Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2016 February (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended February 29, 2016

or

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

For the transition period from _______to _______

Commission File Number

001-36759

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☑      No ☐

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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, as of March 31, 2016 was 1,080,245,720.

 

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WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2016

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Statements.

 

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

For the six month period ended February 29, 2016

(In millions, except per share amounts)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Statements.

 

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(UNAUDITED)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Statements.

 

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Statements.

 

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Statements.

 

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (“Walgreens Boots Alliance”) and subsidiaries are a global pharmacy-led health and wellbeing enterprise. Its operations are conducted through three reportable segments (Retail Pharmacy USA, Retail Pharmacy International and Pharmaceutical Wholesale). See Note 18, Segment Reporting for further information.

On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance became the successor of Walgreen Co. (“Walgreens”) pursuant to a merger designed to effect a reorganization of Walgreens into a holding company structure (the “Reorganization”). Pursuant to the Reorganization, Walgreens became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance, a Delaware corporation formed for the purposes of the Reorganization, and each issued and outstanding share of Walgreens common stock converted on a one-to-one basis into Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock. References to the “Company” refer to Walgreens Boots Alliance and its subsidiaries from and after the effective time of the Reorganization on December 31, 2014 and, prior to that time, to the predecessor registrant Walgreens and its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires.

On December 31, 2014, following the completion of the Reorganization, Walgreens Boots Alliance completed the acquisition of the remaining 55% of Alliance Boots GmbH (“Alliance Boots”) that Walgreens did not previously own (the “Second Step Transaction”) in exchange for £3.133 billion in cash and approximately 144.3 million shares of Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock. Alliance Boots became a consolidated subsidiary and ceased being accounted for under the equity method immediately upon completion of the Second Step Transaction. For financial reporting and accounting purposes, Walgreens Boots Alliance was the acquirer of Alliance Boots. The consolidated financial statements (and other data) reflect the results of operations and financial position of Walgreens and its subsidiaries for periods prior to December 31, 2014 and of Walgreens Boots Alliance and its subsidiaries for periods from and after the effective time of the Reorganization on December 31, 2014.

As part of the Second Step Transaction, the Company acquired the remaining 27.5% noncontrolling interest in Walgreens Boots Alliance Development GmbH (“WBAD”), a global sourcing enterprise established by the Company and Alliance Boots. The Company already owned a 50% direct ownership in WBAD and indirectly owned an additional ownership interest through its previous 45% investment in Alliance Boots, representing a direct and indirect economic interest of 72.5%. The Company’s acquisition of the remaining 27.5% effective ownership in WBAD as part of the Second Step Transaction was accounted for as an equity transaction as it has historically been consolidated by the Company. On January 1, 2015, WBAD Holdings Limited sold 320 common shares of WBAD, representing approximately 5% of the equity interests in WBAD, to Alliance Healthcare Italia Distribuzione S.p.A. (“AHID”), which is not a member of the Company’s consolidated group. Under certain circumstances, AHID has the right to put, and WBAD Holdings Limited has the right to call, the 320 common shares of WBAD currently owned by AHID for a purchase price of $100,000.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated condensed financial statements of Walgreens Boots Alliance included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. The consolidated condensed financial statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company holds a controlling interest. Investments in less than majority-owned entities in which the Company does not have a controlling interest, but does have significant influence, are accounted for as equity method investments. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

The Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of February 29, 2016, the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Equity for the six-month period ended February 29, 2016, and the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings, the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three month and six month periods ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, have not been audited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

 

In the opinion of the Company, the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements for the interim periods presented include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the results for such interim periods. Because of the acquisition of Alliance Boots, influence of certain holidays, seasonality, foreign currency rates, changes in vendor, payer and customer relationships and terms and other factors on the Company’s operations, net earnings for any interim period may not be comparable to the same interim period in previous years or indicative of net earnings for the full fiscal year. In addition, with respect to the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USA segment, the positive impact on gross profit margins and gross profit dollars typically has been significant in the first several months after a generic version of a drug is first allowed to compete with the branded version, which is generally referred to as a “generic conversion.” In any given year, the number of major brand name drugs that undergo a conversion from branded to generic status can increase or decrease, which can have a significant impact on Retail Pharmacy USA segment’s sales, gross profit margins and gross profit dollars.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. The Company bases its estimates on the information available at the time, its experience and other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Adjustments may be made in subsequent periods to reflect more current estimates and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Actual results may differ. For a discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies, please see the Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

