Supplemental information

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2017

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental information

Supplemental information

The effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2017 was 12.4% compared to 22.8% for the prior year period. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2017 was 16.2% compared to 20.2% for the prior year period. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months and nine months ended May 31, 2017 was primarily attributable to net incremental discrete tax benefits and a lower estimated annual tax rate. Cash paid for income taxes was $839 million and $812 million in the nine months ended May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively.

Interest paid was $573 million and $512 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively.