Certain Items.” Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items, provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results and provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations, facilitating comparisons on a year-over-year basis and (2) removes those items that are difficult to predict and are often unanticipated and that, as a result, are difficult to include in analysts’ financial models and our investors’ expectations with any degree of specificity.

Although Sysco has a history of growth through acquisitions, the Brakes Group was significantly larger than the companies historically acquired by Sysco, with a proportionately greater impact on Sysco’s consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, Sysco is excluding from its non-GAAP financial measures for the relevant period solely those acquisition costs specific to the Brakes Acquisition. We believe this approach significantly enhances the comparability of Sysco’s results for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of sales, operating expenses, operating income, interest expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented. Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add to the total presented due to rounding. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.

44



 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Change in Dollars
 
% Change
 
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
2,224,713

 
$
2,193,425

 
$
31,288

 
1.4
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
(72,207
)
 
(22,781
)
 
(49,426
)
 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
(18,398
)
 
(25,361
)
 
6,963

 
(27.5
)
Impact of MEPP charge

 
(1,700
)
 
1,700

 
(100.0
)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
2,134,108

 
$
2,143,583

 
$
(9,475
)
 
(0.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
529,585

 
$
482,203

 
$
47,382

 
9.8
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
72,207

 
22,781

 
49,426

 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
18,398

 
25,361

 
(6,963
)
 
(27.5
)
Impact of MEPP charge

 
1,700

 
(1,700
)
 
(100.0
)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
620,190

 
$
532,045

 
$
88,145

 
16.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense (GAAP)
$
94,514

 
$
136,145

 
$
(41,631
)
 
(30.6
)%
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(53,104
)
 
53,104

 
(100.0
)
Interest expense adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
94,514

 
$
83,041

 
$
11,473

 
13.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (GAAP)
$
440,083

 
$
330,085

 
$
109,998

 
33.3
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
72,207

 
22,781

 
49,426

 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
18,398

 
25,361

 
(6,963
)
 
(27.5
)
Impact of MEPP charge

 
1,700

 
(1,700
)
 
(100.0
)
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt

 
53,104

 
(53,104
)
 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)
(19,271
)
 
(7,571
)
 
(11,700
)
 
NM

Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(4,899
)
 
(6,633
)
 
1,734

 
(26.1
)
Tax impact of MEPP charge (3)

 
(585
)
 
585

 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (3)

 
(18,225
)
 
18,225

 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of Pension Plan contribution (3)

 
(44,424
)
 
44,424

 
(100.0
)
Impact of foreign tax credit benefit
(95,067
)
 

 
(95,067
)
 
NM

Impact of U.S. transition tax
(269
)
 

 
(269
)
 
NM

Net earnings adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
411,182

 
$
355,593

 
$
55,589

 
15.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)
$
0.85

 
$
0.63

 
$
0.22

 
34.9
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
0.14

 
0.04

 
0.10

 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
0.04

 
0.05

 
(0.01
)
 
(20.0
)
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt

 
0.10

 
(0.10
)
 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)
(0.04
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.03
)
 
NM

Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 

 

Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (3)

 
(0.03
)
 
0.03

 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of Pension Plan contribution (tax)

 
(0.08
)
 
0.08

 
(100.0
)
Impact of foreign tax credit benefit
(0.18
)
 

 
(0.18
)
 
NM

Diluted EPS adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (4)
$
0.79

 
$
0.67

 
$
0.12

 
17.4
 %
 

(1) 
Fiscal 2019 includes $35 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy and $37 million related to restructuring, facility closure and severance charges. Fiscal 2018 includes $19 million related to business technology costs and professional fees on three-year financial objectives and $4 million related to restructuring charges.
(2) 
Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 include $18 million and $20 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of Brakes. Fiscal 2018 includes $4 million in integration costs.

45



(3) 
The tax impact of adjustments for Certain Items are calculated by multiplying the pretax impact of each Certain Item by the statutory rates in effect for each jurisdiction where the Certain Item was incurred.
(4) 
Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add to the total presented due to rounding. Total diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.


46



 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Change in Dollars
 
% Change
 
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
6,820,175

 
$
6,538,562

 
$
281,613

 
4.3
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
(247,547
)
 
(63,211
)
 
(184,336
)
 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
(58,042
)
 
(70,906
)
 
12,864

 
(18.1
)
Impact of MEPP charge

 
(1,700
)
 
1,700

 
(100.0
)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
6,514,586

 
$
6,402,745

 
$
111,841

 
1.7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
1,609,620

 
$
1,630,120

 
$
(20,500
)
 
(1.3
)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
247,547

 
63,211

 
184,336

 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
58,042

 
70,906

 
(12,864
)
 
(18.1
)
Impact of MEPP charge

 
1,700

 
(1,700
)
 
(100.0
)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
1,915,209

 
$
1,765,937

 
$
149,272

 
8.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense (GAAP)
$
270,643

 
$
303,015

 
$
(32,372
)
 
