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Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
6 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2015
Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt [Abstract]  
Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
9. Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
Short-term borrowings and long-term debt consist of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars. Debt issuances are denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted):
 
        
February 28,
2015
  
August 31,
2014
 
Short-Term Borrowings(1)
    
Current portion of loans assumed through the purchase of land and buildings; various interest rates from 5.000% to 8.750%; various maturities from 2015 to 2035
 
$
2
  
$
8
 
1.000% unsecured notes due 2015
  
750
   
750
 
Other(2)
  
309
   
16
 
Total short-term borrowings
 
$
1,061
  
$
774
 
 
Long-Term Debt(1)
        
Unsecured variable rate notes due 2016
 
$
750
  
$
-
 
Unsecured Pound Sterling variable rate term loan due 2019
  
2,235
   
-
 
1.800% unsecured notes due 2017
  
999
   
999
 
1.750% unsecured notes due 2017
  
749
   
-
 
5.250% unsecured notes due 2019(3)
  
1,016
   
1,010
 
2.700% unsecured notes due 2019
  
1,248
   
-
 
2.875% unsecured Pound Sterling notes due 2020(4)
  
615
   
-
 
3.300% unsecured notes due 2021
  
1,247
   
-
 
3.100% unsecured notes due 2022
  
1,199
   
1,199
 
3.800% unsecured notes due 2024
  
1,995
   
-
 
3.600% unsecured Pound Sterling notes due 2025(4)
  
462
   
-
 
2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026(5)
  
837
   
-
 
4.500% unsecured notes due 2034
  
497
   
-
 
4.400% unsecured notes due 2042
  
496
   
496
 
4.800% unsecured notes due 2044
  
1,500
   
-
 
Loans assumed through the purchase of land and buildings; various interest rates from 5.000% to 8.750%; various maturities from 2015 to 2035
  
41
   
40
 
Other(6)
  
117
   
-
 
   
16,003
   
3,744
 
Less: current maturities
  
2
   
8
 
Total long-term debt
 
$
16,001
  
$
3,736
 

(1)All notes are presented net of unamortized discount, where applicable.
(2)Other short-term borrowings represent a mix of fixed and variable rate borrowings with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various foreign currencies including $29 million of U.S. dollar equivalent bank overdrafts.
(3)Also includes interest rate swap fair market value adjustments, see Note 11, Fair Value Measurements for additional fair value disclosures.
(4)Pound Sterling denominated notes are translated at the February 28, 2015 spot rate of $1.54 to one British Pound Sterling.
(5)Euro denominated notes are translated at the February 28, 2015 spot rate of $1.12 to one Euro.
(6)Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate borrowings in various foreign currencies with various maturities.

Extinguishment of Debt Assumed in Second Step Transaction
As a result of the Second Step Transaction (see Note 7, Acquisitions), the Company assumed $9.0 billion of Alliance Boots existing debt. In January 2015, the Company repaid substantially all of the assumed debt with proceeds from the November 2014 debt issuances described below.
 
$8.0 Billion Note Issuance
On November 18, 2014, WBA 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 WBA and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of WBA from time to time outstanding. The notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by Walgreens as described below. 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 28, 2015 was $8.3 billion. Fair value for these notes was determined based upon quoted market prices.

The following table summarizes each tranche of notes issued:

Notes Issued
(in millions)
 
 
Maturity Date
 
Interest Rate
 
Interest Payment Dates
$
750
 
May 18, 2016
Variable; three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR, reset quarterly, plus 45 basis points
February 18, May 18, August 18, and November 18; commencing on February 18, 2015
 
750
 
November 17, 2017
Fixed 1.750%
May 17 and November 17; commencing on May 17, 2015
 
1,250
 
November 18, 2019
Fixed 2.700%
May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015
 
1,250
 
November 18, 2021
Fixed 3.300%
May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015
 
2,000
 
November 18, 2024
Fixed 3.800%
May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015
 
500
 
November 18, 2034
Fixed 4.500%
May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015
 
1,500
 
November 18, 2044
Fixed 4.800%
May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015
$
8,000
      
 
Walgreens Guarantee
The Walgreens guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens from time to time outstanding. The purpose of the guarantee is to protect the notes against structural subordination to certain indebtedness of Walgreens. The Walgreens guarantee will automatically terminate, and the obligations of Walgreens under the Walgreens guarantee will be unconditionally released and discharged, if and when (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Capital Markets Indebtedness (as defined), including the Existing Notes (as defined), and Commercial Bank Indebtedness (as defined), in each case, of Walgreens is less than $2.0 billion and (ii) Walgreens does not guarantee any Capital Markets Indebtedness (other than the notes or the Euro/Sterling Notes (as defined)) or Commercial Bank Indebtedness, in each case, of WBA. In addition, the Walgreens guarantee will automatically terminate, and the obligations of Walgreens under the Walgreens guarantee will be unconditionally released and discharged, with respect to any series of outstanding notes, upon (i) repayment of such series of outstanding notes in full, (ii) the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture with respect to such series of outstanding notes or (iii) the defeasance or covenant defeasance of such series of outstanding notes in accordance with the terms of the indenture. Once released in accordance with its terms, the Walgreens guarantee will not subsequently be required to be reinstated.