On April 8, 2015, the Walgreens Boots Alliance Board of Directors approved a plan to implement a new restructuring program (the “Cost Transformation Program”) as part of an initiative to reduce costs and increase operating efficiencies. The Cost Transformation Program implemented and built on the cost-reduction initiative previously announced by the Company on August 6, 2014 and included plans to close approximately 200 stores across the U.S.; reorganize corporate and field operations; drive operating efficiencies; and streamline information technology and other functions. The actions under the Cost Transformation Program focus primarily on Retail Pharmacy USA segment, but includes activities from all segments and are expected to be substantially complete by the end of the Company’s 2017 fiscal year. The Company estimates that it will recognize cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results of between $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion, including costs associated with lease obligations and other real estate payments, asset impairments and employee termination and other business transition and exit costs. The Company expects to incur pre-tax charges of between $525 million and $600 million for real estate costs, including lease obligations (net of estimated sublease income); between $650 million and $725 million for asset impairment charges relating primarily to asset write-offs from store closures, information technology, inventory and other non-operational real estate asset write-offs; and between $425 million and $475 million for employee severance and other business transition and exit costs. The Company incurred pre-tax charges of $28 million and $118 million related to the Cost Transformation Program during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016. No charges were incurred with respect to the Cost Transformation Program in the three and six months ended February 28, 2015. From inception through February 29, 2016, the Company incurred pre-tax charges of $660 million ($254 million in real estate costs, $248 million related to asset impairment charges and $158 million in severance and other business transition and exit costs) related to the Cost Transformation Program. All charges related to the Cost Transformation Program have been recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. As the program is implemented, the restructuring charges will be recognized as the costs are incurred over time in accordance with GAAP.

In March 2014, the Walgreens Board of Directors approved a plan to close underperforming stores in efforts to optimize and focus resources within Retail Pharmacy USA segment in a manner intended to increase stockholder value. As of August 31, 2015, this plan was completed and no additional charges related to the plan are expected. There were no charges incurred in the three month period ended February 28, 2015. For the six months ended February 28, 2015, the Company incurred pre-tax charges of $17 million, which were primarily related to lease termination costs. All charges related to this plan have been recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.

Restructuring costs by segment are as follows (in millions):

 

Initial terms for leased premises in the U.S. are typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options at five-year intervals, and may include rent escalation clauses. Non-U.S. leases are typically for shorter terms and may include cancellation clauses or renewal options. The commencement date of all lease terms is the earlier of the date the Company becomes legally obligated to make rent payments or the date the Company has the right to control the property. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. In addition to minimum fixed rentals, some leases provide for contingent rentals based upon a portion of sales.

 

Equity method investments as of February 29, 2016 and August 31, 2015 were as follows (in millions, except percentages):

The Company's principal equity method investments include its investments in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Nanjing Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited, the Company’s pharmaceutical wholesale investments in China; and the equity method investment retained through the sale of a majority interest in Option Care Inc. in fiscal 2015. See Note 20, Subsequent Event for further information.

Equity method investments of the Company are recorded within other non-current assets on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. The Company reported $9 million and $20 million of post-tax equity earnings in equity method investments for the three and six month periods ended February 29, 2016, respectively, in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. The Company reported $8 million of post-tax equity earnings from equity method investments other than Alliance Boots for the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2015. Additionally, for the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2015, the Company reported equity earnings in Alliance Boots of $101 million and $315 million, respectively, as its own line in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings.

Summarized Financial Information

Summarized financial information for the Company’s equity method investments is as follows:

 

Balance Sheets (in millions)

 

Statements of Earnings (in millions)

(1)	Balance sheet information of foreign equity method investments are translated at their respective February 29, 2016 and August 31, 2015 spot rates.

(2)	Shareholders’ equity at February 29, 2016 and August 31, 2015 includes $170 million and $163 million, respectively, related to noncontrolling interests.

(3)	Statement of earnings information of foreign equity method investments are translated at their respective average exchange rates.

(4)	Includes equity method investment in Alliance Boots from Walgreen Co.’s pre-merger 45 percent interest for one month (December 2014) and four months (September through December 2014), respectively. See Note 1, Organization.

 

Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) entered into a Framework Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2013, pursuant to which Walgreens and Alliance Boots together were granted the right to purchase a minority equity position in AmerisourceBergen, including the right, but not the obligation, to purchase up to 19,859,795 shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock in open market transactions.

In conjunction with its long-term relationship with AmerisourceBergen, as of February 29, 2016, the Company held 11.5 million shares, approximately 5.6% of AmerisourceBergen’s outstanding common stock, at a total fair value of $993 million. The Company did not acquire any AmerisourceBergen common shares in the three and six month periods ended February 29, 2016.

Pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, the Company, as of February 29, 2016, accounted for its investment in AmerisourceBergen shares as an available-for-sale investment reported at fair value within other non-current assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. As an available-for-sale investment, changes in the fair value are recorded through other comprehensive income. The value of the investment is recorded at the closing price of AmerisourceBergen common stock as of the balance sheet date. See Note 20, Subsequent Event for further information.

A summary of the cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities, with gross unrealized gains and losses, is as follows (in millions):

 

For the three and six month periods ended February 29, 2016, there were $1 million and $3 million, respectively, of available-for-sale securities sold. There were no sales of available-for-sale investments for the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2015.

The Company’s other available-for-sale investments are classified within other current assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Alliance Boots

The Second Step Transaction closed on December 31, 2014, resulting in the acquisition by the Company of 55% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Alliance Boots, increasing its interest to 100%. The Company previously accounted for its 45% interest in Alliance Boots as an equity method investment. As a result of the Second Step Transaction, the Company significantly expanded its operations to include pharmacy-led health and beauty retailing and pharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution businesses in major international markets.

