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Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Accounting Policies
Note 1: Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and its majority-owned investments, if any. Intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires that we make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates in these consolidated financial statements include, among others, estimates of future cash flows associated with assets, potential asset impairments, purchase price allocation, goodwill related to acquisitions and divestitures, useful lives and residual values of long-lived assets used in determining depreciation and amortization, net realizable value of inventories, accruals for trade marketing and merchandising programs, income taxes, and discount rates and other assumptions used in determining defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: We consider all short-term, highly-liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Based on the short-term nature of these assets, carrying value approximates fair value. As of April 30, 2025 and 2024, there were no cash equivalents within cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Revenue Recognition: Principally all of our revenue is derived from the sale of food and beverage products to food retailers, online retailers, and foodservice distributors and operators. We recognize revenue when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer have been satisfied. This occurs when control of our products transfers, which typically takes place upon delivery to or pick up by the customer. Amounts due from our customers are classified as trade receivables in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and require payment on a short-term basis.
Transaction price is based on the list price included in our published price list, which is then reduced by the estimated impact of variable consideration, such as trade marketing and merchandising programs, discounts, unsaleable product allowances, returns, and similar items, in the same period that the revenue is recognized. To estimate the impact of these costs, we consider customer contract provisions, historical data, and our current expectations.
We have trade marketing and merchandising programs that consist of various promotional activities conducted through retailers, distributors, or directly with consumers, including in-store display and product placement programs, price discounts, coupons, and other similar activities. For additional discussion on these programs, refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies” within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
For revenue disaggregated by reportable segment, geographical region, and product category, see Note 5: Reportable Segments.
Shipping and Handling Costs: Transportation costs included in cost of products sold relate to the costs incurred to ship our products. Distribution costs are included in SD&A expenses and primarily relate to the warehousing costs incurred to store our products. Total costs recorded within SD&A were $291.1, $267.7, and $304.5 in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Advertising Expense: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in SD&A in the Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss). Advertising expense was $181.0, $182.5, and $160.3 in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Research and Development Costs: Research and development (“R&D”) costs are expensed as incurred and are included in SD&A in the Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss). R&D costs include expenditures for new and existing product and manufacturing process innovations, which are comprised primarily of internal salaries and wages, consulting, testing, and other supplies attributable to time spent on R&D activities. Other costs include the depreciation and maintenance of research facilities. Total R&D expense was $51.7, $49.1, and $47.3 in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Share-Based Payments: Share-based compensation expense, including stock options, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, and generally vest over a period of 1 to 3 years.
The following table summarizes amounts related to share-based payments.
  Year Ended April 30,
  202520242023
Share-based compensation expense included in SD&A$29.1 $23.7 $25.6 
Share-based compensation expense included in other special project costs0.8 0.2 — 
Total share-based compensation expense$29.9 $23.9 $25.6 
Related income tax benefit $7.1 $5.6 $6.0 
As of April 30, 2025, total unrecognized share-based compensation cost related to nonvested share-based awards, including stock options, was $36.0. The weighted-average period over which this amount is expected to be recognized is 1.9 years.
Realized excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are presented in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows as an operating activity and are recognized within income taxes in the Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss). In 2025, the excess tax expense realized upon exercise or vesting of share-based compensation was $1.0, and in 2024 and 2023, the excess tax benefits were $2.9, and $1.4, respectively. For additional discussion on share-based compensation expense, see Note 13: Share-Based Payments.
Earnings Per Share: Earnings per share is computed in accordance with FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. As required by ASC 260, we computed net income (loss) per common share (“basic earnings per share”) under the two-class method for 2025, 2024, and 2023, due to certain unvested common shares that contained non-forfeitable rights to dividends (i.e., participating securities) during the periods. Further, we compute net income (loss) per common share – assuming dilution (“diluted earnings per share”) under either the two-class method or the treasury method, dependent on which is more dilutive. In 2025 and 2023, we recognized a net loss, and as a result, excluded the anti-dilutive effect of stock-based awards from the computation of diluted earnings per share. Therefore, in 2025 and 2023, diluted earnings per share was computed under the two-class method. In 2024, the computation of diluted earnings per share was more dilutive under the treasury stock method.