Redemption Option
WBA 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 WBA'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, WBA 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 WBA experiences a change of control triggering event, unless WBA has exercised its option to redeem the fixed rate notes or has defeased the notes as described in the indenture, WBA 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, WBA 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 WBA and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of WBA from time to time outstanding. The notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by Walgreens as described below.  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 28, 2015 was $2.0 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:
 
Notes Issued (in millions)
 
Maturity Date
Interest Rate
Euro Notes:
 
 
750
 
November 20, 2026
Fixed 2.125%
         
Pound Sterling Notes:
 
 
£
400
 
November 20, 2020
Fixed 2.875%
  
300
 
November 20, 2025
Fixed 3.600%
 
£
700
    

Walgreens Guarantee
The Walgreens guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens from time to time outstanding. The purpose of the guarantee is to protect the notes against structural subordination to certain indebtedness of Walgreens. The Walgreens guarantee will automatically terminate, and the obligations of Walgreens under the Walgreens guarantee will be unconditionally released and discharged, if and when (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Capital Markets Indebtedness (as defined), including the Existing Notes (as defined), and Commercial Bank Indebtedness (as defined), in each case, of Walgreens is less than $2.0 billion and (ii) Walgreens does not guarantee any Capital Markets Indebtedness (other than the notes or the U.S. Dollar Notes (as defined)) or Commercial Bank Indebtedness, in each case, of WBA. In addition, the Walgreens guarantee will automatically terminate, and the obligations of Walgreens under the Walgreens guarantee will be unconditionally released and discharged, with respect to any series of outstanding notes, upon (i) repayment of such series of outstanding notes in full, (ii) the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture with respect to such series of outstanding notes or (iii) the defeasance or covenant defeasance of such series of outstanding notes in accordance with the terms of the indenture. Once released in accordance with its terms, the Walgreens guarantee will not subsequently be required to be reinstated.
 
Redemption Option
WBA 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 WBA'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, WBA 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 WBA experiences a change of control triggering event, unless WBA has exercised its option to redeem the fixed rate notes or has defeased the notes as described in the indenture, WBA 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 WBA and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of WBA. Total issuance costs relating to the notes, including underwriting discounts and fees, were $26 million.
The Company repaid the $550 million variable rate notes on their March 13, 2014 maturity date. Additionally, the Company repaid the $750 million 1.000% fixed rate notes on their March 13, 2015 maturity date.
 
The following table details each tranche of outstanding notes as of February 28, 2015:
 
Notes Issued
(in millions)
 
Maturity Date
Interest Rate
Interest Payment Dates
$
750
 
March 13, 2015
Fixed 1.000%
March 13 and September 13; commencing on March 13, 2013
 
1,000
 
September 15, 2017
Fixed 1.800%
March 15 and September 15; commencing on March 15, 2013
 
1,200
 
September 15, 2022
Fixed 3.100%
March 15 and September 15; commencing on March 15, 2013
 
500
 
September 15, 2042
Fixed 4.400%
March 15 and September 15; commencing on March 15, 2013
$
3,450
      

The fair value of the notes as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014 was $3.5 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively. 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, 20 basis points for the notes due 2017, 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, WBA 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 WBA and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of WBA. The notes are not convertible or exchangeable. Total issuance costs relating to this offering including underwriting discounts and fees, were $8 million. The fair value of the notes as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014 was $1.1 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. Fair value for these notes was determined based upon quoted market prices.

Redemption Option and Change in Control
Walgreens may redeem the notes, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at its option at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed; or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest, discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the applicable series of notes), plus 45 basis points, plus accrued interest on the notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption. If a change of control triggering event occurs, unless Walgreens has exercised its option to redeem the notes, it will be required to offer to repurchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

Other Borrowings
The Company periodically borrows under its commercial paper program and may continue to borrow under it in future periods. There were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding at February 28, 2015 or 2014. The Company had average daily short-term borrowings of $4 million of commercial paper outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 0.02% for the six months ended February 28, 2015. For the six month period ended February 28, 2014, the Company had average daily short-term borrowings of $14 million of commercial paper outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 0.23%.
 
On November 10, 2014, WBA and Walgreens entered into a term loan credit agreement (the "Term Loan Agreement") which provides the ability to borrow up to £1.45 billion on an unsecured basis. As of February 28, 2015, the Company has borrowed £1.45 billion ($2.2 billion at the February 28, 2015 spot rate of $1.54 to £1) under the Term Loan Agreement. 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.

On November 10, 2014, WBA 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 WBA'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. The Company's ability to access these facilities is subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the credit facilities, including financial covenants. The covenants require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios related to the proportion of consolidated debt to total capitalization and priority debt, along with limitations on the sale of assets and purchases of investments. 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. At February 28, 2015, there were no borrowings or letters of credit issued against the revolving credit facility.

On December 19, 2014, WBA and Walgreens entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the "364-Day Credit Agreement") with the lenders party thereto. The 364-Day Credit Agreement is a 364-day unsecured, multicurrency revolving facility. The aggregate commitment of all lenders under the 364-Day Credit Agreement is $750 million. At February 28, 2015, there were no borrowings against the 364-Day Credit Agreement.

Walgreens as co-obligor guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance under the Term Loan Agreement, the Revolving Credit Agreement, and the 364-Day Credit Agreement, which guarantee will remain in full force and effect until certain conditions are met.