Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Consolidation The financial statements include the accounts of our majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and affiliates. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, over which we exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for by the equity method. Accordingly, our share of net income or loss of unconsolidated affiliates is included in net income. Foreign Currency Translation For majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and affiliates, if located outside of the U.S., with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, asset and liability accounts are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date and the resultant translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions of these majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and affiliates — that is, transactions denominated in other than their functional currency — are included in net earnings. Our unconsolidated affiliates located outside the U.S. generally use their local currencies as their functional currencies. The asset and liability accounts of those unconsolidated affiliates are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date, with the resultant translation adjustments included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of those affiliates. Income and expense items of those affiliates are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. We record our ownership share of the net assets and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of our unconsolidated affiliates in our consolidated balance sheet on the lines entitled “Investments and other assets” and “Accumulated other comprehensive loss,” respectively. We record our ownership share of the net income of our unconsolidated affiliates in our consolidated income statement on the line entitled “Income from unconsolidated operations.” Use of Estimates Preparation of financial statements that follow accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using standard or average costs which approximate the first-in, first-out costing method. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost and depreciated over its estimated useful life using the straight-line method for financial reporting and both accelerated and straight-line methods for tax reporting. The estimated useful lives range from 20 to 50 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery, equipment and computer software. Assets leased under capital leases are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or their useful lives unless it is reasonable certain that we will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Computer Software We capitalize costs of software developed or obtained for internal use. Capitalized software development costs include only (1) direct costs paid to others for materials and services to develop or buy the software, (2) payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who work directly on the software development project and (3) interest costs while developing the software. Capitalization of these costs stops when the project is substantially complete and ready for use. Software is amortized using the straight-line method over a range of 3 to 8 years, but not exceeding the expected life of the product. We capitalized $13.2 million, $12.8 million and $21.8 million of software development costs during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets We review the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and conduct tests of impairment on an annual basis as described below. We also test goodwill for impairment if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount and test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Separable intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over those lives. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived purchased intangible asset is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, assumed royalty rates, future economic and market conditions and determination of appropriate market comparables. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from these estimates. Goodwill Impairment Our reporting units used to assess potential goodwill impairment are the same as our business segments. We calculate fair value of a reporting unit by using a discounted cash flow model and then compare that to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including intangible assets and goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the calculated fair value, then we would determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. An impairment charge would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value. Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Impairment Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of brand names and trademarks. We calculate fair value by using a relief-from-royalty method or discounted cash flow model and then compare that to the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. If the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded to the extent the recorded indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the fair value. Long-lived Asset Impairment Fixed assets and amortizable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment as events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Undiscounted cash flow analyses are used to determine if an impairment exists. If an impairment is determined to exist, the loss would be calculated based on the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue when we have an agreement with the customer — upon either shipment or delivery, depending upon contractual terms — and when the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. We reduce revenue for estimated product returns, allowances and price discounts based on historical experience and contractual terms. Trade allowances, consisting primarily of customer pricing allowances and rebates, merchandising funds and consumer coupons, are offered through various programs to customers and consumers. Revenue is recorded net of trade allowances. Trade accounts receivable are amounts billed and currently due from customers. We have an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce our receivables to their net realizable value. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on the aging of our receivables and our history of collections. Shipping and Handling Shipping and handling costs on our products sold to customers are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement. Shipping and handling expense was $173.7 million, $111.0 million and $91.2 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Research and Development Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement. Research and development expense was $69.4 million, $66.1 million and $61.0 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Brand Marketing Support Total brand marketing support costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement, were $324.8 million, $276.3 million and $252.2 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Brand marketing support costs include advertising, promotions and customer trade funds used for cooperative advertising. Promotion costs include public relations, shopper marketing, social marketing activities, general consumer promotion activities and depreciation on assets used in these promotional activities. Advertising costs include the development, production and communication of advertisements through television, digital, print and radio. Development and production costs are expensed in the period in which the advertisement is first run. All other costs of advertisement are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $147.2 million, $117.8 million and $102.9 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Employee Benefit and Retirement Plans We sponsor defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and certain foreign locations. In addition, we sponsor defined contribution plans in the U.S. We contribute to defined contribution plans in locations outside the U.S., including government-sponsored retirement plans. We also currently provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain U.S. employees and retirees. During fiscal years 2018 and 2017 we made significant changes to our employee benefit and retirement plans as discussed in note 10. We recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of our defined benefit pension plans as an asset or a liability in the balance sheet, with changes in the funded status recorded through other comprehensive income in the year in which those changes occur. The expected return on plan assets is determined using the expected rate of return and a calculated value of plan assets referred to as the market-related value of plan assets. Differences between assumed and actual returns are amortized to the market-related value of assets on a straight-line basis over five years. We use the corridor approach in the valuation of defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans. The corridor approach defers all actuarial gains and losses resulting from variances between actual results and actuarial assumptions. Those unrecognized gains and losses are amortized when the net gains and losses exceed 10% of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or the projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year. The amount in excess of the corridor is amortized over the average remaining service period to retirement date of active plan participants. Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2018 In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-02 Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)—Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This guidance allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from Pub.L. 115-97 "An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018", (referred to herein as the "U.S. Tax Act") enacted in December 2017. We early adopted this new accounting pronouncement effective December 1, 2017. The adoption resulted in a reclassification of $20.9 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in 2018. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11 Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330). This guidance is intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of inventories by replacing the current lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. We adopted ASU No. 2015-11 effective December 1, 2017. The adoption of this new accounting pronouncement did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — Pending Adoption Recently issued accounting pronouncements to be adopted in fiscal year 2019: In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes previously existing revenue recognition guidance. Under this new guidance, companies will apply a principles-based five-step model to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The model encompasses the following steps: (1) determination of whether a contract - an agreement between two or more parties that creates legally enforceable rights and obligations - exists; (2) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determination of the transaction price; (4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognition of revenue when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. The new revenue recognition guidance allows companies to account for shipping and handling activities that occur before and after the customer has obtained control of a product as fulfillment activities rather than as a promised service. We intend to apply this accounting policy election. In addition, the new revenue guidance requires that customer payments be accounted for as a reduction in the transaction price unless the payment to a customer is in exchange for a distinct good or service. The adoption of this standard will not have an effect on the timing of our revenue recognition. This new standard will be effective beginning in fiscal year 2019 and may be applied using a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective transition method. We will adopt ASU No 2014-09 using the full retrospective method on December 1, 2018, the first day of our fiscal year 2019. Upon adoption of the new ASU in fiscal 2019, we plan to make the following changes to our revenue recognition accounting policy and disclosure practices. We will classify shipping and handling expenses as a component of cost of goods sold rather than our current practice of recording these costs as a component of selling, general and administrative expense. Also, we will classify all payments to direct and indirect customers, including certain trade funds used for cooperative advertising and displays, as a reduction of revenue. Currently, certain of those payments are presented as brand marketing support costs and included as a component of selling, general and administrative expense. While there will be no effect on operating income, net income, or basic and diluted earnings per share upon our adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 in 2019, we currently estimate the following income statement reclassifications to our historical results as a result of that adoption: (i) a reduction in annual net sales by approximately $100 million to $110 million for each of the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016; (ii) an increase in cost of goods sold by $173.7 million, $111.0 million, and $91.2 million in the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively; and (iii) a decrease in selling, general and administrative expense by an amount ranging from $273.7 million to $283.7 million for the year ended November 30, 2018; from $211.0 million to $221.0 million for the year ended November 30, 2017; and from $191.2 million to $201.2 million for the year ended November 30, 2016. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07 Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715)—Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This guidance revises how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans present the net periodic benefit cost in their income statement and requires that the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost be presented in the same income statement line items as other employee compensation costs from services rendered during the period. Of the components of net periodic benefit cost, only the service cost component will be eligible for asset capitalization. The other components of the net periodic benefit cost must be presented separately from the line items that include the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income on the income statement. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2019 and will be applied on a retrospective basis. Adoption of the new standard will solely impact classification within our Consolidated Statements of Income, with no change to net income or basic and diluted earnings per share. We expect the following annual income statement reclassifications upon our adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 on December 1, 2018, the beginning of our fiscal year 2019: (i) an increase (decrease) in cost of goods sold by $2.7 million, $1.5 million and $(1.2) million for the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively; (ii) an increase (decrease) in selling, general and administrative expense by $9.6 million, $1.2 million and $(7.2) million for the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively; (iii) an increase (decrease) in operating income by $(12.3) million, $(2.7) million, and $8.4 million for the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively; and (iv) an increase (decrease) in income included in the income statement caption "Other income (expense), net" by $12.2 million, $2.6 million, and $(8.4) million for the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12 Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)—Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires, for qualifying hedges, the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance also modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, eases documentation and assessment requirements and modifies certain disclosure requirements. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2020. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period or fiscal year before the effective date for all entities. We expect to adopt this guidance effective December 1, 2018. We currently do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory. The ASU eliminates the deferral of the tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. As a result, the tax expense from the intercompany sale of assets, other than inventory, and associated changes to deferred taxes will be recognized when the sale occurs even though the pre-tax effects of the transaction have not been recognized. This new standard will be effective beginning in fiscal year 2019 and is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of December 1, 2018, the first day of our fiscal year 2019. We expect the cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption to be immaterial. The on-going effect of the adoption of the standard will depend on the nature and amount of future transactions. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805)-Clarifying the Definition of a Business. This guidance changes the definition of a business to assist entities in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities constitutes a business. The guidance requires an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set of transferred assets and activities is not a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC 606) Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2019. We currently cannot estimate the impact that adoption of this ASU will have on our financial statements and related disclosures as its application is dependent on the facts and circumstances of individual transactions. In August 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532 Disclosure Update and Simplification, to eliminate or modify certain disclosure rules that are redundant, outdated, or duplicative of U.S. GAAP or other regulatory requirements. Among other changes, the amendments eliminated the annual requirement to disclose the high and low trading prices of our common stock. In addition, the amendments provide that disclosure requirements related to the analysis of shareholders' equity are expanded for interim financial statements. An analysis of the changes in each caption of shareholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement, as well as the amount of dividends per share for each class of shares. This rule was effective on November 5, 2018; and the expanded interim disclosure requirements for changes in shareholders' equity will be effective for us for our quarterly reporting in the year ending November 30, 2019. Recently issued accounting pronouncements to be adopted in fiscal years 2020 or 2021: In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other Topics (Topic 350)—Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This guidance eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill of a reporting unit to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, a company will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2021. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. While we are still evaluating the timing of adoption, we currently do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). This guidance revises existing practice related to accounting for leases under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 840 Leases (ASC 840) for both lessees and lessors. Our leases principally relate to: (i) certain real estate, including that related to a number of administrative, distribution and manufacturing locations, and, beginning in May 2018, to our new headquarters building; (ii) certain machinery and equipment, including a corporate airplane and automobiles; and (iii) certain software. The new guidance in ASU No. 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The lease liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments and the right-of-use asset will be based on the lease liability, subject to adjustment such as for initial direct costs. For income statement purposes, the new standard retains a dual model similar to ASC 840, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. For lessees, operating leases will result in straight-line expense (similar to current accounting by lessees for operating leases under ASC 840) while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern (similar to current accounting by lessees for capital leases under ASC 840). In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, which provides an additional transition method that allows entities to initially apply the new standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without restating prior periods. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2020. We intend to adopt the requirements of the new standard via a cumulative-effect adjustment without restating prior periods. Based on our assessment to date, we expect that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will not have a material effect on our results of operations but will result in an increase in lease-related assets and liabilities recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are unable to quantify the amount of that increase at this time.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Consolidation