(10.7
)%
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(53,104
)
 
53,104

 
(100.0
)
Interest expense adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
270,643

 
$
249,911

 
$
20,732

 
8.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (GAAP)
$
1,138,505

 
$
981,838

 
$
156,667

 
16.0
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
247,547

 
63,211

 
184,336

 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
58,042

 
70,906

 
(12,864
)
 
(18.1
)
Impact of MEPP charge

 
1,700

 
(1,700
)
 
(100.0
)
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt

 
53,104

 
(53,104
)
 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)
(64,831
)
 
(20,170
)
 
(44,661
)
 
NM

Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(15,201
)
 
(17,778
)
 
2,577

 
(14.5
)
Tax impact of MEPP charge

 
(582
)
 
582

 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (3)

 
(18,225
)
 
18,225

 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of Pension Plan contribution

 
(44,424
)
 
44,424

 
(100.0
)
Impact of foreign tax credit benefit
(95,067
)
 

 
(95,067
)
 
NM

Impact of U.S. transition tax
14,885

 
115,000

 
(100,115
)
 
(87.1
)
Impact of U.S. balance sheet remeasurement from tax law change

 
(14,477
)
 
14,477

 
(100.0
)
Impact of France, U.K. and Sweden tax law changes

 
(8,137
)
 
8,137

 
(100.0
)
Net earnings adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
1,283,880

 
$
1,161,966

 
$
121,914

 
10.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)
$
2.17

 
$
1.85

 
$
0.32

 
17.3
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
0.47

 
0.12

 
0.35

 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
0.11

 
0.13

 
(0.02
)
 
(15.4
)
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt

 
0.10

 
(0.10
)
 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)
(0.12
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.08
)
 
NM

Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(0.03
)
 
(0.03
)
 

 

Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (3)

 
(0.03
)
 
0.03

 
(100.0
)
Tax impact of Pension Plan contribution

 
(0.08
)
 
0.08

 
(100.0
)
Impact of foreign tax credit benefit
(0.18
)
 

 
(0.18
)
 
NM

Impact of U.S. transition tax
0.03

 
0.22

 
(0.19
)
 
(86.4
)
Impact of U.S. balance sheet remeasurement from tax law change

 
(0.03
)
 
0.03

 
(100.0
)
Impact of France, U.K. and Sweden tax law changes

 
(0.02
)
 
0.02

 
(100.0
)
Diluted EPS adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (4)
$
2.45

 
$
2.19

 
$
0.25

 
11.5
 %
 


47



(1) 
Fiscal 2019 includes $114 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy, of which $17 million relates to accelerated depreciation related to software that is being replaced, and $133 million related to severance, restructuring and facility closure charges in Europe, Canada and at Corporate, of which $58 million relates to our France restructuring as part of our integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France. Fiscal 2018 includes $48 million related to business technology costs and professional fees on three-year financial objectives and $15 million related to restructuring charges.
(2) 
Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 include $57 million and $51 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of Brakes, and $1 million and $14 million, respectively, related to integration costs.
(3) 
The tax impact of adjustments for Certain Items are calculated by multiplying the pretax impact of each Certain Item by the statutory rates in effect for each jurisdiction where the Certain Item was incurred.
(4) 
Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add to the total presented due to rounding. Total diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.


48



Set forth below is a reconciliation by segment of actual operating expenses and operating income to adjusted results for these measures for applicable segments and corporate for the periods presented:
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Change in Dollars
 
% Change
 
(In thousands)
U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
1,243,704

 
$
1,215,033

 
$
28,671

 
2.4
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
(2,927
)
 

 
(2,927
)
 
NM

Impact of MEPP charge

 
(1,700
)
 
1,700

 
(100.0
)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
1,240,777

 
$
1,213,333

 
$
27,444

 
2.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
765,425

 
$
696,671

 
$
68,754

 
9.9
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
2,927

 

 
2,927

 
NM

Impact of MEPP charge

 
1,700

 
(1,700
)
 
(100.0
)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
768,352

 
$
698,371

 
$
69,981

 
10.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
554,971

 
$
563,750

 
$
(8,779
)
 
(1.6
)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)
(29,574
)
 
(3,552
)
 
(26,022
)
 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(18,379
)
 
(21,679
)
 
3,300

 
(15.2
)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
507,018

 
$
538,519

 
$
(31,501
)
 
(5.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
10,145

 
$
19,476

 
$
(9,331
)
 
(47.9
)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)
29,574

 
3,552

 
26,022

 
NM

Impact of acquisition related costs (3)
18,379

 
21,679

 
(3,300
)
 
(15.2
)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
58,098

 
$
44,707

 
$
13,391

 
30.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SYGMA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
114,247

 
$
122,597

 
$
(8,350
)
 
(6.8
)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)
(369
)
 

