UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________
Form 10-Q
(Mark One) 
þQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 30, 2017March 31, 2018
OR
¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 1-6544
________________
 syy-logoa11.jpg
Sysco Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware74-1648137
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(IRS employer identification number)
  
1390 Enclave Parkway 
Houston, Texas77077-2099
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

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, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer  þ
 
Accelerated Filer ¨
Non-accelerated Filer ¨
 
Smaller Reporting Company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) 
Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   
Yes ☐     No ☑

521,918,747520,988,380 shares of common stock were outstanding as of January 19,April 20, 2018.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
 PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATIONPage No.
 PART II – OTHER INFORMATION 
   
 


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except for share data)
Dec. 30, 2017 Jul. 1, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Jul. 1, 2017 Apr. 1, 2017
(unaudited)  
 (unaudited)(unaudited)  
 (unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets 
  
  
 
  
  
Cash and cash equivalents$961,067
 $869,502
 $847,292
$901,551
 $869,502
 $855,133
Accounts and notes receivable, less allowances of
$52,588, $31,059, and $48,612
3,953,643
 4,012,393
 3,963,458
Accounts and notes receivable, less allowances of
$65,647, $31,059, and $56,525
4,227,743
 4,012,393
 4,282,038
Inventories, net3,174,012
 2,995,598
 3,031,548
3,259,771
 2,995,598
 2,944,327
Prepaid expenses and other current assets183,446
 139,185
 142,319
231,064
 139,185
 139,298
Income tax receivable
 16,760
 26,589
95,742
 16,760
 104,765
Total current assets8,272,168
 8,033,438
 8,011,206
8,715,871
 8,033,438
 8,325,561
Plant and equipment at cost, less depreciation4,366,292
 4,377,302
 4,331,129
4,392,158
 4,377,302
 4,271,707
Long-term assets     
Other long-term assets     
Goodwill4,001,020
 3,916,128
 3,714,355
4,066,186
 3,916,128
 3,767,906
Intangibles, less amortization1,056,335
 1,037,511
 1,094,927
1,056,068
 1,037,511
 1,085,946
Deferred income taxes92,950
 142,472
 193,663
4,289
 142,472
 190,145
Other assets430,605
 249,804
 284,786
394,570
 249,804
 279,635
Total long-term assets5,580,910
 5,345,915
 5,287,731
Total other long-term assets5,521,113
 5,345,915
 5,323,632
Total assets$18,219,370
 $17,756,655
 $17,630,066
$18,629,142
 $17,756,655
 $17,920,900
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITYLIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities 
  
  
 
  
  
Notes payable$6,629
 $3,938
 $22,600
$6,606
 $3,938
 $24,676
Accounts payable3,745,817
 3,971,112
 3,549,554
4,235,856
 3,971,112
 3,849,670
Accrued expenses1,567,362
 1,576,221
 1,471,195
1,515,682
 1,576,221
 1,328,773
Accrued income taxes128,446
 14,540
 

 14,540
 
Current maturities of long-term debt534,716
 530,075
 8,937
288,055
 530,075
 526,691
Total current liabilities5,982,970
 6,095,886
 5,052,286
6,046,199
 6,095,886
 5,729,810
Long-term liabilities 
  
  
 
  
  
Long-term debt8,312,489
 7,660,877
 8,313,651
8,835,156
 7,660,877
 8,026,617
Deferred income taxes143,794
 161,715
 175,795
161,193
 161,715
 185,178
Other long-term liabilities1,477,991
 1,373,822
 1,533,390
1,199,472
 1,373,822
 1,568,523
Total long-term liabilities9,934,274
 9,196,414
 10,022,836
10,195,821
 9,196,414
 9,780,318
Commitments and contingencies

 

 



 

 

Noncontrolling interests33,524
 82,839
 78,905
35,909
 82,839
 80,244
Shareholders’ equity 
  
  
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
765,175
 765,175
 765,175
Paid-in capital1,361,471
 1,327,366
 1,320,068
1,357,399
 1,327,366
 1,307,914
Retained earnings9,708,261
 9,447,755
 9,256,137
9,850,739
 9,447,755
 9,317,377
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(1,116,028) (1,262,737) (1,582,596)(1,075,484) (1,262,737) (1,505,437)
Treasury stock at cost, 243,764,879,
235,135,699 and 224,792,348 shares
(8,450,277) (7,896,043) (7,282,745)
Total shareholders’ equity2,268,602
 2,381,516
 2,476,039
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$18,219,370
 $17,756,655
 $17,630,066
Treasury stock at cost, 244,419,011,
235,135,699 and 229,075,540 shares
(8,546,616) (7,896,043) (7,554,501)
Total shareholders' equity2,351,213
 2,381,516
 2,330,528
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$18,629,142
 $17,756,655
 $17,920,900
Note: The July 1, 2017 balance sheet has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
13-Week Period Ended 26-Week Period Ended13-Week Period Ended 39-Week Period Ended
Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017 Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017
Sales$14,411,490
 $13,457,268
 $29,061,914
 $27,425,922
$14,349,504
 $13,524,172
 $43,411,418
 $40,950,094
Cost of sales11,712,104
 10,885,405
 23,568,860
 22,162,140
11,673,876
 10,990,037
 35,242,736
 33,152,177
Gross profit2,699,386
 2,571,863
 5,493,054
 5,263,782
2,675,628
 2,534,135
 8,168,682
 7,797,917
Operating expenses2,167,104
 2,079,446
 4,337,680
 4,204,532
2,189,695
 2,098,173
 6,527,375
 6,302,705
Operating income532,282
 492,417
 1,155,374
 1,059,250
485,933
 435,962
 1,641,307
 1,495,212
Interest expense85,986
 72,231
 166,870
 145,854
136,145
 81,004
 303,015
 226,858
Other expense (income), net(5,432) (2,320) (9,680) (9,536)(15,096) (4,815) (24,776) (14,351)
Earnings before income taxes451,728
 422,506
 998,184
 922,932
364,884
 359,773
 1,363,068
 1,282,705
Income taxes167,615
 147,339
 346,431
 323,878
34,799
 121,495
 381,230
 445,373
Net earnings$284,113
 $275,167
 $651,753
 $599,054
$330,085
 $238,278
 $981,838
 $837,332
              
Net earnings: 
  
     
  
    
Basic earnings per share$0.55
 $0.50
 $1.24
 $1.09
$0.63
 $0.44
 $1.88
 $1.53
Diluted earnings per share0.54
 0.50
 1.23
 1.08
0.63
 0.44
 1.85
 1.52
              
Average shares outstanding521,284,182
 545,132,762
 524,286,931
 550,285,268
521,832,671
 539,291,561
 523,468,845
 546,619,776
Diluted shares outstanding527,249,587
 550,372,067
 530,156,510
 555,663,073
527,990,563
 544,068,915
 529,434,527
 551,797,431
Dividends declared per common share$0.36
 $0.33
 $0.69
 $0.64
$0.36
 $0.33
 $1.05
 $0.97

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
13-Week Period Ended 26-Week Period Ended13-Week Period Ended 39-Week Period Ended
Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017 Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017
Net earnings$284,113
 $275,167
 $651,753
 $599,054
$330,085
 $238,278
 $981,838
 $837,332
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Foreign currency translation adjustment19,254
 (202,195) 140,584
 (279,683)72,010
 89,799
 212,594
 (189,884)
Items presented net of tax: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Amortization of cash flow hedges2,155
 1,770
 3,925
 3,540
2,155
 1,770
 6,080
 5,310
Change in net investment hedges(4,153) 37,326
 (16,177) 25,261
(31,526) (16,464) (47,703) 8,797
Change in cash flow hedges917
 7,873
 3,118
 7,554
(10,473) (4,711) (7,355) 2,843
Amortization of prior service cost1,807
 1,752
 3,291
 3,504
1,807
 1,752
 5,098
 5,256
Amortization of actuarial loss, net6,571
 5,818
 11,968
 15,346
6,571
 5,013
 18,539
 20,359
Total other comprehensive income (loss)26,551
 (147,656) 146,709
 (224,478)40,544
 77,159
 187,253
 (147,319)
Comprehensive income$310,664
 $127,511
 $798,462
 $374,576
$370,629
 $315,437
 $1,169,091
 $690,013

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
26-Week Period Ended39-Week Period Ended
Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities: 
  
 
  
Net earnings$651,753
 $599,054
$981,838
 $837,332
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities: 
  
 
  
Share-based compensation expense51,612
 42,758
72,742
 65,560
Depreciation and amortization370,316
 448,959
563,732
 667,275
Amortization of debt issuance and other debt-related costs14,395
 13,143
21,095
 25,156
Loss on extinguishment of debt53,104
 
Deferred income taxes37,005
 (18,313)142,242
 (40,286)
Provision for losses on receivables20,151
 7,936
32,387
 19,255
Other non-cash items12,986
 663
3,325
 (338)
Additional changes in certain assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses acquired: 
  
 
  
Decrease in receivables99,713
 24,509
(Increase) in receivables(157,355) (292,530)
(Increase) in inventories(133,374) (175,184)(202,779) (80,660)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets(33,484) 1,491
(27,301) 5,827
(Decrease) in accounts payable(286,899) (51,381)
Increase in accounts payable111,888
 318,760
(Decrease) in accrued expenses(21,802) (132,348)(65,993) (229,925)
Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes120,397
 (116,560)
(Decrease) in accrued income taxes(100,131) (182,089)
(Increase) in other assets(29,508) (32,751)(46,671) (42,669)
Increase in other long-term liabilities59,943
 27,425
(Decrease) increase in other long-term liabilities(257,936) 11,756
Net cash provided by operating activities933,204
 639,401
1,124,187
 1,082,424
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
 
  
Additions to plant and equipment(258,577) (285,692)(372,612) (413,776)
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment3,878
 11,639
16,910
 19,091
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired(147,644) (2,910,461)(203,608) (2,910,461)
Net cash used for investing activities(402,343) (3,184,514)
Net cash (used for) investing activities(559,310) (3,305,146)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  
 
  
Bank and commercial paper borrowings (repayments), net630,265
 999,579
Bank and commercial paper borrowings, net638,300
 1,286,452
Other debt borrowings5,465
 30,939
1,005,490
 2,010
Other debt repayments(10,368) (118,631)(538,967) (146,780)
Tender and redemption premiums for senior notes(281,762) 
Debt issuance costs(651) (5,094)(7,081) (5,094)
Proceeds from stock option exercises172,298
 113,921
238,392
 175,332
Cash paid for shares withheld to cover taxes(9,485) (13,298)(20,664) (23,652)
Treasury stock purchases(750,532) (1,180,313)(910,966) (1,531,074)
Dividends paid(346,920) (343,385)(534,741) (521,806)
Net cash (used for) financing activities(309,928) (516,282)(411,999) (764,612)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents23,510
 (10,613)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents244,443
 (3,072,008)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period869,502
 3,919,300
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$1,113,945
 $847,292
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash24,745
 (76,833)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash177,623
 (3,064,167)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period869,502
 3,919,300
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$1,047,125
 $855,133
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: 
  
 
  
Cash paid during the period for: 
  
 
  
Interest$136,279
 $128,887
$226,882
 $263,421
Income taxes75,841
 459,681
218,059
 673,076

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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 1, 2017 consolidated balance sheet, which was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2017 (our 2017 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.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2017 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.

Reclassifications

Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform withto the current year presentation.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table sets forth the company’s reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:
Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$961,067
 $847,292
$901,551
 $855,133
Restricted cash (1)
152,878
 
145,574
 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows$1,113,945
 $847,292
$1,047,125
 $855,133

(1) Restricted cash as of December 30, 2017March 31, 2018 primarily represents cash and cash equivalents of Sysco’s wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary, formed in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, restricted for use to secure the insurer’s obligations for workers’ compensation, general liability and auto liability programs. In addition, the restricted cash balance includes cash related to acquisitions that is held in escrow until certain obligations are met. Restricted cash is primarily located within other assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2017.March 31, 2018, with a lesser amount reported in other current assets.

2. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING

Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax CutCuts and Jobs Act

On December 22, 2017, the United States (U.S.) government enacted comprehensive tax legislation, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Tax Act). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that will affect the company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax CutCuts and Jobs Act (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (ASC 740). In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete, but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in its financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements,


it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act. Sysco has implemented SAB 118 and has provided required disclosures in Note 11, “Income Taxes,Taxes.




Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging, which expands and refines hedge accounting for both financial and non-financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and hedge items in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. Sysco has early adopted the standard using the modified retrospective approach to existing hedging relationships as of the second quarter of fiscal 2018, rather than in fiscal 2020 as required by the ASU. Sysco believes that an early adoption of the hedging standard will provide a better alignment between risk management activities and hedge accounting, and reduce total cost of ownership of the risk management program. All transition requirements have been applied to hedging relationships existing on the date of adoption and the effect of the adoption is reflected as of the beginning of fiscal 2018. The cumulative effect of the accounting change on the opening balance of retained earnings was immaterial to Sysco’s consolidated balance sheet. All required disclosures under ASU 2017-12 have been made in Note 6, "Derivative“Derivative Financial Instruments."

Restricted Cash

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash (Topic 230). The ASU clarifies the presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling between the beginning and ending cash balances on the statement of cash flows. We have retrospectively adopted the standard in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, which iswas one year earlier than required. The adoption increases the ending cash balance within our statement of cash flows by the aggregate amount of our restricted cash balances and requires a new disclosure to reconcile the cash balances within our statement of cash flows to the balance sheets. See Supplemental Cash Flow Information within Note 1, “Basis of Presentation.” There were no material restricted cash balances in prior periods, and, therefore, there is no material impact to amounts reported for prior periods due to the retrospective adoption of this ASU.

Stock Compensation

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718). The ASU identifies areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows. The company elected to maintain the current policy to estimate forfeitures expected to occur to determine stock-based compensation expense. Further, the company adopted the provisions that have changed its accounting for excess tax benefits, or detriments. Excess tax benefits, or detriments, were previously included within additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheet and were a part of the diluted share calculation. With the adoption of ASU 2016-09 on a prospective basis, excess tax benefits, or detriments, are included within income tax expense in the consolidated results of operations and are no longer a part of the diluted share calculation. In the secondthird quarter and the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, the company recognized excess tax benefits of $14.8$14.9 million and $30.8$45.7 million from stock option exercises and restricted stock unit vestings that occurred during the respective periods.

The standard also requires several presentation changes with regard to the statement of cash flows. Cash flows related to excess tax benefits or detriments are included in net cash provided by operating activities, rather than as a financing activity. Sysco chose a retrospective application of this provision; therefore, amounts presented for fiscal 2017 reflect the guidance required by this ASU. The standard further requires that cash paid by an employer, when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes, should be classified as a financing activity and applied retrospectively. Cash payments of $9.5$20.7 million and $13.3$23.7 million to tax authorities in connection with shares withheld to meet statutory income tax withholding requirements are presented as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amendments also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has


the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary.  The company early adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

3.  NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Reporting Comprehensive Income

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), to allow a reclassification from accumulated comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act. The amendments in this update eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act; however, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, 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), and has issued subsequent amendments to this guidance. This new standard will replace all current 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. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods within new fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which is fiscal 2019 for Sysco, and could be early adopted in fiscal 2018.Sysco. The standard may be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.