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Under the two-class method, net income (loss) available to common and participating common shareholders is reduced by the net income (loss) allocated to participating securities, which is equal to the amount of dividends declared in the current period, and the contractual amount of dividends that must be paid for the current period related to participating securities. Under the treasury stock method, the diluted earnings per share calculation includes potential common shares assumed to be issued, which reflects the potential dilution that would occur if any outstanding options or warrants were exercised or restricted stock becomes vested, and includes the “if converted” method for participating securities if the effect is dilutive. For additional information on the earnings per share calculations, see Note 6: Earnings Per Share.
Defined Contribution Plans: We offer employee savings plans for domestic and Canadian employees. Our contributions under these plans are based on a specified percentage of employee contributions. Charges to operations for these plans in 2025, 2024, and 2023 were $47.7, $41.5, and $41.0, respectively. For information on our defined benefit plans, see Note 9: Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.
Income Taxes: We account for income taxes using the liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in the applicable tax rate is recognized in income or expense in the period that the change is enacted. A tax benefit is recognized when it is more likely than not to be sustained. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. We recognize income taxes on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) as a period expense in the period in which the tax is incurred.
We account for the financial statement recognition and measurement criteria of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return under FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest
and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and disclosure. In accordance with the requirements of ASC 740, uncertain tax positions have been classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncurrent, except to the extent payment is expected within one year. We recognize net interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. For additional information, refer to Note 14: Income Taxes.
Trade Receivables: In the normal course of business, we extend credit to customers. Trade receivables, less credit losses, reflect the net realizable value of receivables and approximates fair value. We account for trade receivables, less credit losses, in accordance with FASB ASC 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. We evaluate our trade receivables and establish a reserve for credit loss based on a combination of factors. When aware that a specific customer has been impacted by circumstances such as bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, potentially making it unable to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount we reasonably believe is collectible. We also record reserves for credit loss for all other customers based on a variety of factors, including the length of credit terms and risk class, historical collection experience, and an evaluation of current and projected economic conditions at the balance sheet date. Trade receivables are charged off against the reserve for credit losses after we determine that the potential for recovery is remote. At April 30, 2025 and 2024, the reserve for credit losses were $1.5 and $8.7, respectively. We believe there is no concentration of risk with any single customer whose failure or nonperformance would materially affect results other than as discussed in Note 5: Reportable Segments.
Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with market being defined as net realizable value, less costs to sell. Cost for all inventories is determined using the first-in, first-out method applied on a consistent basis.

The cost of finished products and work-in-process inventory includes materials, direct labor, and overhead. Work-in-process is included in finished products in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and was $81.0 and $81.3 at April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Derivative Financial Instruments: We account for derivative instruments in accordance with FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which requires all derivative instruments to be recognized at fair value in the financial statements, regardless of the purpose or intent for holding them.
We do not qualify commodity derivatives or instruments used to manage foreign currency exchange exposures for hedge accounting treatment, and, as a result, the derivative gains and losses are immediately recognized in earnings. Although we do not perform the assessments required to achieve hedge accounting for derivative positions, we believe all of our derivatives are economic hedges of our risk exposure. The exposures hedged have a high inverse correlation to price changes of the derivative instrument. Thus, we would expect that over time any gain or loss in the estimated fair value of the derivatives would generally be offset by an increase or decrease in the estimated fair value of the underlying exposures.
From time to time, we utilize derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk associated with anticipated debt transactions, as well as to manage changes in the fair value of our long-term debt. At the inception of an interest rate contract, the instrument is evaluated and documented for qualifying hedge accounting treatment. If the contract is designated as a cash flow hedge, the mark-to-market gains or losses on the contract are deferred and included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and generally reclassified to interest expense in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. If the contract is designated as a fair value hedge, the contract is recognized at fair value on the balance sheet and changes in the fair value are recognized in interest expense. Generally, changes in the fair value of the contract are equal to changes in the fair value of the underlying debt and have no net impact on earnings.
Property, Plant, and Equipment: Property, plant, and equipment is recognized at cost and is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset (3 to 20 years for machinery and equipment, 1 to 7 years for capitalized software costs related to software that we have purchased or has been licensed to us, and 5 to 40 years for buildings, fixtures, and improvements).