 
(369
)
 
NM

Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
113,878

 
$
122,597

 
$
(8,719
)
 
(7.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
11,668

 
$
4,477

 
$
7,191

 
NM

Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)
369

 

 
369

 
NM

Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
12,037

 
$
4,477

 
$
7,560

 
NM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
254,289

 
$
236,482

 
$
17,807

 
7.5
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (5)
(39,337
)
 
(19,229
)
 
(20,108
)
 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (6)
(19
)
 
(3,682
)
 
3,663

 
(99.5
)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
214,933

 
$
213,571

 
$
1,362

 
0.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
(264,029
)
 
$
(247,383
)
 
$
(16,646
)
 
6.7
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (5)
39,337

 
19,229

 
20,108

 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (6)
19

 
3,682

 
(3,663
)
 
(99.5
)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
(224,673
)
 
$
(224,472
)
 
$
(201
)
 
0.1
 %

(1) 
Includes charges related to business transformation projects.
(2) 
Includes restructuring, facility closure and severance costs in Europe and Canada.

49



(3) 
Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 include $18 million and $20 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition.
(4) 
Includes charges related to facility closures and other restructuring charges.
(5) 
Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 include various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy, and severance charges related to restructuring.
(6) 
Fiscal 2018 included $4 million in integration costs from the Brakes Acquisition.

NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.


50



 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Change in Dollars
 
% Change
 
(In thousands)
U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
3,782,515

 
$
3,627,126

 
$
155,389

 
4.3
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
(2,858
)
 

 
(2,858
)
 
NM

Impact of MEPP charge

 
(1,700
)
 
1,700

 
(100.0
)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
3,779,657

 
$
3,625,426

 
$
154,231

 
4.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
2,318,660

 
$
2,186,327

 
$
132,333

 
6.1
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)
2,858

 

 
2,858

 
NM

Impact of MEPP charge

 
1,700

 
(1,700
)
 
(100.0
)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
2,321,518

 
$
2,188,027

 
$
133,491

 
6.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
1,708,543

 
$
1,649,102

 
$
59,441

 
3.6
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)
(117,390
)
 
(13,052
)
 
(104,338
)
 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(57,225
)
 
(57,001
)
 
(224
)
 
0.4

Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
1,533,928

 
$
1,579,049

 
$
(45,121
)
 
(2.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
62,000

 
$
148,874

 
$
(86,874
)
 
(58.4
)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)
117,390

 
13,052

 
104,338

 
NM

Impact of acquisition related costs (3)
57,225

 
57,001

 
224

 
0.4

Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
236,615

 
$
218,927

 
$
17,688

 
8.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SYGMA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
359,565

 
$
362,766

 
$
(3,201
)
 
(0.9
)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)
(369
)
 

 
(369
)
 
NM

Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
359,196

 
$
362,766

 
$
(3,570
)
 
(1.0
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
17,213

 
$
12,675

 
$
4,538

 
35.8
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)
369

 

 
369

 
NM

Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
17,582

 
$
12,675

 
$
4,907

 
38.7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP)
$
793,067

 
$
727,593

 
$
65,474

 
9.0
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (5)
(126,930
)
 
(50,159
)
 
(76,771
)
 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (6)
(817
)
 
(13,904
)
 
13,087

 
(94.1
)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
665,320

 
$
663,530

 
$
1,790

 
0.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (GAAP)
$
(810,682
)
 
$
(739,828
)
 
$
(70,854
)
 
9.6
 %
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (5)
126,930

 
50,159

 
76,771

 
NM

Impact of acquisition-related costs (6)
817

 
13,904

 
(13,087
)
 
(94.1
)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)
$
(682,935
)
 
$
(675,765
)
 
$
(7,170
)
 
1.1
 %

(1) 
Includes charges related to business transformation projects.
(2) 
Includes $58 million of restructuring charges in France and other restructuring, severance and facility closure costs in Europe and Canada.

51



(3) 
Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 include $57 million and $51 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition.
(4) 
Includes charges related to facility closures and other restructuring charges.
(5) 
Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 include various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy. Fiscal 2019 includes $17 million of accelerated depreciation on software that is being replaced, and severance charges related to restructuring.
(6) 
Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 include $1 million and $14 million, respectively, related to integration costs from the Brakes Acquisition.

NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.