As of the end of the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018, the company was nearing the completion of its assessment of the accounting required under Topic 606 and is completing its documentation of these conclusions. Based on the work completed to date, Sysco does not expect that the implementation of the new standard will have a material effect on the company’s financial statements. The company will continue its assessment and will adopt the standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and expects to use the modified retrospective method. Enhanced disclosures, including revenue recognition policies to identify performance obligations to customers and significant judgments in measurement and recognition, are required.

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. Topic 842 currently requires lessees and lessors to 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.

4.  ACQUISITIONS

During the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, the company paid cash of $147.6$203.6 million for acquisitions. These acquisitions did not have a material effect on the company’s operating results, cash flows or financial position. Certain 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 December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, aggregate contingent consideration outstanding was $20.2$13.1 million, of which $9.0$9.7 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 Brakes Acquisition). The company paid cash of $2.9 billion, net of cash acquired, for the Brakes Acquisition. Following the closing of the Brakes Acquisition, the Brakes Group became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sysco.

The Brakes Group is a large European foodservice business supplying fresh, refrigerated and frozen food products, as well as non-food products and supplies, to 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’s largest businesses are in the U.K.United Kingdom (U.K.), France, and Sweden, in addition to a presence in Ireland, Belgium, Spain and Luxembourg.



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 cash deposits, 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.

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

Cash deposits included in cash equivalents are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. These are included within cash equivalents as a Level 1 measurement in the tables below.
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 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.
The foreign currency swap agreements, including cross-currency swaps, 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.
Foreign currency forwards are valued based on exchange rates quoted by domestic and foreign banks for similar instruments.
Fuel swap contracts are valued based on observable market transactions of forward commodity prices.

The fair value of the company’s derivative instruments are all measured using inputs that are considered a Level 2 measurement, as they are not actively traded and are valued using pricing models that use observable market quotations. The location and the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities designated as hedges in the consolidated balance sheet are disclosed in Note 6, "Derivative“Derivative Financial Instruments."



The following tables present the company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016:April 1, 2017:
Assets Measured at Fair Value as of Dec. 30, 2017Assets Measured at Fair Value as of Mar. 31, 2018
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Assets:              
Cash equivalents     �� 
Cash and cash equivalents       $384,528
 $49,190
 $
 $433,718
Cash equivalents$241,071
 $43,191
 $
 $284,262
Other assets145,734
 7,143
 

 152,877
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1)
43,364
 
 
 43,364
Other assets (1)
102,211
 
 
 102,211
Total assets at fair value$386,805
 $50,334
 $
 $437,139
$530,103
 $49,190
 $
 $579,293



(1) Represents restricted cash balances recorded within other current assets and other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
Assets Measured at Fair Value as of Jul. 1, 2017Assets Measured at Fair Value as of Jul. 1, 2017
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Assets:              
Cash equivalents       
Cash and cash equivalents       $238,954
 $49,430
 $
 $288,384
Cash equivalents$238,954
 $49,430
 $
 $288,384
Total assets at fair value$238,954
 $49,430
 $
 $288,384
$238,954
 $49,430
 $
 $288,384
 

Assets Measured at Fair Value as of Dec. 31, 2016Assets Measured at Fair Value as of Apr. 1, 2017
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Assets:              
Cash equivalents 
  
  
  
Cash and cash equivalents 
  
  
  
$91
 $44,270
 $
 $44,361
Cash equivalents$11,500
 $43,270
 $
 $54,770
Total assets at fair value$11,500
 $43,270
 $
 $54,770
$91
 $44,270
 $
 $44,361

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 issues or on the current rates offered to the company for new debt with the same maturities as existing debt, and is considered a Level 2 measurement.  The fair value of total debt was approximately $9.29.3 billion, $8.6 billion and $8.6$8.9 billion as of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016,April 1, 2017, respectively.  The carrying value of total debt was $8.9$9.1 billion, $8.2 billion and $8.3$8.6 billion as of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016,April 1, 2017, respectively.

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 strategies are used to manage interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and fuel price risk.

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. In March 2018, the company entered into an interest rate swap agreement that effectively converted $500.0 million of fixed rate debt maturing in 2025 to floating rate debt.



Hedging of foreign currency risk

In fiscal 2017, Sysco entered into cross-currency swap contracts to hedge the foreign currency transaction risk of certain pound sterling-denominated intercompany loans. There are no credit-risk related contingent features associated with these swaps, which have been designated as cash flow hedges. The company has also entered into cross-currency swap contracts and Euro-bond denominated debt that hedge the foreign currency exposure of our net investment in certain foreign operations. Additionally, Sysco’s operations in the U.K. and Sweden have inventory purchases denominated in currencies other than their functional currency, such as the Euro, U.S. dollar, Polish zloty and Danish krone. These inventory purchases give rise to foreign currency exposure between the functional currency of each entity 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.

Sysco uses certain foreign currency contracts to hedge the effects of fluctuations in exchange rates on outstanding intercompany loans. The company does not formally designate and document such derivative instruments as hedging instruments; however, the instruments are an effective economic hedge of the underlying foreign currency exposure. Both the gain or loss on the derivative instrument and the offsetting gain or loss on the underlying intercompany loans are recognized in earnings immediately, thereby eliminating or reducing the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on net earnings.

Hedging of fuel price risk



In fiscal 2017, Sysco began utilizing fuel commodity swap contracts to hedge against the risk of the change in the price of diesel on anticipated future purchases. These swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges.

None of these hedging instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features. Details of outstanding hedging instruments as of December 30, 2017March 31, 2018 are below:
Maturity Date of the Hedging Instrument Currency / Unit of Measure Notional Value
    (In millions)
Hedging of interest rate risk    
February 2018U.S. Dollar500
April 2019 U.S. Dollar 500
October 2020 U.S. Dollar 750
July 2021U.S. Dollar500
March 2025 U.S. Dollar 500
     
Hedging of foreign currency risk (1)
    
July 2021 British Pound Sterling 234
August 2021 
British Pound Sterling

 466
June 2023 Euro 500
     
Hedging of fuel risk
    
Various (January(April 2018 to November 2018)January 2019) Gallons 4441

(1)
Foreign currency forward contracts used to hedge against foreign exchange exposures related to inventory purchases are not material to Sysco’s overall hedging portfolio.
(1) Foreign currency forward contracts used to hedge against foreign exchange exposures related to inventory purchases are not material to Sysco’s overall hedging portfolio.


The location and the fair value of derivative instruments designated as hedges in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016April 1, 2017 are as follows:
 Derivative Fair Value Derivative Fair Value
Balance Sheet location Dec. 30, 2017 Jul. 1, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Balance Sheet location Mar. 31, 2018 Jul. 1, 2017 Apr. 1, 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Fair Value Hedges:            
Interest rate swapsOther current assets $118
 $707
 $
Other current assets $
 $707
 $659
Interest rate swapsOther assets 
 
 1,149
Other assets 1,800
 
 
Interest rate swapsOther long-term liabilities 33,003
 21,390
 25,391
Other long-term liabilities 49,256
 21,390
 28,062
            
Cash Flow Hedges:            
Fuel swapsOther current assets $13,678
 $717
 $3,950
Other current assets $12,381
 $717
 $
Foreign currency forwardsOther current assets 555
 
 
Other current assets 533
 
 
Fuel swapsOther assets 
 
 831
Cross currency swapsOther assets 
 
 9,027
Other assets 
 
 4,211
Fuel swapsOther current liabilities 
 6,320
 
Other current liabilities 
 6,160
 
Foreign currency forwardsOther current liabilities 351
 154
 1,048
Other current liabilities 88
 154
 
Foreign currency forwardsOther long-term liabilities 
 
 431
Fuel swapsOther long-term liabilities 
 160
 
Cross currency swapsOther long-term liabilities 21,310
 5,816
 
Other long-term liabilities 34,690
 5,816
 
            
Net Investment Hedges:            
Foreign currency swapsOther assets $7,822
 $
 $28,395
Other assets $7,946
 $
 $26,691
Foreign currency swapsOther long-term liabilities 48,087
 12,308
 15,915
Other long-term liabilities 71,784
 12,308
 22,693
Foreign denominated debtLong-term debt 600,050
 571,450
 525,950
Long-term debt 616,450
 571,450
 532,750



The location and amount of gains or losses recognized in the consolidated results of operations for fair value and cash flow hedging relationships for each of the periods, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:

 13-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017 13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 Cost of Goods Sold Operating Expense Interest Expense Cost of Goods Sold Operating Expense Interest Expense
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the consolidated results of operations in which the effects of fair value or cash flow hedges are recorded $11,712,104
 $2,167,104
 $85,986
 $11,673,876
 $2,189,695
 $136,145
Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:            
Interest rate swaps:            
Hedged items (1)
 $
 $
 $(7,515) $
 $
 $419
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments 
 
 (9,942) 
 
 (15,740)
Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships:            
Fuel swaps:            
Gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income $
 $1,814
 $
 $
 $4,438
 $
Foreign currency contracts:            
Gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income $525
 $
 $
 $348
 $
 $
Interest rate swaps:            
Gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (2)
 $
 $
 $(2,873) $
 $
 $(2,873)

(1) The hedged total includes interest expense of $17,078 and change in fair value of debt of $9,563.

(2) Losses reclassified from AOCI into income represent amortization of losses on forward starting interest rate swap agreements that were previously settled.
(1)
The hedged total includes interest expense of $13.6 million and change in fair value of debt of $14.1 million.
(2)
Losses reclassified from AOCI into income represent amortization of losses on forward starting interest rate swap agreements that were previously settled.
 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017 39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 Cost of Goods Sold Operating Expense Interest Expense Cost of Goods Sold Operating Expense Interest Expense
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the consolidated results of operations in which the effects of fair value or cash flow hedges are recorded $23,568,860
 $4,337,680
 $166,870
 $35,242,736
 $6,527,375
 $303,015
Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:            
Interest contracts:            
Hedged items (1)
 $
 $
 $(22,745) $
 $
 $(22,325)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments 
 
 (10,989) 
 
 (26,729)
Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships:            
Fuel swaps:            
Gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income $
 $1,658
 $
 $
 $5,679
 $
Foreign currency contracts:            
Gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income $834
 $
 $
 $1,178
 $
 $
Interest contracts:            
Gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (2)
 $
 $
 $(5,746) $
 $
 $(8,619)

(1) The hedged total includes interest expense of $34,156 and change in fair value of debt of $11,411.

(2) Losses reclassified from AOCI into income represent amortization of losses on forward starting interest rate swap agreements that were previously settled.
(1)
The hedged total includes interest expense of $47.8 million and change in fair value of debt of $25.5 million.
(2)
Losses reclassified from AOCI into income represent amortization of losses on forward starting interest rate swap agreements that were previously settled.



The location and effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated results of operations for the 13-week period ended December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
13-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 201713-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on DerivativesLocation of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:(In thousands)(In thousands)
Foreign currency contractsOther expense (income) $(2,516)Other expense (income) $(6,743)

The location and effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated results of operations for the 26-week39-week period ended December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 201739-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on DerivativesLocation of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:(In thousands)(In thousands)
Foreign currency contractsOther expense (income) $(2,280)Other expense (income) $(8,859)

The location and effect of cash flow and net investment hedge accounting on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the 13-week period ended December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
13-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 201713-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into IncomeAmount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income

(In thousands) (In thousands)(In thousands) (In thousands)
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:      
Fuel swaps$8,505
 Operating income $1,814
$(1,195) Operating income $4,438
Foreign currency contracts6,331
 Cost of goods sold 525
(12,875) Cost of goods sold 348
Total$14,836
 $2,339
$(14,070) $4,786
      
Derivatives in net investment hedging relationships:      
Foreign currency contracts$(12,063) Other expense (income) $
$(24,420) Other expense (income) $
Foreign denominated debt(9,450) Other expense (income) 
(16,400) Other expense (income) 
Total$(21,513) $
$(40,820) $



The location and effect of cash flow and net investment hedge accounting on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the 26-week39-week period ended December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 201739-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into IncomeAmount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income

(In thousands) (In thousands)(In thousands) (In thousands)
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:      
Fuel swaps$19,706
 Operating income $1,658
$18,855
 Operating income $5,679
Foreign currency contracts(15,462) Cost of goods sold 834
(27,450) Cost of goods sold 1,178
Total$4,244
 $2,492
$(8,595) $6,857
      
Derivatives in net investment hedging relationships:      
Foreign currency contracts$(27,957) Other expense (income) $
$(56,580) Other expense (income) $
Foreign denominated debt(28,600) Other expense (income) 
(45,000) Other expense (income) 
Total$(56,557) $
$(101,580) $

The location and carrying amount of hedged liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2017March 31, 2018 are as follows:
Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 30, 2017Mar. 31, 2018 Mar. 31, 2018
Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities) Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities)Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities) Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets (Liabilities)
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Balance sheet location:      
Current maturities of long-term debt$(499,960) $
Long-term debt(1,747,194) 18,282
$(2,242,904) $45,030

As of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the total notional amount of Sysco’s pay-fixed/receivable-variable interest rate swaps was $2.3 billion.

The location and effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items on the consolidated results of operations for the 13-week period ending December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
13-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 201713-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
Location of (Gain) or Loss
Recognized
(1)
 Amount of (Gain) or Loss
Recognized
Location of (Gain) or Loss
Recognized
(1)
 Amount of (Gain) or Loss
Recognized
  (In thousands)  (In thousands)
Fair Value Hedge Relationships:      
Interest rate swap agreements (1)
Interest expense $379
Interest expense $1,690

(1)
(1) The effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items that are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) are disclosed in Note 9, “Other Comprehensive Income.”



The location and effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items on the consolidated results of operations for the 26-week period ending December 30, 2017, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017
 
Location of (Gain) or Loss
Recognized
(1)
 Amount of (Gain) or Loss
Recognized
   (In thousands)
Fair Value Hedge Relationships:   
Interest rate swap agreements (1)
Interest expense $(422)

(1)The effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items that are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) are disclosed in Note 9, “Other Comprehensive Income.”



The location and effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items on the consolidated results of operations for the 39-week period ending March 31, 2018, presented on a pretax basis, are as follows:
 39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 
Location of (Gain) or Loss
Recognized
(1)
 Amount of (Gain) or Loss
Recognized
   (In thousands)
Fair Value Hedge Relationships:   
Interest rate swap agreements (1)
Interest expense $1,268

(1)
The effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items that are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) are disclosed in Note 9, “Other Comprehensive Income.”

7.  DEBT

Sysco has a commercial paper program allowing the company to issue short-term unsecured notes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2.0 billion. As of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, there was $750.0$758.0 million in commercial paper issuances outstanding. Any outstanding amounts are classified within long-term debt, as the program is supported by a long-term revolving credit facility. During the first 2639 weeks of 2018, aggregate outstanding commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings ranged from $254.5 million to approximately $1.2$1.5 billion.

