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Debt
9 Months Ended
Feb. 26, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt

(6) Debt

 

The components of notes payable were as follows:

In Millions Feb. 26, 2012  May 29, 2011
U.S. commercial paper$ 551.9 $ 192.5
Financial institutions  138.9   118.8
Total$ 690.8 $ 311.3

To ensure availability of funds, we maintain bank credit lines sufficient to cover our outstanding short-term borrowings. Commercial paper is a continuing source of short-term financing. We issue commercial paper in the United States and Europe. Our commercial paper borrowings are supported by $2.9 billion of fee-paid committed credit lines, consisting of a $1.8 billion facility expiring in October 2012 and a $1.1 billion facility expiring in October 2013. We also have $421.7 million in uncommitted credit lines that support our foreign operations. As of February 26, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding on the fee-paid committed credit lines and $138.9 million was drawn on the uncommitted lines.

 

On February 15, 2012, we repaid $1.0 billion of 6.0 percent notes. In November 2011, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.15 percent notes due December 15, 2021. The net proceeds were used to repay a portion of our notes due February 15, 2012, reduce our commercial paper borrowings, and for general corporate purposes. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. These notes may be redeemed at our option at any time prior to September 15, 2021 for a specified make whole amount and any time on or after that date at par plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. These notes are senior unsecured, unsubordinated obligations that include a change of control repurchase provision.

 

As part of our acquisition of Yoplait S.A.S., we consolidated $457.9 million of primarily euro-denominated Euribor-based floating-rate bank debt. In December 2011, we refinanced this debt with $390.5 million of euro-denominated Euribor-based floating-rate bank debt due at various dates through December 15, 2014.

 

In May 2011, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.55 percent fixed-rate notes and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of floating-rate notes, both due May 16, 2014. The proceeds of these notes were used to repay a portion of our outstanding commercial paper. The floating-rate notes bear interest equal to three-month LIBOR plus 35 basis points, subject to quarterly reset. Interest on the floating-rate notes is payable quarterly in arrears. Interest on the fixed-rate notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The fixed-rate notes may be redeemed at our option at any time for a specified make whole amount. These notes are senior unsecured, unsubordinated obligations that include a change of control repurchase provision.

 

In June 2010, we issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.4 percent notes due June 15, 2040. The proceeds of these notes were used to repay a portion of our outstanding commercial paper. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. These notes may be redeemed at our option at any time for a specified make whole amount. These notes are senior unsecured, unsubordinated obligations that include a change of control repurchase provision.

Certain of our long-term debt agreements contain restrictive covenants. As of February 26, 2012, we were in compliance with all of these covenants.