Three-Year Financial Targets

Sysco management considers adjusted return on invested capital (ROIC) to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the company’s long-term capital investments. In addition, we have targets and expectations that are based on adjusted results, including an adjusted ROIC target of 16% under our three-year plan. We cannot predict with certainty whether or when we will achieve these results or whether the calculation of our ROIC in such future periods will be on an adjusted basis due to the effect of Certain Items, which would be excluded from such calculation. Due to these uncertainties, to the extent our future calculation of ROIC is on an adjusted basis excluding Certain Items, we cannot provide a quantitative reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. However, we would expect to calculate adjusted ROIC, if applicable, in the same manner as we have calculated this historically. All components of our adjusted ROIC calculation would be impacted by Certain Items. We calculate adjusted ROIC as adjusted net earnings divided by (i) stockholders’ equity, computed as the average of adjusted stockholders’ equity at the beginning of the year and at the end of each fiscal quarter during the year; and (ii) long-term debt, computed as the average of the long-term debt at the beginning of the year and at the end of each fiscal quarter during the year.
Form of calculation:
Net earnings (GAAP)
Impact of Certain Items on net earnings
Adjusted net earnings (Non-GAAP)
 
Invested Capital (GAAP)
Adjustments to invested capital
Adjusted Invested capital (Non-GAAP)
 
Return on invested capital (GAAP)
Return on invested capital (Non-GAAP)

Additional targets and expectations include our adjusted operating income target that we expect to achieve by the end of fiscal 2020 under our three-year plan. Our three-year plan further includes target amounts for adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share. Due to uncertainties in projecting Certain Items, we cannot provide a quantitative reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable effort. However, we would expect to calculate these adjusted results, if applicable, in the same manner as the reconciliations provided for historical periods presented herein. The impact of future Certain Items could cause projected non-GAAP amounts to differ significantly from our GAAP results.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Highlights

Comparisons of the cash flows from the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018:

Cash flows from operations were $1.4 billion in fiscal 2019, compared to $1.1 billion in fiscal 2018;
Net capital expenditures totaled $366.5 million in fiscal 2019, compared to $355.7 million in fiscal 2018;

52



Free cash flow was $998.7 million in fiscal 2019, compared to free cash flow of $765.2 million in fiscal 2018 (see below under the heading “Free Cash Flow” for an explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure);
There were $200.0 million of commercial paper issuances and net bank borrowings in fiscal 2019, compared to $638.3 million of commercial paper issuances and net bank borrowings in fiscal 2018;
Dividends paid were $575.1 million in fiscal 2019, compared to $534.7 million in fiscal 2018; and
Cash paid for treasury stock repurchases was $866.7 million in fiscal 2019, compared to $911.0 million in fiscal 2018.

In addition, with regard to our senior notes:

We repaid 5.375% senior notes totaling $250 million at maturity utilizing a combination of cash flow from operations and commercial paper issuances.
We issued CDN $500.0 million in new senior notes through a Canadian subsidiary.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Sysco’s strategic objectives include continuous investment in our business; these investments are funded by a combination of cash from operations and access to capital from financial markets. Our operations historically have produced significant cash flow. Cash generated from operations is generally allocated to:

working capital requirements;
investments in facilities, systems, fleet, other equipment and technology;
cash dividends;
acquisitions compatible with our overall growth strategy;
contributions to our various retirement plans; and
debt repayments and share repurchases.

Any remaining cash generated from operations may be invested in high-quality, short-term instruments. As a part of our ongoing strategic analysis, we regularly evaluate business opportunities, including potential acquisitions and sales of assets and businesses, and our overall capital structure. Any transactions resulting from these evaluations may materially impact our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability.

We continue to generate substantial cash flows from operations and remain in a strong financial position; however, our liquidity and capital resources can be influenced by economic trends and conditions that impact our results of operations. We believe our mechanisms to manage working capital, such as credit monitoring, optimizing inventory levels and maximizing payment terms with vendors, and our mechanisms to manage the items impacting our gross profits have been sufficient to limit a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations. We believe these mechanisms will continue to prevent a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations. Seasonal trends also impact our cash flows from operations and free cash flow, as we use more cash earlier in the fiscal year and then see larger, sequential quarterly increases throughout the remainder of the year.

As of March 30, 2019, we had $521.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately 57% of which was held by our international subsidiaries generated from our earnings of international operations. If these earnings were transferred among countries or repatriated to the U.S., such amounts may be subject to withholding and additional foreign tax obligations. Additionally, Sysco Corporation has provided intercompany loans to certain of its international subsidiaries, and when interest and principal payments are made, some of this cash will move to the U.S.

Our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive), must maintain a sufficient level of liquidity to fund future reserve payments. As of March 30, 2019, the Captive held $117.2 million of fixed income marketable securities and $28.0 million of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in a restricted investment portfolio in order to meet solvency requirements. We purchased $115.8 million in marketable securities in fiscal 2019 and had no proceeds from the sale of marketable securities in fiscal 2019.


53



We believe the following sources will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months, while maintaining sufficient liquidity for normal operating purposes:

our cash flows from operations;
the availability of additional capital under our existing commercial paper programs, supported by our revolving credit facility and bank line of credit; and
our ability to access capital from financial markets, including issuances of debt securities, either privately or under our shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets, if necessary.

Cash Flows

Operating Activities

We generated $1.4 billion in cash flows from operations in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, compared to cash flows of $1.1 billion in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. These amounts include year-over-year favorable comparisons on other long-term liabilities and accrued expenses, partially offset by decreased working capital.

Included in the change in other long-term liabilities was a positive comparison primarily from pension contributions made in fiscal 2018. Pension contributions were $401.6 million in fiscal 2018, including a $330 million contribution that allowed us to fund and de-risk the Pension Plan in the third quarter of fiscal 2018.

The positive comparison on accrued expenses was primarily due to a $71.6 million increase in accrued severance primarily related to restructuring in our European operations, and a $35.1 million decrease in MEPP liability payments.

Changes in working capital, primarily receivables, had a negative impact of $69.9 million on cash flow from operations period-over-period. There were unfavorable comparisons on receivables and inventories, which were partially offset by a favorable comparison on accounts payable. The net decrease in working capital is attributable to working capital investments in support of sales growth.

Investing Activities

Our capital expenditures in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 primarily consisted of facility replacements and expansions, technology equipment, fleet and warehouse equipment. Our capital expenditures in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were lower by $10.3 million, as compared to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. We estimate our capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sale of assets, for fiscal 2019 to be approximately 1.1% of sales.

During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, we paid $97.5 million, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions made during fiscal 2019. These acquisitions included Waugh Foods, Inc., Classic Drinks and the remaining 23% interest in Iowa Premium, LLC.

During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, we paid $203.6 million, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions made during fiscal 2018. These acquisitions included HFM Foodservice, Doerle Food Services and the remaining 50% interest in our joint venture in Costa Rica.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow represents net cash provided from operating activities, less purchases of plant and equipment, plus proceeds from sales of plant and equipment. Sysco considers free cash flow to be a non-GAAP liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases and sales of buildings, fleet, equipment and technology, which may potentially be used to pay for, among other things, strategic uses of cash, including dividend payments, share repurchases and acquisitions. However, free cash flow may not be available for discretionary expenditures, as it may be necessary that we use it to make mandatory debt service or other payments. Our free cash flow for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 increased by $233.5 million, to $998.7 million, as compared to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, principally as a result of a year-over-year increase in cash flows from operations.


54



Free cash flow should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing the company’s liquidity for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. In the table that follows, free cash flow for each period presented is reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities.
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 30, 2019
 
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)
$
1,365,225

 
$
1,120,935

Additions to plant and equipment
(382,905
)
 
(372,612
)
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment
16,383

 
16,910

Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)
$
998,703

 
$
765,233


Seasonal trends also impact our free cash flow, as we typically use more cash earlier in the fiscal year and then see larger, sequential quarterly increases throughout the remainder of the year.

Financing Activities

Equity Transactions

Proceeds from exercises of share-based compensation awards were $211.2 million in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, as compared to $238.4 million in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. The level of option exercises, and thus proceeds, will vary from period to period and is largely dependent on movements in our stock price and the time remaining before option grants expire.

We routinely engage in share repurchase programs to allow Sysco to continue offsetting dilution resulting from shares issued under the company’s benefit plans and to make opportunistic repurchases. In November 2017, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of the company’s common stock not to exceed $1.5 billion through the end of fiscal 2020. The number of shares acquired and their cost during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were 12.8 million shares for $866.7 million, compared to 16.9 million shares repurchased in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 for $911.0 million. Given that our share repurchases are based on a set dollar amount program and with the increase in our share price, fewer shares are being repurchased than during the same period last year. The aggregate dollar amount of share repurchases in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 is less than the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 due to timing. We repurchased approximately 341,000 additional shares for $22.9 million through April 19, 2019, resulting in a remaining authorization of approximately $619.9 million. The number of shares we repurchase during the remainder of fiscal 2019 will be dependent on many factors, including the level of future stock option exercises, as well as competing uses for available cash.

Dividends paid in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 were $575.1 million, or $1.11 per share, as compared to $534.7 million, or $1.02 per share, in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. In February 2019, we declared our regular quarterly dividend for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 of $0.39 per share, which was paid in April 2019.

Debt Activity and Borrowing Availability

Our debt activity, including issuances and repayments, and our borrowing availability is described in Note 9, “Debt.” Our outstanding borrowings at March 30, 2019, and repayment activity since the close of the third quarter of fiscal 2019, are disclosed within that note. Updated amounts through April 19, 2019, include:

$753.7 million outstanding from our commercial paper program; and
No amounts outstanding from the credit facility supporting the company’s U.S. commercial paper program.

During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 and 2018, our aggregate commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings had weighted average interest rates of 2.36% and 1.58%, respectively.

Included in current maturities of long-term debt as of March 30, 2019 were senior notes totaling $500 million, which matured in April 2019. Repayment of these notes at maturity were funded through a combination of cash flow from operations and proceeds from commercial paper issuances.