We lease certain land, buildings, and equipment for varying periods of time, with renewal options. Lease expense in 2025, 2024, and 2023 was $118.7, $121.7, and $113.3, respectively.
In accordance with FASB ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, long-lived assets, other than goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future net undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by such assets. If such
assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of by sale are recognized as held for sale at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Furthermore, determining fair value is subject to estimates of both cash flows and discount rates, and different estimates could yield different results. There are no events or changes in circumstances of which we are aware of that indicate the carrying value of our long-lived assets may not be recoverable at April 30, 2025.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price paid over the estimated fair value of the net assets of a business acquired. In accordance with FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized and are assessed at least annually for impairment. We conduct our annual test for impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as of February 1 of each year. A discounted cash flow valuation technique is utilized to estimate the fair value of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets. We also use a market-based approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. An equal weighting of estimated value under these approaches is used to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, respectively. The discount rates utilized in the cash flow analyses are developed using a weighted-average cost of capital methodology. In addition to the annual test, we test for impairment if events or circumstances occur that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying value. Further, upon disposal of a business, a relative fair value analysis is utilized to determine the amount of goodwill to be disposed of for each impacted reporting unit, using estimates and assumptions consistent with the annual test. Following the allocation of goodwill to the disposal group, the remaining goodwill is assessed for potential indicators of impairment. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. For additional information, see Note 7: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
Marketable Securities and Other Investments: We maintain funds for the payment of benefits associated with nonqualified retirement plans. These funds include investments considered to be available-for-sale marketable securities. At April 30, 2025 and 2024, the fair value of these investments was $20.0 and $22.1, respectively, and was included in other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at April 30, 2025 and 2024, were unrealized pre-tax gains of $0.7 and $1.4, respectively.
Investment in Equity Securities: Investments in common stock of entities other than our consolidated subsidiaries in which we own less than 20 percent of an entity’s common stock and do not provide significant influence are accounted for as a financial instrument in accordance with FASB ASC 321, Investments – Equity Securities. As required by ASC 321, the ownership interest in the entity is recognized at fair value based on fixed or determinable prices within current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and any change in fair value is included in other income (expense) net in the Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss).
The net proceeds received from the divestiture of certain pet food brands in 2023 included approximately 5.4 million shares of Post common stock, which represented approximately an 8 percent equity interest in Post as of April 30, 2023. The fair value of the investment in Post common stock was $487.8 at April 30, 2023. Upon selling the Post common stock on November 15, 2023, the investment in equity securities was valued at $460.9. We recognized a realized pre-tax loss of $30.7 on the investment, with $26.9 and $3.8 of the loss recognized during the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which were included in other income (expense) – net in the Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss). For additional information, see Note 3: Divestitures and Note 10: Derivative Financial Instruments.

Equity Method Investments: Investments in common stock of entities other than our consolidated subsidiaries in which we own between 20 percent and 50 percent of an entity’s common stock and are able to exercise significant influence over them are accounted for under the equity method in accordance with FASB ASC 323, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures. Under the equity method, the initial investment is recorded at cost, and the investment is subsequently adjusted for its proportionate share of earnings or losses, including consideration of basis differences resulting from the difference between the initial carrying amount of the investment and the underlying equity in net assets. The difference between the carrying amount of the investment and the underlying equity in net assets is primarily attributable to goodwill and other intangible assets.
We have a 20 percent equity interest in Mountain Country Foods, LLC and approximately a 42 percent equity interest in Numi, Inc. The carrying amount of these investments is included in other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The investments did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements or the respective reportable segment to which they relate for the years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024.
Supplier Financing Program: We have an agreement with a third-party administrator to provide an accounts payable tracking system and facilitate a supplier financing program which allows participating suppliers the ability to monitor and voluntarily elect to sell our payment obligations to a designated third-party financial institution. Participating suppliers can sell one or more of our payment obligations at their sole discretion, and our rights and obligations to our suppliers are not impacted. We have no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to enter into these agreements. Our rights and obligations to our suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment terms, are not impacted by our suppliers’ decisions to sell amounts under these arrangements. However, our right to offset balances due from suppliers against our payment obligations is restricted by the agreement for those payment obligations that have been sold by our suppliers. The payment of these obligations is included in cash provided by operating activities in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. Included in accounts payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2025 and 2024, were $340.4 and $384.9 of our outstanding payment obligations, respectively, that were elected and sold to a financial institution by participating suppliers.