The financial statements include the accounts of our majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and affiliates. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, over which we exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for by the equity method. Accordingly, our share of net income or loss of unconsolidated affiliates is included in net income.

Foreign Currency Translation

For majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and affiliates, if located outside of the U.S., with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, asset and liability accounts are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date and the resultant translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions of these majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and affiliates — that is, transactions denominated in other than their functional currency — are included in net earnings.

Our unconsolidated affiliates located outside the U.S. generally use their local currencies as their functional currencies. The asset and liability accounts of those unconsolidated affiliates are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date, with the resultant translation adjustments included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of those affiliates. Income and expense items of those affiliates are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. We record our ownership share of the net assets and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of our unconsolidated affiliates in our consolidated balance sheet on the lines entitled “Investments and other assets” and “Accumulated other comprehensive loss,” respectively. We record our ownership share of the net income of our unconsolidated affiliates in our consolidated income statement on the line entitled “Income from unconsolidated operations.”

Use of Estimates

Preparation of financial statements that follow accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using standard or average costs which approximate the first-in, first-out costing method.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost and depreciated over its estimated useful life using the straight-line method for financial reporting and both accelerated and straight-line methods for tax reporting. The estimated useful lives range from 20 to 50 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery, equipment and computer software. Assets leased under capital leases are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or their useful lives unless it is reasonable certain that we will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Computer Software

We capitalize costs of software developed or obtained for internal use. Capitalized software development costs include only (1) direct costs paid to others for materials and services to develop or buy the software, (2) payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who work directly on the software development project and (3) interest costs while developing the software. Capitalization of these costs stops when the project is substantially complete and ready for use. Software is amortized using the straight-line method over a range of 3 to 8 years, but not exceeding the expected life of the product. We capitalized $13.2 million, $12.8 million and $21.8 million of software development costs during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

We review the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and conduct tests of impairment on an annual basis as described below. We also test goodwill for impairment if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount and test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Separable intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over those lives.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived purchased intangible asset is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, assumed royalty rates, future economic and market conditions and determination of appropriate market comparables. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from these estimates.

Goodwill Impairment

Our reporting units used to assess potential goodwill impairment are the same as our business segments. We calculate fair value of a reporting unit by using a discounted cash flow model and then compare that to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including intangible assets and goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the calculated fair value, then we would determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. An impairment charge would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value.

Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Impairment

Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of brand names and trademarks. We calculate fair value by using a relief-from-royalty method or discounted cash flow model and then compare that to the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. If the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded to the extent the recorded indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the fair value.

Long-lived Asset Impairment

Fixed assets and amortizable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment as events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Undiscounted cash flow analyses are used to determine if an impairment exists. If an impairment is determined to exist, the loss would be calculated based on the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when we have an agreement with the customer — upon either shipment or delivery, depending upon contractual terms — and when the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. We reduce revenue for estimated product returns, allowances and price discounts based on historical experience and contractual terms.

Trade allowances, consisting primarily of customer pricing allowances and rebates, merchandising funds and consumer coupons, are offered through various programs to customers and consumers. Revenue is recorded net of trade allowances.

Trade accounts receivable are amounts billed and currently due from customers. We have an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce our receivables to their net realizable value. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on the aging of our receivables and our history of collections.

Shipping and Handling

Shipping and handling costs on our products sold to customers are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement. Shipping and handling expense was $173.7 million, $111.0 million and $91.2 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement. Research and development expense was $69.4 million, $66.1 million and $61.0 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Brand Marketing Support

Total brand marketing support costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement, were $324.8 million, $276.3 million and $252.2 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Brand marketing support costs include advertising, promotions and customer trade funds used for cooperative advertising. Promotion costs include public relations, shopper marketing, social marketing activities, general consumer promotion activities and depreciation on assets used in these promotional activities. Advertising costs include the development, production and communication of advertisements through television, digital, print and radio. Development and production costs are expensed in the period in which the advertisement is first run. All other costs of advertisement are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $147.2 million, $117.8 million and $102.9 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Employee Benefit and Retirement Plans

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and certain foreign locations. In addition, we sponsor defined contribution plans in the U.S. We contribute to defined contribution plans in locations outside the U.S., including government-sponsored retirement plans. We also currently provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain U.S. employees and retirees. During fiscal years 2018 and 2017 we made significant changes to our employee benefit and retirement plans as discussed in note 10.

We recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of our defined benefit pension plans as an asset or a liability in the balance sheet, with changes in the funded status recorded through other comprehensive income in the year in which those changes occur.

The expected return on plan assets is determined using the expected rate of return and a calculated value of plan assets referred to as the market-related value of plan assets. Differences between assumed and actual returns are amortized to the market-related value of assets on a straight-line basis over five years.

We use the corridor approach in the valuation of defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans. The corridor approach defers all actuarial gains and losses resulting from variances between actual results and actuarial assumptions. Those unrecognized gains and losses are amortized when the net gains and losses exceed 10% of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or the projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year. The amount in excess of the corridor is amortized over the average remaining service period to retirement date of active plan participants.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2018

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-02 Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)—Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This guidance allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from Pub.L. 115-97 "An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018", (referred to herein as the "U.S. Tax Act") enacted in December 2017. We early adopted this new accounting pronouncement effective December 1, 2017. The adoption resulted in a reclassification of $20.9 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in 2018.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11 Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330). This guidance is intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of inventories by replacing the current lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. We adopted ASU No. 2015-11 effective December 1, 2017. The adoption of this new accounting pronouncement did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — Pending Adoption

Recently issued accounting pronouncements to be adopted in fiscal year 2019:

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes previously existing revenue recognition guidance. Under this new guidance, companies will apply a principles-based five-step model to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The model encompasses the following steps: (1) determination of whether a contract - an agreement between two or more parties that creates legally enforceable rights and obligations - exists; (2) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determination of the transaction price; (4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognition of revenue when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. The new revenue recognition guidance allows companies to account for shipping and handling activities that occur before and after the customer has obtained control of a product as fulfillment activities rather than as a promised service. We intend to apply this accounting policy election. In addition, the new revenue guidance requires that customer payments be accounted for as a reduction in the transaction price unless the payment to a customer is in exchange for a distinct good or service. The adoption of this standard will not have an effect on the timing of our revenue recognition. This new standard will be effective beginning in fiscal year 2019 and may be applied using a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective transition method. We will adopt ASU No 2014-09 using the full retrospective method on December 1, 2018, the first day of our fiscal year 2019.