Senior notes offering

On March 19, 2018, Sysco issued senior notes (the Notes) totaling $1.0 billion. Details of the Notes are as follows:
Maturity Date 
Par Value
(in millions)
 Coupon Rate 
Pricing
(percentage of par)
March 15, 2025 (the 2025 Notes) $500
 3.55% 99.480%
March 15, 2048 (the 2048 Notes) 500
 4.45
 99.378

The Notes initially are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Sysco’s direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries that guarantee Sysco’s other senior notes issued under the indenture governing the Notes or any of Sysco’s other indebtedness. Interest on the Notes will be paid semi-annually on March 15 and September 15, beginning September 15, 2018. At Sysco’s option, any or all of the Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity. If Sysco elects to redeem (i) the 2025 Notes before the date that is two months prior to the maturity date or (ii) the 2048 Notes before the date that is 6 months prior to the maturity date, Sysco will pay an amount equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed. If Sysco elects to redeem a series of Notes on or after the applicable date described in the preceding sentence, Sysco will pay an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed. Sysco will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes redeemed to the redemption date.

Sysco used $330 million of the net proceeds from the offering to fund its company-sponsored tax-qualified U.S. pension plan (the Pension Plan). The Pension Plan’s funded status allows Sysco to set an investment strategy that more closely aligns the duration of the Pension Plan’s assets with the duration of its liabilities. The strategy will result in an asset portfolio that more closely matches the behavior of the liability, thereby reducing the volatility of the Pension Plan’s funded status.

Senior notes and debentures redemption related to the tender offer

Sysco used a portion of the net proceeds of the offering to fund the purchase, pursuant to a tender offer, of $230.5 million in combined aggregate principal amount of the following securities: its 7.160% debentures due 2027, its 6.500% debentures due 2028, its 5.375% senior notes due 2035 and its 6.625% senior notes due 2039. Holders of securities received an early tender payment of $50 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. Holders of such securities also received accrued and unpaid interest from, and including, the last interest payment date for their tendered securities, but not including, the early settlement date, which was March 23, 2018. The tender offer transaction was considered to be a debt extinguishment. As such, Sysco recognized a loss on extinguishment of $53.1 million, which was recorded as a component of interest expense in the accompanying consolidated results of operations. Of this loss, $51.2 million was attributable to the purchase premium paid to the lenders, $1.1 million was attributable to the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the redeemed debentures and notes, and $0.8 million was attributable to an accelerated charge on the debt discount related to these debentures and notes.



Details of the debentures and senior notes purchased are as follows:
Maturity Date Par Value Coupon Rate Principal amount tendered Remaining Par Value after tender offer Cash amount paid (including interest)
  (Dollars in millions)
April 15, 2027 $50
 7.160% $5.7
 $44.3
 $7.4
August 1, 2028 225
 6.500
 61.9
 163.1
 77.3
September 21, 2035 500
 5.375
 115.9
 384.1
 134.3
March 17, 2039 250
 6.625
 47.0
 203.0
 63.7

The remaining net proceeds from the offering were used to repay outstanding borrowings under Sysco’s commercial paper program and for other general corporate purposes.

In February 2018, Sysco repaid 5.25% senior notes totaling $500.0 million at maturity utilizing commercial paper borrowings.

8.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
13-Week Period Ended 26-Week Period Ended13-Week Period Ended 39-Week Period Ended
Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017 Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017
(In thousands, except for share
and per share data)
 (In thousands, except for share
and per share data)
(In thousands, except for share
and per share data)
 (In thousands, except for share
and per share data)
Numerator:              
Net earnings$284,113
 $275,167
 $651,753
 $599,054
$330,085
 $238,278
 $981,838
 $837,332
Denominator: 
  
     
  
    
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding521,284,182
 545,132,762
 524,286,931
 550,285,268
521,832,671
 539,291,561
 523,468,845
 546,619,776
Dilutive effect of share-based awards5,965,405
 5,239,305
 5,869,579
 5,377,805
6,157,892
 4,777,354
 5,965,682
 5,177,655
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding527,249,587
 550,372,067
 530,156,510
 555,663,073
527,990,563
 544,068,915
 529,434,527
 551,797,431
Basic earnings per share$0.55
 $0.50
 $1.24
 $1.09
$0.63
 $0.44
 $1.88
 $1.53
Diluted earnings per share$0.54
 $0.50
 $1.23
 $1.08
$0.63
 $0.44
 $1.85
 $1.52

The number of optionssecurities that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was approximately 2,749,00025,000 and 4,900,0003,065,000 for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. The number of optionssecurities that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was approximately 4,594,0003,071,000 and 3,500,0003,349,000 for the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

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 $310.7$370.6 million and $127.5$315.4 million for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. Comprehensive income was $798.5 million$1.2 billion and $374.6$690.0 million for the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, 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 Dec. 30, 2017  13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 Tax 
Net of Tax
Amount
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 Tax 
Net of Tax
Amount
  (In thousands)  (In thousands)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:   
  
  
   
  
  
Reclassification adjustments:   
  
  
   
  
  
Amortization of prior service costOperating expenses $2,409
 $602
 $1,807
Operating expenses $2,409
 $602
 $1,807
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain), netOperating expenses 8,761
 2,190
 6,571
Operating expenses 8,761
 2,190
 6,571
Total reclassification adjustments  11,170
 2,792
 8,378
  11,170
 2,792
 8,378
Foreign currency translation:   
  
  
   
  
  
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments:      
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:      
Foreign currency translation adjustmentN/A 19,254
 
 19,254
N/A 72,010
 
 72,010
Hedging instruments:              
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments:      
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:      
Change in cash flow hedgesN/A 2,944
 2,027
 917
N/A (14,070) (3,597) (10,473)
Change in net investment hedgesN/A (6,543) (2,390) (4,153)N/A (40,820) (9,294) (31,526)
Total other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments  (3,599) (363) (3,236)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments  (54,890) (12,891) (41,999)
Reclassification adjustments:              
Amortization of cash flow hedgesInterest expense 2,873
 718
 2,155
Interest expense 2,873
 718
 2,155
Total other comprehensive income  $29,698
 $3,147
 $26,551
Total other comprehensive income (loss)  $31,163
 $(9,381) $40,544



  13-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016  13-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 Tax 
Net of Tax
Amount
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 Tax 
Net of Tax
Amount
  (In thousands)  (In thousands)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:   
  
  
   
  
  
Reclassification adjustments:   
  
  
   
  
  
Amortization of prior service costOperating expenses $2,844
 $1,092
 $1,752
Operating expenses $2,844
 $1,092
 $1,752
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain), netOperating expenses 9,749
 3,931
 5,818
Operating expenses 8,944
 3,931
 5,013
Total reclassification adjustments  12,593
 5,023
 7,570
  11,788
 5,023
 6,765
Foreign currency translation:              
Other comprehensive income before
reclassification adjustments:
       
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassification adjustments:
       
Foreign currency translation adjustmentN/A (202,195) 
 (202,195)N/A 89,799
 
 89,799
Hedging instruments:              
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments:      
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:      
Change in cash flow hedgesInterest expense 12,058
 4,185
 7,873
Interest expense (7,647) (2,936) (4,711)
Change in net investment hedgesN/A 55,445
 18,119
 37,326
N/A (12,775) 3,689
 (16,464)
Total other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments 67,503
 22,304
 45,199
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (20,422) 753
 (21,175)
Reclassification adjustments:              
Amortization of cash flow hedgesInterest expense 2,873
 1,103
 1,770
Interest expense 2,873
 1,103
 1,770
Total other comprehensive income  $(119,226) $28,430
 $(147,656)  $84,038
 $6,879
 $77,159



  26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017  39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 Tax 
Net of Tax
Amount
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 Tax 
Net of Tax
Amount
  (In thousands)  (In thousands)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:   
  
  
   
  
  
Reclassification adjustments:   
  
  
   
  
  
Amortization of prior service costOperating expenses $4,818
 $1,527
 $3,291
Operating expenses $7,227
 $2,129
 $5,098
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain), netOperating expenses 17,522
 5,554
 11,968
Operating expenses 26,283
 7,744
 18,539
Total reclassification adjustments  22,340
 7,081
 15,259
  33,510
 9,873
 23,637
Foreign currency translation:   
  
  
   
  
  
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments:      
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:      
Foreign currency translation adjustmentN/A 140,584
 
 140,584
N/A 212,594
 
 212,594
Hedging instruments:   
  
  
   
  
  
Other comprehensive income before
reclassification adjustments:
      
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassification adjustments:
      
Change in cash flow hedgesN/A 6,350
 3,232
 3,118
N/A (7,720) (365) (7,355)
Change in net investment hedgeN/A (29,919) (13,741) (16,177)N/A (70,739) (23,036) (47,703)
Change in fuel hedgeN/A 
   
Total other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments (23,569) (10,509) (13,059)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (78,459) (23,401) (55,058)
Reclassification adjustments:   
  
  
   
  
  
Amortization of cash flow hedgesInterest expense 5,746
 1,821
 3,925
Interest expense 8,619
 2,539
 6,080
Total other comprehensive income  $145,101
 $(1,607) $146,709
Total other comprehensive income (loss)  $176,264
 $(10,989) $187,253



  26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016  39-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 Tax 
Net of Tax
Amount
Location of
Expense (Income) Recognized in
Net Earnings
 
Before Tax
Amount
 Tax 
Net of Tax
Amount
  (In thousands)  (In thousands)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:   
  
  
   
  
  
Reclassification adjustments:   
  
  
   
  
  
Amortization of prior service costOperating expenses $5,688
 $2,184
 $3,504
Operating expenses $8,532
 $3,276
 $5,256
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain), netOperating expenses 23,208
 7,862
 15,346
Operating expenses 32,152
 11,793
 20,359
Total reclassification adjustments  28,896
 10,046
 18,850
  40,684
 15,069
 25,615
Foreign currency translation:   
  
  
   
  
  
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments:      
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments:      
Foreign currency translation adjustmentN/A (279,683) 
 (279,683)N/A (189,884) 
 (189,884)
Hedging instruments:              
Other comprehensive income before
reclassification adjustments:
      
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassification adjustments:
      
Change in cash flow hedgesInterest expense 11,739
 4,185
 7,554
Interest expense 4,092
 1,249
 2,843
Change in net investment hedgeN/A 43,380
 18,119
 25,261
N/A 30,604
 21,807
 8,797
Total other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments 55,119
 22,304
 32,815
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments 34,696
 23,056
 11,640
Reclassification adjustments:              
Amortization of cash flow hedgesInterest expense 5,746
 2,206
 3,540
Interest expense 8,619
 3,309
 5,310
Total other comprehensive income  $(189,922) $34,556
 $(224,478)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income  $(105,885) $41,434
 $(147,319)

The following tables provide a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the periods presented:
26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 201739-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans,
net of tax
 Foreign Currency Translation Hedging,
net of tax
 TotalPension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans,
net of tax
 Foreign Currency Translation Hedging,
net of tax
 Total
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Balance as of Jul. 1, 2017$(974,232) $(148,056) $(140,449) $(1,262,737)$(974,232) $(148,056) $(140,449) $(1,262,737)
Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation
 140,584
 

 140,584

 212,594
 
 212,594
Amortization of cash flow hedges
 
 3,925
 3,925

 
 6,080
 6,080
Change in net investment hedges
 
 (16,177) (16,177)
 
 (47,703) (47,703)
Change in cash flow hedge
 
 3,118
 3,118

 
 (7,355) (7,355)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost3,291
 
 
 3,291
5,098
 
 
 5,098
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial losses11,968
 
 
 11,968
18,539
 
 
 18,539
Balance as of Dec. 30, 2017$(958,973) $(7,472) $(149,583) $(1,116,028)
Balance as of Mar. 31, 2018$(950,595) $64,538
 $(189,427) $(1,075,484)



26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 201639-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans,
net of tax
 Foreign Currency Translation Hedging,
net of tax
 TotalPension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans,
net of tax
 Foreign Currency Translation Hedging,
net of tax
 Total
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Balance as of Jul. 2, 2016$(1,104,484) $(136,813) $(116,821) $(1,358,118)$(1,104,484) $(136,813) $(116,821) $(1,358,118)
Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation
 (279,683) 

 (279,683)
 (189,884) 
 (189,884)
Amortization of cash flow hedges
 
 3,540
 3,540

 
 5,310
 5,310
Change in cash flow hedges
 
 7,554
 7,554

 
 2,843
 2,843
Change in net investment hedges
 
 25,261
 25,261

 
 8,797
 8,797
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost3,504
 
 
 3,504
5,256
 
 
 5,256
Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial losses15,346
 
 
 15,346
20,359
 
 
 20,359
Balance as of Dec. 31, 2016$(1,085,634) $(416,496) $(80,466) $(1,582,596)
Balance as of Apr. 1, 2017$(1,078,869) $(326,697) $(99,871) $(1,505,437)

10.  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Sysco provides compensation benefits to employees under several share-based payment arrangements, including various long-term employee stock incentive plans and the 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

Stock Incentive Plans

In the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, options to purchase 4,042,415 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 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 was $7.08.

In the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, 867,619872,325 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 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 was $51.10.$51.11.  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 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, 649,039 restricted stock units were granted to employees. The weighted average
grant-date fair value per restricted stock unit granted during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 was $55.72.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Plan participants purchased 591,241827,073 shares of common stock under the Sysco ESPP during the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018.

The weighted average fair value per right of employee stock purchase rights issued pursuant to the ESPP was $7.83$8.20 during the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018.  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 $51.6$72.7 million and $42.8$65.6 million for the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

As of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, there was $127.2$142.0 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 2.031.98 years.



11.  INCOME TAXES

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act. The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that will affect the company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, including, but not limited to: (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate; (2) requiring a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries that is payable over 8 years; and (3) bonus depreciation that will allow for full expensing of qualified property placed in service after September 27, 2017. The Tax Act also establishes new tax laws that could affect Sysco in future fiscal years, including, but not limited to (1) a general elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; (2) a new provision designed to tax global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI); (3) creation of the base erosion anti-abuse tax (BEAT), a new minimum tax; (4) a new limitation on deductible interest; (5) repeal of the domestic production activity deduction; and (6) increased limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation.

The SEC staff issued SAB 118, which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. See Note 2, “Changes in Accounting” for a description of SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (ASC 740). In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete, but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in its financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act. For various reasons that are discussed in greater detail below, the company has not completed its accounting for the income tax effects of certain elements of the Tax Act. In cases where Sysco was able to make reasonable estimates of the effects of elements for which its analysis is not yet complete, the company recorded provisional adjustments. If Sysco was not yet able to make reasonable estimates of the impact of certain elements, the company has not recorded any adjustments related to those elements and has continued accounting for them in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of the tax laws in effect before the Tax Act.118.