Foreign Currency Translation: Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates, while income and expenses are translated using average rates throughout the periods. Translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at April 30, 2025 and 2024, were foreign currency losses of $41.7 and $39.2, respectively.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards: In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 will improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses on an interim and annual basis. This ASU requires entities to provide significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), other segment expenses included in each reported measure of segment profitability, and disclosure of the title and position of the CODM. During 2025, we adopted the annual disclosure requirements on a retrospective basis. The additional disclosures required are presented in Note 5: Reportable Segments. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standard Not Yet Adopted: In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. ASU 2024-03 will provide investors with more decision-useful information about an entity’s expenses by improving disclosures on income statement expenses. The amendments in this ASU will require public business entities to disclose disaggregated information about specific categories underlying certain income statement expense line items. It will be effective for our annual period beginning May 1, 2027, and interim periods beginning May 1, 2028, with the option to early adopt at any time prior to the effective dates on either a prospective or retrospective basis. We do not anticipate any impact to our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows upon adoption and are currently evaluating the impacts of the standard on our disclosures.
In March 2024, the SEC adopted the climate-related final rule SEC Release Nos. 33-11275 and 34-99678, The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors, however, in April 2024, the SEC stayed implementation of the final rule pending the outcome of a judicial review, and in March 2025, the SEC voted to end its defense of the rule. In April 2025, the court halted further proceedings indefinitely, pending further notice, and directed the SEC to file a status report with its next steps by July 23, 2025. We will continue to monitor whether or not this rule will become effective.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 will improve the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures to better assess how operations and related tax risks affect tax rates and future cash flows on an interim and annual basis. It will be effective for us on May 1, 2025, and can be adopted either on a prospective or retrospective basis. We do not anticipate any impact to our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows upon adoption and are currently evaluating the impacts of the standard on our disclosures.
Risks and Uncertainties: The raw materials used in each of our segments are primarily commodities, agricultural-based products, and packaging materials. The principal packaging materials we use are plastic, glass, metal cans, caps, carton board, and corrugate. Green coffee, peanuts, oils and fats, flour, sugar, fruit, and other ingredients are obtained from various suppliers. The availability, quality, and costs of many of these commodities have fluctuated, and may continue to fluctuate over time, partially driven by the continued elevated commodity and supply chain costs we experienced in 2025. We actively monitor changes in commodity and supply chain costs, and to mitigate the rising costs, we may be required to implement material price increases across our business. Green coffee, along with certain other raw materials, is sourced solely from foreign countries, and its supply and price is subject to high volatility due to factors such as weather, global supply and
demand, product scarcity, plant disease, investor speculation, geopolitical conflicts, changes in governmental agricultural and energy policies and regulation, political and economic conditions in the source countries, and tariffs. Raw materials are generally available from numerous sources, although we have elected to source certain plastic packaging materials for our Folgers coffee products, as well as our Jif peanut butter, and certain finished goods, such as K-Cup® pods, our Pup-Peroni dog snacks, and liquid coffee, from primary or single sources of supply pursuant to long-term contracts. While availability may vary from year-to-year, we believe that we will continue to obtain adequate supplies and that alternatives to primary or single-sourced materials are available. We have not historically encountered significant shortages of key raw materials. We consider our relationships with key raw material suppliers to be in good standing.
We have consolidated production capacity at a single manufacturing site for certain products, including the majority of our coffee, Milk-Bone dog snacks, and fruit spreads. Although steps are taken at all of our manufacturing sites to reduce the likelihood of a production disruption, an interruption at a single manufacturing site would result in a reduction or elimination of the availability of some of our products for a period of time.
Of our full-time employees, 22 percent are covered by union contracts at nine manufacturing locations. The contracts vary in term depending on location, with three contracts expiring in 2026, representing approximately 10 percent of our total employees.
We insure our business and assets in each country against insurable risks, to the extent that we deem appropriate, based upon an analysis of the relative risks and costs.