As a result of the closing of the Second Step Transaction, the Company increased its interest in WBAD, a global sourcing enterprise between Walgreens and Alliance Boots, to 100%. Because Walgreens held, prior to the Second Step Transaction, a 50% direct interest and an additional indirect interest in WBAD through its 45% ownership of Alliance Boots, the financial results of WBAD were fully consolidated into the Walgreens financial statements with the remaining 27.5% effective interest being recorded as a noncontrolling interest. The acquisition of the 27.5% noncontrolling interest was accounted for as an equity transaction with no gain or loss recorded in the statement of earnings under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. On January 1, 2015, WBAD Holdings Limited sold 320 common shares of WBAD, representing approximately 5% of the equity interests in WBAD, to Alliance Healthcare Italia Distribuzione S.p.A. (“AHID”), which is not a member of the Company’s consolidated group. Under certain circumstances, AHID has the right to put, and WBAD Holdings Limited has the right to call, the 320 common shares of WBAD currently owned by AHID for a purchase price of $100,000.

 

The Company has completed the purchase accounting of the Second Step Transaction. The total purchase price of the Second Step Transaction of $15.9 billion included £3.133 billion in cash (approximately $4.9 billion at the December 31, 2014 spot rate of $1.56 to £1.00) and 144.3 million of the Company’s common shares at a fair value of $11.0 billion (based on the December 30, 2014 closing market price of $76.05). Of the total purchase price, $13.3 billion was allocated to acquire the 55% ownership interest in Alliance Boots and $2.6 billion was allocated to acquire the noncontrolling interest in WBAD. The purchase price attributed to the acquisition of the noncontrolling interest in WBAD was determined based on the relative fair value of Alliance Boots and WBAD, respectively.

The impact of the equity transaction is as follows (in millions):

The following table summarizes the consideration paid to acquire the remaining 55% interest in Alliance Boots and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the Second Step Transaction (in millions).

As a result of the Company acquiring the remaining 55% interest in Alliance Boots, the Company’s previously held 45% interest was re-measured at fair value, resulting in a gain of $563 million. The gain has been recognized as Gain on previously held equity interest in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

 

The fair value of the previously held equity interest of $8.1 billion in Alliance Boots was determined using the income approach methodology. The fair value for trade names and trademarks was determined using the relief from royalty method of the income approach; pharmacy licenses and customer relationships were determined using the excess earnings method of the income approach; and loyalty card holders were determined using the incremental cash flow method, which is a form of the income approach. Personal property fair values were determined primarily using the indirect cost approach, while real property fair values were determined using the income, market and/or cost approach. The fair value measurements of the previously held equity interest and intangible assets are based on significant inputs not observable in the market, and thus represent Level 3 measurements. The fair value estimates for the previously held equity interest and intangible assets are based on (a) projected discounted cash flows, (b) historical and projected financial information, (c) synergies including cost savings, and (d) attrition rates, as relevant, that market participants would consider when estimating fair values.

The identified definite and indefinite lived intangible assets were as follows:

The goodwill of $14.9 billion arising from the Second Step Transaction primarily reflects the expected purchasing synergies, operating efficiencies by benchmarking performance and applying best practices across the Company, consolidation of operations, reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses and combining workforces.

Following the completion of the Second Step Transaction, the Company realigned its operations into three reportable segments: Retail Pharmacy USA, Retail Pharmacy International and Pharmaceutical Wholesale. The Company determined that the goodwill should be allocated across all segments recognizing that each segment will benefit from the expected synergies.

The goodwill allocated to the Retail Pharmacy USA segment of $7.3 billion is comprised of $3.5 billion of synergy benefits allocable to the segment on a source of procurement benefit basis and $3.8 billion determined on a “with-and-without” basis. The source of procurement benefit basis allocates the synergy benefits to the segment whose purchase gave rise to the benefit. The “with-and-without” basis computes the difference between the fair value of the pre-existing business before the combination and its fair value after the combination, and since the pre-existing Walgreens business is now within the Retail Pharmacy USA segment, all of this difference is allocated to this segment. The “with-and-without” computation recognized that if the Second Step Transaction did not happen, then this was likely to negatively impact the existing Walgreens business, which already had a 45% interest in Alliance Boots, as the expected purchasing synergies and other benefits resulting from a full combination would not be fully realized.

Of the remaining goodwill, $3.9 billion was allocated to the Retail Pharmacy International segment and $3.7 billion was allocated to the Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment. Substantially all of the goodwill recognized is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The Company incurred legal and other professional services costs related to the Second Step Transaction, which were included in selling, general and administrative expenses, of $87 million in fiscal 2015 ($59 million and $83 million in the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively). No costs related to the Second Step Transaction were incurred in the three and six month periods ended February 29, 2016.

The fair value of the assets acquired includes inventory having an estimated fair value of $3.7 billion. This fair value includes a $106 million fair value adjustment to capitalize the estimated profit in acquired finished goods inventory as of the date of the Second Step Transaction, which was expensed to cost of sales over the first inventory turn.

 

The following table presents supplemental unaudited condensed pro forma consolidated information for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015 as if the Second Step Transaction had occurred on September 1, 2014, the first day of the Company’s 2015 fiscal year. The unaudited condensed pro forma information reflect certain adjustments related to past operating performance and acquisition accounting adjustments, such as increased amortization expense based on the fair valuation of assets acquired, the impact of acquisition financing, transaction costs and the related income tax effects. The unaudited condensed pro forma information does not include any anticipated synergies that may be achievable subsequent to the date of the Second Step Transaction. The unaudited condensed pro forma information also excludes certain non-recurring items such as transaction related costs. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed pro forma information has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not intended to be indicative of what the Company’s results would have been had the Second Step Transaction occurred at the beginning of the periods presented or the results which may occur in the future.

