The Quarterly
SYY 2016 10-K

Sysco Corp (SYY) SEC Quarterly Report (10-Q) for Q4 2016

SYY Q4 2016 10-Q
SYY 2016 10-K SYY Q4 2016 10-Q



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549 

________________ 

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)


QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 1, 2016


¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 1-6544

________________ 

Sysco Corporation 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Delaware

74-1648137

(State or other jurisdiction of

(IRS employer

incorporation or organization)

identification number)

1390 Enclave Parkway

77077-2099

Houston, Texas

(Zip Code)

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 

(281) 584-1390 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   

Yes ☑    No ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   

Yes  ☑    No ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Large Accelerated Filer  ☑

Accelerated Filer  ☐

Non-accelerated Filer   ☐    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller Reporting Company   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   

Yes ☐     No ☑ 

546,931,309 shares of common stock were outstanding as of October 21, 2016 .




TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page No.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

1

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

21

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

38

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

38

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

39

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

39

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

39

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

39

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

40

Item 5.

Other Information

40

Item 6.

Exhibits

40

Signatures

41




PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Item 1.     Financial Statements

Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

(In thousands, except for share data)

Oct. 1, 2016

Jul. 2, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

(unaudited)


(unaudited)

ASSETS

Current assets




Cash and cash equivalents

$

759,898


$

3,919,300


$

388,256


Accounts and notes receivable, less allowances of
$41,246, $37,880, and $46,470

4,191,460


3,380,971


3,531,105


Inventories

3,025,811


2,639,174


2,841,361


Deferred income taxes

-


-


85,416


Prepaid expenses and other current assets

158,301


114,454


93,015


Prepaid income taxes

-


-


88,807


Total current assets

8,135,470


10,053,899


7,027,960


Plant and equipment at cost, less depreciation

4,418,524


3,880,442


3,961,299


Other long-term assets




Goodwill

3,815,674


2,121,661


1,981,390


Intangibles, less amortization

1,203,888


207,461


168,541


Deferred income taxes

198,867


207,320


-


Other assets

252,387


251,021


232,361


Total other long-term assets

5,470,816


2,787,463


2,382,292


Total assets

$

18,024,810


$

16,721,804


$

13,371,551


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities




Notes payable

$

6,834


$

89,563


$

51,806


Accounts payable

3,716,517


2,935,982


2,887,863


Accrued expenses

1,381,300


1,289,312


999,337


Accrued income taxes

252,681


110,690


-


Current maturities of long-term debt

9,218


8,909


31,810


Total current liabilities

5,366,550


4,434,456


3,970,816


Long-term liabilities




Long-term debt

7,843,517


7,336,930


3,004,618


Deferred income taxes

218,414


26,942


160,688


Other long-term liabilities

1,498,680


1,368,482


885,501


Total long-term liabilities

9,560,611


8,732,354


4,050,807


Commitments and contingencies







Noncontrolling interest

76,863


75,386


44,243


Shareholders' equity




Preferred stock, par value $1 per share

    Authorized 1,500,000 shares, issued none

-


-


-


Common stock, par value $1 per share

    Authorized 2,000,000,000 shares, issued 765,174,900 shares

765,175


765,175


765,175


Paid-in capital

1,313,245


1,281,140


1,231,506


Retained earnings

9,159,866


9,006,138


8,816,245


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(1,434,940

)

(1,358,118

)

(1,007,539

)

Treasury stock at cost, 216,182,601,
    205,577,484 and 169,052,528 shares

(6,782,560

)

(6,214,727

)

(4,499,702

)

Total shareholders' equity

3,020,786


3,479,608


5,305,685


Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

18,024,810


$

16,721,804


$

13,371,551


Note: The July 2, 2016 balance sheet has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


1



Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries 

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except for share and per share data)

13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Sales

$

13,968,654


$

12,562,611


Cost of sales

11,276,735


10,324,616


Gross profit

2,691,919


2,237,995


Operating expenses

2,125,086


1,744,521


Operating income

566,833


493,474


Interest expense

73,623


126,907


Other expense (income), net

(7,216

)

(15,240

)

Earnings before income taxes

500,426


381,807


Income taxes

176,539


137,387


Net earnings

$

323,887


$

244,420


Net earnings:



Basic earnings per share

$

0.58


$

0.41


Diluted earnings per share

0.58


0.41


Average shares outstanding

555,437,764


596,698,935


Diluted shares outstanding

560,954,068


600,789,913


Dividends declared per common share

$

0.31


$

0.30


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


2



Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) 

(In thousands)

13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Net earnings

$

323,887


$

244,420


Other comprehensive income (loss):



Foreign currency translation adjustment

(89,553

)

(87,229

)

Items presented net of tax:



Gains and losses on cash flow hedges

1,770


1,676


Change in fair value of cash flow hedges

(319

)

(3,778

)

Amortization of prior service cost

1,752


1,715


Amortization of actuarial loss, net

8,790


3,275


Prior service cost arising in current year

738


-


Total other comprehensive income (loss)

(76,822

)

(84,341

)

Comprehensive income

$

247,065


$

160,079


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


3



Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries 

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) 

(In thousands)

13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Cash flows from operating activities:



Net earnings

$

323,887


$

244,420


Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:



Share-based compensation expense

25,127


11,636


Depreciation and amortization

211,685


135,961


Amortization of debt issuance and other debt-related costs

6,560


6,161


Loss on extinguishment of debt

-


86,460


Deferred income taxes

11,374


124,631


Provision for losses on receivables

(440

)

1,546


Other non-cash items

(6,829

)

(4,511

)

Additional changes in certain assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses acquired:



(Increase) in receivables

(136,097

)

(211,035

)

(Increase) in inventories

(149,759

)

(162,867

)

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

(12,657

)

165


Increase in accounts payable

110,914


23,580


(Decrease) in accrued expenses

(259,698

)

(470,409

)

Increase in accrued income taxes

145,601


5,833


(Increase) in other assets

(17,066

)

(10,354

)

Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities

1,340


(38,419

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements

(5,268

)

(4,280

)

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

248,674


(261,482

)

Cash flows from investing activities:



Additions to plant and equipment

(142,255

)

(121,243

)

Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment

4,261


1,506


Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

(2,910,461

)

(83,598

)

Decrease in restricted cash

-


168,274


Net cash used for investing activities

(3,048,455

)

(35,061

)

Cash flows from financing activities:



Bank and commercial paper borrowings (repayments), net

442,777


717,600


Other debt borrowings

1,201


4,148


Other debt repayments

(94,935

)

(3,659

)

Redemption of senior notes

-


(5,050,000

)

Debt issuance costs

(2,846

)

-


Cash received from termination of interest rate swap agreements

-


14,496


Proceeds from stock option exercises

32,307


54,768


Treasury stock purchases

(600,139

)

-


Dividends paid

(173,292

)

(179,037

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements

5,268


4,280


Net cash used for financing activities

(389,659

)

(4,437,404

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

30,038


(7,841

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(3,159,402

)

(4,741,788

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

3,919,300


5,130,044


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

759,898


$

388,256


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:



Cash paid during the period for:



Interest

$

118,426


$

93,976


Income taxes

24,406


13,298


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


4



Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 

Unless this Form 10-Q indicates otherwise or the context otherwise requires, the terms "we," "our," "us," "Sysco," or "the company" as used in this Form 10-Q refer to Sysco Corporation together with its consolidated subsidiaries and divisions.

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the company, without audit, with the exception of the July 2, 2016 consolidated balance sheet, which was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the company's fiscal 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The financial statements include consolidated balance sheets, consolidated results of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise disclosed, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for all periods presented have been made.

On July 5, 2016, Sysco consummated its acquisition of Cucina Lux Investments Limited (a private company limited by shares organized under the laws of England and Wales), a holding company of the Brakes Group. This is further described in Note 4 , "Acquisitions" . This acquisition, combined with a change in how the chief operating decision maker assesses performance and allocates resources, resulted in a change in the company's segment reporting. This is further described in Note 13 , "Business Segment Information" .

Deferred taxes within the consolidated balance sheet for October 1, 2016 , have been classified as long-term due to the adoption of an accounting pronouncement related to simplification in the presentation of deferred taxes. See Note 2 , "Changes in Accounting" for additional information on these changes.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the company's fiscal 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain footnote disclosures included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to applicable rules and regulations for interim financial statements.

The interim financial information herein has been reviewed by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, in accordance with established professional standards and procedures for such a review. A Review Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP and is included as Exhibit 15.1 to this Form 10-Q.


2. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING

Simplification of Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, as part of its simplification initiative, which is the FASB's effort to reduce the cost and complexity of certain aspects of U.S. GAAP. This guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as non-current on the balance sheet. The guidance does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities within a jurisdiction. The company early adopted this standard in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 on a prospective basis, as permitted by the ASU.


3. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Guidance in Presentation of Cash Flows

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments , to address eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The eight specific issues are (1) Debt Prepayment or Debt Extinguishment Costs; (2) Settlement of Zero-Coupon Debt Instruments or Other Debt Instruments with Coupon Interest Rates That Are Insignificant in Relation to the Effective Interest Rate of the Borrowing; (3) Contingent Consideration Payments Made after a Businesses Combination; (4) Proceeds from the Settlement of Insurance Claims; (5) Proceeds from the Settlement of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance Policies, including Bank-Owned Life Insurance Policies; (6) Distributions Received from Equity Method Invitees; (7) Beneficial Interests in Securitization Transactions; and (8) Separately Identifiable Cash and Application of the Predominance Principle. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which is fiscal 2019 for Sysco, with early adoption permitted. The company is currently reviewing the provisions of the new standard.



5



Leases


In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , specifying the accounting for leases, which supersedes the leases requirements in Topic 840,  Leases . The objective of Topic 842 is to establish the principles that lessees and lessors shall apply to report useful information to users of financial statements about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from a lease. Lessees are permitted to make an accounting policy election to not recognize the asset and liability for leases with a term of twelve months or less. Lessors' accounting is largely unchanged from the previous accounting standard. In addition, Topic 842 expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements. Lessees and lessors will use a modified retrospective transition approach, which includes a number of practical expedients. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, which is fiscal 2020 for Sysco, with early adoption permitted. The company is currently reviewing the provisions of the new standard.


Revenue from Contracts with Customers


In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09,  Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . This new standard will replace all current GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition standard provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) , which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The collective guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which is fiscal 2019 for Sysco, and could be early adopted in fiscal 2018. The standard may be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The company has not selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of this ASU on its ongoing financial reporting.


4. ACQUISITIONS

During the first 13 weeks of fiscal 2017 , the company paid cash of $2.9 billion for acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Certain current year and prior year acquisitions involve contingent consideration that may include earnout agreements that are typically payable over periods of up to three years in the event that certain operating results are achieved. As of October 1, 2016 , aggregate contingent consideration outstanding was $20.7 million , of which $6.7 million was recorded as earnout liabilities.

Brakes Group

On July 5, 2016, Sysco consummated its acquisition of Cucina Lux Investments Limited (a private company limited by shares organized under the laws of England and Wales), a holding company of the Brakes Group, pursuant to an agreement for the sale and purchase of securities in the capital of the Brakes Group, dated as of February 19, 2016 (the Purchase Agreement), by and among Sysco, entities affiliated with Bain Capital Investors, LLC, and members of management of the Brakes Group (the Acquisition). Following the closing of the Acquisition, the Brakes Group became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sysco.