Upon adoption of the new ASU in fiscal 2019, we plan to make the following changes to our revenue recognition accounting policy and disclosure practices. We will classify shipping and handling expenses as a component of cost of goods sold rather than our current practice of recording these costs as a component of selling, general and administrative expense. Also, we will classify all payments to direct and indirect customers, including certain trade funds used for cooperative advertising and displays, as a reduction of revenue. Currently, certain of those payments are presented as brand marketing support costs and included as a component of selling, general and administrative expense. While there will be no effect on operating income, net income, or basic and diluted earnings per share upon our adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 in 2019, we currently estimate the following income statement reclassifications to our historical results as a result of that adoption: (i) a reduction in annual net sales by approximately $100 million to $110 million for each of the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016; (ii) an increase in cost of goods sold by $173.7 million, $111.0 million, and $91.2 million in the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively; and (iii) a decrease in selling, general and administrative expense by an amount ranging from $273.7 million to $283.7 million for the year ended November 30, 2018; from $211.0 million to $221.0 million for the year ended November 30, 2017; and from $191.2 million to $201.2 million for the year ended November 30, 2016.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07 Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715)—Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This guidance revises how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans present the net periodic benefit cost in their income statement and requires that the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost be presented in the same income statement line items as other employee compensation costs from services rendered during the period. Of the components of net periodic benefit cost, only the service cost component will be eligible for asset capitalization. The other components of the net periodic benefit cost must be presented separately from the line items that include the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income on the income statement. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2019 and will be applied on a retrospective basis. Adoption of the new standard will solely impact classification within our Consolidated Statements of Income, with no change to net income or basic and diluted earnings per share. We expect the following annual income statement reclassifications upon our adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 on December 1, 2018, the beginning of our fiscal year 2019: (i) an increase (decrease) in cost of goods sold by $2.7 million, $1.5 million and $(1.2) million for the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively; (ii) an increase (decrease) in selling, general and administrative expense by $9.6 million, $1.2 million and $(7.2) million for the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively; (iii) an increase (decrease) in operating income by $(12.3) million, $(2.7) million, and $8.4 million for the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively; and (iv) an increase (decrease) in income included in the income statement caption "Other income (expense), net" by $12.2 million, $2.6 million, and $(8.4) million for the years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12 Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)—Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires, for qualifying hedges, the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance also modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, eases documentation and assessment requirements and modifies certain disclosure requirements. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2020. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period or fiscal year before the effective date for all entities. We expect to adopt this guidance effective December 1, 2018. We currently do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory. The ASU eliminates the deferral of the tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. As a result, the tax expense from the intercompany sale of assets, other than inventory, and associated changes to deferred taxes will be recognized when the sale occurs even though the pre-tax effects of the transaction have not been recognized. This new standard will be effective beginning in fiscal year 2019 and is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of December 1, 2018, the first day of our fiscal year 2019. We expect the cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption to be immaterial. The on-going effect of the adoption of the standard will depend on the nature and amount of future transactions.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805)-Clarifying the Definition of a Business. This guidance changes the definition of a business to assist entities in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities constitutes a business. The guidance requires an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set of transferred assets and activities is not a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC 606) Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2019. We currently cannot estimate the impact that adoption of this ASU will have on our financial statements and related disclosures as its application is dependent on the facts and circumstances of individual transactions.

In August 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532 Disclosure Update and Simplification, to eliminate or modify certain disclosure rules that are redundant, outdated, or duplicative of U.S. GAAP or other regulatory requirements. Among other changes, the amendments eliminated the annual requirement to disclose the high and low trading prices of our common stock. In addition, the amendments provide that disclosure requirements related to the analysis of shareholders' equity are expanded for interim financial statements. An analysis of the changes in each caption of shareholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement, as well as the amount of dividends per share for each class of shares. This rule was effective on November 5, 2018; and the expanded interim disclosure requirements for changes in shareholders' equity will be effective for us for our quarterly reporting in the year ending November 30, 2019.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements to be adopted in fiscal years 2020 or 2021:

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other Topics (Topic 350)—Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This guidance eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill of a reporting unit to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, a company will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2021. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. While we are still evaluating the timing of adoption, we currently do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). This guidance revises existing practice related to accounting for leases under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 840 Leases (ASC 840) for both lessees and lessors. Our leases principally relate to: (i) certain real estate, including that related to a number of administrative, distribution and manufacturing locations, and, beginning in May 2018, to our new headquarters building; (ii) certain machinery and equipment, including a corporate airplane and automobiles; and (iii) certain software. The new guidance in ASU No. 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The lease liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments and the right-of-use asset will be based on the lease liability, subject to adjustment such as for initial direct costs. For income statement purposes, the new standard retains a dual model similar to ASC 840, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. For lessees, operating leases will result in straight-line expense (similar to current accounting by lessees for operating leases under ASC 840) while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern (similar to current accounting by lessees for capital leases under ASC 840). In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, which provides an additional transition method that allows entities to initially apply the new standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without restating prior periods. The new standard will be effective for the first quarter of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2020. We intend to adopt the requirements of the new standard via a cumulative-effect adjustment without restating prior periods. Based on our assessment to date, we expect that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will not have a material effect on our results of operations but will result in an increase in lease-related assets and liabilities recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are unable to quantify the amount of that increase at this time.