Equity method investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2017

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity method investments as of August 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in millions, except percentages):



	2017			2016
	Carrying value		Ownership percentage	Carrying value		Ownership percentage
AmerisourceBergen	$	5,024	26%	$	4,964	24%
Others	1,296		8%-50%	1,210		12% - 50%
Total	$	6,320		$	6,174

Summarized financial information of equity method investees

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

Balance sheet (in millions)



	Year ended August 31,
	2017¹		2016¹
Current assets	$	29,707	$	27,066
Non-current assets	12,999		12,496
Current liabilities	30,559		28,569
Non-current liabilities	7,362		6,891
Shareholders’ equity²	4,785		4,102

Statements of earnings (in millions)



	Year ended August 31,
	2017³		2016³		2015³
Sales	$	164,844	$	55,153	$	20,905
Gross profit	5,958		2,672		3,794
Net earnings	1,040		534		791
Share of earnings from equity method investments³	143		81		339

The summarized financial information for equity method investments has been included on an aggregated basis for all investments as reported at the end of each fiscal year end.


¹	Net assets in foreign equity method investments are translated at their respective August 31, 2017 and 2016 spot rates.


²	Shareholders’ equity at August 31, 2017 and 2016 includes $204 million and $176 million, respectively, related to noncontrolling interests.


³	Statements of earnings in foreign equity method investments are translated at their respective average exchange rates.