The Brakes Group is a leading European foodservice business by revenue, supplying fresh, refrigerated and frozen food products, as well as non-food products and supplies, to more than 50,000 foodservice customers ranging from large customers, including leisure, pub, restaurant, hotel and contract catering groups, to smaller customers, including independent restaurants, hotels, fast food outlets, schools and hospitals. Brakes Group businesses include: Brakes, Brakes Catering Equipment, Brake France, Country Choice, Davigel, Fresh Direct, Freshfayre, M&J Seafood, Menigo Foodservice, Pauley's, Wild Harvest and Woodward Foodservice. The Brakes Group has leading market positions in the U.K., France, and Sweden, in addition to a presence in Ireland, Belgium, Spain and Luxembourg. The principal reasons for the Acquisition was the ability to expand Sysco's footprint and infrastructure in Europe and profitably grow Sysco's business. These contributed to a purchase price that resulted in recognition of goodwill.

The assets, liabilities and operating results of the Brakes Group are reflected in the company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic No. 805, Business Combinations , commencing from the acquisition date. In certain circumstances, the purchase price allocations may be based upon preliminary estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, the allocations are subject to revision until Sysco receives final information and other analysis during the measurement period. These include items such as finalizing valuation of acquired tangible and intangible assets and related tax attributes.

Total consideration has been determined to be as follows (in thousands):


6



Cash consideration paid, net of cash acquired

$

626,442


Payment for Brakes outstanding financial debt

2,284,100


Total consideration paid, net of cash acquired

$

2,910,542



The purchase price was allocated based on the company's preliminary estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as follows (in thousands):

Preliminary Purchase Price

Allocation

Accounts receivable

$

720,053


Inventory

248,031


Plant and equipment

540,928


Other assets

9,842


Goodwill and other intangibles (1)

2,860,179


Total assets

4,379,033


Accounts payable

(736,881

)

Accrued expenses

(240,436

)

Deferred tax liabilities

(213,614

)

Other liabilities

(277,560

)

Total consideration, net of cash acquired

$

2,910,542



(1)

The excess purchase price of $1.7 billion was assigned to goodwill, none of which is deductible for income tax purposes. This goodwill has been assigned to the International Foodservice Operations reportable segment. Intangible assets added include customer relationships of $917.6 million with a weighted average life of 12 years and trademarks and trade names of $140.6 million that are indefinite lives assets. Amortization expense is being recognized on a straight line basis and for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was $19.1 million .


The quarter ended October 1, 2016 includes the results of operations of the Brakes Group for the period from July 5, 2016 to October 1, 2016. The consolidated statement of operations for the quarter ended October 1, 2016 includes $1.3 billion of sales and $18.9 million of net earnings attributable to the Brakes Group. Sysco incurred debt in order to fund the Acquisition; however, the interest expense on that debt is not reflected within the earnings from operations attributable to the Brakes Group.

Unaudited Pro forma Results

The following table presents the company's pro forma consolidated sales, earnings before income taxes, and net earnings for the quarter ended September 26, 2015. The unaudited pro forma results include the historical statements of operations information of the company and of Brakes Group, giving effect to the Acquisition and related financing as if they had occurred at the beginning of the period presented (in thousands, except per share data).

13-Week Period Ended

Sep. 26, 2015

Sales

$

13,992,188


Income before Taxes

$

369,579


Net Earnings

$

236,091


Net earnings:


Basic earnings per common share

$

0.40


Diluted earnings per common share

$

0.39


The pro forma results, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, include the following pro forma adjustments related to the Acquisition.


(i)

Additional amortization expense related to the fair value of intangible assets acquired.

(ii)

Additional depreciation expense related to the fair value of property and equipment acquired.


7



(iii)

The elimination of interest expense assuming the long-term debt paid off on behalf of the Brakes Group as of the Acquisition date had been retired as of June 28, 2015.

(iv)

The addition of interest expense incurred by Sysco due to the Acquisition of the Brakes Group.

(v)

The elimination of interest income from related party debt instruments issued to the Brakes Group prior to the Acquisition.

(vi)

The elimination of Brakes' minority interests, as the majority of the interests were repurchased before the Acquisition.


The unaudited pro forma results do not include any sales or cost reductions that may be achieved through the business combination, or the impact of non-recurring items directly related to the business combination or the nature and amount of any material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments.

The unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred if the Acquisition had been completed as of the date for which the pro forma financial information is presented. In addition, the unaudited pro forma results do not purport to project the future consolidated operating results of the combined companies.

5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., an exit price). The accounting guidance includes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows: 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; 

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which include management's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. 

Sysco's policy is to invest in only high-quality investments. Cash equivalents primarily include time deposits, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high-quality money market funds and all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted cash consists of investments in high-quality money market funds. Any derivative instruments described below are discussed further in Note 6 , "Derivative Financial Instruments"

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value:

Time deposits and commercial paper included in cash equivalents are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.  These are included within cash equivalents as a Level 2 measurement in the tables below. 

Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor from an actively traded exchange.  These are included within cash equivalents and restricted cash as Level 1 measurements in the tables below. 

The interest rate swap agreements are valued using a swap valuation model that utilizes an income approach using observable market inputs including interest rates, LIBOR swap rates and credit default swap rates.  These are included as Level 2 measurements in the tables below.

The foreign currency swap agreements are valued using a swap valuation model that utilizes an income approach applying observable market inputs including interest rates, LIBOR swap rates for U.S. dollars, pound sterling and Euro currencies, and credit default swap rates.  These are included as Level 2 measurements in the tables below.

Foreign currency forwards are valued based on exchange rates quoted by domestic and foreign banks for similar instruments. These are included as Level 2 measurements in the tables below.

Fuel hedges are valued based on observable market transactions of forward commodity prices. These are included as Level 2 measurements in the tables below.

Contingent consideration in the form of earnout agreements relating to acquisitions is determined utilizing a discounted cash flow approach using various probability-weighted scenarios. The significant unobservable inputs used in calculating the fair value of the contingent consideration includes financial performance scenarios, the probability of achieving those scenarios and the discount rate. These are included in contingent consideration liabilities as Level 3 measurements in the table below. For additional information, see Note 4 , "Acquisitions" .


8



The following tables present the company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 1, 2016 ,  July 2, 2016 and September 26, 2015 :  

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of Oct. 1, 2016

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(In thousands)

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents

$

9,176


$

43,270


$

-


$

52,446


Other assets





Interest rate swap agreements

-


18,935


-


18,935


Foreign currency swaps

-


3,979


-


3,979


Foreign currency forwards

-


873


-


873


Total assets at fair value

$

9,176


$

67,057


$

-


$

76,233


Liabilities:

Contingent consideration

$

-


$

-


$

6,659


$

6,659


Other long-term liabilities

Cross-currency swaps

-


3,184


-


3,184


Foreign currency swaps

-


10,695


-


10,695


Fuel hedges

-


618


-


618


Total liabilities at fair value

$

-


$

14,497


$

6,659


$

21,156



Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of Jul. 2, 2016

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(In thousands)

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents

$

634,230


$

43,270


$

-


$

677,500


Other assets





Interest rate swap agreements

-


36,805


-


36,805


Total assets at fair value

$

634,230


$

80,075


$

-


$

714,305


Liabilities:





Contingent consideration

$

-


$

-


$

16,439


$

16,439


Total liabilities at fair value

$

-


$

-


$

16,439


$

16,439




9



Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of Sep. 26, 2015

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(In thousands)

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents





Cash equivalents

$

102,508


$

62,131


$

-


$

164,639


Other assets





Interest rate swap agreement

-


8,219


-


8,219


Total assets at fair value

$

102,508


$

70,350


$

-


$

172,858


Liabilities:





Contingent consideration

$

-


$

-


$

28,722


$

28,722


Total liabilities at fair value

$

-


$

-


$

28,722


$

28,722



The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of our Level 3 contingent consideration liabilities related to earnout agreements were as follows:


13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Unobservable Inputs:

(Weighted Average)

Probability of achieving payout targets

92.1

%

93.2

%

Discount Rate

8.3

%

11.5

%


A decrease in probabilities of achieving the targets or an increase in the discount rates would result in a lower fair value measurement. The fair value of contingent consideration for earnout agreements is reassessed quarterly, including an analysis of the significant inputs used in the valuation, as well as the accretion of the present value discount. Changes are reflected within Operating expense in the consolidated results of operations.

The following table provides the changes in fair value of the contingent consideration for earnout liabilities for the periods presented (in thousands):

13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Balance at the beginning of year

$

16,439


$

28,644


Contingent consideration liabilities recorded for business acquisitions

(142

)

(125

)

Payments

(9,537

)

(75

)

Currency translation

(101

)

278


Balance as of the end of the quarter

$

6,659


$

28,722



The carrying values of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated their respective fair values due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of Sysco's total debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issue or on the current rates offered to the company for debt of the same remaining maturities and is considered a Level 2 measurement. The fair value of total debt approximated $8.4 billion , $7.9 billion and $3.1 billion as of October 1, 2016 , July 2, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , respectively. The carrying value of total debt was $7.8 billion , $7.4 billion and $2.9 billion as of October 1, 2016 ,  July 2, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , respectively.



10



6. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Sysco uses derivative financial instruments to enact hedging strategies for risk mitigation purposes; however, the company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.


Hedging of interest rate risk

Sysco manages its debt portfolio with interest rate swaps from time to time to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and floating rates. Details of outstanding swap agreements as of October 1, 2016 are below:

Maturity Date of Swap

Notional Value

(in millions)

Fixed Coupon Rate on Hedged Debt

Floating Interest Rate on Swap

Floating Rate Reset Terms

February 12, 2018

$

500


5.25

%

Six-month LIBOR

Every six months in arrears

April 1, 2019

$

500


1.90

%

Three-month LIBOR

Every three months in advance

October 1, 2020

$

750


2.60

%

Three-month LIBOR

Every three months in advance

July 15, 2021

$

500


2.50

%

Three-month LIBOR

Every three months in advance


Hedging of foreign currency risk

In the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , Sysco entered into cross-currency swap contracts to hedge the foreign currency transaction risk of certain pound sterling-denominated intercompany loans with a total notional value of £234.2 million . Gains and losses from these swaps offset the changes in value of interest and principal payments as a result of changes in foreign exchange rates, which are recorded in other expense (income), net in the consolidated results of operations. The company recognizes the difference between the U.S. dollar interest payments received from the swap counterparty and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the pound sterling interest payments made to the swap counterparty in other expense (income), net on the consolidated results of operations. This difference varies over time and is driven by a number of market factors, including relevant interest rate differentials and foreign exchange rates. These swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges and mature in July 2021, at the same time as the related loans. There are no credit-risk-related contingent features associated with these swaps.

The company also entered into cross currency swap contracts to hedge the foreign currency exposure of our net investment in certain foreign operations. The effective portion of the derivative gain or loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged net investment is either sold or substantially liquidated. Sysco also designated its Euro-denominated debt of €500 million issued in June 2016 as a net-investment hedge. The remeasurement gain or loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be subsequently reclassified to net earnings when the hedged net investment is either sold or substantially liquidated.

Sysco's operations in the United Kingdom and Sweden have inventory purchases denominated in currencies other than their functional currency such as Euro, U.S. dollar, Polish zloty and Danish krone. These inventory purchases give rise to foreign currency exposure between the functional currency of these entities and these currencies. The company enters into foreign currency forward "swap" contracts to sell the applicable entity's functional currency and buy currencies matching the inventory purchase, which operate as cash flow hedges of the company's foreign currency-denominated inventory purchases. These swap contracts are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and within accumulated other comprehensive income. The amount of ineffectiveness, if any, is recorded in earnings. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged forecasted transactions affect earnings, which is the period in which the company recognizes the sales associated with the specified foreign currency-denominated inventory purchases.