Other Acquisitions

The aggregate purchase price of all other businesses, net of cash received was $86 million for the six month period ended February 29, 2016. These acquisitions, primarily of an international beauty brand and prescription files, added $19 million to goodwill and $72 million to intangible assets. The remaining fair value relates to immaterial amounts of tangible assets, less liabilities assumed. Operating results of the businesses acquired have been included in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings from their respective acquisition dates forward. Pro forma results of the Company, assuming all of the other acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported.

(1)	Other represents immaterial purchase accounting adjustments for prior year Company acquisitions.

 

The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions):

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $124 million and $216 million for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, respectively, and $209 million and $276 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, respectively.

Estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets recorded at February 29, 2016 is as follows (in millions):

Short-term borrowings and long-term debt consist of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars and debt issuances are denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted):

 

$8.0 Billion Note Issuance

On November 18, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance received net proceeds (after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses) of $7.9 billion from a public offering of notes with varying maturities and interest rates, the majority of which are fixed rate. The notes are unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding. The notes were fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by Walgreens until August 10, 2015, when such guarantees were unconditionally released and discharged. Total issuance costs relating to the notes, including underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses, were $44 million. The fair value of the notes as of February 29, 2016 was $7.9 billion. Fair value for these notes was determined based upon quoted market prices.

The following table summarizes each tranche of notes issued:

 

Redemption Option

Walgreens Boots Alliance may redeem (a) the notes due 2017, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, (b) the notes due 2019, at any time prior to October 18, 2019 in whole or from time to time prior to October 18, 2019 in part, (c) the notes due 2021, at any time prior to September 18, 2021 in whole or from time to time prior to September 18, 2021 in part, (d) the notes due 2024, at any time prior to August 18, 2024 in whole or from time to time prior to August 18, 2024 in part, (e) the notes due 2034, at any time prior to May 18, 2034 in whole or from time to time prior to May 18, 2034 in part, and (f) the notes due 2044, at any time prior to May 18, 2044 in whole or from time to time prior to May 18, 2044 in part, in each case, at Walgreens Boots Alliance’s option for the sum of accrued and unpaid interest plus a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

(1) 100% of the principal amount of the fixed rate notes being redeemed; and

 

(2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date), discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the applicable series of notes), plus 15 basis points for the notes due 2017, 15 basis points for the notes due 2019, 20 basis points for the notes due 2021, 20 basis points for the notes due 2024, 20 basis points for the notes due 2034 and 25 basis points for the notes due 2044.

 

In addition, at any time on or after October 18, 2019 with respect to the notes due 2019, September 18, 2021 with respect to the notes due 2021, August 18, 2024 with respect to the notes due 2024, May 18, 2034 with respect to the notes due 2034, or May 18, 2044 with respect to the notes due 2044, Walgreens Boots Alliance may redeem some or all of the applicable series of fixed rate notes at its option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the applicable fixed rate notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the fixed rate notes being redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Change in Control

If Walgreens Boots Alliance experiences a change of control triggering event, unless Walgreens Boots Alliance has exercised its option to redeem the fixed rate notes or has defeased the notes as described in the indenture, Walgreens Boots Alliance will be required to offer payment of cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest.

£700 Million and €750 Million Notes Issuance

On November 20, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance issued three series of debt securities denominated in Euros and Pound Sterling in a public offering, each with varying maturities and interest rates. Interest on all notes is payable annually on November 20, commencing on November 20, 2015. The notes are unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding. The notes were fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by Walgreens until August 10, 2015, when such guarantees were unconditionally released and discharged. Total issuance costs relating to the notes, including underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses, were $11 million. The fair value of the notes as of February 29, 2016 was $1.8 billion. Fair value for these notes was determined based upon quoted market prices.

The following table details each tranche of Euro and Pound Sterling notes issued:

Redemption Option

Walgreens Boots Alliance may redeem (a) the Euro notes, at any time prior to August 20, 2026, in whole or, from time to time prior to August 20, 2026, in part, (b) the Pound Sterling notes due 2020, at any time prior to October 20, 2020, in whole or, from time to time prior to October 20, 2020, in part, and (c) the Pound Sterling notes due 2025, at any time prior to August 20, 2025, in whole or, from time to time prior to August 20, 2025, in part, in each case, at Walgreens Boots Alliance’s option for the sum of accrued and unpaid interest plus at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

(1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed; and

 

(2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date), discounted to the redemption date on an annual basis at the applicable Comparable Government Bond Rate (as defined in the applicable series of notes), plus 20 basis points for the Euro notes, 20 basis points for the Pound Sterling notes due 2020 and 20 basis points for Pound Sterling the notes due 2025.

 

In addition, at any time on or after August 20, 2026 with respect to the Euro notes, October 20, 2020 with respect to the Pound Sterling notes due 2020, or August 20, 2025 with respect to the Pound Sterling notes due 2025, Walgreens Boots Alliance may redeem some or all of the applicable series of notes at its option at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the applicable notes to be redeemed plus, in every case, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.