Our accounting for the following elements of the Tax Act is incomplete. However, the company was able to make reasonable estimates of certain effects and, therefore, recorded provisional adjustments of $35.8 million in the second quarter financials, which is our initial estimate of the following impacts of the Tax Act:

Reduction of U.S. federal corporate tax rate: As a result of enactment of the Tax Act, the company revised its estimated annual effective tax rate to reflect a change in the U.S. statutory tax rate. As noted above, the Tax Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21% in our fiscal year; however, Section 15 of the Internal Revenue Code stipulates that the reduction in the corporate tax rate is applied to fiscal year taxpayers by computing a blended tax rate, based on the applicable tax rates before and after the effective date of the change in the statutory rate. When applied to Sysco’s fiscal year, this blended rate is estimated as 28% for fiscal 2018, a benefit of $64.7 million was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 due to the retroactive application of this lower rate to the beginning of the company’s fiscal year. In addition, the company has recorded a provisional tax benefit of $14.5 million attributable to remeasuring Sysco’s accrued income taxes, deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets.

Transition Tax: TheIn the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the company recorded a discrete tax expense of $115.0 million attributable to the provisional impact of the transition tax. The transition tax is payable in eight annual installments beginning in our first quarter of fiscal 2019. As a result of the 8 year payment period, approximately $95.0 million attributable to the portion of the provisional transition tax not due within 12 months is located within other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.

Our accounting for the following elements of the Tax Act is incomplete, and we were not able to make reasonable estimates of the effects. Therefore, no provisional adjustments were recorded.

GILTI: The Tax Act creates a new requirement that certain income earned by controlled foreign corporations (CFCs) must be included currently in the gross income of the CFCs’ U.S. shareholder. GILTI is the excess of the shareholder’s “net CFC tested income” over the net deemed tangible income return, which is currently defined as the excess of (1) 10 percent of the aggregate of the U.S. shareholder’s pro rata share of the qualified business asset investment of each CFC with respect to which it is a U.S. shareholder over (2) the amount of certain interest expense taken into account in the determination of net CFC-tested income. Sysco will not be subject to the GILTI provisions until fiscal 2019.

Because of the complexity of the new GILTI tax rules, the company is continuing to evaluate this provision of the Tax Act and the application of ASC 740. Under U.S. GAAP, the company is allowed to make an accounting policy choice of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current-period expense when incurred (the


“period “period cost method”) or (2) factoring such amounts into a company’s measurement of its deferred taxes (the “deferred method”). Sysco’s selection of an accounting policy with respect to the new GILTI tax rules will depend, in part, on analyzing our global income to determine whether the company expects to have future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI and, if so, what the impact is expected to be. Because whether Sysco expects to have future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI depends not only on our current structure and estimated future results of global operations but also the company’s intent and ability to modify its structure and/or its business, Sysco is not yet able to reasonably estimate the effect of this provision of the Tax Act. Therefore, the company has not made any adjustments related to potential GILTI tax in its financial statements and has not made a policy decision regarding whether to record deferred taxes on GILTI.



Executive Compensation Limitation: The Tax Act expands the definition under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”) of covered employee and provides that, for specified employees, status as a covered employee continues for all subsequent tax years, including years after the death of the individual, and, among other modifications, repeals the exception for performance-based compensation and commissions from the $1 million deduction limitation. In addition, the Tax Act provides for transitional guidance that will allow certain payments made under written and binding agreements entered into prior to November 2, 2017 to be treated as if they were made under the provisions of Section 162(m) that were in effect prior to enactment of the Tax Act. The company is in the process of gathering information on existing compensation arrangements for covered employees as well as assessing the impact of transitional guidance on the realizability of existing deferred tax assets related to compensation arrangements of its covered employees. As a result, the company has not made any adjustments related to impacts of the new executive compensation limitations in its financial statements.

Indefinite Reinvestment Assertion: The company is in the process of assessing the impact of the Tax Act on its indefinite reinvestment assertion and the company’s plans to determine any associated impact on the financial statements. Therefore, no adjustments have been made in its financial statements with respect to its indefinite reinvestment assertion.

Effective Tax Rate

Sysco’s effective tax rate is reflective of the jurisdictions where the company has operations. The effective tax rates for the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 were 37.11%9.54% and 34.71%27.97%, respectively. The effective tax ratesrate for the second quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 werewas negatively impacted by the transition tax described above resulting from the Tax Act. TheseThis effective tax rates wererate was impacted favorably by a net tax benefit of $79.2 million attributable to the change in the federal statutory tax rate described above,as a result of the Tax Act, along with the impacttax benefit of tax law changes in certain foreign jurisdictions$44.4 million attributable to a contribution to the Pension Plan, and excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation that totaled $8.1$14.9 million for the third quarter and $14.8$45.7 million respectively.for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. Sysco began recognizing these excess tax benefits within income tax expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 due to the adoption of ASU 2016-09. The effective tax rate for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2017 of 34.87%33.77% and the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017 of 35.09%34.72% was favorably impacted by an increase in earnings in foreign jurisdictions due to the acquisition of the Brakes Group.

Uncertain Tax Positions

As of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefit and related accrued interest was $16.2 million and $11.5$12.0 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.

Other

The determination of the company’s provision for income taxes requires 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.



13.  BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The company has aggregated certain of its operating segments into three reportable segments. “Other” financial information is attributable to the company’s other operating segments that do not meet the quantitative disclosure thresholds.

U.S. Foodservice Operations - primarily includes U.S. Broadline operations, which distribute a full line of food products including custom-cut meat, and seafood, companies, FreshPoint (our specialty produce, companies)specialty imports and European Imports (a specialty import company);a wide variety of non-food products;
International Foodservice Operations - primarily includes broadline operations in the Americas and Europe, which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products. The Americas primarily consists of operations in Canada, Europe, Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as a companyour operations that distributesdistribute to international customers;customers. Our European operations primarily consists of operations in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland and Sweden;
SYGMA - our U.S. customized distribution subsidiary; and
Other - primarily our hotel supply operations and Sysco Labs, which includes our suite of technology solutions that help support the business needs of our customers and provide support for some of our business technology needs.

The Broadline operations 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 distributes 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.



The following tables set forth certain financial information for Sysco’s business segments.

13-Week Period Ended 26-Week Period Ended13-Week Period Ended 39-Week Period Ended
Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017 Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017
Sales:(In thousands) (In thousands)(In thousands) (In thousands)
U.S. Foodservice Operations$9,681,225
 $9,085,565
 $19,530,167
 $18,566,681
$9,704,495
 $9,233,048
 $29,234,662
 $27,799,728
International Foodservice Operations2,869,043
 2,625,949
 5,772,298
 5,354,310
2,799,251
 2,528,485
 8,571,549
 7,882,796
SYGMA1,633,145
 1,520,182
 3,273,816
 3,024,874
1,605,753
 1,535,550
 4,879,569
 4,560,424
Other228,077
 225,572
 485,633
 480,057
240,005
 227,089
 725,638
 707,146
Total$14,411,490
 $13,457,268
 $29,061,914
 $27,425,922
$14,349,504
 $13,524,172
 $43,411,418
 $40,950,094
              
13-Week Period Ended 26-Week Period Ended13-Week Period Ended 39-Week Period Ended
Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017 Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017
Operating income:(In thousands) (In thousands)(In thousands) (In thousands)
U.S. Foodservice Operations$706,375
 $681,321
 $1,487,244
 $1,426,552
$695,464
 $689,210
 $2,182,708
 $2,115,762
International Foodservice Operations52,438
 84,814
 129,084
 164,249
19,319
 16,076
 148,403
 180,324
SYGMA3,353
 3,155
 8,198
 8,062
4,477
 7,344
 12,675
 15,407
Other3,222
 3,793
 7,238
 11,794
5,945
 6,078
 13,181
 17,873
Total segments765,388
 773,083
 1,631,764
 1,610,657
725,205
 718,708
 2,356,967
 2,329,366
Corporate(233,106) (280,666) (476,390) (551,407)(239,272) (282,746) (715,660) (834,154)
Total operating income532,282
 492,417
 1,155,374
 1,059,250
485,933
 435,962
 1,641,307
 1,495,212
Interest expense85,986
 72,231
 166,870
 145,854
136,145
 81,004
 303,015
 226,858
Other expense (income), net(5,432) (2,320) (9,680) (9,536)(15,096) (4,815) (24,776) (14,351)
Earnings before income taxes$451,728
 $422,506
 $998,184
 $922,932
$364,884
 $359,773
 $1,363,068
 $1,282,705



Dec. 30, 2017 Jul. 1, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Jul. 1, 2017 Apr. 1, 2017
Assets:(In thousands)(In thousands)
U.S. Foodservice Operations$6,811,901
 $6,675,543
 $6,791,846
$7,171,671
 $6,675,543
 $7,001,351
International Foodservice Operations6,662,574
 6,433,815
 6,143,372
6,772,834
 6,433,815
 6,003,449
SYGMA641,786
 625,653
 603,167
674,800
 625,653
 600,823
Other756,165
 448,885
 438,196
772,351
 448,885
 443,813
Total segments14,872,426
 14,183,896
 13,976,581
15,391,656
 14,183,896
 14,049,436
Corporate3,346,944
 3,572,759
 3,653,485
3,237,486
 3,572,759
 3,871,464
Total$18,219,370
 $17,756,655
 $17,630,066
$18,629,142
 $17,756,655
 $17,920,900

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.All subsequent issuances of senior notes and Canadian commercial paper programs aredebentures have also covered underbeen guaranteed by these guarantees.subsidiaries. As of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, Sysco had a total of $8.8$8.3 billion in senior notes debentures and commercial paper issuances outstandingdebentures 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.

In conjunction with the preparation of our September 30, 2017 condensed consolidating financial statements, the company identified certain wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries that are guarantors of the outstanding senior notes and debentures of Sysco Corporation that were presented within Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries during fiscal 2017. The fiscal 2017 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet and Statements of Comprehensive Income and Cash Flows included herein have been revised to present such U.S. Broadline subsidiaries as guarantor subsidiaries.   The company assessed the materiality of the incorrect guarantor disclosures and concluded that the misstatement was not material to the financial statements as a whole, but has provided revised information below for the sake of consistency with the current period disclosures.

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present separately the financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows of the parent issuer (Sysco Corporation), the guarantors (certain 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 SheetCondensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
Dec. 30, 2017Mar. 31, 2018
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Current assets$189,553
 $3,803,349
 $4,279,266
 $
 $8,272,168
$273,948
 $4,093,321
 $4,348,602
 $
 $8,715,871
Intercompany receivables2,945,188
 1,276,341
 
 (4,221,529) 
3,344,142
 590,025
 
 (3,934,167) 
Investment in subsidiaries7,623,839
 
 
 (7,623,839) 
7,771,987
 
 
 (7,771,987) 
Plant and equipment, net262,790
 2,018,365
 2,085,137
 
 4,366,292
263,472
 2,047,608
 2,081,078
 
 4,392,158
Other assets965,800
 55,820
 4,559,290
 
 5,580,910
891,242
 553,270
 4,761,664
 (685,063) 5,521,113
Total assets$11,987,170
 $7,153,875
 $10,923,693
 $(11,845,368) $18,219,370
$12,544,791
 $7,284,224
 $11,191,344
 $(12,391,217) $18,629,142
Current liabilities$540,008
 $3,781,141
 $1,661,821
 $
 $5,982,970
$623,141
 $3,704,927
 $1,718,131
 $
 $6,046,199
Intercompany payables
 
 4,221,529
 (4,221,529) 

 
 3,934,167
 (3,934,167) 
Long-term debt8,239,844
 6,995
 65,650
 
 8,312,489
8,761,475
 6,429
 67,252
 
 8,835,156
Other liabilities938,716
 87,230
 595,839
 
 1,621,785
808,962
 531,480
 705,286
 (685,063) 1,360,665
Noncontrolling interest
 
 33,524
 
 33,524

 
 35,909
 
 35,909
Shareholders’ equity2,268,602
 3,278,509
 4,345,330
 (7,623,839) 2,268,602
2,351,213
 3,041,388
 4,730,599
 (7,771,987) 2,351,213
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$11,987,170
 $7,153,875
 $10,923,693
 $(11,845,368) $18,219,370
$12,544,791
 $7,284,224
 $11,191,344
 $(12,391,217) $18,629,142

 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
 Jul. 1, 2017
 Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
 (In thousands)
Current assets$177,495
 $3,786,055
 $4,069,888
 $
 $8,033,438
Intercompany receivables4,444,035
 
 
 (4,444,035) 
Investment in subsidiaries6,451,994
 
 
 (6,451,994) 
Plant and equipment, net258,527
 2,039,761
 2,079,014
 
 4,377,302
Other assets151,743
 516,126
 4,678,046
 
 5,345,915
Total assets$11,483,794
 $6,341,942
 $10,826,948
 $(10,896,029) $17,756,655
Current liabilities$650,899
 $3,521,661
 $1,923,326
 $
 $6,095,886
Intercompany payables
 366,802
 4,077,233
 (4,444,035) 
Long-term debt7,588,041
 7,776
 65,060
 
 7,660,877
Other liabilities863,338
 103,784
 568,415
 
 1,535,537
Noncontrolling interest
 
 82,839
 
 82,839
Shareholders’ equity2,381,516
 2,341,919
 4,110,075
 (6,451,994) 2,381,516
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$11,483,794
 $6,341,942
 $10,826,948
 $(10,896,029) $17,756,655



Condensed Consolidating Balance SheetCondensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
July 1, 2017Apr. 1, 2017
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Current assets$177,495
 $3,786,055
 $4,069,888
 $
 $8,033,438
$171,879
 $4,289,786
 $3,863,896
 $
 $8,325,561
Intercompany receivables4,444,035
 
 
 (4,444,035) 
2,099,954
 338,394
 
 (2,438,348) 
Investment in subsidiaries6,451,994
 
 
 (6,451,994) 
8,694,281
 
 
 (8,694,281) 
Plant and equipment, net258,527
 2,039,761
 2,079,014
 
 4,377,302
323,763
 2,001,203
 1,946,741
 
 4,271,707
Other assets151,743
 516,126
 4,678,046
 
 5,345,915
398,433
 570,205
 4,354,994
 
 5,323,632
Total assets$11,483,794
 $6,341,942
 $10,826,948
 $(10,896,029) $17,756,655
$11,688,310
 $7,199,588
 $10,165,631
 $(11,132,629) $17,920,900
Current liabilities$650,899
 $3,521,661
 $1,923,326
 $
 $6,095,886
$308,591
 $2,488,727
 $2,932,492
 $
 $5,729,810
Intercompany payables
 366,802
 4,077,233
 (4,444,035) 

 
 2,438,348
 (2,438,348) 
Long-term debt7,588,041
 7,776
 65,060
 
 7,660,877
7,943,640
 6,407
 76,570
 
 8,026,617
Other liabilities863,338
 103,784
 568,415
 
 1,535,537
1,105,551
 144,031
 504,119
 
 1,753,701
Noncontrolling interest
 
 82,839
 
 82,839

 
 80,244
 
 80,244
Shareholders’ equity2,381,516
 2,341,919
 4,110,075
 (6,451,994) 2,381,516
2,330,528
 4,560,423
 4,133,858
 (8,694,281) 2,330,528
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$11,483,794
 $6,341,942
 $10,826,948
 $(10,896,029) $17,756,655
$11,688,310
 $7,199,588
 $10,165,631
 $(11,132,629) $17,920,900

 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
 Dec. 31, 2016
 Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
 (In thousands)
Current assets$137,816
 $4,050,928
 $3,822,462
 $
 $8,011,206
Intercompany receivables2,851,475
 
 
 (2,851,475) 
Investment in subsidiaries8,168,683
 
 
 (8,168,683) 
Plant and equipment, net364,716
 2,023,350
 1,943,063
 
 4,331,129
Other assets408,475
 604,424
 4,274,832
 
 5,287,731
Total assets$11,931,165
 $6,678,702
 $10,040,357
 $(11,020,158) $17,630,066
Current liabilities$286,277
 $2,307,139
 $2,458,870
 $
 $5,052,286
Intercompany payables
 35,463
 2,816,012
 (2,851,475) 
Long-term debt8,056,499
 6,904
 250,248
 
 8,313,651
Other liabilities1,112,350
 163,640
 433,195
 
 1,709,185
Noncontrolling interest
 
 78,905
 
 78,905
Shareholders’ equity2,476,039
 4,165,556
 4,003,127
 (8,168,683) 2,476,039
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$11,931,165
 $6,678,702
 $10,040,357
 $(11,020,158) $17,630,066



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive IncomeCondensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the 13-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017For the 13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$
 $8,754,170
 $6,169,238
 $(511,918) $14,411,490
$
 $8,762,013
 $6,078,876
 $(491,385) $14,349,504
Cost of sales
 7,102,287
 5,121,735
 (511,918) 11,712,104

 7,105,014
 5,060,247
 (491,385) 11,673,876
Gross profit
 1,651,883
 1,047,503
 
 2,699,386

 1,656,999
 1,018,629
 
 2,675,628
Operating expenses198,800
 994,646
 973,658
 
 2,167,104
187,360
 1,004,057
 998,278
 
 2,189,695
Operating income (loss)(198,800) 657,237
 73,845
 
 532,282
(187,360) 652,942
 20,351
 
 485,933
Interest expense (income) (1)
108,768
 (27,955) 5,173
 
 85,986
160,333
 (28,742) 4,554
 
 136,145
Other expense (income), net(5,030) (1,137) 735
 
 (5,432)(3,652) (593) (10,851) 
 (15,096)
Earnings (losses) before income taxes(302,538) 686,329
 67,937
 
 451,728
(344,041) 682,277
 26,648
 
 364,884
Income tax (benefit) provision(120,313) 262,820
 25,108
 
 167,615
(117,286) 151,090
 995
 
 34,799
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries466,338
 
 
 (466,338) 
556,840
 
 
 (556,840) 
Net earnings284,113
 423,509
 42,829
 (466,338) 284,113
330,085
 531,187
 25,653
 (556,840) 330,085
Other comprehensive income (loss)26,551
 
 19,254
 (19,254) 26,551
40,544
 
 72,010
 (72,010) 40,544
Comprehensive income$310,664
 $423,509
 $62,083
 $(485,592) $310,664
$370,629
 $531,187
 $97,663
 $(628,850) $370,629
 

(1) 
Interest expense (income) includes $28.0$28.7 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation for the secondthird quarter ended December 30, 2017. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.

 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
 For the 13-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016
 Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
 (In thousands)
Sales$
 $8,268,127
 $7,167,072
 $(1,977,931) $13,457,268
Cost of sales
 6,676,641
 6,186,695
 (1,977,931) 10,885,405
Gross profit
 1,591,486
 980,377
 
 2,571,863
Operating expenses239,292
 956,196
 883,958
 
 2,079,446
Operating income (loss)(239,292) 635,290
 96,419
 
 492,417
Interest expense (income) (1)
100,947
 (33,610) 4,894
 
 72,231
Other expense (income), net(5,295) (729) 3,704
 
 (2,320)
Earnings (losses) before income taxes(334,944) 669,629
 87,821
 
 422,506
Income tax (benefit) provision(116,996) 233,631
 30,704
 
 147,339
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries493,115
 
 
 (493,115) 
Net earnings275,167
 435,998
 57,117
 (493,115) 275,167
Other comprehensive income (loss)(147,656) 
 (190,130) 190,130
 (147,656)
Comprehensive income$127,511
 $435,998
 $(133,013) $(302,985) $127,511

(1)
Interest expense (income) includes $33.6 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation for the second quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2018. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive IncomeCondensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017For the 13-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$
 $17,775,826
 $12,289,551
 $(1,003,463) $29,061,914
$
 $8,412,869
 $6,070,555
 $(959,252) $13,524,172
Cost of sales
 14,377,711
 10,194,612
 (1,003,463) 23,568,860

 6,800,302
 5,148,987
 (959,252) 10,990,037
Gross profit
 3,398,115
 2,094,939
 
 5,493,054

 1,612,567
 921,568
 
 2,534,135
Operating expenses396,664
 2,002,006
 1,939,010
 
 4,337,680
255,394
 957,521
 885,258
 
 2,098,173
Operating income (loss)(396,664) 1,396,109
 155,929
 
 1,155,374
(255,394) 655,046
 36,310
 
 435,962
Interest expense (income) (1)
207,764
 (51,305) 10,411
 
 166,870
112,779
 (36,434) 4,659
 
 81,004
Other expense (income), net(8,645) (1,559) 524
 
 (9,680)(3,484) (930) (401) 
 (4,815)
Earnings (losses) before income taxes(595,783) 1,448,973
 144,994
 
 998,184
(364,689) 692,410
 32,052
 
 359,773
Income tax (benefit) provision(216,273) 512,383
 50,321
 
 346,431
(173,169) 297,542
 (2,878) 
 121,495
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries1,031,263
 
 
 (1,031,263) 
429,798
 
 
 (429,798) 
Net earnings651,753
 936,590
 94,673
 (1,031,263) 651,753
238,278
 394,868
 34,930
 (429,798) 238,278
Other comprehensive income (loss)146,709
 
 140,583
 (140,583) 146,709
77,159
 
 89,799
 (89,799) 77,159
Comprehensive income$798,462
 $936,590
 $235,256
 $(1,171,846) $798,462
$315,437
 $394,868
 $124,729
 $(519,597) $315,437

(1) 
Interest expense (income) includes $51.3$36.4 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation for the third quarter ended April 1, 2017. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.

 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
 For the 39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
 (In thousands)
Sales$
 $26,537,840
 $18,368,427
 $(1,494,849) $43,411,418
Cost of sales
 21,482,727
 15,254,858
 (1,494,849) 35,242,736
Gross profit
 5,055,113
 3,113,569
 
 8,168,682
Operating expenses584,024
 3,006,064
 2,937,287
 
 6,527,375
Operating income (loss)(584,024) 2,049,049
 176,282
 
 1,641,307
Interest expense (income) (1)
368,099
 (80,048) 14,964
 
 303,015
Other expense (income), net(12,297) (2,152) (10,327) 
 (24,776)
Earnings (losses) before income taxes(939,826) 2,131,249
 171,645
 
 1,363,068
Income tax (benefit) provision(333,562) 663,476
 51,316
 
 381,230
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries1,588,102
 
 
 (1,588,102) 
Net earnings981,838
 1,467,773
 120,329
 (1,588,102) 981,838
Other comprehensive income (loss)187,253
 
 212,594
 (212,594) 187,253
Comprehensive income$1,169,091
 $1,467,773
 $332,923
 $(1,800,696) $1,169,091

(1)
Interest expense (income) includes $80.0 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.



 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
 For the 52-Week Period Ended Jul. 1, 2017
 Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
 (In thousands)
Sales$
 $34,325,884
 $22,862,131
 $(1,816,876) $55,371,139
Cost of sales
 27,690,469
 18,940,039
 (1,816,876) 44,813,632
Gross profit
 6,635,415
 3,922,092
 
 10,557,507
Operating expenses931,498
 3,907,829
 3,665,009
 
 8,504,336
Operating income (loss)(931,498) 2,727,586
 257,083
 
 2,053,171
Interest expense (income) (1)
405,030
 (122,012) 19,860
 
 302,878
Other expense (income), net(23,740) (1,116) 8,919
 
 (15,937)
Earnings (losses) before income taxes(1,312,788) 2,850,714
 228,304
 
 1,766,230
Income tax (benefit) provision(463,598) 1,006,703
 80,622
 
 623,727
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries1,991,693
 
 
 (1,991,693) 
Net earnings1,142,503
 1,844,011
 147,682
 (1,991,693) 1,142,503
Other comprehensive income (loss)95,381
 
 (9,317) 9,317
 95,381
Comprehensive income$1,237,884
 $1,844,011
 $138,365
 $(1,982,376) $1,237,884

(1) 
Interest expense (income) includes $135.9 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive IncomeCondensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016For the 39-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
Sysco Certain U.S.
Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$
 $16,974,279
 $12,874,491
 $(2,422,848) $27,425,922
$
 $25,387,148
 $18,945,045
 $(3,382,099) $40,950,094
Cost of sales
 13,689,355
 10,895,633
 (2,422,848) 22,162,140

 20,489,657
 16,044,619
 (3,382,099) 33,152,177
Gross profit
 3,284,924
 1,978,858
 
 5,263,782

 4,897,491
 2,900,426
 
 7,797,917
Operating expenses457,195
 1,939,269
 1,808,068
 
 4,204,532
712,590
 2,896,789
 2,693,326
 
 6,302,705
Operating income (loss)(457,195) 1,345,655
 170,790
 
 1,059,250
(712,590) 2,000,702
 207,100
 
 1,495,212
Interest expense (income) (1)
191,105
 (54,820) 9,569
 
 145,854
303,885
 (91,254) 14,227
 
 226,858
Other expense (income), net(20,186) (969) 11,619
 
 (9,536)(23,670) (1,900) 11,219
 
 (14,351)
Earnings (losses) before income taxes(628,114) 1,401,444
 149,602
 
 922,932
(992,805) 2,093,856
 181,654
 
 1,282,705
Income tax (benefit) provision(220,420) 491,799
 52,499
 
 323,878
(393,588) 789,341
 49,620
 
 445,373
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries1,006,748
 
 
 (1,006,748) 
1,436,549
 
 
 (1,436,549) 
Net earnings599,054
 909,645
 97,103
 (1,006,748) 599,054
837,332
 1,304,515
 132,034
 (1,436,549) 837,332
Other comprehensive income (loss)(224,478) 
 (279,683) 279,683
 (224,478)(147,319) 
 (189,884) 189,884
 (147,319)
Comprehensive income$374,576
 $909,645
 $(182,580) $(727,065) $374,576
$690,013
 $1,304,515
 $(57,850) $(1,246,665) $690,013

(1) 
Interest expense (income) includes $54.8$91.3 million of intercompany interest income, net, for certain of the U.S. Broadline subsidiaries, which is intercompany interest expense for Sysco Corporation. There is an immaterial amount of intercompany interest expense related to Sysco Corporation for the Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.

 Condensed Consolidating Cash Flows
 For the 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017
 Sysco Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
 (In thousands)
Cash flows provided by (used for):         
Operating activities$252,770
 $195,650
 $484,784
 $
 $933,204
Investing activities(104,914) (112,513) (332,538) 147,622
 (402,343)
Financing activities(159,309) (3,890) 893
 (147,622) (309,928)
Effect of exchange rates on cash
 
 23,510
 
 23,510
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(11,453) 79,247
 176,649
 
 244,443
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period111,576
 18,788
 739,138
 
 869,502
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period$100,123
 $98,035
 $915,787
 $
 $1,113,945



 Condensed Consolidating Cash Flows
 For the 39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
 Sysco Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated
Totals
 (In thousands)
Cash flows provided by (used for):         
Operating activities$336,774
 $328,096
 $459,317
 $
 $1,124,187
Investing activities(122,204) (235,164) (349,564) 147,622
 (559,310)
Financing activities(227,327) (5,609) (31,441) (147,622) (411,999)
Effect of exchange rates on cash
 
 24,745
 
 24,745
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(12,757) 87,323
 103,057
 
 177,623
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of period111,576
 18,788
 739,138
 
 869,502
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of period$98,819
 $106,111
 $842,195
 $
 $1,047,125

 Condensed Consolidating Cash Flows
 For the 52-Week Period Ended Jul. 1, 2017
 Sysco Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations (1)
 Consolidated
Totals
 (In thousands)
Cash flows provided by (used for):         
Operating activities$1,535,775
 $3,023,400
 $658,229
 $(2,978,000) $2,239,404
Investing activities(3,274,566) (261,330) (175,565) 127,000
 (3,584,461)
Financing activities(1,526,045) (2,777,661) (229,931) 2,851,000
 (1,682,637)
Effect of exchange rates on cash
 
 (22,104) 
 (22,104)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(3,264,836) (15,591) 230,629
 
 (3,049,798)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period3,376,412
 34,379
 508,509
 
 3,919,300
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period$111,576
 $18,788
 $739,138
 $
 $869,502

(1) 
Represents primarily inter-company dividends paid from the subsidiaries to the parent, Sysco Corporation.



Condensed Consolidating Cash FlowsCondensed Consolidating Cash Flows
For the 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016For the 39-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017
Sysco Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Consolidated
Totals
Sysco Certain U.S.
 Broadline
Subsidiaries
 Other
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Cash flows provided by (used for):              
Operating activities$292,547
 $143,092
 $203,762
 $639,401
$523,779
 $239,521
 $319,124
 $1,082,424
Investing activities(3,127,225) (102,923) 45,634
 (3,184,514)(3,144,600) (142,438) (18,108) (3,305,146)
Financing activities(430,216) (17,815) (68,251) (516,282)(643,625) (50,962) (70,025) (764,612)
Effect of exchange rates on cash
 
 (10,613) (10,613)
 
 (76,833) (76,833)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(3,264,894) 22,354
 170,532
 (3,072,008)(3,264,446) 46,121
 154,158
 (3,064,167)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period3,376,412
 34,379
 508,509
 3,919,300
3,376,412
 34,379
 508,509
 3,919,300
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period$111,518
 $56,733
 $679,041
 $847,292
$111,966
 $80,500
 $662,667
 $855,133


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 1, 2017, 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 1, 2017 (our 2017 Form 10-K), 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 for fiscal 2018 and 2017 are impacted by restructuring costs consisting ofof: (1) expenses associated with our revised business technology strategy announced in fiscal 2016, as a result of which we incurred costs to convert to a modernized version of our established platform as opposed to completing the implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) ,ERP; (2) professional fees related to our three-year strategic plan,plan; (3) restructuring expenses within our Brakes Group operations,operations; and (4) severance charges related to restructuring. In addition, fiscal 2018 results of operations are impacted by business technology transformation initiative costs.costs, facility closure charges, multiemployer pension (MEPP) withdrawal charges and debt extinguishment charges. Our results of operations for fiscal 2018 and 2017 are also impacted by the following acquisition-related items: (1) intangible amortization expense and (2) integration costs. All acquisition-related costs in fiscal 2018 and 2017 that have been excluded relate to the fiscal 2017 acquisition of Cucina Lux Investments Limited (the Brakes Acquisition), discussed in Note 4, "Acquisitions."“Acquisitions.” The Brakes Acquisitionacquisition also resulted in non-recurring tax expense in fiscal 2017, primarily from non-deductible integrationtransaction costs. Sysco’s results of operations for fiscal 2018 are also impacted by reform measures passed as part offrom the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Tax Act) passedenacted on December 22, 2017 by the United States (U.S.) government.2017. The impact for fiscal 2018 includesincludes: (1) a provisional estimate of a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries andsubsidiaries; (2) a net benefit from remeasuring Sysco’s accrued income taxes, deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets due to the changes in tax rates.rates; and (3) a benefit from contributions made to fund Sysco’s tax-qualified United States (U.S.) pension plan (the Pension Plan). These fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 items are collectively referred to as "Certain“Certain Items."

Sysco is also providing net earnings and diluted earnings per share that are further adjusted due to changes in the statutory tax rate that resulted from the Tax Act. The Tax Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21% in our fiscal year; however, Section 15 of the Internal Revenue Code stipulates that the reduction in the corporate tax rate is applied to fiscal year taxpayers by computing a blended tax rate, based on the applicable tax rates before and after the effective date of the change in the statutory rate. When applied to Sysco’s fiscal year, this blended rate is estimated as 28% for fiscal 2018 and produced a one-time estimated net tax benefit of $64.7 million that was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 due to retroactive application of the 28% rate to the beginning of our fiscal year.

More information on the rationale for the use of these items and reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) numbers can be found under “Non-GAAP Reconciliations.”

Highlights and Trends

Highlights

Sysco’sOur third quarter performance reflects solid results, for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 represent continued momentum in our local case growth and overall sales results achieved while balancing someincluding strong gross profit and expense challenges. Our results also include significant charges, as well as benefits, duedollar growth leading to U.S. tax reform. Our operating income growth, despite adverse weather in multiple geographies, continued investments that we are making across our business and some operational challenges. We have continued to make strides in the execution of our strategic priorities and focusing on satisfying the needs of our customers. Our net earnings and earnings per share, both including and excluding Certain Items, increased for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018, as compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2017, primarily due to these factors. We remain confident in our ability to meet our full-year fiscal 2018 financial targets.operating income improvement and a reduced effective tax rate.



Comparisons of results from the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 to the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2017:

Sales:
increased 7.1%6.1%, or $1.0 billion,$825.3 million, to $14.4$14.3 billion;
Operating income:
increased 8.1%11.5%, or $39.9$50.0 million, to $532.3$485.9 million;
adjusted operating income increased 3.9%7.1%, or $21.6$35.5 million, to $579.5$535.8 million;
Net earnings:
increased 3.3%38.5%, or $8.9$91.8 million, to $284.1$330.1 million;
adjusted net earnings increased 29.2%28.9%, or $93.1$79.7 million, to $411.9 million;
after further adjusting for the one-time benefit related to the tax rate change, adjusted net earnings increased 8.9%, or $28.4 million, to $347.1$355.6 million;
Basic earnings per share:
increased 10.0%43.2%, or $0.05,$0.19, to $0.55$0.63 per share;
Diluted earnings per share:
increased 8.0%43.2%, or $0.04,$0.19, to $0.54$0.63 per share; and
adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 34.5%31.4%, or $0.20,$0.16, to $0.78 per share; and
after further adjusting for the one-time benefit related to the tax rate change, adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 13.8%, or $0.08, to $0.66$0.67 per share.

Comparisons of results from the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 to the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017:
Sales:
increased 6.0%, or $1.6$2.5 billion, to $29.1$43.4 billion;
Operating income:
increased 9.1%9.8%, or $96.1$146.1 million, to $1.2$1.6 billion;
adjusted operating income increased 4.8%5.5%, or $56.6$92.1 million, to $1.2$1.8 billion;
Net earnings:
increased 8.8%17.3%, or $52.7$144.5 million, to $651.8$981.8 million; 
adjusted net earnings increased 16.0%19.7%, or $111.5$191.2 million, to $806.4 million;
after further adjusting for the one-time benefit related to the tax rate change, adjusted net earnings increased 6.7%, or $46.7 million, to $741.6 million;$1.2 billion;
Basic earnings per share:
increased 13.8%22.9%, or $0.15,$0.35, to $1.24$1.88 per share;
Diluted earnings per share:
increased 13.9%21.7%, or 0.15,0.33, to 1.23$1.85 per share; and
adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 21.6% 24.4%, or $0.27,$0.43, to $1.52 per share; and
after further adjusting for the one-time benefit related to the tax rate change, adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 12.0%, or $0.15, to $1.40$2.19 per share.

See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” for an explanation of the non-GAAP financial measures listed above.

Trends

AThe macroeconomic environment continued to be generally favorable macro-economic environment propelled by steady spending from businesses and households has led to improved gross domestic product trends in the Unites States. Current marketU.S., leading to increased spend for retail and food services sectors and improved conditions in the U.S. for foodservice operators, remain somewhat favorable, as sales at restaurants continue to rise, offsetting somewhat lower traffic counts. We also see continued growth with local customers, as they increase their reach through innovative concepts and additional delivery methods. Economic growth in the international markets in which we operate iswas mostly positive, including modest growth in the foodservice markets. Food cost inflation in our United Kingdom (U.K.) business continues to pressure our pricing, which has impacted our volume growth and gross margins.sector.

Our operating income and net earningsgross profit growth during the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 have been affectedwas driven by a challengingpositive case growth and effective ongoing management of product cost inflation. While we continue to face some challenges from in-bound freight environment, which imposes cost pressures on our gross profit dollars. The industry is facing driver availability challenges, leading to increased lane rates from carriers. As a result, our expenses have increased, as we have utilized more spot rates to transport goods. We are actively working to mitigate these risks by providing a long-term solutioncosts, the trend has been improving and ensuring that we are a preferred customer for various carriers.was less of an impact in the third quarter. Our U.S. Broadline operations experienced product cost inflation at a rate of 3.3%2.6% for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018, which contributed to increased sales and gross profits. The pace of inflation has been greaterhigher in meat, dairy and produce categories. OurThe increase in our operating expenses have increased due to increasedwas driven by ongoing strategic investments in the business and a few operational challenges. Some of those investments include the supply chain transformation work occurring in Europe, the investment in marketing associates in the U.S. and the continued investment in technology that we believe will translate to a more enriching experience for our salesforce and national customer start-up costs in our U.S. operations. Our continued transformation investments and integration costs in Europe have also resulted


in increased operating expense. Fuel prices are increasing in fiscal 2018 as compared to fiscal 2017 which has led to increased fuel expenses. Partially offsetting these increases was a decline in our depreciation expense, as our former ERP system was fully depreciated by the end of fiscal 2017. We expect to see a benefit of approximately $50 million in reduced depreciation expense, net, throughout fiscal 2018 as compared to fiscal 2017.customers.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act, comprehensive tax legislation that decreased the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. As a result of the tax reform measures, we revised our estimated annual effective tax rate to reflect the change in the enacted federal statutory rate, effective retroactive to July 2, 2017.For fiscal 2018, Sysco useshas a 28% rate, rather than 21%, because the law was enacted during the midpoint of the company’s fiscal year, requiring us to use a blended average rate. The effect of this change in the estimated annual effective tax rate was to decrease our income tax expense for the second quarter and first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 by $64.7 million. We expect that the company’s U.S. federal statutory tax rate in future yearsfor fiscal 2019 and beyond will be 21%. This will contribute to a lower overall, and we expect our effective tax rate.rate to be in the range of 25% and 26%. We expect the second half ofanticipate our fiscal 2018 earnings per shareeffective tax rate to be positively impacted by $0.09 per shareslightly lower than this range as we continue to $0.13 per share as a result of tax reform changes related to the on going effective tax rate.work through initiatives. As discussed in Note 11, “Income Taxes,” we have recorded provisional estimates for some components of the Tax Act and will refine estimates and determine applicability for other components in future periods.



In the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, we prospectively adopted a new accounting standard related to improvements in share-based payment accounting. As discussed in Note 2, "Changes“Changes in Accounting," excess tax benefits, or detriments, of equity-based compensation are now recorded within income tax expense in the consolidated results of operations. In the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, we recognized tax benefits that totaled $30.8$45.7 million or $0.06$0.09 on a per share basis, primarily from stock option exercises that occurred during this period. These tax benefits are difficult to predict and depend on factors such as our stock price and option exercise activity.

We have completed three new acquisitions thus far in fiscal 2018, including two within U.S. Foodservice Operations and one within International Foodservice Operations. Within U.S. Foodservice Operations, in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, we acquired Doerle Food Services (Doerle), a leading Louisiana broadline distributor with approximately $250 million in annual foodservice distribution sales. Acquiring Doerle provides Sysco with a distributor that services parts of a six-state area, including Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we acquired Kerr Pacific Corporation d/b/a HFM Foodservice (HFM), a Hawaii-based broadline distributor with approximately $290 million in annual sales. HFM has been providing quality service to Hawaii and Guam for over 50 years. Acquiring HFM providesprovided Sysco with direct access to the growing Hawaiian market and iswas in clear alignment with our strategy for disciplined, profitable growth of the business. HFM is a part of our U.S. Foodservice Operations.

Within our International Foodservice Operations, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we acquired Kent Frozen Foods (KFF), a United Kingdom (U.K.)-based distributor that distributes chilled, frozen, and ambient food products to the catering industry in the U.K. Acquiring KFF provided Sysco Europe with an enhanced presence in the frozen foods distribution market. In addition to the three acquisitions noted above, in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we acquiredpurchased the remaining 50% interest in our joint venture in Costa Rica. Sysco initially acquired a 50% interest in the foodservice company in fiscal 2015.

Strategy

Fiscal 2018 is the final year in a three-year plan that was established in fiscal 2016. This initial three-year plan excludes the results of the Brakes Group. In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we outlined our new three-year plan, including our financial objectives through fiscal 2020, which will enable us to continue transforming our business, while improving the customer experience of doing business with Sysco. Our new three-year plan includes the results of the Brakes Group. Our key strategic priorities are: enriching the customer experience, delivering operational excellence, optimizing the business and activating the power of our people. These strategies will help us achieve our new target financial objectives, including (1) reaching $650 million to $700 million of adjusted operating income growth as compared to fiscal 2017, (2) growing earnings per share faster than operating income, and (3) achieving 16% in adjusted return on invested capital for existing businesses. We do not expect our improvements to occur evenly on a quarterly basis. In accomplishing these goals, we believe by fiscal 2020 we could also achieve (1) sales growth of 4% to 4.5%, (2) adjusted operating income growth of 9%, (3) adjusted net earnings improvement of 9%, and (4) adjusted diluted earnings per share results in the range of $3.40 to $3.50 in fiscal 2020.2020, representing an increase of approximately 12%. The key levers to achieve these targets include an emphasis on accelerating locally managed customer case growth and driving leverage between gross profit growth and expense growth. Our operating income goal was established on an adjusted basis given Certain Item charges that were applicable in fiscal 2018, which primarily were due to restructuring and Brakes-related acquisitions costs. The objectives targeted in our new three-year plan are subject to change, as we continue to assess the impact of the recently enacted U.S. tax reform; however, we anticipate our three-year plan earnings’ targets will be positively impacted.reform.

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



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 26-Week Period Ended13-Week Period Ended 39-Week Period Ended
Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Dec. 30, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017 Mar. 31, 2018 Apr. 1, 2017
Sales100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %100.0 % 100.0% 100.0 % 100.0%
Cost of sales81.3
 80.9
 81.1
 80.8
81.4
 81.3
 81.2
 81.0
Gross profit18.7
 19.1
 18.9
 19.2
18.6
 18.7
 18.8
 19.0
Operating expenses15.0
 15.5
 14.9
 15.3
15.3
 15.5
 15.0
 15.4
Operating income3.7
 3.7
 4.0
 3.9
3.3
 3.2
 3.8
 3.6
Interest expense0.6
 0.5
 0.6
 0.5
0.9
 0.6
 0.7
 0.6
Other expense (income), net
 
 
 
(0.1) 
 (0.1) 
Earnings before income taxes3.1
 3.1
 3.4
 3.4
2.5
 2.6
 3.2
 3.0
Income taxes1.2
 1.1
 1.2
 1.2
0.2
 0.9
 0.9
 1.1
Net earnings2.0 % 2.0 % 2.2 % 2.2 %2.3 % 1.7% 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 26-Week Period Ended13-Week Period Ended 39-Week Period Ended
Sales7.1 % 6.0 %6.1 % 6.0 %
Cost of sales7.6
 6.3
6.2
 6.3
Gross profit5.0
 4.4
5.6
 4.8
Operating expenses4.2
 3.2
4.4
 3.6
Operating income8.1
 9.1
11.5
 9.8
Interest expense19.0
 14.4
68.1
 33.6
Other expense (income), net (1) (2)
134.1
 1.5
213.5
 72.6
Earnings before income taxes6.9
 8.2
1.4
 6.3
Income taxes13.8
 7.0
(71.4) (14.4)
Net earnings3.3 % 8.8 %38.5 % 17.3 %
Basic earnings per share10.0 % 13.8 %43.2 % 22.9 %
Diluted earnings per share8.0
 13.9
43.2
 21.7
Average shares outstanding(4.4) (4.7)(3.2) (4.2)
Diluted shares outstanding(4.2) (4.6)(3.0) (4.1)
 

(1) 
Other expense (income), net was income of $5.4$15.1 million in the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 and income of $2.3$4.8 million in the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2017.
(2) 
Other expense (income), net was income of $9.7$24.8 million in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 and income of $9.5$14.4 million in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017.



