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ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of presentation
Basis of presentation
The unaudited interim financial information of Kellanova (the Company), formerly Kellogg Company, included in this report reflects all adjustments, all of which are of a normal and recurring nature, that management believes are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, comprehensive income, financial position, equity and cash flows for the periods presented. This interim information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying footnotes within the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company completed the separation of its North America cereal business resulting in two independent companies, Kellanova and WK Kellogg Co. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the results of WK Kellogg Co are presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income and, as such, have been excluded from both continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. The consolidated statements of comprehensive income, equity and cash flows are presented on a consolidated basis for both continuing operations and discontinued operations. All amounts, percentages and disclosures for all periods presented reflect only the continuing operations of Kellanova unless otherwise noted. See Note 2 for additional information.
The balance sheet information at December 30, 2023 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The results of operations for the quarter ended September 28, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for other interim periods or the full year.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.
Proposed Merger
Proposed Merger

On August 13, 2024, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Acquiror 10VB8, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Acquiror”), Merger Sub 10VB8, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror (“Merger Sub”), and, solely for the limited purposes specified in the Merger Agreement, Mars, Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“Mars”).

The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), (1) Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror, and (2) each share of public common stock, par value $0.25 per share, of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to Effective Time (other than shares owned by (i) the Company or its subsidiaries or Mars or its subsidiaries (including Acquiror and its subsidiaries) or (ii) shareowners who have properly exercised and perfected appraisal rights under Delaware law) will be automatically cancelled and converted into the right to receive $83.50 per share in cash, without interest. Completion of the Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the Company's shareowners and the receipt of required regulatory approvals.

The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights, including the right of either the Company or Acquiror to terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger is not consummated by August 13, 2025 (subject to two extensions for up to an additional six months each if all of the conditions to the closing, other than the conditions related to obtaining regulatory approvals, have been satisfied). The Merger Agreement also provides for certain termination rights for each of the Company and Acquiror, and provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain specified circumstances related to the failure to obtain regulatory approvals, Acquiror would be required to pay a termination fee of $1.25 billion to the Company, and under other specified circumstances, including if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement to enter into a superior proposal or Acquiror terminates the Merger Agreement due to a change of recommendation by the Board, the Company would be required to pay to Acquiror a termination fee of $800 million.

During the quarter ended September 28, 2024, the Company incurred $22 million of costs related to the proposed Merger.
Accounts payable - Supplier Finance Programs
Accounts payable - Supplier Finance Programs
The Company establishes competitive market-based terms with our suppliers, regardless of whether they participate in supplier finance programs, which generally range from 0 to 150 days dependent on their respective industry and geography.
The Company has agreements with third parties to provide accounts payable tracking systems which facilitate participating suppliers’ ability to monitor and, if elected, sell payment obligations from the Company to designated third-party financial institutions. Participating suppliers may, at their sole discretion, make offers to sell one or more payment obligations of the Company prior to their scheduled due dates at a discounted price to participating financial institutions. The Company has no economic interest in the sale of these suppliers’ receivables and no direct financial relationship with the financial institutions concerning these services. The Company’s obligations to its suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment dates, are not impacted by suppliers’ decisions to sell amounts under the arrangements. However, the Company’s right to offset balances due from suppliers against payment obligations is restricted by the agreements for those payment obligations that have been sold by suppliers. The payment of these obligations by the Company is included in cash used in operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. As of September 28, 2024, $876 million of the Company’s outstanding payment obligations had been placed in the accounts payable tracking system. As of December 30, 2023, $825 million of the Company’s outstanding payment obligations had been placed in the accounts payable tracking system.
Accounting standards adopted in the period
Accounting standards to be adopted in future periods
Income Taxes: Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 to expand the disclosure requirements for income taxes, specifically related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. It will take effect for public entities fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of any incremental disclosures required by this ASU and plan to adopt for year-end 2025.
Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, which focuses on enhancing reportable segment disclosures under Segment Reporting (Topic 280). This new standard is designed to enhance the transparency of significant segment expenses on an interim and annual basis. It will take effect for public entities fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2024, with the option for earlier adoption at any time before the specified date. The Company is currently assessing the impact of any incremental disclosures required by this ASU. The Company will adopt this amendment in the fourth quarter of 2024.