CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income	$ 289,474	$ 87,541	$ 127,167
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	771,833	773,704	760,405
Restructuring and related charges	(3,566)	16,264	94,346
Recognition of stock-based compensation expense and related charges	61,346	90,664	48,544
Deferred income taxes	20,998	52,705	(63,001)
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	15,867	38,030	10,112
Restructuring of securities loss	29,632	0	0
Other, net	37,017	(13,600)	22,109
Change in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of net assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	(586,511)	(2,334,367)	(2,828,328)
Contract assets	(878,469)	0	0
Inventories	483,074	(499,105)	(445,089)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	28,897	(97,795)	95,593
Other assets	(38,188)	(34,747)	(30,413)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	961,662	815,258	744,470
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,193,066	(1,105,448)	(1,464,085)
Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(1,005,480)	(1,036,651)	(716,485)
Proceeds and advances from sale of property, plant and equipment	218,708	350,291	175,000
Cash paid for business and intangible asset acquisitions, net of cash	(153,239)	(109,664)	(36,620)
Cash receipts on sold receivables	96,846	2,039,298	2,720,728
Other, net	(29,289)	(2,360)	(1,360)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(872,454)	1,240,914	2,141,263
Cash flows used in financing activities:
Borrowings under debt agreements	11,985,978	9,677,424	7,434,107
Payments toward debt agreements	(12,013,004)	(9,206,016)	(7,479,150)
Payments to acquire treasury stock	(350,323)	(450,319)	(306,640)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(52,004)	(57,833)	(59,959)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options and issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	26,999	24,865	21,791
Treasury stock minimum tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(11,918)	(22,597)	(12,268)
Other, net	(1,500)	(12,568)	(2,427)
Net cash used in financing activities	(415,772)	(47,044)	(404,546)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	554	(20,392)	5,228
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(94,606)	68,030	277,860
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,257,949	1,189,919	912,059
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,163,343	1,257,949	1,189,919
Supplemental disclosure information:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	185,696	167,278	130,635
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	$ 168,053	$ 180,423	$ 187,871