The following represents our results by reportable segments:
13-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 201713-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
U.S. Foodservice Operations International Foodservice Operations SYGMA Other Corporate Consolidated
Totals
U.S. Foodservice Operations International Foodservice Operations SYGMA Other Corporate Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$9,681,225
 $2,869,043
 $1,633,145
 $228,077
 $
 $14,411,490
$9,704,495
 $2,799,251
 $1,605,753
 $240,005
 $
 $14,349,504
Sales increase (decrease)6.6% 9.3 % 7.4% 1.1 %   7.1%5.1% 10.7% 4.6 % 5.7 %   6.1%
Percentage of total67.2% 19.9 % 11.3% 1.6 %   100.0%67.6% 19.5% 11.2 % 1.7 %   100.0%
                      
Operating income$706,375
 $52,438
 $3,353
 $3,222
 $(233,106) $532,282
$695,464
 $19,319
 $4,477
 $5,945
 $(239,272) $485,933
Operating income increase (decrease)3.7% (38.2)% 6.3% (15.1)%   8.1%0.9% 20.2% (39.0)% (2.2)%   11.5%
Percentage of total segments92.3% 6.9 % 0.4% 0.4 %   100.0%95.9% 2.7% 0.6 % 0.8 %   100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales7.3% 1.8 % 0.2% 1.4 %   3.7%7.2% 0.7% 0.3 % 2.5 %   3.4%

13-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 201613-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017
U.S. Foodservice Operations International Foodservice Operations SYGMA Other Corporate Consolidated
Totals
U.S. Foodservice Operations International Foodservice Operations SYGMA Other Corporate Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$9,085,565
 $2,625,949
 $1,520,182
 $225,572
 $
 $13,457,268
$9,233,048
 $2,528,485
 $1,535,550
 $227,089
 $
 $13,524,172
Percentage of total67.5% 19.5% 11.3% 1.7%   100.0%68.3% 18.7% 11.4% 1.7%   100.0%
                      
Operating income$681,321
 $84,814
 $3,155
 $3,793
 $(280,666) $492,417
$689,210
 $16,076
 $7,344
 $6,078
 $(282,746) $435,962
Percentage of total segments88.1% 11.0% 0.4% 0.5%   100.0%95.9% 2.2% 1.0% 0.8%   100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales7.5% 3.2% 0.2% 1.7%   3.7%7.5% 0.6% 0.5% 2.7%   3.2%

26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 201739-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018
U.S. Foodservice Operations International Foodservice Operations SYGMA Other Corporate 
Consolidated
Totals
U.S. Foodservice Operations International Foodservice Operations SYGMA Other Corporate 
Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$19,530,167
 $5,772,298
 $3,273,816
 $485,633
 $
 $29,061,914
$29,234,662
 $8,571,549
 $4,879,569
 $725,638
 $
 $43,411,418
Sales increase (decrease)5.2% 7.8 % 8.2% 1.2 %   6.0%5.2% 8.7 % 7.0 % 2.6 %   6.0%
Percentage of total67.2% 19.9 % 11.3% 1.6 %   100.0%67.3% 19.7 % 11.2 % 1.8 %   100.0%
                      
Operating income$1,487,244
 $129,084
 $8,198
 $7,238
 $(476,390) $1,155,374
$2,182,708
 $148,403
 $12,675
 $13,181
 $(715,660) $1,641,307
Operating income increase (decrease)4.3% (21.4)% 1.7% (38.6)%   1.3%3.2% (17.7)% (17.7)% (26.3)%   9.8%
Percentage of total segments91.1% 7.9 % 0.5% 0.5 %   100.0%92.6% 6.3 % 0.5 % 0.6 %   100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales7.6% 2.2 % 0.3% 1.5 %   4.0%7.5% 1.7 % 0.3 % 1.8 %   3.8%

26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 201639-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017
U.S. Foodservice Operations International Foodservice Operations SYGMA Other Corporate 
Consolidated
Totals
U.S. Foodservice Operations International Foodservice Operations SYGMA Other Corporate 
Consolidated
Totals
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$18,566,681
 $5,354,310
 $3,024,874
 $480,057
 $
 $27,425,922
$27,799,728
 $7,882,796
 $4,560,424
 $707,146
 $
 $40,950,094
Percentage of total67.7% 19.5% 11.0% 1.7%   100.0%67.9% 19.2% 11.1% 1.6%   100.0%
                      
Operating income$1,426,552
 $164,249
 $8,062
 $11,794
 $(551,407) $1,059,250
$2,115,762
 $180,324
 $15,407
 $17,873
 $(834,154) $1,495,212
Percentage of total segments88.6% 10.2% 0.5% 0.7%   100.0%90.8% 7.7% 0.7% 0.8%   100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales7.7% 3.1% 0.3% 2.5%   3.9%7.6% 2.3% 0.3% 2.5%   3.7%



Based on information in Note 13, "Business“Business Segment Information"Information” in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations, collectively, represented approximately 87.1% of Sysco’s overall sales. In the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations collectively represented approximately 99.2%98.6% and 99.0%98.9% of the total segment operating income, respectively.  This illustrates that these segments represent the majority of our total segment results when compared to the other reportable segment.

Results of U.S. Foodservice Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:
13-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017 13-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016 13-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars 13-Week Period % Change13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018 13-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017 13-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars 13-Week Period % Change
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$9,681,225
 $9,085,565
 $595,660
 6.6%$9,704,495
 $9,233,048
 $471,447
 5.1%
Gross profit1,915,466
 1,823,023
 92,443
 5.1
1,911,704
 1,836,226
 75,478
 4.1
Operating expenses1,209,091
 1,141,702
 67,389
 5.9
1,216,240
 1,147,016
 69,224
 6.0
Operating income$706,375
 $681,321
 $25,054
 3.7%$695,464
 $689,210
 $6,254
 0.9%
              
Gross profit$1,911,704
 $1,836,226
 $75,478
 4.1%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)1,214,540
 1,147,016
 67,524
 5.9
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)$697,164
 $689,210
 $7,954
 1.2%
       
26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016 26-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars 26-Week Period % Change39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018 39-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017 39-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars 39-Week Period
% Change
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$19,530,167
 $18,566,681
 $963,486
 5.2%$29,234,662
 $27,799,728
 $1,434,934
 5.2%
Gross profit3,901,749
 3,736,138
 165,611
 4.4
5,813,453
 5,572,364
 241,089
 4.3
Operating expenses2,414,505
 2,309,586
 104,919
 4.5
3,630,745
 3,456,602
 174,143
 5.0
Operating income$1,487,244
 $1,426,552
 $60,692
 4.3%$2,182,708
 $2,115,762
 $66,946
 3.2%
       
Gross profit$5,813,453
 $5,572,364
 $241,089
 4.3%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)3,629,045
 3,456,132
 172,913
 5.0
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)$2,184,408
 $2,116,232
 $68,176
 3.2%



Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales as compared to the comparable prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.
Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
13-Week Period13-Week Period
(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentage DollarsPercentage Dollars
Case volume3.0 % $273.3
1.5 % $140.5
Inflation3.3
 300.3
2.6
 240.8
Acquisitions0.6
 50.6
0.8
 76.0
Other (1)
(0.3) (28.5)0.2
 14.2
Total sales increase6.6 % $595.7
5.1 % $471.5
      
Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
26-Week Period39-Week Period
(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentage DollarsPercentage Dollars
Case volume1.7 % $314.8
1.6 % $455.1
Inflation3.6
 659.8
3.2
 900.8
Acquisitions0.3
 50.6
0.5
 126.6
Other(0.4) (61.7)(0.1) (47.6)
Total sales increase5.2 % $963.5
5.2 % $1,434.9

(1) Case volume excludes the volume impact from our custom-cut meat companies that do not measure volume in cases. Any impact in volumes from these operations is included within “Other.”

Sales for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 were 6.6%5.1% higher than the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2017. The largest drivers of the increase were the impact of product cost inflation and case volume growth in our U.S. Broadline operations and case volume growthoperations. Case volumes from our U.S. Broadline operations, whichincluding acquisitions within the last 12 months, increased 3.5%2.4% in the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2017. Case growth for2017 and included a 2.6% improvement in locally managed customers increased 4.8%customer case growth, along with an increase of 1.9%2.2% in national customer case volumes for our multi-unit business,volume, including chain restaurants and multi-locational restaurants. Sales from acquisitions within the last 12 months favorably impacted locally managed customer sales by 0.8% for the third quarter of fiscal 2018; therefore, organic local case volume, which excludes acquisitions, grew 1.8%. Sales for the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 were 5.2% higher than the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017. The largest drivers of the increase were the impact of product cost inflation and case volume growth in our U.S. Broadline operations for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 and case volume growthoperations. Case volumes from our U.S. Broadline operations, whichincluding acquisitions within the last 12 months, improved 1.8%2.0% in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 compared to the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017, and included a 3.8%3.3% improvement in locally managed customer case volume. We have proactivelySales from acquisitions within the last 12 months favorably impacted locally managed our business in a more disciplined and profitable manner with our multi-unit customers and have added new customers incustomer sales by 0.5% for the second quarterfirst 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. We expect to see multi-unit growth continuing in the second half of the year.2018; therefore, organic local case volume, which excludes acquisitions, grew 2.8%.

Operating income increased 3.7%0.9% for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018, as compared to the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2017. Operating income for the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 increased 4.3%3.2%, or $60.7$66.9 million, compared to the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017.

Gross profit dollars increased 5.1%4.1% and 4.4%4.3% in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017. These results reflect (1)2017, driven by customer mix that continued to improve as local case volume thatcases grew at a pace greaterfaster than our multi-unit business and (2) volumenational cases. Additionally, growth of new customers recently added.in Sysco brand has continued to drive gross profit growth. Our Sysco brand sales to local customers increased by approximately 3762 and 6055 basis points for the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively. The estimated change in product costs, an internal measure of inflation or deflation, for the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 for our U.S. Broadline operations was inflation of 3.3%2.6% and 3.6%3.2%, respectively. Inflation in the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 occurred primarily in the meat, dairy and produce categories. Partially offsetting our gross profit growth were cost pressures from our inbound freight. Our industry is facing driver availability challenges, leading to increased lane rates from carriers. As a result, our costs have increased, as we have utilized more spot rates to transport goods. We are actively working to mitigate these risks by providing a long-term solution and ensuring that we are a preferred customer for various carriers. Gross margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of sales, was 19.8%19.7% and 20.0%19.9% in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal


2018, respectively, a decline of 2819 and 1416 basis points from the gross margin of 20.1%19.9% and 20.0% in both the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017.2017, respectively. This


decline was largely attributable to the inflationary environment, new customers added at lower margin rates and cost pressures from inbound freight.

Operating expenses for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 increased 5.9%6.0%, or $67.4$69.2 million, compared to the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2017. Operating expenses for the first 39 weeks of 2018 increased 5.0%, or $174.1 million, compared to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2017. Our operating expense growth is primarily attributable to increased supply chain costs in both warehouse and transportation, our ongoing investment in our selling organization, specifically marketing associates, in an effort to accelerate our local sales, and increased bad debt expense as a result of year-over-year comparisons to a strong prior year period. In supply chain, costs increased due to a combination of the impact of unfavorable weather, a continuation of ramp up costs for new business and increased fuel costs. The increases in operating expenses for the period resulted primarily from a $44.0included $43.1 million increaseand $92.7 million increases in pay-related expenses in the third quarter and increased transportation expenses. Operating expenses for the first 2639 weeks of 2018, increased 4.5%, or $104.9 million, compared to the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2017.  The increases in operating expenses for the period resulted primarily from a $61.3 million increase in pay-related expenses and increased supply chain expenses. Pay-related expenses have primarily increased due to volume growth and investing in our salesforce. Our increase in supply chain costs included start-up costs related to newly obtained national account business.  Fuel prices are increasing in fiscal 2018 as compared to fiscal 2017 which has led to increased fuel expenses. These are partially offset by improvements in productivity as a result of re-engineering the delivery process to be more efficient, while also providing higher quality and service levels.respectively.

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 Dec. 30, 2017 13-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016 13-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars 13-Week Period % Change13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018 13-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017 13-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars 13-Week Period % Change
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$2,869,043
 $2,625,949
 $243,094
 9.3 %$2,799,251
 $2,528,485
 $270,766
 10.7 %
Gross profit599,647
 576,215
 23,432
 4.1
583,226
 516,748
 66,478
 12.9
Operating expenses547,209
 491,401
 55,808
 11.4
563,907
 500,672
 63,235
 12.6
Operating income$52,438
 $84,814
 $(32,376) (38.2)%$19,319
 $16,076
 $3,243
 20.2 %


 

           
Gross profit$599,647
 $576,215
 $23,432
 4.1 %$583,226
 $516,748
 $66,478
 12.9 %
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)520,798
 465,518
 55,280
 11.9
538,676
 476,845
 61,831
 13.0
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)$78,849
 $110,697
 $(31,848) (28.8)%$44,550
 $39,903
 $4,647
 11.6 %
              
26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016 26-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars 26-Week Period
% Change
39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018 39-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017 39-Week Period Ended Change in Dollars 39-Week Period
% Change
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Sales$5,772,298
 $5,354,310
 $417,988
 7.8 %$8,571,549
 $7,882,796
 $688,753
 8.7 %
Gross profit1,214,750
 1,174,621
 40,129
 3.4
1,797,976
 1,691,368
 106,608
 6.3
Operating expenses1,085,666
 1,010,372
 75,294
 7.5
1,649,573
 1,511,044
 138,529
 9.2
Operating income$129,084
 $164,249
 $(35,165) (21.4)%$148,403
 $180,324
 $(31,921) (17.7)%
              
Gross profit$1,214,750
 $1,174,621
 $40,129
 3.4 %$1,797,976
 $1,691,368
 $106,608
 6.3 %
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)1,040,843
 960,311
 80,532
 8.4
1,579,520
 1,437,157
 142,363
 9.9
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)$173,907
 $214,310
 $(40,403) (18.9)%$218,456
 $254,211
 $(35,755) (14.1)%



Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales as compared to the comparable prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.
Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
13-Week Period13-Week Period
(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentage DollarsPercentage Dollars
Case volume1.8 % $46.5
0.4 % $10.7
Inflation2.5
 66.8
2.5
 64.0
Acquisitions0.3
 7.6
0.3
 7.4
Foreign currency5.8
 151.0
8.4
 212.9
Other(1.1) (28.8)(0.9) (24.3)
Total sales increase9.3 % $243.1
10.7 % $270.7
      
Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
26-Week Period39-Week Period
(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentage DollarsPercentage Dollars
Case volume0.7 % $36.9
0.7 % $51.2
Inflation4.1
 219.8
3.6
 283.2
Acquisitions0.3
 15.2
0.3
 22.6
Foreign currency3.6
 195.0
5.2
 405.8
Other(0.9) (48.9)(1.1) (74.1)
Total sales increase7.8 % $418.0
8.7 % $688.7

Sales for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 were 9.3%10.7% and 8.7% higher than the secondthird quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2017, respectively, primarily due to favorable changes in exchange rates used to translate our foreign sales into U.S. dollars, as well as product cost inflation in Canada and Europe. Sales for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 were 7.8% higher than the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2017, primarily due to product cost inflation in Canada and Europe and favorable changes in exchange rates. We experienced sales growth in Canada for the second quarter and first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 due to a focused approach to local customers, which has translated into accelerated local case growth.Canada. The U.K. continues to experience acute product inflation due to weakness in the pound sterling, which contributed to a portion of the high food cost inflation of approximately 6%5% during the secondthird quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018. An acquisition in Sweden has contributed to sales growth.

Operating income decreased by $32.4$3.2 million and $35.2$31.9 million, or 38.2%20.2% and 21.4%17.7%, for the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017. The decreases were primarily attributable to increased operating expenses combined with softer results in the European business due to lower gross marginswinter storms that had a negative impact across parts of our European and increased operating expenses. The U.K. is experiencing increased competition,Canadian business as a result of reduced shipping days and we are investing in supply chain transformation to deliver multi-temperature facilities and fleet and other initiatives to enrich the customer experience. We believe this will position us for future growth, but will contribute to increased operating expenseacute product inflation in the near term. Our operations in France and Ireland are performing well.mid-to-high single digits. The decreases in operating income were partially offset by improvements in our Canadian operations, which are the result of continued implementation of strategic initiatives, such as revenue management, administrative and supply chain productivity improvements, and differentiated customer solutions, including online ordering improvements. Our Latin American operations continue to present growth opportunities.operations. We continue to see strong growthfocus on executing against our long-term plans by investing in Costa Ricanecessary capabilities across our International businesses and are expandingleveraging our cash and carry operations. In Mexico, we are absorbing the cost of addingposition as a new customer and are due to annualize that addition next quarter.platform for future growth.