11



Hedging of fuel price risk

As a result of the Acquisition, Sysco acquired the Brakes Group fuel commodity swaps used to hedge against the risk of the change in the price of diesel on anticipated future purchases. These swaps have maturity dates extending into June 2017 and have been designated as cash flow hedges. These swap contracts are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and within accumulated other comprehensive income. The amount of ineffectiveness, if any, is recorded in earnings. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged forecasted transactions occur, which is when the fuel is expected to be procured.

The location and the fair value of derivative instruments designated as hedges in the consolidated balance sheet as of October 1, 2016 , July 2, 2016 and September 26, 2015  are as follows:

Derivative Fair Value

Balance Sheet location

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Jul. 2, 2016

(In thousands)

Fair value hedges:

Interest rate swap agreements

Other assets

$

18,935


$

8,219


$

36,805


Cash Flow Hedges:

Foreign currency forwards

Other assets

$

873


$

-


$

-


Fuel hedges

Other long-term liabilities

618


-


-


Cross currency swaps

Other long-term liabilities

3,184


-


-


Net Investment Hedges:

Foreign currency swaps

Other assets

$

3,979


$

-


$

-


Foreign currency swaps

Other long-term liabilities

10,695


-


-



The location and effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items on the consolidated results of operations for the 13-week periods ended October 1, 2016 and September 26, 2015 presented on a pretax basis are as follows:

Location of (Gain)

or Loss Recognized

Amount of (Gain)

or Loss Recognized

13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

(In thousands)

Fair Value Hedge Relationships:

Interest rate swap agreements

Interest expense

$

(3,400

)

$

(1,997

)

Amounts related to cash flow hedge relationships were not material. For fair value hedges of interest rate risk, hedge ineffectiveness represents the difference between the changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments and the changes in fair value of the fixed rate debt attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate. For cash flow hedges, hedge ineffectiveness is the lesser of the change in the fair value of the derivative compared to the change in the hedged transaction. Hedge ineffectiveness is recorded directly in earnings within interest expense for interest rate swaps, other income and expense, net for hedging of the foreign exchange risk on intercompany loans, cost of sales for foreign exchange risk on inventory purchases and operating expense for fuel hedging. All amounts were immaterial for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and 2016 . None of the instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features.


7. DEBT

Sysco has a commercial paper program allowing the company to issue short-term unsecured notes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.5 billion . As of October 1, 2016 , there was $442.8 million in outstanding commercial paper classified as long-term debt due to the underlying long-term revolving credit facility. This facility, in the amount of $1.5 billion , expired on December 29, 2018, but was subject to extension. During the first 13 weeks of 2017 , aggregate outstanding commercial paper and short-term bank borrowings ranged from zero  to approximately $694.3 million .


12




On November 2, 2016, the company's existing long-term revolving credit facility was terminated and a new facility in the amount of $2.0 billion was established. The new facility expires on November 2, 2021, but is subject to extension.


8. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

(In thousands, except for share

and per share data)

Numerator:

Net earnings

$

323,887


$

244,420


Denominator:



Weighted-average basic shares outstanding

555,437,764


596,698,935


Dilutive effect of share-based awards

5,516,304


4,090,978


Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding

560,954,068


600,789,913


Basic earnings per share

$

0.58


$

0.41


Diluted earnings per share

$

0.58


$

0.41


The number of options that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was approximately 2,056,000 and 4,500,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 , respectively.



13



9. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income is net earnings plus certain other items that are recorded directly to shareholders' equity, such as foreign currency translation adjustment, amounts related to cash flow hedging arrangements and certain amounts related to pension and other postretirement plans. Comprehensive income was $247.1 million and $160.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 , respectively. 

A summary of the components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related tax effects for each of the periods presented is as follows:

13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

Location of Expense

(Income) Recognized

in Net Earnings

Before Tax

Amount

Tax

Net of Tax

Amount

(In thousands)

Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:




Reclassification adjustments:




Amortization of prior service cost

Operating expenses

$

2,844


$

1,092


$

1,752


Amortization of actuarial loss (gain), net

Operating expenses

12,721


3,931


8,790


Prior service cost arising in current year

Operating expenses

738


-


738


Total reclassification adjustments

16,303


5,023


11,280


Foreign currency translation:

Other comprehensive income before

    reclassification adjustments:

Foreign currency translation adjustment

N/A

(89,553

)

-


(89,553

)

Interest rate swaps:

Reclassification adjustments:

Gains and losses on cash flow hedges

Interest expense

2,873


1,103


1,770


Change in fair value of cash flow hedge

N/A

(319

)

-


(319

)

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

$

(70,696

)

$

6,126


$

(76,822

)

13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

Location of Expense

(Income) Recognized

in Net Earnings

Before Tax

Amount

Tax

Net of Tax

Amount

(In thousands)

Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:




Reclassification adjustments:




Amortization of prior service cost

Operating expenses

$

2,784


$

1,069


$

1,715


Amortization of actuarial loss (gain), net

Operating expenses

5,317


2,042


3,275


Total reclassification adjustments

8,101


3,111


4,990


Foreign currency translation:

Other comprehensive income before

    reclassification adjustments:

Foreign currency translation adjustment

N/A

(87,229

)

-


(87,229

)

Interest rate swaps:

Reclassification adjustments:

Gains and losses on cash flow hedges

Interest expense

2,720


1,044


1,676


Change in fair value of cash flow hedges

N/A

(6,134

)

(2,356

)

(3,778

)

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

$

(82,542

)

$

1,799


$

(84,341

)


14



The following tables provide a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the periods presented:

13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans,

net of tax

Foreign Currency Translation

Interest Rate Swaps,

net of tax

Total

(In thousands)

Balance as of Jul. 2, 2016

$

(1,104,484

)

$

(136,813

)

$

(116,821

)

$

(1,358,118

)

Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation

-


(89,553

)

-


(89,553

)

Other comprehensive income before

    reclassification adjustments

-


-


-


-


Gains and losses on cash flow hedges

-


-


1,770


1,770


Change in fair value of cash flow hedges

-


-


(319

)

(319

)

Prior service cost arising in current year

738


-


-


738


Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost

1,752


-


-


1,752


Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial losses

8,790


-


-


8,790


Balance as of Oct. 1, 2016

$

(1,093,204

)

$

(226,366

)

$

(115,370

)

$

(1,434,940

)

13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans,

net of tax

Foreign Currency Translation

Interest Rate Swaps,

net of tax

Total

(In thousands)

Balance as of Jun. 27, 2015

$

(705,311

)

$

(97,733

)

$

(120,153

)

$

(923,197

)

Other comprehensive income before

    reclassification adjustments

-


(87,229

)

-


(87,229

)

Gains and losses on cash flow hedges

-


-


1,676


1,676


Change in fair value of cash flow hedges

-


-


(3,778

)

(3,778

)

Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost

1,715


-


-


1,715


Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial losses

3,274


-


-


3,274


Balance as of Sep. 26, 2015

$

(700,322

)

$

(184,962

)

$

(122,255

)

$

(1,007,539

)


10. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Sysco provides compensation benefits to employees and non-employee directors under several share-based payment arrangements including various employee stock incentive plans, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and various non-employee director plans. 


Stock Incentive Plans 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , options to purchase 4,923,481 shares were granted to employees. The fair value of each option award is estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average grant-date fair value per option granted during the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was $6.04 .

In the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , 802,854 performance share units (PSUs) were granted to employees. Based on the jurisdiction in which the employee resides, some of these PSUs were granted with forfeitable dividend equivalents. The fair value of each PSU award granted with a dividend equivalent is based on the company's stock price as of the date of grant. For PSUs granted without dividend equivalents, the fair value was reduced by the present value of expected dividends during the vesting period. The weighted average grant-date fair value per performance share unit granted during the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was $52.19 . The PSUs will convert into shares of Sysco common stock at the end of the performance period based on financial performance targets consisting of Sysco's earnings per share compound annual growth rate and adjusted return on invested capital. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , expense was recognized assuming on-target performance will be achieved.


15




Employee Stock Purchase Plan 

Plan participants purchased 264,900 shares of common stock under the Sysco ESPP during the first quarter of fiscal 2017 . 

The weighted average fair value per share of employee stock purchase rights issued pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan was $7.61 during the first quarter of fiscal 2017 . The fair value of the stock purchase rights is estimated as the difference between the stock price and the employee purchase price. 


All Share-Based Payment Arrangements

The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of operations was $25.1 million and $11.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 , respectively. 

As of October 1, 2016 , there was $113.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.51 years.


11. INCOME TAXES

Uncertain Tax Positions 

As of October 1, 2016 , the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefit and related accrued interest was $23.5 million and $14.4 million , respectively. It is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit with respect to certain of the company's unrecognized tax positions will increase or decrease in the next twelve months, either because Sysco prevails on positions challenged upon audit or because the company agrees to the disallowance. Items that may cause changes to unrecognized tax benefits primarily include the consideration of various filing requirements in numerous states and the allocation of income and expense between tax jurisdictions. At this time, an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change cannot be made. 


Effective Tax Rate 

Sysco's effective tax rate is reflective of the jurisdictions where the company has operations. The effective tax rates for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 were 35.28% and 35.98% , respectively. Indefinitely reinvested earnings taxed at foreign statutory rates less than our domestic tax rate have the impact of reducing the effective tax rate in both periods. The Acquisition contributed to a lower effective tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , as the Brakes Group's operations are taxed at a lower rate than Sysco's historical U.S. operations.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , Sysco experienced a reduction in the effective tax rate due to tax credits and lower tax rates from new tax laws in the United Kingdom. These were largely offset by one-time tax expenses related to the Acquisition primarily from non-deductible transaction costs.

Other 

The determination of the company's provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. The company's provision for income taxes reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state, as well as foreign, jurisdictions. Jurisdictional tax law changes, increases or decreases in permanent differences between book and tax items, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and the company's change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate.  


12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings 

Sysco is engaged in various legal proceedings that have arisen, but have not been fully adjudicated.  The likelihood of loss for these legal proceedings, based on definitions within contingency accounting literature, ranges from remote to reasonably possible to probable.  When probable and reasonably estimable, the losses have been accrued.  Based on estimates of the range of potential losses associated with these matters, management does not believe the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the company.  However, the final results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and, if the company failed to prevail in one or more of these legal matters, and the associated realized losses were to exceed the company's current estimates of the range of potential losses, the company's consolidated financial position or results of operations could be materially adversely affected in future periods.



16



13. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Acquisition, combined with a change in how the chief operating decision maker assesses performance and allocates resources, resulted in a change in Sysco's segment reporting. Sysco has aggregated certain of its operating companies into three reportable segments. "Other" financial information is attributable to the company's other operating segments that have not been aggregated into one of the three reporting segments.

U.S. Foodservice Operations - primarily includes U.S. broadline operations, custom-cut meat companies, FreshPoint (our specialty produce companies) and European Imports (a specialty import company);

International Foodservice Operations - includes broadline operations in Canada and Europe, including the Brakes Group, Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as a company that distributes to international customers;

SYGMA - our chain restaurant distribution subsidiary; and

Other - primarily our hotel supply operations and our Sysco Ventures platform, which includes our suite of technology solutions that help support the business needs of our customers.

Broadline operating companies distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products to both traditional and chain restaurant customers, hospitals, schools, hotels, industrial caterers and other venues where foodservice products are served. SYGMA operating companies distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products to certain chain restaurant customer locations. 

The accounting policies for the segments are the same as those disclosed by Sysco for its consolidated financial statements.  Management evaluates the performance of each of our operating segments based on its respective operating income results. Corporate expenses generally include all expenses of the corporate office and Sysco's shared services center. These also include all share-based compensation costs. While a segment's operating income may be impacted in the short-term by increases or decreases in gross profits, expenses, or a combination thereof, over the long-term each business segment is expected to increase its operating income at a greater rate than sales growth. This is consistent with our long-term goal of leveraging earnings growth at a greater rate than sales growth. 

The following tables set forth certain financial information for Sysco's business segments. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation and include the impact of a change in allocation between corporate and these segments that is not material but is consistent with management's assessment of segment performance in fiscal 2017.

13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Sales:

(In thousands)

U.S. Foodservice Operations

$

9,481,115


$

9,407,923


International Foodservice Operations

2,728,360


1,390,259


SYGMA

1,504,692


1,445,904


Other

254,487


318,525


Total

$

13,968,654


$

12,562,611


13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Operating income:

(In thousands)

U.S. Foodservice Operations

$

745,231


$

686,669


International Foodservice Operations

79,435


51,920


SYGMA

4,908


5,123


Other

8,001


10,770


Total segments

837,575


754,482


Corporate expenses

(270,742

)

(261,008

)

Total operating income

566,833


493,474


Interest expense

73,623


126,907


Other expense (income), net

(7,216

)

(15,240

)

Earnings before income taxes

$

500,426


$

381,807



17



Oct. 1, 2016

July 2, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Assets:

(In thousands)

U.S. Foodservice Operations

$

6,988,148


$

6,870,159


$

7,263,246


International Foodservice Operations

6,410,354


2,030,917


1,812,094


SYGMA

583,106


541,796


508,403


Other

433,895


469,830


429,226


Total segments

14,415,503


9,912,702


10,012,969


Corporate

3,609,307


6,809,102


3,358,582


Total

$

18,024,810


$

16,721,804


$

13,371,551




18



14. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION - SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

On January 19, 2011, the wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries of Sysco Corporation entered into full and unconditional guarantees of all outstanding senior notes and debentures of Sysco Corporation. Borrowings under the company's revolving credit facility supporting the company's U.S. and Canadian commercial paper programs are also covered under these guarantees. As of October 1, 2016 , Sysco had a total of  $7.8 billion in senior notes, debentures and commercial paper outstanding that was covered by these guarantees.  

All subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company, all guarantees are full and unconditional and all guarantees are joint and several, except that the guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor with respect to a series of senior notes or debentures may be released under certain customary circumstances. If we exercise our defeasance option with respect to the senior notes or debentures of any series, then any subsidiary guarantor effectively will be released with respect to that series.  Further, each subsidiary guarantee will remain in full force and effect until the earliest to occur of the date, if any, on which (1) the applicable subsidiary guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation or (2) Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation consolidates with or merges into the applicable subsidiary guarantor. 

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present separately the financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows of the parent issuer (Sysco Corporation), the guarantors (the majority of the company's U.S. Broadline subsidiaries), and all other non‑guarantor subsidiaries of Sysco (Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries) on a combined basis with eliminating entries.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

Oct. 1, 2016

Sysco

Certain U.S.

 Broadline

Subsidiaries

Other

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Totals

(In thousands)

Current assets

$

227,329


$

4,043,517


$

3,864,624


$

-


$

8,135,470


Investment in subsidiaries

7,324,607


260,252


758,353


(8,343,212

)

-


Plant and equipment,  net

394,254


1,566,905


2,457,365


-


4,418,524


Other assets

199,918


566,954


4,703,944


-


5,470,816


Total assets

$

8,146,108


$

6,437,628


$

11,784,286


$

(8,343,212

)

$

18,024,810


Current liabilities

$

433,751


$

2,138,099


$

2,794,700


$

-


$

5,366,550


Intercompany payables (receivables)

(4,182,835

)

(474,685

)

4,657,520


-


-


Long-term debt

7,607,826


61,663


174,028


-


7,843,517


Other liabilities

1,032,296


156,272


528,526


-


1,717,094


Noncontrolling interest

-


-


76,863


-


76,863


Shareholders' equity  

3,255,070


4,556,279


3,552,649


(8,343,212

)

3,020,786


Total liabilities and  shareholders' equity

$

8,146,108


$

6,437,628


$

11,784,286


$

(8,343,212

)

$

18,024,810


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

July 2, 2016

Sysco

Certain U.S.

 Broadline

Subsidiaries

Other

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Totals

(In thousands)

Current assets

$

3,440,206


$

3,813,524


$

2,800,169


$

-


$

10,053,899


Investment in subsidiaries

6,484,258


224,138


(306,219

)

(6,402,177

)

-


Plant and equipment,  net

429,890


1,587,702


1,862,850


-


3,880,442


Other assets

213,186


642,525


1,931,752


-


2,787,463


Total assets

$

10,567,540


$

6,267,889


$

6,288,552


$

(6,402,177

)

$

16,721,804


Current liabilities

$

621,925


$

111,728


$

3,700,803


$

-


$

4,434,456


Intercompany payables (receivables)

(1,348,425

)

2,097,508


(749,083

)

-


-


Long-term debt

7,145,955


62,387


128,588


-


7,336,930


Other liabilities

878,834


248,493


268,097


-


1,395,424


Noncontrolling interest

-


-


75,386


-


75,386


Shareholders' equity  

3,269,251


3,747,773


2,864,761


(6,402,177

)

3,479,608


Total liabilities and  shareholders' equity

$

10,567,540


$

6,267,889


$

6,288,552


$

(6,402,177

)

$

16,721,804



19



Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

Sep. 26, 2015

Sysco

Certain U.S.

 Broadline

Subsidiaries

Other

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Totals

(In thousands)

Current assets

$

237,758


$

4,252,595


$

2,537,607


$

-


$

7,027,960


Investment in subsidiaries

9,473,425


-


-


(9,473,425

)

-


Plant and equipment,  net

512,397


1,662,227


1,786,675


-


3,961,299


Other assets

203,535


525,372


1,653,385


-


2,382,292


Total assets

$

10,427,115


$

6,440,194


$

5,977,667


$

(9,473,425

)

$

13,371,551


Current liabilities

$

478,158


$

1,105,347


$

2,387,311


$

-


$

3,970,816


Intercompany payables (receivables)

1,041,230


(1,670,713

)

629,483


-


-


Long-term debt

2,884,581


9,337


110,700


-


3,004,618


Other liabilities

715,169


271,194


59,826


-


1,046,189


Noncontrolling interest

-


-


44,243


-


44,243


Shareholders' equity  

5,307,977


6,725,029


2,746,104


(9,473,425

)

5,305,685


Total liabilities and  shareholders' equity

$

10,427,115


$

6,440,194


$

5,977,667


$

(9,473,425

)

$

13,371,551


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the 13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

Sysco

Certain U.S.

 Broadline

Subsidiaries

Other

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Totals

(In thousands)

Sales

$

-


$

8,532,859


$

5,880,712


$

(444,917

)

$

13,968,654


Cost of sales

-


6,874,182


4,847,470


(444,917

)

11,276,735


Gross profit

-


1,658,677


1,033,242


-


2,691,919


Operating expenses

217,903


957,964


949,219


-


2,125,086


Operating income (loss)

(217,903

)

700,713


84,023


-


566,833


Interest expense (income)

68,889


(25,034

)

29,768


-


73,623


Other expense (income), net

(14,891

)

(224

)

7,899


-


(7,216

)

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

(271,901

)

725,971


46,356


-


500,426


Income tax (benefit) provision

(95,921

)

256,107


16,353


-


176,539


Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

499,868


-


-


(499,868

)

-


Net earnings

323,888


469,864


30,003


(499,868

)

323,887


Other comprehensive income (loss)

(76,822

)

-


(214,625

)

214,625


(76,822

)

Comprehensive income

$

247,066


$

469,864


$

(184,622

)

$

(285,243

)

$

247,065


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the 13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

Sysco

Certain U.S.

 Broadline

Subsidiaries

Other

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Totals

(In thousands)

Sales

$

-


$

8,524,550


$

4,426,998


$

(388,937

)

$

12,562,611


Cost of sales

-


6,912,169


3,801,384


(388,937

)

10,324,616


Gross profit

-


1,612,381


625,614


-


2,237,995


Operating expenses

199,375


956,915


588,231


-


1,744,521


Operating income (loss)

(199,375

)

655,466


37,383


-


493,474


Interest expense (income)

146,097


(39,983

)

20,793


-


126,907


Other expense (income), net

(5,077

)

(477

)

(9,686

)

-


(15,240

)

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

(340,395

)

695,926


26,276


-


381,807


Income tax (benefit) provision

(122,484

)

250,417


9,454


-


137,387


Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

462,331


-


-


(462,331

)

-


Net earnings

244,420


445,509


16,822


(462,331

)

244,420


Other comprehensive income (loss)

(84,341

)

-


(183,185

)

183,185


(84,341

)

Comprehensive income

$

160,079


$

445,509


$

(166,363

)

$

(279,146

)

$

160,079




20



Condensed Consolidating Cash Flows

For the 13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

Sysco

Certain U.S.

 Broadline

Subsidiaries

Other

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Consolidated

Totals

(In thousands)

Cash flows provided by (used for):

Operating activities

$

(163,444

)

$

2,236,758


$

(1,824,640

)

$

248,674


Investing activities

(22,729

)

(19,426

)

(3,006,300

)

(3,048,455

)

Financing activities

(225,668

)

(7,492

)

(156,499

)

(389,659

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash

-


-


30,038


30,038


Intercompany activity

(2,833,759

)

(2,206,407

)

5,040,166


-


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(3,245,600

)

3,433


82,765


(3,159,402

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period

3,376,412


34,072


508,816


3,919,300


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period

$

130,812


$

37,505


$

591,581


$

759,898


Condensed Consolidating Cash Flows

For the 13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

Sysco

Certain U.S.

 Broadline

Subsidiaries

Other

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Consolidated

Totals

(In thousands)

Cash flows provided by (used for):

Operating activities

$

(525,626

)

$

(317,193

)

$

581,337


$

(261,482

)

Investing activities

138,186


(13,083

)

(160,164

)

(35,061

)

Financing activities

(4,445,507

)

(800

)

8,903


(4,437,404

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash

-


-


(7,841

)

(7,841

)

Intercompany activity

59,403


329,064


(388,467

)

-


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(4,773,544

)

(2,012

)

33,768


(4,741,788

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period

4,851,074


26,377


252,593


5,130,044


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period

$

77,530


$

24,365


$

286,361


$

388,256




Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as of July 2, 2016 , and the fiscal year then ended, and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2016 , as well as the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) and notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) contained in this report. 

Sysco's results of operations are impacted by restructuring costs consisting of (1) severance charges, (2) professional fees related to our three-year strategic plan, (3) restructuring expenses within our Brakes Group operations and (4) expenses associated with our revised business technology strategy announced in fiscal 2016, as a result of which we recorded accelerated depreciation on our existing system and incurred costs to convert to legacy systems. Our results of operations are also impacted by the following acquisition-related items: (1) intangible amortization expense (2) transaction costs and (3) integration costs. All acquisition-related costs in fiscal 2017 that have been excluded relate to the Brakes Group acquisition (the Acquisition). Fiscal 2016 acquisition-related costs, however, include (i) termination costs in connection with the merger that had been proposed with US Foods, Inc. (US Foods) and (ii) financing costs related to the senior notes that were issued in fiscal 2015 to fund the proposed US Foods merger. These senior notes were redeemed in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, triggering a redemption loss of $86.5 million, and we incurred interest on these notes through the redemption date.  The Acquisition also resulted in non-recurring tax expense in fiscal 2017, primarily from non-deductible transaction costs. These fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 items are collectively referred to as "Certain Items."