 

Change in Control

If Walgreens Boots Alliance experiences a change of control triggering event, unless Walgreens Boots Alliance has exercised its option to redeem the fixed rate notes or has defeased the notes as described in the indenture, Walgreens Boots Alliance will be required to offer payment of cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest.

 

$4.0 Billion Note Issuance

On September 13, 2012, Walgreens obtained net proceeds from a public offering of $4.0 billion of notes with varying maturities and interest rates, the majority of which, at issuance, were fixed rate. The notes are unsecured senior debt obligations and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens Boots Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance. Total issuance costs relating to the notes, including underwriting discounts and fees, were $26 million. On August 10, 2015, the 1.8000% fixed rate notes due September 15, 2017 in the aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion were redeemed in full. The redemption price was equal to 101.677% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date, and included a $17 million make whole premium, which was recorded as interest expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Additionally, the Company repaid the $750 million 1.000% fixed rate notes on their March 13, 2015 maturity date and the $550 million variable rate notes on their March 13, 2014 maturity date.

 

The following table details each tranche of outstanding notes as of February 29, 2016:

 

 

The fair value of the notes outstanding as of February 29, 2016 was $1.6 billion. Fair value for these notes was determined based upon quoted market prices.

 

Redemption Option and Change in Control

Walgreens may redeem the fixed rate notes at its option, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed; and (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the applicable series of notes), plus 12 basis points for the notes due 2015, 22 basis points for the notes due 2022 and 25 basis points for the notes due 2042. If a change of control triggering event occurs, Walgreens will be required, unless it has exercised its right to redeem the notes, to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased to the date of repurchase.

 

$1.0 Billion Note Issuance

On January 13, 2009, Walgreens issued notes totaling $1.0 billion bearing an interest rate of 5.250% paid semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2009. The notes will mature on January 15, 2019. The notes are unsecured senior debt obligations and rank equally with all other unsecured senior indebtedness of Walgreens. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens Boots Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance. The notes are not convertible or exchangeable. Total issuance costs relating to this offering, including underwriting discounts and fees, were $8 million. On August 10, 2015, $750 million aggregate principal amount of the notes were redeemed. The redemption price was equal to 111.734% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date; and included a $88 million make whole premium, which was recorded as interest expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The partial redemption of the notes resulted in $250 million aggregate principal amount of the notes remaining outstanding. The fair value of the notes outstanding as of February 29, 2016 was $270 million. Fair value for these notes was determined based upon quoted market prices.

 

Other Borrowings

The Company periodically borrows under its commercial paper program and may borrow under it in future periods. There were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of February 29, 2016 or February 28, 2015, respectively. The Company had average daily short-term borrowings of $20 million of commercial paper outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 0.62% for the six month period ended February 29, 2016. We had average daily short-term borrowings of $4 million of commercial paper outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 0.46% for the six months ended February 28, 2015.

2014 Term Loan Agreement and Revolving Credit Agreement

On November 10, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walgreens entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”), which provides Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walgreens with the ability to borrow up to £1.45 billion on an unsecured basis. Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the reserve adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin based on the Company’s credit ratings. As of February 29, 2016, Walgreens Boots Alliance had borrowed £1.45 billion ($2.0 billion at the February 29, 2016 spot rate of $1.39 to £1) under the Term Loan Agreement. The fair value of the Term Loan Agreement as of February 29, 2016 was $2.0 billion. Fair value of the borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement was determined based upon quoted market prices.

On November 10, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walgreens entered into a five-year unsecured, multicurrency revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), replacing prior Walgreens agreements dated July 20, 2011 and July 23, 2012. The new unsecured revolving credit agreement initially totaled $2.25 billion, of which $375 million was available for the issuance of letters of credit. On December 29, 2014, upon the affirmative vote of the majority of common shares of Walgreens represented and entitled to vote at the Walgreens special meeting of shareholders to approve the issuance of the shares necessary to complete the Second Step Transaction, the available credit increased to $3.0 billion, of which $500 million is available for the issuance of letters of credit. The issuance of letters of credit reduces the aggregate amount otherwise available under the Revolving Credit Agreement for the making of revolving loans. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at Walgreens Boots Alliance’s option, the alternate base rate or the reserve adjusted LIBOR, in each case, plus an applicable margin calculated based on the Company’s credit ratings. As of February 29, 2016, there were no borrowings or letters of credit issued pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement.

Total upfront fees related to the Term Loan Agreement and Revolving Credit Agreement were $14 million. The Company pays a facility fee to the financing banks to keep these lines of credit active.

In accordance with the terms of each of the Term Loan Agreement and the Revolving Credit Agreement, Walgreens guaranteed the punctual payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s obligations under the Term Loan Agreement and Revolving Credit Agreement, as applicable until August 10, 2015, when such guarantees automatically terminated, without penalty to Walgreens or Walgreens Boots Alliance, and the obligations of Walgreens thereunder were unconditionally released and discharged.

