Financial Performance - In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, net sales increased by 2% to 5,240.1million,whileorganicnetsalesgrewby11,078 million, with an operating profit margin of 20.6%, an increase of 480 basis points [100]. - Diluted earnings per share increased by 39% to 1.42,whileadjusteddilutedearningspershareroseby121.40 [100]. - For the six-month period ended November 24, 2024, net sales were flat at 10,088.2million,withorganicnetsalesgrowthalsoflat[114].−Segmentoperatingprofitdecreasedby31,608 million for the six-month period ended November 24, 2024, compared to 1,658millioninthesameperiodinfiscal2024[132].−TheoperatingprofitasreportedforthequarterendedNovember24,2024,was1,077.9 million, representing a 20.6% margin compared to 811.8millionand15.81,929.3 million, or 19.1% of net sales, compared to 1,888.4millionand18.81,064.0 million, reflecting an 8% growth compared to 989.4millionintheprioryear[190].−After−taxearningsfromjointventuresincreasedto30 million, a 25% rise compared to 24millioninthesameperiodlastyear[111].−After−taxearningsfromjointventuresincreasedto49 million for the six-month period ended November 24, 2024, compared to 48millioninthesameperiodinfiscal2024,reflectinga522 million to 852million,primarilyduetohighercompensationandbenefitsexpensesandtheadditionofapetfoodbusinessinEurope[106].−Costofsalesdecreasedby64 million to 3,309 million, driven by a reduction in product rate and mix [105]. - SG&A expenses increased by 37 million to 1,707millionforthesix−monthperiodendedNovember24,2024,primarilyduetohighercompensationandbenefitsexpenses[119].−Costofsalesdecreasedby39 million to 6,468millionforthesix−monthperiodendedNovember24,2024,comparedtothesameperiodinfiscal2024[118].−Restructuring,impairment,andotherexitcoststotaled3 million for the six-month period ended November 24, 2024, a significant decrease from 125millioninthesameperiodlastyear[120].TaxandEarnings−Theeffectivetaxrateforthesecondquarteroffiscal2025was20.11,775 million for the six-month period ended November 24, 2024, compared to 1,496millioninthesameperiodlastyear,reflectinga279 million increase [158]. - Cash used by investing activities was 306millionforthesix−monthperiodendedNovember24,2024,comparedto316 million in the same period last year [159]. - As of November 24, 2024, the company had 442millionofcashandcashequivalentsinforeignjurisdictions[161].−Thecompanyhad1,822 million of long-term debt maturing in the next 12 months, including 800millionoffixed−ratenotesdueApril17,2025[164].−TotalcommittedanduncommittedcreditfacilitiesavailableasofNovember24,2024,amountedto3.4 billion [162]. Market Performance - North America Retail net sales decreased by 1% in the six-month period ended November 24, 2024, driven by a decrease in contributions from volume growth [127]. - International net sales increased by 1% in the six-month period ended November 24, 2024, driven by an increase in contributions from volume growth [135]. - North America Pet net sales increased 5% to 595.8millioninQ2fiscal2025comparedto569.3 million in Q2 fiscal 2024, driven by volume growth [141]. - North America Foodservice net sales rose 8% to 630.0millioninQ2fiscal2025,comparedto582.0 million in Q2 fiscal 2024, driven by volume growth and favorable net price realization [148]. Strategic Focus - The company plans to focus on product innovation and brand-building investments in fiscal 2025 to drive volume performance [99]. - The company expects to generate higher levels of Holistic Margin Management (HMM) cost savings to offset input cost inflation in fiscal 2025 [99]. - The company is committed to strategic revenue management to enhance net price realization and optimize product mix [224]. - The company is actively engaged in product development and innovation to meet changing consumer demands [231]. - Future results may be influenced by supply chain disruptions, competitive dynamics, and consumer acceptance of new products [231]. Risk Management - The company emphasizes the importance of managing risks related to interest rates, foreign exchange, commodities, and equity markets [233]. - The estimated maximum potential value-at-risk for interest rate instruments is 47million,reflectingadecreaseof6 million due to lower interest rates [234]. - The foreign currency instruments show a potential loss of 37million,withanincreaseof7 million attributed to a rise in portfolio basis [234]. - Commodity instruments have a potential loss of 4million,withaminorchangeof1 million [234]. - Equity instruments indicate a potential loss of $2 million, with no significant change reported [234].