55



Contractual Obligations

Our 2018 Form 10-K contains a table that summarizes our obligations and commitments to make specified contractual future cash payments as of June 30, 2018. Since June 30, 2018, there have been no material changes to our specified contractual obligations.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. These policies require our most subjective or complex judgments, often employing the use of estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors the development and selection of the critical accounting policies and estimates and this related disclosure. Our most critical accounting policies and estimates pertain to goodwill and intangible assets, the company-sponsored pension plans, income taxes and share-based compensation, which are described in Item 7 of our 2018 Form 10-K.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein that look forward in time or express management’s expectations or beliefs with respect to the occurrence of future events are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “projected,” “continues,” “continuously,” variations of such terms, and similar terms and phrases denoting anticipated or expected occurrences or results. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

our ability to increase profitability for SYGMA;
our expectations regarding improved operating income performance;
our expectations regarding multiple transformation initiatives, including (i) the Finance Transformation Roadmap and our expectation that we will receive financial benefits from this initiative, (ii) Smart Spending and our expectation that this initiative will provide unprecedented visibility, ownership and performance management in all areas of our business, (iii) Canadian Regionalization and our expectation that this initiative will contribute to increased cost savings and (iv) Administrative Expenses and our expectation that this initiative will drive costs out of the business to drive growth, and our expectation that we will receive financial benefits from these initiatives through the end of fiscal 2019 and beyond;
our expectations regarding our ability to effectively centralize and standardize our business, including leveraging technology and strengthening Sysco overall;
our expectations that our four strategic priorities, which include the customer experience, delivering operational excellence, optimizing the business and activating the power of our people, will accelerate our current growth and guide us into the future;
projections of future performance under our three-year strategic financial plan, including, but not limited to, our expectation that we will reach $650 to $700 million of adjusted operating income growth as compared to fiscal 2017, our goal of growing earnings per share faster than operating income, achieving 16% in adjusted return on invested capital improvement for existing businesses, and our goals of sales growth of 4% to 4.5%, adjusted operating income growth of 9% and adjusted diluted earnings per share results in the range of $3.85 to $3.95 in fiscal 2020;
our expectations regarding the divestiture of our Iowa Premium business, including the expected reduction of planned operating income of approximately $25 million and our resulting expectations regarding delivery of adjusted operating income growth target at the low end of the range;

56



our expectation regarding the acceleration of locally managed customer case growth and driving leverage between gross profit and adjusted expense growth;
our expectations regarding the accelerated investments we are making related to our long-term strategic growth plans in Europe, and our expectations that such investments will enrich the customer experience and position us well in the European market;
the impact of seasonal trends on our free cash flow;
our expectations regarding the use of remaining cash generated from operations;
estimates regarding our capital expenditures;
our expectations regarding the impact of potential acquisitions and sales of assets on our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability;
our expectations regarding the calculation of adjusted return on invested capital, adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share;
our expectations regarding the impact of future Certain Items on our projected future non-GAAP and GAAP results;
the sufficiency of our mechanisms for managing working capital and competitive pressures, and our beliefs regarding the impact of these mechanisms;
our ability to meet future cash requirements, including the ability to access financial markets effectively, including issuances of debt securities, and maintain sufficient liquidity;
our ability to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets;
our intention to repay our long-term debt with cash on hand, cash flow from operations, issuances of commercial paper, issuances of senior notes, or a combination thereof; and
our expectations regarding share repurchases.

These statements are based on management’s current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially due in part to the risk factors set forth below, those within Part II, Item 1A of this document and those discussed in Item 1A of our 2018 Form 10-K:
the risk that if sales from our locally managed customers do not grow at the same rate as sales from regional and national customers, or if we are unable to continue to accelerate local case growth, our gross margins may decline;
the risk that we are unlikely to be able to predict inflation over the long term, and lower inflation is likely to produce lower gross profit;
periods of significant or prolonged inflation or deflation and their impact on our product costs and profitability generally;
the risk that our efforts to modify truck routing, including our small truck initiative, in order to reduce outbound transportation costs may be unsuccessful;
the risk that we may not be able to accelerate and/or identify additional administrative cost savings in order to compensate for any gross profit or supply chain cost leverage challenges;
risks related to unfavorable conditions in North America and Europe and the impact on our results of operations and financial condition;
the risks related to our efforts to meet our long-term strategic objectives, including the risk that these efforts may not provide the expected benefits in our anticipated time frame, if at all, and may prove costlier than expected; the risk that the actual costs of any initiatives may be greater or less than currently expected; and the risk of adverse