On December 19, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walgreens entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, the “364-Day Credit Agreement”) with the lenders party thereto. The 364-Day Credit Agreement was a $750 million, 364-day unsecured, multicurrency revolving facility. On July 9, 2015, Walgreens Boots Alliance amended the 364-Day Credit Agreement to remove Walgreens as a borrower thereunder, eliminate Walgreens’ guarantee of all obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance thereunder and make certain conforming changes to effectuate those modifications, including modifications and deletions of certain definitions and cross-references. On December 17, 2015, the Company terminated the 364-Day Credit Agreement.  The 364-Day Credit Agreement remained undrawn as of the date of termination and would have matured on December 30, 2015.

 

The Term Loan Agreement, Revolving Credit Agreement and the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement each contain or contained a covenant to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization not to exceed 0.60 to 1.00, as well as other customary restrictive covenants.

2015 Bridge Credit Agreement and Term Loan Credit Agreement

On October 27, 2015, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Rite Aid Corporation (“Rite Aid”) and Victoria Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger Agreement”). In connection with the Merger Agreement, the Company entered into a bridge facility commitment letter (as amended and restated as of November 19, 2015, the “Commitment Letter”), with UBS Securities LLC and UBS AG, Stamford Branch for a $12.8 billion senior unsecured bridge facility.

 

On December 18, 2015, Walgreens Boots Alliance entered into a Bridge Term Loan Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto and UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as administrative agent (as amended on January 20, 2016, the “Bridge Credit Agreement”) and a Term Loan Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (as amended on January 20, 2016, the “Term Loan Credit Agreement” and together with the Bridge Credit Agreement, the “2015 Credit Agreements”). The Commitment Letter and the commitments contemplated thereby terminated upon Walgreens Boots Alliance entering into the 2015 Credit Agreements.

 

The Bridge Credit Agreement is a 364-day unsecured bridge term loan facility. The aggregate commitments of all lenders under the Bridge Credit Agreement are equal to $7.8 billion, provided that Walgreens Boots Alliance may increase the commitments under the Bridge Credit Agreement at any time prior to the funding of the loans thereunder by up to $2.0 billion, subject to obtaining commitments from existing lenders and/or new lenders selected by Walgreens Boots Alliance and reasonably acceptable to the administrative agent. Walgreens Boots Alliance can extend up to $3.0 billion of the loans under the Bridge Credit Agreement for an additional 90-day period if desired. As of February 29, 2016, there were no borrowings under the Bridge Credit Agreement.

 

The Term Loan Credit Agreement is a two-tranche unsecured term loan facility, with the first tranche maturing three years after the earlier of the funding date and October 27, 2016, and the second tranche maturing five years after the earlier of the funding date and October 27, 2016. The aggregate commitments of all lenders under the Term Loan Credit Agreement are equal to $5.0 billion. As of February 29, 2016, there were no borrowings under the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

Walgreens Boots Alliance will be the borrower under each of the 2015 Credit Agreements. The ability of Walgreens Boots Alliance to request the making of loans under each of the 2015 Credit Agreements is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of certain conditions set forth therein and will terminate upon the occurrence of certain events set forth therein. Borrowings under each of the 2015 Credit Agreements will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at Walgreens Boots Alliance’s option, the alternate base rate or the reserve adjusted Eurocurrency rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin calculated based on Walgreens Boots Alliance’s credit ratings. Upfront fees paid to date in connection with the 2015 Credit Agreements totaled $30 million. A maximum of a further $5 million in upfront fees is payable prior to, or at funding, subject to certain conditions. In addition, Walgreens Boots Alliance will also pay to the lenders under each of the 2015 Credit Agreements certain customary fees, including a ticking fee based on the aggregate outstanding commitments of the lenders under the applicable 2015 Credit Agreement starting at 90 days after signing. Each of the 2015 Credit Agreements contains a covenant to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization not to exceed 0.60 to 1.00, as well as other customary restrictive covenants, which restrictive covenants shall not be in effect until the funding of the loans under the applicable 2015 Credit Agreement.

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks.

The notional amounts, fair value and balance sheet presentation of derivative instruments outstanding as of February 29, 2016, excluding warrants which are presented separately in this footnote, were as follows (in millions):

(1)	Amounts are presented in U.S. dollar equivalents.

 

The notional amounts, fair value and balance sheet presentation of derivative instruments outstanding as of August 31, 2015, excluding warrants which are presented separately in this footnote, are as follows (in millions):

(1)	Amounts are presented in U.S. dollar equivalents.

The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate exposure associated with some of its fixed-rate borrowings and designates them as fair value hedges. The Company uses forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge its interest rate exposure of some of its anticipated debt issuances and designates them as cash flow hedges.

The Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency derivatives to hedge significant committed and highly probable future transactions and cash flows denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company has significant non-US dollar denominated net investments and uses foreign currency denominated financial instruments, specifically foreign currency derivatives and foreign currency denominated debt, to hedge its foreign currency risk.

Fair Value Hedges

The Company entered into a series of interest rate swaps, converting $750 million of its 5.250% fixed rate notes to a floating interest rate based on the six month LIBOR in arrears plus a constant spread and an interest rate swap converting $250 million of its 5.250% fixed rate notes to a floating interest rate based on the one-month LIBOR in arrears plus a constant spread. All swap termination dates coincide with the notes maturity date, January 15, 2019. These swaps were designated as fair value hedges. On August 10, 2015, the Company terminated $500 million of the six month LIBOR in arrears swaps and all of the one-month LIBOR in arrears swaps in connection with the repayment of the associated debt as described in Note 9, Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt.

