Financial Performance - Net sales for the three months ended February 28, 2025, were 1,605.5million,aslightincreasefrom1,602.7 million in the same period last year[11] - Gross profit for the same period was 604.0million,comparedto599.3 million, reflecting a gross margin improvement[11] - Operating income decreased to 225.2millionfrom233.5 million year-over-year, indicating a decline of approximately 3.5%[11] - Net income for the three months was 162.3million,downfrom166.0 million, representing a decrease of about 0.4%[13] - Earnings per share (EPS) remained stable at 0.60forbothbasicanddilutedshares,comparedto0.62 in the prior year[11] - Comprehensive income for the three months ended February 28, 2025, was 129.8million,comparedto163.0 million in the same period last year[13] - The consumer segment generated net sales of 919.2million,whiletheflavorsolutionssegmentcontributed686.3 million for the three months ended February 28, 2025[68] - Operating income for the consumer segment was 146.7million,downfrom176.3 million in the prior year, while the flavor solutions segment reported operating income of 78.5million,upfrom61.4 million[68] - Operating income excluding special charges for the three months ending February 28, 2025, was 237.7million,comparedto233.5 million for the same period in 2024[69] Cash Flow and Liquidity - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to 102.8millionfrom186.1 million, indicating a decline of approximately 44.7%[15] - The company reported a net cash flow provided by operating activities of 115.5million,downfrom138.4 million year-over-year[18] - Cash dividends paid per share increased to 0.45forthethreemonthsendedFebruary28,2025,comparedto0.42 for the same period in 2024[11] - The company paid dividends totaling 120.7million,anincreasefrom112.7 million in the previous year, marking a rise of 7.1%[18] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period were 102.8million,downfrom178.0 million at the end of February 29, 2024, indicating a decrease of 42.2%[18] - The balance of cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period was 186.1million,comparedto166.6 million in the prior year, showing an increase of 11.4%[18] Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of February 28, 2025, were 12,899.8million,downfrom13,070.3 million at the end of November 2024[15] - Total liabilities decreased to 7,450.1millionfrom7,753.5 million, reflecting a reduction of about 3.9%[15] - The carrying amount of long-term debt as of February 28, 2025, was 3,850.8million,withatotalfairvalueof3,678.4 million[51] - The carrying amount of long-term debt was 3,850.8millionasofFebruary28,2025,slightlydownfrom3,858.8 million on November 30, 2024[51] Special Charges and Expenses - Special charges for the three months ended February 28, 2025, were recorded as 0,comparedto4.2 million for the same period in 2024, which included 2.8millionrelatedtotheGlobalOperatingEffectivenessprogram[34]−Stock−basedcompensationexpenseforthethreemonthsendedFebruary28,2025,was20.0 million, compared to 11.7millionforthesameperiodin2024[55]−Thecompanyrecordedadeferredincometaxbenefitof(9.2) million, compared to (2.8)millioninthepreviousyear,indicatingalargertaxbenefit[18]−InterestexpenseforthethreemonthsendedFebruary28,2025,was48.5 million, down from 50.3millionforthesameperiodin2024[11]DerivativeFinancialInstruments−Thecompanyutilizesderivativefinancialinstrumentstomanagerisks,withallderivativesdesignatedashedgesandnomaterialhedgeineffectivenessreported[36]−Thecompanyrecordedalossof0.6 million on foreign exchange contracts in the income statement for the three months ended February 28, 2025[43] - The fair value of foreign currency derivatives was 15.8millionasofFebruary28,2025,unchangedfromthepreviousreportingperiod[47]−Interestratecontractshadanotionalamountof600.0 million as of February 28, 2025, with a fair value of $35.3 million[42] Future Outlook and Strategic Initiatives - Future outlook remains positive with a focus on market expansion and potential new product developments[69] - The company is committed to enhancing its financial performance through strategic initiatives and operational improvements[69] - The company continues to focus on maintaining operational efficiency while managing special charges effectively[69]