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Fair Value Measurements
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 27, 2025
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy contains three levels as follows:
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 — Other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including:
•Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
•Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets;
•Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
•Inputs derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances where the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.
The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, according to the valuation techniques we used to determine their fair values as of September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 (in millions):
September 27, 2025Level 1Level 2Level 3Netting (a)Total
Other Current Assets:
Derivative financial instruments:
Designated as hedges$— $6 $— $(1)$5 
Undesignated — 113 — (20)93 
Available for sale securities (current)— — — — — 
Other Assets:
Available for sale securities (non-current)— 90 27 — 117 
Deferred compensation assets21 501 — — 522 
Total Assets$21 $710 $27 $(21)$737 
Other Current Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments:
Designated as hedges$— $82 $— $(82)$— 
Undesignated — 135 — (126)9 
Total Liabilities$— $217 $— $(208)$9 
September 28, 2024Level 1Level 2Level 3Netting (a)Total
Other Current Assets:
Derivative financial instruments:
Designated as hedges$— $15 $— $(2)$13 
Undesignated— 79 — 2 81 
Available for sale securities (current)— 10 — — 10 
Other Assets:
Available for sale securities (non-current)— 75 28 — 103 
Deferred Compensation assets22 461 — — 483 
Total Assets$22 $640 $28 $— $690 
Other Current Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments:
Designated as hedges$— $19 $— $(19)$— 
Undesignated— 71 — (35)36 
Total liabilities$— $90 $— $(54)$36 
(a) Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. Additionally, at September 27, 2025, and September 28, 2024, we had $187 million and $54 million, respectively, of net cash collateral posted with various counterparties where master netting arrangements exist and held no cash collateral.
The following table provides a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balance of marketable debt securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the table above that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 (in millions):
September 27, 2025September 28, 2024
Balance at beginning of year$28 $30 
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)— 1 
Purchases9 5 
Settlements(10)(8)
Balance at end of year$27 $28 
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
Derivative Assets and Liabilities
Our derivative financial instruments primarily include exchange-traded and over-the-counter contracts which are further described in Note 12: Derivative Financial Instruments. We record our derivative financial instruments at fair value using quoted market prices, adjusted where necessary for credit and non-performance risk and internal models that use readily observable market inputs as their basis, including current and forward market prices and rates. We classify these instruments in Level 2 when quoted market prices can be corroborated utilizing observable current and forward commodity market prices on active exchanges or observable market transactions.
Available for Sale Securities
Our investments in marketable debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value based on pricing models and quoted market prices adjusted for credit and non-performance risk. Short-term investments with maturities of less than 12 months are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and primarily include certificates of deposit and commercial paper. All other marketable debt securities are included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and have maturities ranging up to 44 years.
We classify our investments in U.S. government, U.S. agency, certificates of deposit and commercial paper debt securities as Level 2 as fair value is generally estimated using discounted cash flow models that are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value and yield curve as well as other readily available relevant economic measures. We classify certain corporate, asset-backed and other debt securities as Level 3 as there is limited activity or less observable inputs into valuation models, including current interest rates and estimated prepayment, default and recovery rates on the underlying portfolio or structured investment vehicle. Significant changes to assumptions or unobservable inputs in the valuation of our Level 3 instruments would not have a significant impact to our consolidated financial statements.
The following table sets forth our available-for-sale securities’ amortized cost basis, fair value and unrealized gain (loss) by significant investment category as of September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 (in millions):
September 27, 2025September 28, 2024
Amortized
Cost Basis		Fair
Value		Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)		Amortized
Cost Basis		Fair
Value		Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
Available for Sale Securities:
Debt Securities:
United States Treasury and Agency$91 $90 $(1)$86 $85 $(1)
Corporate and Asset-Backed27 27 — 28 28 — 
Unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax, are excluded from earnings and reported in OCI until the security is settled or sold. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate whether losses related to our available-for-sale securities are due to credit or non-credit factors. Losses on debt securities where we have the intent, or will more than likely be required, to sell the security prior to recovery, would be recorded as a direct write-off of amortized cost basis through earnings. Losses on debt securities where we do not have the intent, or would not more than likely be required to sell the security prior to recovery, would be further evaluated to determine whether the loss is credit or non-credit related. Credit-related losses would be recorded through an allowance for credit losses through earnings and non-credit related losses through OCI.
We consider many factors in determining whether a loss is credit-related, including the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, borrower repayment characteristics for asset-backed securities, and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery. We recognized no direct write-offs or allowances for credit losses in earnings in fiscal 2025, 2024 or 2023.
Deferred Compensation Assets
We maintain non-qualified deferred compensation plans for certain executives and other highly compensated team members. Investments are generally maintained within a trust and include money market funds, mutual funds and life insurance policies. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies is invested primarily in mutual funds. The investments are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and are included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We classify the investments which have observable market prices in active markets in Level 1 as these are generally publicly-traded mutual funds. The remaining deferred compensation assets are classified in Level 2 as fair value can be corroborated based on observable market data. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on deferred compensation are included in earnings.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, we record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges and, with respect to our equity investments without readily determinable fair values, recorded by applying the measurement alternative for which such investments are recorded at cost and adjusted for an observable price change in an orderly transaction for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer.
During fiscal 2025, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $343 million in our Beef segment. We estimated the fair value utilizing an income approach (discounted cash flow method) valuation technique, which incorporated significant unobservable Level 3 inputs. Additionally, in fiscal 2025, we recorded a fixed asset impairment charge of $19 million as a result of our decision to sell a storage facility. This charge was recorded in Cost of Sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income and was derived using Level 3 inputs, including management's estimate of the proceeds from the disposal of the asset. We also recorded impairment charges of $28 million in Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income, related to our equity investments, including $24 million accounted for under the equity method. These equity investments are included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, do not have readily determinable fair values and were measured using a market approach which utilized Level 3 inputs.
During fiscal 2024, we recorded a fixed asset impairment charge of $33 million in Cost of Sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a result of our decision to sell our Netherlands facility. The charge was derived using Level 3 inputs and was driven by management's estimate of the potential proceeds from the disposal of the assets. In fiscal 2023, we recorded goodwill impairment charges of $333 million, $210 million and $238 million in our Beef and Chicken segments and International/Other, respectively. We estimated the fair value of our reporting units utilizing various valuation techniques, with the primary technique being an income approach (discounted cash flow method) and another technique being a market approach (guideline public company method), which incorporated significant unobservable Level 3 inputs. We did not have any other significant measurements of assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition during the twelve months ended September 27, 2025, September 28, 2024, or September 30, 2023.
Other Financial Instruments
Fair value of our debt is principally estimated using Level 2 inputs based on quoted prices for those or similar instruments. Fair value and carrying value for our debt are as follows as of September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 (in millions):
September 27, 2025September 28, 2024
Fair
Value		Carrying
Value		Fair
Value		Carrying
Value
Total Debt$8,658 $8,830 $9,638 $9,787 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Our financial instruments exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Our cash equivalents are in high quality securities placed with major banks and financial institutions. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across geographic areas. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and generally do not require collateral. At September 27, 2025, and September 28, 2024, 15.6% and 15.5%, respectively, of our net accounts receivable balance was due from Walmart Inc. No other single customer or customer group represented greater than 10% of net accounts receivable.