57



effects to us if past and future undertakings and the associated changes to our business do not prove to be cost effective or do not result in the level of cost savings and other benefits that we anticipated;
the impact of unexpected future changes to our business initiatives based on management’s subjective evaluation of our overall business needs;
the risk that the actual costs of any business initiatives may be greater or less than currently expected;
the risk that competition in our industry and the impact of GPOs may adversely impact our margins and our ability to retain customers and make it difficult for us to maintain our market share, growth rate and profitability;
the risk that our relationships with long-term customers may be materially diminished or terminated;
the risk that changes in consumer eating habits could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations;
the risk that changes in applicable tax laws or regulations and the resolution of tax disputes could negatively affect our financial results;
the risk that we may not be able to fully compensate for increases in fuel costs, and forward purchase commitments intended to contain fuel costs could result in above market fuel costs;
the risk of interruption of supplies and increase in product costs as a result of conditions beyond our control;
the potential impact on our reputation and earnings of adverse publicity or lack of confidence in our products;
risks related to unfavorable changes to the mix of locally managed customers versus corporate-managed customers;
the risk that we may not realize anticipated benefits from our operating cost reduction efforts;
difficulties in successfully expanding into international markets and complimentary lines of business;
the potential impact of product liability claims;
the risk that we fail to comply with requirements imposed by applicable law or government regulations;
risks related to our ability to effectively finance and integrate acquired businesses;
risks related to our access to borrowed funds in order to grow and any default by us under our indebtedness that could have a material adverse impact on cash flow and liquidity;
our level of indebtedness and the terms of our indebtedness could adversely affect our business and liquidity position;
the risk that the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;
the risk that divestiture of one or more of our businesses may not provide the anticipated effects on our operations;
the risk that the U.K.’s anticipated exit from the European Union, commonly referred to as Brexit, may adversely impact our operations in the U.K., including those of the Brakes Group;
the risk that future labor disruptions or disputes could disrupt the integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France and our operations in France and the European Union generally;
the risk that factors beyond management’s control, including fluctuations in the stock market, as well as management’s future subjective evaluation of the company’s needs, would impact the timing of share repurchases;
due to our reliance on technology, any technology disruption or delay in implementing new technology could have a material negative impact on our business;
the risk that a cybersecurity incident and other technology disruptions could negatively impact our business and our relationships with customers;
the potential requirement to pay material amounts under our multiemployer defined benefit pension plans;

58



our funding requirements for our company-sponsored qualified pension plan may increase should financial markets experience future declines;
labor issues, including the renegotiation of union contracts and shortage of qualified labor;
capital expenditures may vary based on changes in business plans and other factors, including risks related to the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending; and
the risk that the anti-takeover benefits provided by our preferred stock may not be viewed as beneficial to stockholders.

For a more detailed discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the risk factors discussion contained in Item 1A of our 2018 Form 10-K and the risk factor discussion contained in Part II, Item 1A of this document.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our market risks consist of interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, fuel price risk and investment risk. For a discussion on our exposure to market risk, see Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks” in our 2018 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes to our market risks since June 30, 2018, except as noted below.

Interest Rate Risk

At March 30, 2019, there was $200.0 million in aggregate commercial paper issuances outstanding. Total debt as of March 30, 2019 was $8.7 billion, of which approximately 65% was at fixed rates of interest, including the impact of our interest rate swap agreements.

Fuel Price Risk

Due to the nature of our distribution business, we are exposed to potential volatility in fuel prices. The price and availability of diesel fuel fluctuates due to changes in production, seasonality and other market factors generally outside of our control. Increased fuel costs may have a negative impact on our results of operations in three areas. First, the high cost of fuel can negatively impact consumer confidence and discretionary spending and thus reduce the frequency and amount spent by consumers for food-away-from-home purchases. Second, the high cost of fuel can increase the price we pay for product purchases and we may not be able to pass these costs fully to our customers. Third, increased fuel costs impact the costs we incur to deliver product to our customers. Fuel costs related to outbound deliveries represented approximately 0.5% of sales during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018.

Our activities to mitigate fuel costs include routing optimization with the goal of reducing miles driven, improving fleet utilization by adjusting idling time and maximum speeds and using fuel surcharges that primarily track with the change in market prices of fuel. We use diesel fuel swap contracts to fix the price of a portion of our projected monthly diesel fuel requirements. As of March 30, 2019, we had diesel fuel swaps with a total notional amount of approximately 13 million gallons through fiscal 2019. These swaps are expected to lock in the price of approximately 60% of our projected fuel purchase needs for fiscal 2019. Additional swaps have been entered into for hedging activity in fiscal 2020. As of March 30, 2019, we had diesel fuel swaps with a total notional amount of approximately 45 million gallons specific to fiscal 2020. Our remaining fuel purchase needs will occur at market rates unless contracted for a fixed price or hedged at a later date.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Sysco’s management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 30, 2019. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Sysco’s disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 30, 2019, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, Sysco’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

None

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The information set forth in this report should be read in conjunction with the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 and as set forth below.

