Retirement benefits (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2020

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

Components of net periodic pension costs for the defined benefit pension plans (in millions):

		Three months ended May 31,				Nine months ended May 31,
	Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings	2020		2019		2020		2019
Service costs	Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	1	$	2	$	4	$	4
Interest costs	Other income	35		49		107		148
Expected returns on plan assets/other	Other income	(69)		(61)		(214)		(186)
Total net periodic pension costs (income)		$	(33)	$	(10)	$	(103)	$	(34)