The gains and losses due to changes in fair value on the swaps and on the hedged notes attributable to interest rate risk were recognized as follows (in millions):

The changes in fair value of the Company’s debt that was swapped from fixed to variable rate and designated as fair value hedges are included in short-term and long-term debt on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (see Note 9, Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt). At February 29, 2016 and August 31, 2015, the cumulative fair value adjustments resulted in an increase in long-term debt of $4 million and $1 million, respectively. No material gains or losses were recorded from ineffectiveness during the three and six months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015.

 

Derivatives not Designated as Hedges

The Company enters into derivative transactions that are not designated as accounting hedges. These derivative instruments are economic hedges of interest rate and foreign currency risks. The gains and losses due to changes in fair value of these derivative instruments were recognized in earnings as follows (in millions):

Warrants

As of February 29, 2016, the Company held (a) warrants to purchase up to 22,696,912 shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock at an exercise price of $51.50 per share, exercisable during a six month period beginning in March 2016, (“Warrant 1”), and (b) warrants to purchase up to 22,696,912 shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock at an exercise price of $52.50 per share, exercisable during a six month period beginning in March 2017 (“Warrant 2” and together with Warrant 1, the “Warrants”). Warrant 1 was exercised in full on March 18, 2016. See Note 20, Subsequent Event for further information.

The Company reports the Warrants at fair value. The fair value and balance sheet presentation of the Warrants was as follows (in millions):

The gains and losses due to changes in fair value of the Warrants recognized in earnings were as follows (in millions):

Derivatives Credit Risk

Counterparties to derivative financial instruments expose the Company to credit-related losses in the event of counterparty nonperformance, and the Company regularly monitors the credit worthiness of each counterparty.

Derivatives Offsetting

The Company does not offset the fair value amounts of derivative instruments subject to master netting agreements in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

The Company measures certain assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In addition, it establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

Level 1 -

Quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.

Level 2 -

Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets.

Level 3 -

Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in millions):

(1)	Restricted cash consists of deposits restricted under agency agreements and cash restricted by law and other obligations.

(2)	Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor.

(3)	Fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices as of the balance sheet dates.  See Note 6, Available-for-Sale Investments for additional information.

(4)	The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting the estimated cash flows received and paid based on the applicable observable yield curves. See Note 10, Financial Instruments for additional information.

(5)	The fair value of basis swaps and forward currency contracts is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current available forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using observable market rates.

(6)

Warrants were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. Key assumptions used in the valuation include risk-free interest rates using constant maturity treasury rates; the dividend yield for AmerisourceBergen’s common stock; AmerisourceBergen’s common stock price at the valuation date; AmerisourceBergen’s equity volatility; the number of shares of AmerisourceBergen’s common stock outstanding; the number of AmerisourceBergen employee stock options and the exercise price; and the details specific to the Warrants.

There were no transfers between levels for the three and six month periods ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, respectively.

The Company reports its debt instruments under the guidance of ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which requires disclosure of the fair value of the Company’s debt in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise noted, the fair value for all notes was determined based upon quoted market prices and therefore categorized as Level 1. See Note 9, Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt for further information. The carrying values of accounts receivable and trade accounts payable approximated their respective fair values due to their short-term nature.

The Company is involved in legal proceedings and is subject to investigations, inspections, audits, inquiries and similar actions by governmental authorities, arising in the normal course of the Company’s business, including the matters described below. Legal proceedings, in general, and securities and class action litigation, in particular, can be expensive and disruptive. Some of these suits may purport or may be determined to be class actions and/or involve parties seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages, and may remain unresolved for several years. From time to time, the Company is also involved in legal proceedings as a plaintiff involving antitrust, tax, contract, intellectual property and other matters. Gain contingencies, if any, are recognized when they are realized. The results of legal proceedings are often uncertain and difficult to predict, and the costs incurred in litigation can be substantial, regardless of the outcome. The Company believes that its defenses and assertions in pending legal proceedings have merit, and does not believe that any of these pending matters, after consideration of applicable reserves and rights to indemnification, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position. However, substantial unanticipated verdicts, fines and rulings do sometimes occur. As a result, the Company could from time to time incur judgments, enter into settlements or revise its expectations regarding the outcome of certain matters, and such developments could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations in the period in which the amounts are accrued and/or its cash flows in the period in which the amounts are paid.

 

On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies for outstanding legal proceedings and reserves are established on a case-by-case basis for those legal claims for which management concludes that it is probable that a loss will be incurred and that the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. Substantially all of these contingencies are subject to significant uncertainties and, therefore, determining the likelihood of a loss and/or the measurement of any loss can be complex. With respect to litigation and other legal proceedings where the Company has determined that a loss is reasonably possible, the Company is unable to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible loss in excess of amounts reserved due to the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of and uncertainties regarding such litigation and legal proceedings. The Company’s assessments are based on estimates and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by management, but that may prove to be incomplete or inaccurate, and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that might cause the Company to change those estimates and assumptions. Therefore, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more pending litigation or other contingencies could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in a future fiscal period. Management’s assessment of current litigation and other legal proceedings, including the corresponding accruals, could change because of the discovery of facts with respect to legal actions or other proceedings pending against the Company which are not presently known. Adverse rulings or determinations by judges, juries, governmental authorities or other parties could also result in changes to management’s assessment of current liabilities and contingencies. Accordingly, the ultimate costs of resolving these claims may be substantially higher or lower than the amounts reserved.

