Financial Performance - In Q3 2024, net sales were 2,229.2million,a12,216.3 million in Q3 2023, while net sales for the nine months ended January 31, 2024, were 5,973.0million,a56,294.4 million in the prior year[158]. - Gross profit for Q3 2024 was 823.1million,representinga9755.8 million in Q3 2023, while gross profit for the nine months ended January 31, 2024, was 2,202.1million,a102,009.4 million[158]. - Operating income for Q3 2024 was 297.4million,a6317.9 million in Q3 2023, while operating income for the nine months ended January 31, 2024, was 899.8million,a14791.0 million[158]. - Net income for Q3 2024 was 120.4million,a42208.5 million in Q3 2023, while net income for the nine months ended January 31, 2024, was 498.9million,a2509.4 million[158]. - Adjusted operating income increased by 167.4million,or177.27, compared to 6.28forthesameperiodin2023,reflectinga15.75.4 billion, expected to contribute approximately 650.0millioninnetsalesin2024,withanticipatedcostsynergiesof100.0 million by the end of 2026[148]. - The divestiture of the Canada condiment business generated net proceeds of 25.3million,withthebrandshavinggeneratednetsalesofapproximately60.0 million in 2023[147]. - The Sahale Snacks business was sold for final net proceeds of 31.6million,withnetsalesofapproximately48.0 million generated in 2023[150]. - The sale of certain pet food brands resulted in net proceeds of 1.2billion,withthesebrandsgeneratingnetsalesof1.5 billion in 2023[151]. - Integration costs related to the Hostess Brands acquisition are anticipated to be approximately 210.0million,withoverhalfexpectedtoberecognizedin2024[175].−Thecompanyexpectstoincuranestimated60.0 million in additional capital expenditures related to the acquisition of Hostess Brands for the second half of 2024[219]. Sales Performance by Segment - The U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads segment net sales increased by 10.4million,or2195.4 million, or 17%, in the first nine months of 2024, excluding the impact of divested Sahale Snacks business[186]. - U.S. Retail Pet Foods segment net sales decreased by 882.6millioninthefirstninemonthsof2024,butincreasedby235.4 million, or 21%, when excluding the impact of divested brands[189]. - Sweet Baked Snacks segment contributed net sales of 300.3millionandsegmentprofitof68.0 million in the third quarter of 2024, following the acquisition of Hostess Brands[190]. - International and Away From Home net sales increased by 111.3million,or1450.7 million to 801.3millioninthefirstninemonthsof2024comparedto750.6 million in the prior year[194]. - Cash used for investing activities totaled 3.9billioninthefirstninemonthsof2024,primarilyfortheacquisitionofHostessBrands[196].−Cashprovidedbyfinancingactivitiesincludedproceedsfromlong−termdebtof4.3 billion to partially finance the acquisition of Hostess Brands[197]. - Total debt increased to 8,539.1millionasofJanuary31,2024,comparedto4,314.2 million on April 30, 2023[209]. - The company entered into a 800.0millionTermLoaninSeptember2023,withaninterestrateof6.693.5 billion Senior Notes offering in October 2023 to partially finance the acquisition of Hostess Brands[211]. Tax and Interest Expenses - Net interest expense increased by 61.9millioninthethirdquarterof2024,primarilyduetonewSeniorNotesandTermLoanissuedtofinancetheHostessBrandsacquisition[172].−Incometaxesincreasedby24.4 million, or 15%, in the first nine months of 2024, primarily due to a higher effective income tax rate of 27.0% compared to 23.9% in the prior year[173]. Market Conditions and Risks - The company anticipates continued inflationary pressures and elevated price elasticity of demand throughout 2024, impacting overall business performance[155]. - Supply chain disruptions and inflation remain uncertain, with potential adverse impacts on results of operations during the remainder of 2024[157]. - The company anticipates that the acquisition of Hostess Brands will provide synergies and cost savings, although realization of these benefits is uncertain[245]. Other Financial Information - The company recognized total direct costs of approximately 120.0millionrelatedtotheJifpeanutbutterproductrecall,netofinsurancerecoveries[203].−AsofJanuary31,2024,421.3 million of outstanding payment obligations were elected and sold to a financial institution by participating suppliers[198]. - The company has accrued losses for certain contingent liabilities that are probable and reasonably estimable as of January 31, 2024[200]. - The company is in compliance with all debt covenants as of January 31, 2024, and expects to remain compliant for the next 12 months[213]. - Revenues from customers outside the U.S. represented 6% of net sales during the nine months ended January 31, 2024[242].