Economic and political instability and potential unfavorable changes in laws and regulations in international markets could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our international operations subject us to certain risks, including economic and political instability and potential unfavorable changes in laws and regulations in international markets in which we operate. For example, the U.K.’s anticipated exit from the EU (commonly referred to as “Brexit”) and the resulting significant change to the U.K.’s relationship with the EU and with countries outside the EU (and the laws, regulations and trade deals impacting business conducted between them) could disrupt the overall economic growth or stability of the U.K. and the EU and otherwise negatively impact our European operations. The U.K. is currently negotiating the terms of Brexit, with the U.K. now due to exit the EU on or before October 31, 2019. In November 2018, the U.K. and the EU agreed upon a draft Withdrawal Agreement that set out the terms governing the U.K.’s departure, including, among other things, a transition period to allow for a future trade deal to be agreed upon. Following the rejection of the draft Withdrawal Agreement by the U.K. Parliament multiple times during the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the EU agreed to an extension of the exit date to October 31, 2019. As a result, there is significant uncertainty about the terms and timing under which the U.K. will leave the EU. It is possible that Brexit will result in our U.K. and EU operations becoming subject to materially different, and potentially conflicting, laws, regulations or tariffs which could require costly new compliance initiatives or changes to legal entity structures or operating practices. Furthermore, if the U.K. were to leave the EU without an agreement (a “hard Brexit”), there may be additional adverse impacts on immigration and trade between the U.K. and the EU or countries outside the EU. Such impacts may directly increase our costs or could decrease demand for our goods and services by adversely impacting the business of restaurants or other customers in the foodservice distribution industry.

The completion of Brexit could also adversely affect the value of our euro- and pound-denominated assets and obligations. Exchange rates related to the British pound sterling have been more volatile since the U.K. announced it would exit the EU and such volatility may continue in the future. Future fluctuations in the exchange rate between the British pound sterling and the local currencies of our suppliers may have the effect of increasing our cost of goods sold in the U.K., which increases we may not be able to pass on to our customers. In addition, Brexit could cause financial and capital markets within and outside the U.K. or the EU to constrict, thereby negatively impacting our ability to finance our business, and could cause a substantial dip in consumer confidence and spending that could negatively impact the foodservice distribution industry. Any one of these impacts could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Additionally, the “yellow vest” protests in France against a fuel tax increase and the French government have negatively impacted our sales in France and may continue to do so. Similarly, future labor disruptions or disputes could disrupt the integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France and our operations in France and the EU generally. In addition, if changes occur in laws and regulations impacting the flow of goods, services and workers in either the U.K or France or in other parts of the EU, with respect to Brexit or otherwise, our European operations could also be negatively impacted.

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

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None


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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

We made the following share repurchases during the second quarter of fiscal 2019:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
 
(b) Average Price Paid per Share
 
(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
(d) Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
Month #1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 30 – January 26
789,723

 
$
62.15

 
789,723

 

Month #2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
January 27 – February 23
562,152

 
64.59

 
558,227

 

Month #3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
February 24 – March 30
637,749

 
66.45

 
637,749

 

Totals
1,989,624

 
$
64.22

 
1,985,699

 


(1) 
The total number of shares purchased includes 0, 3,925 and 0 shares tendered by individuals in connection with stock option exercises in Month #1, Month #2 and Month #3, respectively.

We routinely engage in share repurchase programs. In February 2017, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of shares of the company’s common stock not to exceed $1.0 billion through the end of fiscal 2019. We executed all $1.0 billion under this authorization through August 2018. In November 2017, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of the company’s common stock not to exceed $1.5 billion through the end of fiscal 2020. This repurchase program is intended to allow Sysco to continue offsetting dilution resulting from shares issued under the company’s benefit plans and to make opportunistic repurchases. The share repurchase program was approved using a dollar value limit and, therefore, is not included in the table above for “Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs.”

We repurchased 12.8 million shares during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2019, resulting in a remaining authorization under our program of approximately $642.8 million. We purchased 16.9 million shares in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. We purchased approximately 341,000 additional shares under our authorization through April 19, 2019. The number of shares we repurchase during the remainder of fiscal 2019 will be dependent on many factors, including the level of future stock option exercises, as well as competing uses for available cash.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5.  Other Information

None

Item 6.  Exhibits

The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index below are filed as a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1
 
 
 
3.2
 
 
 
3.3
 
 
 
3.4
 
 
 
10.1†
 
 
 
31.1#
 
 
 
31.2#
 
 
 
32.1#
 
 
 
32.2#
 
 
 
101.SCH#
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL#
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF#
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB#
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE#
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
___________
† Executive Compensation Arrangement pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K
# Filed herewith

62



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 
 
Sysco Corporation
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: May 6, 2019
By:
/s/ THOMAS L. BENÉ
 
 
Thomas L. Bené
 
 
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Date: May 6, 2019
By:
/s/ JOEL T. GRADE
 
 
Joel T. Grade
 
 
Executive Vice President and
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
Date: May 6, 2019
By:
/s/ ANITA A. ZIELINSKI
 
 
Anita A. Zielinski
 
 
Senior Vice President and
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer

63