Although Sysco has a history of growth through acquisitions, the Brakes Group is significantly larger than the companies historically acquired by Sysco, with a proportionately greater impact on Sysco's consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, Sysco is excluding from its non-GAAP financial measures for the relevant period solely those acquisition costs specific to the Acquisition. We believe this approach significantly enhances the comparability of Sysco's results for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 to the same period in fiscal 2016. Also, given the significance of the Acquisition, management believes that presenting Sysco's financial measures, excluding the Brakes Group operating results (including for this purpose Brakes financing costs, which


21



are not included in the Brakes Group GAAP operating results and are also not Certain Items), enhances comparability of the period over period financial performance of Sysco's legacy business and allows investors to more effectively measure Sysco's progress against the financial goals under Sysco's three year strategic plan.

More information on the rationale for the use of these measures and reconciliations to GAAP numbers can be found under "Non-GAAP Reconciliations." 

Overview

Sysco distributes food and related products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers. Our primary operations are located in America and Europe. The company has aggregated certain of its operating segments into three reportable segments as follows:

U.S. Foodservice Operations - primarily includes U.S. Broadline, custom-cut meat companies, FreshPoint (our specialty produce companies) and European Imports (a specialty import company);

International Foodservice Operations - includes broadline operations in Canada and Europe, including the Brakes Group, Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as a company that distributes to international customers;

SYGMA - our chain restaurant distribution subsidiary; and

Other - primarily our hotel supply operations and our Sysco Ventures platform, which includes our suite of technology solutions that help support the business needs of our customers.

Broadline operating companies distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products to both traditional and chain restaurant customers, hospitals, schools, hotels, industrial caterers and other venues where foodservice products are served. SYGMA operating companies distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products to certain chain restaurant customer locations. 

Sysco's segments have changed in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , as discussed in Note 13 , "Business Segment Information" . Any segment results presented for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2017 presentation.


Acquisition of the Brakes Group

On July 5, 2016, Sysco consummated its acquisition of Cucina Lux Investments Limited (a private company limited by shares organized under the laws of England and Wales), a holding company of the Brakes Group, pursuant to an agreement for the sale and purchase of securities in the capital of the Brakes Group, dated as of February 19, 2016 (the Purchase Agreement), by and among Sysco, entities affiliated with Bain Capital Investors, LLC, and members of management of the Brakes Group. Following the closing of the Acquisition, the Brakes Group became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sysco.

The Brakes Group is a leading European foodservice business by revenue, supplying fresh, refrigerated and frozen food products, as well as non-food products and supplies, to more than 50,000 foodservice customers. The Brakes Group has leading market positions in the U.K., France, and Sweden, in addition to a presence in Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Luxembourg. The Acquisition significantly strengthens Sysco's position as the world's leading foodservice distributor and offers attractive opportunities for organic growth and future expansion in European markets.


Highlights 

Sysco's results for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 reflect solid execution of our commercial initiatives that drove continued profit growth, despite softening restaurant demand. Sales increased primarily due to the Acquisition, partially offset by deflation. While the Brakes Group also contributed favorably to our results, excluding Brakes, we grew our gross profit at a faster rate than operating expenses due to (1) our profitable case growth, (2) our revenue management and category management activities, and (3) our improved expense management resulting from administrative cost reductions and productivity initiatives, and process enhancements, which improved our supply chain performance. Our net earnings and earnings per share, both including and excluding Certain Items, increased for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , as compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2016 , primarily due to these factors. A decrease in outstanding shares resulting from our share repurchases also favorably impacted our per-share amounts.


22



Comparisons of results from the first quarter of fiscal 2017 to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 :

Sales:

increased 11.2% , or $ 1.4 billion , to $14.0 billion ;

adjusted sales increased 1.0% , or $122.5 million to $12.7 billion excluding Brakes;

Operating income:

increased 14.9% , or $ 73.4 million , to $ 566.8 million ;

adjusted operating income increased 23.8% , or $ 120.3 million , to $ 626.8 million ;

adjusted operating income increased 15.3% , or $77.6 million to $584.0 million excluding Brakes;

Net earnings:

increased 32.5% , or $ 79.5 million , to $323.9 million ; 

adjusted net earnings increased 20.7% , or $64.4 million , to $376.1 million ;

adjusted net earnings increased 12.8% , or $39.8 million to $351.6 million excluding Brakes;

Basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were:

both $0.58 , a 41.5% increase from the comparable prior year amount of $0.41 per share;

adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.67 in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , a 28.8% increase from the comparable prior year amount of $0.52 per share; and

adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.63 , a 21.2% increase from the comparable prior year amount of $0.52 per share excluding Brakes.

See "Non-GAAP Reconciliations" for an explanation of these non-GAAP financial measures. 


Trends and Strategy

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2016 , contains a discussion of trends impacting our industry and Sysco and strategy. Our discussion herein provides updates to that discussion.  


Trends


The uneven general economic environment is impacting our customers' business. There are some indications favoring increased long-term consumer demand, such as steadying unemployment levels, modest gross domestic product growth, increased consumer confidence and healthy momentum in the housing market. However, the restaurant industry, which represents approximately 60% of the foodservice market, is not currently experiencing the same level of growth we have experienced in recent quarters. Restaurant traffic continues to show year-over-year declines and restaurant spend has decelerated as well.


Impacting sales and gross profit, we experienced deflation at a rate of 2.2% for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 primarily in the center of the plate protein and dairy categories. We expect this deflation trend to continue into calendar 2017 . Our deflation rate is a year-over-year measurement and, therefore, does not include the impact of Brakes' operations. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we issued our share-based compensation awards, which have historically been granted in the second quarter, which shifted the corresponding expense to the first quarter of fiscal 2017 . This created a variance of $13.5 million as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . We expect this variance will partially reverse in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 . We benefited from lower fuel costs; however, we expect this cost to become comparable with the prior year during the second quarter of fiscal 2017 .


Our Brakes Group operations contributed approximately $0.04 per share to our consolidated earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 . The Brakes Group's business experiences some seasonality, with stronger performance in the first half of our fiscal year. As a result, we do not expect the same accretion each quarter; however, we continue to believe this acquisition will be modestly accretive to earnings per share by low to mid-single digits on a cents per share basis through the end of fiscal 2017 on a GAAP basis and high-single digits excluding Certain Items applicable to the Brakes Group, with acceleration in fiscal 2018 and beyond. Certain Items primarily include intangible amortization related to the Acquisition. Based on our preliminary purchase price allocation, this intangible amortization is estimated to be $19.1 million per quarter in fiscal 2017.




23



Results of Operations 

The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

13-Week Period Ended

Oct. 1, 2016

Sep. 26, 2015

Sales

100.0

 %

100.0

 %

Cost of sales

80.7


82.2


Gross profit

19.3


17.8


Operating expenses

15.2


13.9


Operating income

4.1


3.9


Interest expense

0.5


1.0


Other expense (income), net

(0.1

)

(0.1

)

Earnings before income taxes

3.6


3.0


Income taxes

1.3


1.1


Net earnings

2.3

 %

1.9

 %

The following table sets forth the change in the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:

13-Week Period Ended

Sales

11.2

 %

Cost of sales

9.2


Gross profit

20.3


Operating expenses

(21.8

)

Operating income

14.9


Interest expense

42.0


Other expense (income), net (1)

(52.7

)

Earnings before income taxes

31.1


Income taxes

28.5


Net earnings

32.5

 %

Basic earnings per share

41.5

 %

Diluted earnings per share

41.5


Average shares outstanding

(6.9

)

Diluted shares outstanding

(6.6

)


(1) Other expense (income), net was income of $ 7.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and income of $ 15.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .



24



The following represents our results by reportable segments which also demonstrates the impact of Brakes results:

13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

U.S. Foodservice Operations

International Foodservice Operations

Brakes

International Foodservice Operations Excluding Brakes (Non-GAAP)

SYGMA

Other

Corporate

Consolidated

Totals

(In thousands)

Sales

$

9,481,115


$

2,728,360


$

1,283,524


$

1,444,836


$

1,504,692


$

254,487


$

-


$

13,968,654


Sales increase (decrease)

0.8

%

96.2

%

NM


3.9

%

4.1

 %

(20.1

)%

11.2

%

Percentage of total

67.9

%

19.5

%

9.2

%

10.3

%

10.8

 %

1.8

 %

100.0

%

Operating income

$

745,231


$

79,435


$

20,208


$

59,227


$

4,908


$

8,001


$

(270,742

)

$

566,833


Operating income increase (decrease)

8.5

%

53.0

%

NM


16.8

%

(4.2

)%

(25.7

)%

-


Percentage of total

89.0

%

9.5

%

2.4

%

7.1

%

0.6

 %

1.0

 %

100.0

%

Operating income as a percentage of sales

7.9

%

2.9

%

1.6

%

4.1

%

0.3

 %

3.1

 %

4.1

%

NM represent that the percentage change is not meaningful.

13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

U.S. Foodservice Operations

International Foodservice Operations

SYGMA

Other

Corporate

Consolidated

Totals

(In thousands)

Sales

$

9,407,923


$

1,390,259


$

1,445,904


$

318,525


$

-


$

12,562,611


Percentage of total

74.9

%

11.1

%

11.5

%

2.5

%

100.0

%

Operating income

$

686,669


$

51,920


$

5,123


$

10,770


$

(261,008

)

$

493,474


Percentage of total

91.0

%

6.9

%

0.7

%

1.4

%

100.0

%

Operating income as a percentage of sales

7.3

%

3.7

%

0.4

%

3.4

%

3.9

%


In first quarter of fiscal 2017 the U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations collectively represented approximately 87.4% of Sysco's overall sales and 98.5% of the aggregated operating income of Sysco's segments, which excludes corporate expenses and adjustments. 


Results of U.S. Foodservice Operations


The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:


13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

13-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars

13-Week Period
% Change

(In thousands)

Sales

$

9,481,115


$

9,407,923


$

73,192


0.8

%

Gross profit

1,913,115


1,834,354


78,761


4.3


Operating expenses

1,167,884


1,147,685


20,199


1.8


Operating income

$

745,231


$

686,669


$

58,562


8.5

%

Gross profit

$

1,913,115


$

1,834,354


$

78,761


4.3

%

Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)

1,167,884


1,146,813


21,071


1.8


Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)

$

745,231


$

687,541


$

57,690


8.4

%



25



Sales


The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the comparable prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.


Increase (Decrease)

13-Week Period

(Dollars in millions)

Cause of change

Percentage

Dollars

Case volume (1)

1.8

 %

$

166.0


Acquisitions

0.4


35.2


Other

(1.6

)

(150.3

)

Total sales increase

0.6

 %

$

50.9


(1) Excludes volume impact from our custom-cut meat companies that do not measure volume in cases. Any impact in volumes from these operations are included within "Other".


Sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were 0.8% higher than the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .  The largest driver of the increase was case volume growth from our U.S. Broadline operations, which improved 1.8% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , and included a 1.9% improvement in locally managed customer case growth. Partially offsetting this growth was the impact of product cost deflation in our U.S. Broadline operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 .


Gross profit dollars increased 4.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , and gross margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of sales, was 20.18% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , an improvement of 68 basis points from the gross margin of 19.50% in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .  These results reflect the ongoing category management efforts, revenue management, higher sales of Sysco branded products to local customers and effective management of deflation. Our Sysco brand sales to local customers aided gross margin by approximately 38 basis points for the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The change in product costs, an internal measure of inflation or deflation, for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 for our U.S. Broadline operations was deflation of 1.8% . Deflation in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 has occurred primarily in the center of the plate proteins and dairy categories. We believe effective management of this deflationary environment is favorably impacting our gross profit dollar growth.


Operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 increased 1.8%, or $20.2 million, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . The increase in operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 resulted primarily from expenses attributable to higher case volumes, partially offset by reduced expenses in indirect spend and fuel costs. Indirect spend includes costs such as fleet maintenance and supplies.


Cost per case is an important metric management uses to measure our expense performance. This metric is calculated by dividing the total operating expense of our U.S. Broadline companies by the number of cases sold. Adjusted cost per case is calculated similarly; however, the operating expense component excludes Certain Items applicable to these companies, prior to dividing by the number of cases sold. Our U.S. Broadline operations represent approximately 90% of the U.S. Foodservice Operations segment's sales and nearly 85% of its operating expenses. We seek to grow our sales and reduce our costs on a per case basis. Our cost per case and adjusted cost per case decreased $0.04 per case in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .  The first quarter decrease included a $0.04 benefit per case specific to lower fuel prices. Adjustments to operating expenses were not large enough to produce a different result on an adjusted cost per case basis for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 . The decreases reflect progress in productivity improvements and cost reductions in our supply chain including reduced indirect spend, fuel costs and administrative expense.



26



Results of International Foodservice Operations


The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:


13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

13-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars

13-Week Period
% Change

(In thousands)

Sales

$

2,728,360


$

1,390,259


$

1,338,101


96.2

%

Gross profit

598,406


245,462


352,944


143.8


Operating expenses

518,971


193,542


325,429


168.1


Operating income

$

79,435


$

51,920


$

27,515


53.0

%





Gross profit

$

598,406


$

245,462


$

352,944


143.8

%

Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)

494,793


192,299


302,494


157.3


Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)

$

103,613


$

53,163


$

50,450


94.9

%


Sales


The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the comparable prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.


Increase (Decrease)

13-Week Period

(Dollars in millions)

Cause of change

Percentage

Dollars

Case volume (1)

1.3

 %

$

18.8


Acquisitions

94.9


1,340.1


Foreign currency

-


(0.3

)

Other

(1.4

)

(20.0

)

Total sales increase

94.8

 %

$

1,338.6



Sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $1.34 billion higher than the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , primarily due to the Brakes Group, which added $1.28 billion.  Gross profit dollars increased by $352.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , primarily attributable to the Brakes Group, which added $343.1 million. Operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 increased $325.4 million, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , with $322.8 million added from the Brakes Group.  Certain Items applicable to this segment include acquisition-related costs for the Acquisition and restructuring costs within our Canadian operations and the Brakes Group. Operating expenses and adjusted operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 increased $325.4 million and $302.5 million, respectively, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . The Brakes Group's performed reasonably well in the United Kingdom amidst a challenging environment, and performance in France and Sweden was strong. Operating income increased by $27.5 million, or 53.0%. Excluding the Brakes Group, non-GAAP operating income increased 14.4% % primarily from managing costs effectively in Canada within a deflationary and soft market environment. Our joint ventures in Costa Rica and Mexico also experienced improved operating income performance.


Results of SYGMA and Other Segment


For SYGMA, sales were 4.1% higher in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 than in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , primarily from case growth.  Case growth was primarily due to increased volume from existing customers, with additional new business also contributing to the growth. Operating income decreased by $ 0.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .  Operating expenses increased at a greater rate than gross profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 as


27



compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 due to increased transportation expenses.  SYGMA is making progress against its key business initiatives consistent with the increased sales growth.


For the operations that are grouped within Other, operating income decreased 25.7% , or $ 2.8 million . These decreases are largely the result of expenses for businesses in the early stage of operations in this segment, partially offset by higher earnings from our hotel lodging supply operations.


Corporate Expenses


Corporate expenses in the first quarter of 2017 increased $9.7 million, or 3.7%, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . We shifted the grants of our share-based compensation awards, traditionally issued in the second quarter, to the first quarter, which shifted expense to the first quarter of fiscal 2017 . This created a variance of $13.5 million as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . We expect this variance will partially reverse in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 . This increase was partially offset by reduced business technology costs and lower management incentive accruals.


Included in corporate expenses are Certain Items that totaled $35.8 million in the first quarter fiscal 2017, as compared to $10.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Certain Items impacting the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were primarily expenses associated with our revised business technology strategy announced in fiscal 2016, as a result of which we recorded accelerated depreciation on our existing system and incurred costs of $28.2 million to convert to legacy systems. We incurred $7.6 million related to severance charges, professional fees on 3-year financial objectives, and project costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy. Certain Items for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 primarily related to termination costs in connection with the merger that had been proposed with US Foods.


Interest Expense


Interest expense decreased $53.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , due to Certain Item interest costs specific to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , partially offset by higher relative debt levels in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 . The first quarter of fiscal 2016 included a loss of $86.5 million in connection with the redemption of the notes issued in fiscal 2015 to fund the merger that was proposed with US Foods. These items, along with interest expense incurred in fiscal 2016 through the date the senior notes were redeemed, are included in our Certain Items. Our interest expense increased $41.6 million , excluding Certain Items, for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 from the first quarter of fiscal 2016 due to higher debt balances from senior notes that were issued in fiscal 2016 .


Net Earnings 

Net earnings increased 32.5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 from the first quarter of the prior year due primarily to the items noted above and a lower effective tax rate. Items impacting our income taxes are discussed in Note 11 , "Income Taxes" . Adjusted net earnings increased 20.7% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 primarily from gross profit growth, strong expense management and the results of the Brakes Group.


Earnings Per Share 

Basic and diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were both $0.58 , a 41.5% increase from the comparable prior period amounts of $0.41 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $0.67 , a 28.8% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $0.52 per share. These results were primarily from the factors discussed above related to net earnings and a decrease in outstanding shares that resulted from our share repurchases in fiscal 2016 and in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, which generated an approximate year over year impact of $0.02 per share benefit for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , net of interest expense associated with the debt issued to repurchase the shares.


Non-GAAP Reconciliations


Sysco's results of operations are impacted by restructuring costs consisting of (1) severance charges, (2) professional fees related to our three-year strategic plan, (3) restructuring expenses within our Brakes Group operations and (4) expenses associated with our revised business technology strategy announced in fiscal 2016, as a result of which we recorded accelerated depreciation on our existing system and incurred costs to convert to legacy systems. Our results of operations are also impacted by the following acquisition-related items: (1) intangible amortization expense (2) transaction costs and (3) integration costs. All acquisition-related costs in fiscal 2017 that have been excluded relate to the Acquisition. Fiscal 2016 acquisition-related costs, however, include (i) termination costs in connection with the merger that had been proposed with US Foods, Inc. (US Foods) and (ii) financing costs related to the senior notes that were issued in fiscal 2015 to fund the proposed US Foods merger. These senior


28



notes were redeemed in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, triggering a redemption loss of $86.5 million, and we incurred interest on these notes through the redemption date.  The Acquisition also resulted in non-recurring tax expense in fiscal 2017, primarily from non-deductible transaction costs. These fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 items are collectively referred to as "Certain Items." 


Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, operating margin as a percentage of sales, interest expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results and provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company's underlying operations and facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis and (2) removes those items that are difficult to predict and are often unanticipated, and which as a result, are difficult to include in analysts' financial models and our investors' expectations with any degree of specificity.


Although Sysco has a history of growth through acquisitions, the Brakes Group is significantly larger than the companies historically acquired by Sysco, with a proportionately greater impact on Sysco's consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, Sysco is excluding from its non-GAAP financial measures for the relevant period solely those acquisition costs specific to the Acquisition. We believe this approach significantly enhances the comparability of Sysco's results for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 to the same period in fiscal 2016. Also, given the significance of the Acquisition, management believes that presenting Sysco's financial measures, excluding the Brakes Group operating results (including for this purpose Brakes financing costs, which are not included in the Brakes Group GAAP operating results and are also not Certain Items), enhances comparability of the period over period financial performance of Sysco's legacy business and allows investors to more effectively measure Sysco's progress against the financial goals under Sysco's three year strategic plan.


Set forth below is a reconciliation of sales, operating expenses, operating income, interest expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented. Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add to the total presented due to rounding.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding. 

13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

13-Week Period Change in Dollars

13-Week Period

% Change (3)

(In thousands, except for share and per share data)

Sales

$

13,968,654


$

12,562,611


$

1,406,043


11.2

 %

Impact of Brakes

(1,283,524

)

-


(1,283,524

)

NM


Sales excluding the impact of Brakes (Non-GAAP)

$

12,685,130


$

12,562,611


$

122,519


1.0

 %

Operating expenses (GAAP)

$

2,125,086


$

1,744,521


$

380,565


21.8

 %

Impact of restructuring costs (1)

(38,285

)

(3,189

)

(35,096

)

NM


Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)

(21,710

)

(9,816

)

(11,894

)

121.2

 %

Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)

$

2,065,091


$

1,731,516


$

333,575


19.3

 %

Impact of Brakes

$

(322,843

)

$

-


$

(322,843

)

NM


Impact of Brakes restructuring costs (3)

3,074


-


3,074


NM


Impact of Brakes acquisition-related costs (2)

19,498


-


19,498


NM


Operating expenses adjusted for certain items and excluding the impact of Brakes (Non-GAAP)

$

1,764,820


$

1,731,516


$

33,304


1.9

 %

Operating income (GAAP)

$

566,833


$

493,474


$

73,359


14.9

 %

Impact of restructuring costs (1)

38,285


3,189


35,096


NM


Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)

21,710


9,816


11,894


121.2

 %

Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)

$

626,828


$

506,479


$

120,349


23.8

 %

Impact of Brakes

$

(20,208

)

$

-


$

(20,208

)

NM


Impact of Brakes restructuring costs (3)

(3,074

)

-


(3,074

)

NM


Impact of Brakes acquisition-related costs (2)

(19,498

)

-


(19,498

)

NM


Operating income adjusted for certain items and excluding the impact of Brakes (Non-GAAP)

$

584,048


$

506,479


$

77,569


15.3

 %


29



Operating margin (GAAP)

4.06

%

3.93

%

0.13

%

3.3

 %

Operating margin (Non-GAAP)

4.49

%

4.03

%

0.46

%

11.3

 %

Operating margin excluding Certain Items and Brakes (Non-GAAP)

4.60

%

4.03

%

0.57

%

14.2

 %

Interest expense (GAAP)

$

73,623


$

126,907


$

(53,284

)

(42.0

)%

Impact of acquisition financing costs (4)

-


(94,835

)

94,835


(100.0

)%

Interest expense adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)

$

73,623


$

32,072


$

41,551


129.6

 %

Net earnings (GAAP)

$

323,887


$

244,420


$

79,467


32.5

 %

Impact of restructuring costs (1)

38,285


3,189


35,096


NM


Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)

21,710


9,816


11,894


121.2

 %

Impact of acquisition financing costs (4)

-


94,835


(94,835

)

(100.0

)%

Tax impact of restructuring costs (5)

(3,593

)

(1,198

)

(2,395

)

199.9

 %

Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (5)

(4,169

)

(3,688

)

(481

)

13.0

 %

Tax impact of acquisition financing costs (5)

-


(35,632

)

35,632


(100.0

)%

Net earnings adjusted for certain items (4)

$

376,120


$

311,742


$

64,378


20.7

 %

Impact of Brakes

$

(18,852

)

$

-


$

(18,852

)

NM


Impact of Brakes restructuring costs (3)

(2,446

)

-


(2,446

)

NM


Impact of Brakes acquisition-related costs (2)

(15,514

)

-


(15,514

)

NM


Impact of interest expense on debt issued for the Brakes acquisition (6)

19,735


-


19,735


NM


Tax impact of interest expense on debt issued for the Brakes acquisition (5)

(7,460

)

-


(7,460

)

NM


Net earnings adjusted for certain items and excluding the impact of Brakes (Non-GAAP)

$

351,583


$

311,742


$

39,841


12.8

 %

Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)

$

0.58


$

0.41


$

0.17


41.5

 %

Impact of restructuring costs (1)

0.07


-


0.07


NM


Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)

0.04


0.02


0.02


144.8

 %

Impact of acquisition financing costs (4)

-


0.16


(0.16

)

(100.0

)%

Tax impact of restructuring costs (5)

(0.01

)

-


(0.01

)

NM


Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (5)

(0.01

)

(0.01

)

-


62.9

 %

Tax impact of acquisition financing costs (5)

-


(0.06

)

0.06


(100.0

)%

Diluted EPS adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP) (7)

$

0.67


$

0.52


$

0.15


28.8

 %

Impact of Brakes

$

(0.03

)

$

-


$

-


NM


Impact of Brakes restructuring costs (3)

(0.01

)

-


-


NM


Impact of Brakes acquisition-related costs (2)

(0.02

)

-


-


NM


Impact of interest expense on debt issued for the Brakes acquisition (6)

0.03


-


-


NM


Tax impact of interest expense on debt issued for the Brakes acquisition (5)

(0.01

)

-


-


NM


Net earnings adjusted for certain items and excluding the impact of Brakes (Non-GAAP) (7)

$

0.63


$

0.52


$

0.11


21.2

 %

(1) Includes $28 million in accelerated depreciation associated with our revised business technology strategy and $10 million related to severance charges, professional fees on 3-year financial objectives, restructuring expenses within our Brakes Group operations and costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy.