 

On December 5 and 12, 2014, putative shareholders filed class actions in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against the Walgreens Board of Directors, Walgreen Co., and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. arising out of the Company’s definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC in connection with the special meeting of Walgreens shareholders on December 29, 2014. The actions asserted claims that the definitive proxy statement/prospectus was false or misleading in various respects. On December 23, 2014, solely to avoid the costs, risks and uncertainties inherent in litigation, and without admitting any liability or wrongdoing, Walgreens entered into a memorandum of understanding with the plaintiffs in both actions, pursuant to which Walgreens made certain supplemental disclosures. The proposed settlement was subject to, among other things, court approval. On July 8, 2015, the Court preliminarily approved the settlement, and on November 20, 2015, the Court entered an order of final approval of the settlement. On December 17, 2015, a purported class member who had objected to the settlement appealed the Court’s order. The appeal was docketed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and is in an early stage.

 

On December 29, 2014, a putative shareholder filed a derivative action in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against certain current and former directors and officers of Walgreen Co., and Walgreen Co. as a nominal defendant, arising out of certain public statements the Company made regarding its former fiscal 2016 goals. The action asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, waste and unjust enrichment. On April 10, 2015, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. On May 18, 2015, the case was stayed in light of the securities class action that was filed on April 10, 2015, which is described below.

 

On April 10, 2015, a putative shareholder filed a securities class action in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against Walgreen Co. and certain former officers of Walgreen Co. The action asserts claims for violation of the federal securities laws arising out of certain public statements the Company made regarding its former fiscal 2016 goals. On June 16, 2015, the Court entered an order appointing a lead plaintiff. Pursuant to the Court’s order, lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint on August 17, 2015, and defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint on October 16, 2015. Lead plaintiff filed a response to the motion to dismiss on December 22, 2015, and defendants filed a reply in support of the motion on February 5, 2016.

 

As of February 29, 2016, the Company was aware of ten putative class action lawsuits (the “Rite Aid actions”) filed by purported Rite Aid stockholders against Rite Aid and its board of directors, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Victoria Merger Sub, Inc. for claims arising out of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Rite Aid Transactions”). Eight of the Rite Aid actions were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware actions”), one Rite Aid action was filed in the State of Pennsylvania in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County (the “Pennsylvania action”), and one Rite Aid action was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (the “federal action”). The Delaware actions and the Pennsylvania action primarily allege that the Rite Aid board of directors breached its fiduciary duties in connection with the Rite Aid Transactions by, among other things, agreeing to an unfair and inadequate price, agreeing to deal protection devices that preclude other bidders from making successful competing offers for Rite Aid, and failing to disclose all allegedly material information concerning the proposed merger; and also allege that Walgreens Boots Alliance and Victoria Merger Sub, Inc. aided and abetted these alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The federal action alleges, among other things, that Rite Aid and its board of directors disseminated an allegedly false and misleading proxy statement in connection with the Rite Aid Transactions. The Delaware actions were consolidated, and plaintiffs filed a motion for expedited proceedings and a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin the Rite Aid shareholder vote on the Rite Aid Transactions. The plaintiffs in the federal action also filed a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin the same Rite Aid shareholder vote. All such motions were denied, and the Rite Aid shareholders approved the Rite Aid Transactions at a special meeting on February 4, 2016. Each of the Rite Aid actions is still pending.

 

The Company sponsors several retirement plans, including defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans and a postretirement health plan. The Company uses an August 31 annual measurement date for its pension plans.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans (non-US plans)

The principal defined benefit pension plan is the Boots Pension Plan, which covers certain employees in the United Kingdom (the “Boots Plan”). The Boots Plan is a funded final salary defined benefit plan providing pensions and death benefits to members. The Boots Plan was closed to future accrual effective July 1, 2010, with pensions calculated based on salaries up until that date. The Boots Plan is governed by a trustee board, which is independent of the Company. The plan is subject to a full funding actuarial valuation on a triennial basis. The Company also has two smaller defined benefit pension plans in the United Kingdom, both of which were closed to future accruals effective July 1, 2010. Other defined benefit pension plans include smaller plans in Germany and France.

The Company also has a contract based defined contribution arrangement, the Alliance Boots Retirement Savings Plan, to which both the Company and participating employees contribute. The obligation related to the Alliance Boots Retirement Savings Plan was acquired as a result of the Second Step Transaction. The cost recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings for the three and six month periods ended February 29, 2016 was $34 million and $69 million, respectively compared to $22 million in the prior year three and six month periods. Prior to December 31, 2014, Alliance Boots was accounted for as an equity method investee and as such, such costs for fiscal 2015 prior to the date of the Second Step Transaction were reflected within Equity earnings in Alliance Boots on the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Earnings.

 

Postretirement Healthcare Plan

The Company provides certain health insurance benefits to retired U.S. employees who meet eligibility requirements, including age, years of service and date of hire. The costs of these benefits are accrued over the service life of the employee. The Company’s postretirement health benefit plan is not funded.