Note 2: Acquisitions - On May 20, 2016, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of RONA inc. (RONA) for C$24 per share in cash. In addition, as part of the transaction, borrowings under RONA’s revolving credit facility were settled in full at the closing of the acquisition, and the facility was eliminated. Total cash consideration to acquire the equity and settle the debt was C$3.1 billion ($2.4 billion). RONA is one of Canada’s largest retailers and distributors of hardware, building materials, home renovation, and gardening products. The acquisition is expected to enable the Company to accelerate its growth strategy by significantly expanding its presence in the Canadian home improvement market. Acquisition-related costs were expensed as incurred and were not significant. The aggregate purchase price of this acquisition was preliminarily allocated as follows:



(In millions)	May 20, 2016
Purchase price:
Cash paid	$	2,367

Allocation:
Cash acquired	83
Accounts receivable	260
Merchandise inventory	817
Property	923
Amortizable intangible assets:
Trademarks	203
Dealer relationships	106
Other assets	142
Goodwill	922
Current liabilities assumed	(615		)
Long-term liabilities assumed	(365		)
Noncontrolling interest	(109		)
Total net assets acquired	$	2,367

The intangible assets acquired include trademarks of $203 million with a weighted average useful life of 15 years and dealer relationships of $106 million with a weighted average useful life of 20 years, which are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The goodwill of $922 million is primarily attributable to the synergies expected to arise after the acquisition. The intangible assets and goodwill are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The transaction included the assumption by Lowe’s of unsecured debentures held by RONA of approximately C$118 million ($91 million) as of the acquisition date. The debentures were settled in October 2016.

As of the acquisition date, 6.9 million preferred shares of RONA remained outstanding. The total fair value of the shares and Lowe’s corresponding noncontrolling interest was $109 million, which was determined based on the closing market price of RONA’s preferred shares on the acquisition date. The preferred shares consisted of approximately 4.7 million Cumulative and Fixed 5-Year Rate Reset Series 6 Class A shares (Series 6 Shares) and approximately 2.2 million Cumulative and Variable 5-Year Rate Reset Series 7 Class A shares (Series 7 Shares). Dividend payments for these preferred shares have been insignificant. In November 2016, subsequent to the end of the third fiscal quarter, the Company acquired all of the outstanding preferred shares of RONA for C$24 per share in cash for a total price of C$166 million ($122 million).

Pro forma and historical financial information has not been provided as the acquisition was not material to the consolidated financial statements. In addition, net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest was not significant for any of the reporting periods presented, and no noncontrolling interest exists subsequent to the acquisition of the outstanding preferred shares.