30




(2) Fiscal 2017 Includes $19 million related to intangible amortization expense from the Acquisition, which is included in the results of Brakes and $2 million in transaction costs. Fiscal 2016 includes US Foods merger termination costs.


(3) Includes Brakes Acquisition restructuring charges.


(4) Includes US Foods financing costs applicable to fiscal 2016.


(5) The tax impact of adjustments for Certain Items are calculated by multiplying the pretax impact of each Certain Item by the statutory rates in effect for each jurisdiction where the Certain Item was incurred. The adjustments also include $7 million in non-deductible transaction costs and $4 million in other one-time costs related to the Acquisition.


(6) Sysco Corporation issued debt to fund the Acquisition. The interest expense arising from the debt issued is attributed to the incremental impact of Brakes operating results, even though it is not a direct obligation of the Brakes Group and is not considered a Certain Item.


(7) Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add to the total presented due to rounding. Total diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.


NM represent that the percentage change is not meaningful.



31



Set forth below is a reconciliation by segment of actual operating expenses and operating income to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented:


13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

13-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars

13-Week Period % Change

U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS

Sales (GAAP)

$

9,481,115


$

9,407,923


$

73,192


0.8

%

Gross Profit (GAAP)

1,913,115


1,834,354


78,761


4.3

%

Gross Margin (GAAP)

20.2

%

19.5

%

0.7

%

3.5

%





Operating expenses (GAAP)

$

1,167,884


$

1,147,685


$

20,199


1.8

%

Impact of restructuring costs

-


(873

)

873


NM


Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)

$

1,167,884


$

1,146,813


$

21,071


1.8

%










Operating income (GAAP)

$

745,231


$

686,669


$

58,562


8.5

%

Impact of restructuring costs

-


873


(873

)

NM


Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)

$

745,231


$

687,542


$

57,689


8.4

%










INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS









Sales (GAAP)

$

2,728,360


$

1,390,259


$

1,338,101


96.2

%

Gross Profit (GAAP)

598,406


245,462


352,944


143.8

%

Gross Margin (GAAP)

21.9

%

17.7

%

4.2

%

23.7

%






Operating expenses (GAAP)

$

518,971


$

193,542


$

325,429


168.1

%

Impact of restructuring costs (1)

(4,680

)

(1,243

)

(3,437

)

276.5

%

Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)

(19,498

)

-


(19,498

)

NM


Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)

$

494,793


$

192,299


$

302,494


157.30

%

Impact of Brakes

$

(322,843

)

$

-


$

(322,843

)

NM


Impact of Brakes restructuring costs

3,074


$

-


$

3,074


NM


Impact of Brakes acquisition-related costs

19,498


$

-


$

19,498


NM


Operating expenses adjusted for certain items and excluding the impact of Brakes (Non-GAAP)

$

194,522


$

192,299


$

2,223


1.2

%










Operating income (GAAP)

$

79,435


$

51,920


$

27,515


53.0

%

Impact of restructuring costs (1)

4,680


1,243


3,437


276.5

%

Impact of acquisition related costs (2)

19,498


-


19,498


NM


Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)

$

103,613


$

53,163


$

50,450


94.9

%

Impact of Brakes

$

(20,208

)

$

-


$

(20,208

)

NM


Impact of Brakes restructuring costs

(3,074

)

-


(3,074

)

NM


Impact of Brakes acquisition-related costs

(19,498

)

-


(19,498

)

NM


Operating income adjusted for certain items and excluding the impact of Brakes (Non-GAAP)

$

60,833


$

53,163


$

7,670


14.4

%


(1) Fiscal 2017 includes Brakes Acquisition-related restructuring charges and other severance charges.


(2) Fiscal 2017 includes $19 million related to intangible amortization expense from the Acquisition, which is included in the results of the Brakes Group.


32





Liquidity and Capital Resources 

Highlights 

Comparisons of the cash flows from the first quarter of fiscal 2017 to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 :  

Cash flows from operations were $ 248.7 million in 2017, compared to a negative cash flow of $ 261.5 million in 2016;

Capital expenditures totaled $ 142.3 million in 2017, compared to $ 121.2 million in 2016;

Free cash flow was $110.7 million in 2017, compared to a negative free cash flow of $381.2 million in 2016, and were negatively impacted by cash payments associated with Certain Items to a greater extent in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 (see "Non-GAAP reconciliation" below under the heading "Free Cash Flow");

Cash used for acquisition of businesses, net of cash received, was $ 2.9 billion in 2017, compared to $ 83.6 million in 2016;

Net bank borrowings were $ 442.8 million in 2017, compared to borrowings of $ 717.6 million in 2016; and

Dividends paid were $ 173.3 million in 2017, compared to $ 179.0 million in 2016.


Sources and Uses of Cash 

Sysco's strategic objectives include continuous investment in our business; these investments are funded by a combination of cash from operations and access to capital from financial markets.  Our operations historically have produced significant cash flow.  Cash generated from operations is generally allocated to:

working capital requirements;

investments in facilities, systems, fleet, other equipment and technology;

return of capital to shareholders, including cash dividends and share repurchases;

acquisitions compatible with our overall growth strategy;

contributions to our various retirement plans; and

debt repayments.

Any remaining cash generated from operations may be invested in high-quality, short-term instruments. As a part of our ongoing strategic analysis, we regularly evaluate business opportunities, including potential acquisitions and sales of assets and businesses, and our overall capital structure. Any transactions resulting from these evaluations may materially impact our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability.

Our liquidity and capital resources can be influenced by economic trends and conditions that impact our results of operations. We believe our mechanisms to manage working capital, such as credit monitoring, optimizing inventory levels and maximizing payment terms with vendors, and our mechanisms to manage the items impacting our gross profits have been sufficient to limit a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations. We believe these mechanisms will continue to prevent a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations. Seasonal trends also impact our cash flows from operations and free cash flow, as we use more cash earlier in the fiscal year and then see larger, sequential quarterly increases throughout the remainder of the year. As of October 1, 2016 , we had $ 759.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately 71.0% of which was held by our international subsidiaries generated from our earnings of international operations. If these earnings were transferred among countries or repatriated to the U.S., such amounts may be subject to additional tax obligations; however, we do not currently anticipate the need to repatriate this cash.

We believe the following sources will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months, while maintaining sufficient liquidity for normal operating purposes:


33



our cash flows from operations;

the availability of additional capital under our existing commercial paper programs, supported by our revolving credit facility and bank line of credit; and

our ability to access capital from financial markets, including issuances of debt securities, either privately or under our shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets, if necessary.  


Cash Flows


Operating Activities


We generated $248.7 million in cash flows from operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , compared to cash flow usage of $261.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . This increase of $510.2 million year-over-year was largely attributable to a favorable comparison on accrued expenses and improved working capital management. The cash impact of our Certain Items decreased $ 216.5 million year-over-year. The cash impact of Certain Items will differ from the earnings impact of Certain Items, as the payments for these items may occur in a different period from the period in which the Certain Item charges were recognized in the Statement of Consolidated Results of Operations.


The positive comparison on accrued expenses was primarily due to $312.5 million in US Foods merger termination fees that were paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , partially offset by a $47.4 million decrease from incentive payments. Our annual incentive payments from the prior fiscal year are paid in the first quarter of each fiscal year, and our fiscal 2016 performance resulted in higher incentive payments as compared to our fiscal 2015 performance.


Changes in working capital, specifically accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable, had a positive impact of $175.4 million on the period over period comparison of cash flow from operations.  We made seasonal investments in net working capital in both periods; however the amount required in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was less than in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 partially due to improved working capital management. Due to normal seasonal patterns, sales to multi-unit customers and school districts represent a larger percentage of our sales at the end of each first quarter as compared to the end of each prior fiscal year, yielding an increase in the receivables outstanding for these customers.  Payment terms for these types of customers are traditionally longer than average. These factors also resulted in an increase in inventories; however, both accounts receivable and inventory increases in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were smaller than in the comparable period in fiscal 2016 partially due to product cost deflation and improved working capital management. Also, accounts payable experienced increases in both periods; however, the impact was more pronounced in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 .


Investing Activities


Our capital expenditures in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 primarily consisted of facility replacements and expansions, fleet, technology and warehouse equipment.   Our capital expenditures in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 are higher by $21.0 million as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .


During the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , we paid cash of $ 2.9 billion for acquisitions made during fiscal 2017 , net of cash acquired primarily for the Brakes Acquisition.


Free Cash Flow


Free cash flow represents net cash provided from operating activities less purchases of plant and equipment plus proceeds from sales of plant and equipment.  Sysco considers free cash flow to be a non-GAAP liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases and sales of buildings, fleet, equipment and technology, which may potentially be used to pay for, among other things, strategic uses of cash, including dividend payments, share repurchases and acquisitions.  However, free cash flow may not be available for discretionary expenditures, as it may be necessary that we use it to make mandatory debt service or other payments.  Our free cash flow for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 increased by $491.9 million , to $110.7 million , as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .   Our cash requirements for our Certain Items were $216.5 million lower in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 than in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 which increased free cash flow as a result.  The Certain Items payments for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 included US Foods merger termination fees discussed above. The increase was partially offset by increased additions to plant and equipment.


34




Free cash flow should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing the company's liquidity for the periods presented.  An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP.  In the table that follows, free cash flow for each period presented is reconciled to net cash used in / provided by operating activities.

13-Week Period Ended Oct. 1, 2016

13-Week Period Ended Sep. 26, 2015

(In thousands)

Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)

$

248,674


$

(261,482

)

Additions to plant and equipment

(142,255

)

(121,243

)

Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment

4,261


1,506


Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)

$

110,680


$

(381,219

)


Financing Activities


Equity Transactions


Proceeds from exercises of share-based compensation awards were $ 32.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , as compared to $ 54.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .  The decrease in proceeds in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was due to a decrease in the number of options exercised in this period, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .  The level of option exercises, and thus proceeds, will vary from period to period and is largely dependent on movements in our stock price and the time remaining before option grants expire.


We routinely engage in share repurchase programs.  In June 2015, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program to repurchase, from time to time in the open market, through an accelerated share repurchase program or through privately negotiated transactions, shares of the company's common stock in an amount not to exceed $3.0 billion during the two-year period ending July 1, 2017, in addition to amounts normally repurchased to offset benefit plan and stock option dilution.  In addition, in August 2015, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 20,000,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $800 million . The authorization expires on August 21, 2017.


We purchased 11.1 million shares during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, resulting in a remaining authorization under both programs of approximately $1.3 billion . There were no shares repurchased in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.  We purchased 2.7 million additional shares under these authorizations through October 21, 2016. The number of shares we repurchase during the remainder of fiscal 2017 will be dependent on many factors, including the level of future stock option exercises, as well as competing uses for available cash.


Dividends paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $ 173.3 million , or $0.31 per share, as compared to $ 179.0 million , or $ 0.30 per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .  In August 2016, we declared our regular quarterly dividend for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 of $ 0.31 per share, which was paid in October 2017 .


Debt Activity and Borrowing Availability


Our debt activity and borrowing availability is described in Note 7 , "Debt" Our outstanding borrowings at October 1, 2016 , and subsequently, are disclosed within those notes.  Updated amounts through October 21, 2016, include:

$788.5 million amounts outstanding from our commercial paper program

No amounts outstanding from the credit facility supporting the company's U.S. and Canadian commercial paper programs.


During the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and 2016 , our aggregate commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings had weighted average interest rates of 0.62% and 0.28% , respectively.


Contractual Obligations



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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2016 , contains a table that summarizes our obligations and commitments to make specified contractual future cash payments as of July 2, 2016 . Since July 2, 2016 , there have been no material changes to our specified contractual obligations.


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates 

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. These policies require our most subjective or complex judgments, often employing the use of estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors the development and selection of the critical accounting policies and estimates and this related disclosure. Sysco's most critical accounting policies and estimates include those that pertain to the company sponsored pension plans, income taxes, goodwill and intangible assets and share-based compensation, which are described in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2016 . 


Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein that look forward in time or express management's expectations or beliefs with respect to the occurrence of future events are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  They include statements about:


expectations regarding long-term consumer demand;

expectations regarding the earnings per share impact of the Brakes Acquisition, including estimated intangible amortization expense;

expectations regarding future fuel costs;

SYGMA's progress against key business initiatives;

anticipated fuel needs for the remainder of fiscal 2017;

the impact of general economic conditions on our business and our industry;

expectations and goals related to cost per case for our U.S. Broadline companies;

expectations regarding the allocation of cash generated from operations;

Sysco's expectations regarding cash held by international subsidiaries;

the sufficiency of our mechanisms for managing working capital and competitive pressures, and our beliefs regarding the impact of these mechanisms; 

Sysco's ability to meet future cash requirements, including the ability to access debt markets effectively, and maintain sufficient liquidity; 

Sysco's ability to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets;

our expectations regarding the impact of seasonal trends on cash flow from operations and free cash flow;

our strategy and expectations regarding share repurchases; and

expectations related to our forward diesel fuel commitments.

These statements are based on management's current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially due in part to the risk factors set forth below and those discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2016 : 

periods of significant or prolonged inflation or deflation and their impact on our product costs and profitability;

risks related to unfavorable conditions in the U.S. economy and local markets and the impact on our results of operations and financial condition;

the risks related to our efforts to meet our long-term strategic objectives, including the risk that these efforts may not provide the expected benefits in our anticipated time frame, if at all, and may prove costlier than expected; the risk that the actual costs of any initiatives may be greater or less than currently expected; and the risk of adverse


36



effects to us if past and future undertakings and the associated changes to our business do not prove to be cost effective or do not result in the level of cost savings and other benefits that we anticipated;

the impact of unexpected future changes to our business initiatives based on management's subjective evaluation of our overall business needs;

the risk that competition in our industry may adversely impact our margins and our ability to retain customers and make it difficult for us to maintain our market share, growth rate and profitability;

the risk that we may not be able to fully compensate for increases in fuel costs, and forward purchase commitments intended to contain fuel costs could result in above market fuel costs;

the risk of interruption of supplies and increase in product costs as a result of conditions beyond our control;

the potential impact on our reputation and earnings of adverse publicity or lack of confidence in our products;

risks related to unfavorable changes to the mix of locally managed customers versus corporate-managed customers;

the risk that we may not realize anticipated benefits from our operating cost reduction efforts;

difficulties in successfully expanding into international markets and complimentary lines of business;

the potential impact of product liability claims;

the risk that we fail to comply with requirements imposed by applicable law or government regulations;

risks related to our ability to effectively finance and integrate acquired businesses;

our access to borrowed funds in order to grow and any default by us under our indebtedness that could have a material adverse impact on cash flow and liquidity;

our level of indebtedness and the terms of our indebtedness could adversely affect our business and liquidity position;

the risk that the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;

the risk that the results of the referendum on June 23, 2016 in the United Kingdom to exit the European Union, commonly referred to as Brexit, may adversely impact our operations in the United Kingdom, including those of Brakes;

the risk that factors beyond management's control, including fluctuations in the stock market, as well as management's future subjective evaluation of the company's needs, would impact the timing of share repurchases;

due to our reliance on technology, any technology disruption or delay in implementing new technology could have a material negative impact on our business;

the risk that a cybersecurity incident and other technology disruptions could negatively impact our business and our relationships with customers;

the potential requirement to pay material amounts under our multiemployer defined benefit pension plans;

our funding requirements for our company-sponsored qualified pension plan may increase should financial markets experience future declines;

labor issues, including the renegotiation of union contracts and shortage of qualified labor; and

the risk that the anti-takeover benefits provided by our preferred stock may not be viewed as beneficial to stockholders.


For a more detailed discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the risk factors discussion contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2016 . 



37



Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our market risks consist of interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, fuel price risk and investment risk.  For a discussion on our exposure to market risk, see Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2016 . There have been no significant changes to our market risks since July 2, 2016 , except as noted below.


Interest Rate Risk

At  October 1, 2016 , there were $442.8 million commercial paper issuances outstanding. Total debt as of October 1, 2016 was $7.8 billion , of which approximately 65% was at fixed rates of interest, including the impact of our interest rate swap agreements.

Fuel Price Risk

Due to the nature of our distribution business, we are exposed to potential volatility in fuel prices. The price and availability of diesel fuel fluctuates due to changes in production, seasonality and other market factors generally outside of our control. During the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 , fuel costs related to outbound deliveries represented approximately 0.5% of sales in both periods.

We routinely enter into forward purchase commitments for a portion of our projected monthly diesel fuel requirements. As of October 1, 2016 , we had forward diesel fuel commitments totaling approximately $93.7 million through June 2017. These contracts will lock in the price of approximately 50% of our fuel purchase needs for the remainder of fiscal 2017 . Our remaining fuel purchase needs will occur at market rates unless contracted for a fixed price at a later date. 


Foreign Currency Risk


See Note 6 , "Derivative Financial Instruments" , for a discussion of our foreign currency risk hedging.


Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Sysco's management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of October 1, 2016 . The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Sysco's disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of October 1, 2016 , our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, Sysco's disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level. Sysco closed the Acquisition on July 5, 2016, and the Brakes Group's total assets and sales constituted 24.7% and 9.2% , respectively, of Sysco's consolidated total assets and sales as shown on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the 13-weeks ended October 1, 2016. As the Acquisition occurred in the first quarter of 2017, the company excluded the Brakes Groups' internal control over financial reporting from the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. This exclusion is in accordance with the general guidance issued by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that an assessment of a recently-acquired business may be omitted from our scope in the year of acquisition, if specified conditions are satisfied.

     Except as described above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended October 1, 2016, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The Acquisition had a material impact on internal control over financial reporting.  Due to the timing of the Acquisition, we will exclude the internal control over financial reporting of the Brakes Group from our evaluation of internal control over financial reporting of the Company for the year ending July 1, 2017.  This exclusion is in accordance with general guidance issued by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that an assessment of a recent business acquisition may be omitted from management's report on internal control over financial reporting in the first year of consolidating an acquired business, if specified conditions are satisfied.



38



PART II – OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.  Legal Proceedings 

None


Item 1A.  Risk Factors 

The information set forth in this report should be read in conjunction with the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 2, 2016 .



Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 

We made the following share repurchases during the first quarter of fiscal 2017 :


ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Period

(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)

(b) Average Price Paid per Share

(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

(d) Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

Month #1

July 3 - July 30

3,092,496


$

51.72


3,092,496


6,907,504


Month #2


July 31 - August 27

3,850,454


51.95


3,848,689


4,392,997


Month #3


August 28 - October 1

4,113,661


51.09


4,112,417


4,392,997


Total

11,056,611


$

51.58


11,053,602


4,392,997


(1) The total number of shares purchased includes zero , 1,765 and 1,244 shares tendered by individuals in connection with stock option exercises in Month #1 , Month #2 and Month #3 , respectively.   

We routinely engage in share repurchase programs.  In June 2015, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program to repurchase, from time to time in the open market, through an accelerated share repurchase program or through privately negotiated transactions, shares of the company's common stock in an amount not to exceed $3.0 billion during the two-year period ending July 1, 2017, in addition to amounts normally repurchased to offset benefit plan and stock option dilution.  This share repurchase program was approved using a dollar value limit and, therefore, is not included in the table above for "Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs." In addition,, in August 2015, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 20,000,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $800 million . The authorization expires on August 21, 2017.


We purchased 11.1 million shares during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, resulting in a remaining authorization under both programs of approximately $1.3 billion . There were no shares repurchased in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. We purchased 2.7 million additional shares under these authorizations through October 21, 2016. The number of shares we repurchase during the remainder of fiscal 2017 will be dependent on many factors, including the level of future stock option exercises, as well as competing uses for available cash.



Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities 

None 



39



Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not applicable 


Item 5.  Other Information 

None 


Item 6.  Exhibits 

The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such exhibits, which is incorporated herein by reference, are filed or furnished as a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 

Sysco Corporation

(Registrant)


By

/s/ WILLIAM J. DELANEY

William J. DeLaney

Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 7, 2016



By

/s/ JOEL T. GRADE


Joel T. Grade


Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 7, 2016





41



EXHIBIT INDEX 

3.1

-

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997 (File No. 1-6544).

3.2

-

Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation increasing authorized shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(e) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2003 (File No. 1-6544).

3.3

-

Form of Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 29, 1996 (File No. 1-6544).

10.1#†

-

Sysco Corporation Fiscal 2017 Management Incentive Program (MIP) For Corporate MIP Bonus-eligible Positions adopted effective August 25, 2016.


10.2#†

-

Form of Performance Share Unit Grant Agreement (Fiscal Year 2017) for executive officers under the Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

10.3#†

-

Form of Stock Option Grant Agreement (Fiscal Year 2017) for executive officers under the Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

10.4#†

-

Form of Sysco Protective Covenants Agreement applicable to executive officers in connection with Stock Options and Performance Share Units issued under the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

12.1#

-

Statement regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

15.1#

-

Review Report from Ernst & Young LLP dated November 7, 2016, re: unaudited financial statements.

15.2#

-

Acknowledgment letter from Ernst & Young LLP.

31.1#

-

CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2#

-

CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1#

-

CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2#

-

CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.1#

-

The following financial information from Sysco Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2016 filed with the SEC on November 7, 2016, formatted in XBRL includes:  (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 1, 2016, July 2, 2016 and September 26, 2015, (ii) Consolidated Results of Operations for the thirteen week period ended October 1, 2016 and September 26, 2015, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the thirteen week period ended October 1, 2016 and September 26, 2015, (iv) Consolidated Cash Flows for the thirteen week period ended October 1, 2016 and September 26, 2015, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


___________ 

† Executive Compensation Arrangement pursuant to 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K

# Filed herewith


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