Gross profit dollars increased by 4.1%12.9% and 3.4%6.3% in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017, primarily attributable to a combination of product costs increasing and currency translation in the U.K. along with local case growth in our Canadian operations. Growth in gross profit dollars was partially offset by a decline in higher margin sales to independent customers in the U.K. due to significant food cost inflation, which has impacted our volume growth and gross margins. A change from a calendar year to Sysco’s fiscal year has also resulted in a negative impact in the year-over-year comparisons.



Operating expenses for the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 increased 11.4%12.6% and 7.5%9.2%, or $55.8$63.2 million and $75.3$138.5 million, respectively, compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017.  The increase was driven primarily by our European operations and resulted from increased transportation costs, depreciation expense andWe continue to make investments in our supply chain transformation initiatives.across Europe. This includes a project to integrate our operations in France, Brakes France and Davigel, to create a new entity, Sysco France. In addition, we are investing in new capabilities, such as technology solutions, that are being implemented across the business to enrich the customer experience and lead to improved loyalty and accelerated case growth with our local and independent customers. The increase was also driven by increased transportation costs and depreciation expense. Certain Items applicable to this segment include Brakes Acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs within our European and Canadian operations. A change from a calendar year to Sysco’s fiscal year has also resulted in a negative impact in the year-over-year comparisons.



Results of SYGMA and Other Segment

For SYGMA, sales were 7.4%4.6% and 8.2%7.0% higher in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017, primarily from case growth and product cost inflation.  Case growth was primarily due to increased volume from existing customers. SYGMA experienced product cost inflation at a rate of 3.0%1.7% and 3.4%2.8% for the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively. Operating income increaseddecreased by $0.2$2.9 million and $0.1$2.7 million in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017. We are focused on continuing2017, due to improve operational performance that will contributeincreased expenses, including inbound freight issues and increased transportation costs due to long-term operating income growth.driver challenges and outsourced delivery costs to meet the high service level expectations of our customers.

For the operations that are grouped within Other, operating income decreased 15.1%2.2%, or $0.6$0.1 million, and 38.6%26.3%, or $4.6$4.7 million, in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017. These decreases are largely the result of the performance of our hotel lodging supply company.

Corporate Expenses

Corporate expenses in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 decreased $46.8$56.0 million, or 16.7%19.7%, and $72.6$128.6 million, or 13.3%15.5%, respectively, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017, due primarily to the favorable comparison of depreciation expense. During the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017, we incurred $45.9 million and $92.3$138.2 million, respectively, of depreciation on our previously existing ERP system, which became fully depreciated at the end of fiscal 2017. A portion of this depreciation expense was included in Certain Items during fiscal 2017. The decrease in expenses was partially offset by an increase in business technology costs in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018. Corporate expenses, on an adjusted basis, decreased $28.5$38.4 million, or 11.8%15.7%, and $38.8$77.2 million, or 8.2%10.8%, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017, respectively, primarily due to lower business technology costs, partially attributable to reduced depreciation expense. Reduced expenses from management incentives are also contributing to the decrease in corporate expenses specific to third quarter of fiscal 2018, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017.

Included in corporate expenses are Certain Items that totaled $20.8$22.9 million and $41.2$64.1 million in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to $39.1$40.5 million and $74.9$115.4 million in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017. Certain Items impacting the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 were primarily expenses associated with our business technology transformation initiatives, Brakes integration costs, professional fees on three-year financial objectives and severance charges. Certain Items for the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017 primarily included $27.7 million and $55.9$83.6 million, respectively, of accelerated depreciation on our previously existing ERP system, in addition to expenses related to professional fees on three-year financial objectives, Brakes integration costs, and costs incurred to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy.strategy, and expenses related to professional fees on three-year financial objectives.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $13.8$55.1 million and $76.2 million for the secondthird quarter and the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2017, primarily due to the partial redemption of the senior notes and debentures due 2027, 2028, 2035 and 2039 pursuant to a tender offer in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Interest charges related to the redemption costs noted above are considered Certain Items. Our interest expense, excluding Certain Items, increased $2.0 million and $23.1 million for the third quarter and the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2017, due to higher relative debtborrowing levels in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 related tofrom senior notes that were issued in fiscal 2017. Interest expense increased $21.0 million for the first 26 weeks2017 primarily to pay off a portion of fiscal 2018, as compared to the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2017, due to higher relative debt levels in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018.our outstanding commercial paper borrowings.

Net Earnings

Net earnings increased 3.3%38.5% and 8.8%17.3% in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, as compared to the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of the prior year due primarily to the items noted above, as well as items impacting our income taxes that are discussed in Note 2, “Changes in Accounting,” and Note 11, "Income“Income Taxes."  Adjusted net earnings, excluding Certain Items, increased 29.2%28.9% and 16.0%19.7% in the secondthird quarter and first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, primarily from gross profit growth and favorable expense comparisons, as well as the one-time second quarter benefit related to the reduction in our U.S. statutory tax rate as applied retroactively to July 2, 2017. Further adjusting to remove the impact of the one-time second quarter charge related to the U.S. statutory tax rate reduction, adjusted net earnings increased 8.9% and 6.7% in the second quarter


and first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018, respectively, primarily from gross profit growth and favorable expense comparisons, as well as excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation. Partially offsetting these increases was increased interest expense.benefits.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share in the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 were $0.55,$0.63, a 10.0%43.2% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $0.50$0.44 per share. Diluted earnings per share in the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 were $0.54, an 8.0%$0.63, a 43.2% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $0.50$0.44 per share.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items, in the second third


quarter of fiscal 2018 were $0.78,$0.67, a 34.5%31.4% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $0.58$0.51 per share.  These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed above related to net earnings in the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018, including a three cent per share benefit from excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation.

Basic earnings per share in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 were $1.88, a 22.9% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $1.53 per share. Diluted earnings per share in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 were $1.85, a 21.7% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $1.52 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items, in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018 were $2.19, a 24.4% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $1.76 per share. These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed above related to net earnings in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, including a nine cent per share benefit from excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation. We recorded various estimates related to U.S. tax reform and the reduction of our U.S. statutory tax rate to a blended rate of 28% for fiscal 2018. For the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we have recorded a one-time 12 cent benefit related to the U.S. statutory tax rate reduction. Further adjusting to remove the impact of this one-time benefit related to the U.S. statutory tax rate reduction, adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 13.8% in the second quarter to $0.66 per share.

Basic earnings per share in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 were $1.24, a 13.8% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $1.09 per share. Diluted earnings per share in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 were $1.23, a 13.9% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $1.08 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items, in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 were $1.52, a 21.6% increase from the comparable prior period amount of $1.25 per share. These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed above related to net earnings in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018, including a six cent per share benefit from excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation. For the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018, we have recorded a one-time 12 cent benefit related to the reduced U.S. statutory tax rate. Further adjusting to remove the impact of this one-time benefit related to the U.S. statutory tax rate reduction, adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 12.0% in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 to $1.40 per share.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Sysco’s results of operations for fiscal 2018 and 2017 are impacted by restructuring costs consisting of: (1) expenses associated with our revised business technology strategy announced in fiscal 2016, as a result of which we incurred costs to convert to a modernized version of our established platform as opposed to completing the implementation of an ERP; (2) professional fees related to our three-year strategic plan; (3) restructuring expenses within our Brakes Group operations; and (4) severance charges related to restructuring. In addition, fiscal 2018 results of operations are impacted by business technology transformation initiative costs.costs, facility closure charges, MEPP withdrawal charges and debt extinguishment charges. Our results of operations for fiscal 2018 and 2017 are also impacted by the following acquisition-related items: (1) intangible amortization expense and (2) integration costs. All acquisition-related costs in fiscal 2018 and 2017 that have been excluded relate to the Brakes acquisition.  The Brakes acquisition also resulted in non-recurring tax expense in fiscal 2017, primarily from non-deductible transaction costs. Sysco’s results of operations for fiscal 2018 are also impacted by reform measures from the Tax Act enacted on December 22, 2017. The impact for fiscal 2018 includes: (1) a provisional estimate of a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries andsubsidiaries; (2) a net benefit from remeasuring Sysco’s accrued income taxes, deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets due to the changes in tax rates.rates; and (3) a benefit from contributions made to fund the Pension Plan. These fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 items are collectively referred to as "Certain“Certain Items."

Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, interest expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items, but not for the impact of the tax rate reduction, 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'scompany’s underlying operations, facilitating comparisons on a year-over-year basis and (2) removes those items that are difficult to predict and are often unanticipated and that, as a result, are difficult to include in analysts'analysts’ financial models and our investors'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 Brakes acquisition. We believe this approach significantly enhances the comparability of Sysco’s results for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017.

Sysco is also disclosing net earnings and diluted earnings per share that are further adjusted due to changes in the U.S. statutory tax rate that resulted from the Tax Act. The U.S. statutory tax rate changed to 21% effective January 1, 2018; however, because Sysco was at the midpoint of its fiscal year when the Tax Act became effective, the blended U.S. statutory tax rate applicable to Sysco for fiscal 2018 is 28%. This produced an estimated, one-time net tax benefit of $64.7 million that was recorded in the


second quarter of fiscal 2018 due to retroactive application of the 28% blended rate to our earnings for the first half of fiscal 2018, an adjustment addressing the fact that reported earnings in the first quarter were calculated based on the prior, higher statutory rate and that rate has been applied retroactively to all earnings from July 1, 2017 through the date of adoption of the Tax Act.

Management believes that further adjusting its adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share to remove the impact of the U.S. statutory tax rate change provides an important additional perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results and provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that better reflects the underlying performance of the company and provides for better comparability quarter to quarter, by excluding the impacts of not only the Certain Items described above, but also the impact of the reduction in the U.S. statutory tax rate, which will continue to impact our financial results, and which impacts would have been difficult for analysts or investors to anticipate, for purposes of their financial models or otherwise, with any degree of specificity. Management also made this further adjustment to compare Sysco’s underlying financial performance to internal budgets and forecasts that did not include the impact of the U.S. statutory tax rate change that occurred as a result of the Tax Act.

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 Dec. 30, 2017 13-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016 Change in Dollars %/bps Change13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018 13-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017 Change in Dollars % Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Operating expenses (GAAP)$2,167,104
 $2,079,446
 $87,658
 4.2 %$2,189,695
 $2,098,173
 $91,522
 4.4 %
Impact of MEPP charge(1,700) 
 (1,700) NM
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
(21,377) (40,089) 18,712
 (46.7)(22,781) (40,064) 17,283
 (43.1)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
(25,799) (25,370) (429) 1.7
(25,361) (24,273) (1,088) 4.5
Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$2,119,928
 $2,013,987
 $105,941
 5.3 %$2,139,853
 $2,033,836
 $106,017
 5.2 %
              
Operating income (GAAP)$532,282
 $492,417
 $39,865
 8.1 %$485,933
 $435,962
 $49,971
 11.5 %
Impact of MEPP charge1,700
 
 1,700
 NM
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
21,377
 40,089
 (18,712) (46.7)22,781
 40,064
 (17,283) (43.1)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
25,799
 25,370
 429
 1.7
25,361
 24,273
 1,088
 4.5
Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$579,458
 $557,876
 $21,582
 3.9 %$535,775
 $500,299
 $35,476
 7.1 %
              
Interest expense (GAAP)$136,145
 $81,004
 $55,141
 68.1 %
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(53,104) 
 (53,104) NM
Interest expense adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$83,041
 $81,004
 $2,037
 2.5 %
       
Net earnings (GAAP)$284,113
 $275,167
 $8,946
 3.3 %$330,085
 $238,278
 $91,807
 38.5 %
Impact of MEPP charge1,700
 
 1,700
 NM
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
21,377
 40,089
 (18,712) (46.7)22,781
 40,064
 (17,283) (43.1)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
25,799
 25,370
 429
 1.7
25,361
 24,273
 1,088
 4.5
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt53,104
 
 53,104
 NM
Tax impact of MEPP charge(585) 
 (585) NM
Tax impact of restructuring costs (3)
(5,691) (15,111) 9,420
 (62.3)(7,571) (17,524) 9,953
 (56.8)
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(6,110) (6,726) 616
 (9.2)(6,633) (9,229) 2,596
 (28.1)
Impact of US transition tax115,000
 
 115,000
 NM
Impact of US balance sheet remeasurement from tax law change(14,477) 
 (14,477) NM
Impact of France and U.K. tax law changes(8,137) 
 (8,137) NM
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(18,225) 
 (18,225) NM
Tax impact of retirement plan contribution(44,424) 
 (44,424) NM
Net earnings adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)411,874
 318,789
 93,085
 29.2
$355,593
 $275,862
 $79,731
 28.9 %
Impact of US tax rate change(64,731) 
 (64,731) NM
Net earnings further adjusted (Non-GAAP)$347,143
 $318,789
 $28,354
 8.9 %
              
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$0.54
 $0.50
 $0.04
 8.0 %$0.63
 $0.44
 $0.19
 43.2 %
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
0.04
 0.07
 (0.03) (42.9)0.04
 0.07
 (0.03) (42.9)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
0.05
 0.05
 
 
0.05
 0.04
 0.01
 25.0
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt0.10
 
 0.10
 NM
Tax impact of restructuring costs (3)
(0.01) (0.03) 0.02
 (66.7)(0.01) (0.03) 0.02
 (66.7)
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(0.01) (0.01) 
 
(0.01) (0.02) 0.01
 (50.0)
Impact of US transition tax0.22
 
 0.22
 NM
Impact of US balance sheet remeasurement from tax law change(0.03) 
 (0.03) NM
Impact of France and U.K. tax law changes(0.02) 
 (0.02) NM
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(0.03) 
 (0.03) NM
Tax impact of retirement plan contribution(0.08) 
 (0.08) NM
Diluted EPS adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP) (4)
$0.78
 $0.58
 $0.20
 34.5 %$0.67
 $0.51
 $0.16
 31.4 %
Impact of US tax rate change(0.12) 
 (0.12) NM
Diluted EPS further adjusted (Non-GAAP) (4)
$0.66
 $0.58
 $0.08
 13.8 %
 

(1)
Fiscal 2018 includes business technology transformation initiative costs, professional fees on three-year financial objectives, restructuring expenses within our Brakes operations, costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy, severance charges related to restructuring, and facility closure charges. Fiscal 2017 includes $28 million in accelerated depreciation associated with our revised business technology strategy and $12 million related to restructuring expenses within our Brakes operations, costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy, severance charges related to restructuring and professional fees on three-year financial objectives.
(2)
Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 include $20 million and $19 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of Brakes, and $4 million and $7 million, respectively, in integration costs.
(1) Fiscal 2018 includes business technology transformation initiative costs, restructuring expenses within our Brakes operations, professional fees on three-year financial objectives and severance charges related to restructuring. Fiscal 2017 includes $28 million in accelerated depreciation associated with our revised business technology strategy and $12 million related to severance charges pertaining to restructuring, professional fees on three-year financial objectives, costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy and restructuring expenses within our Brakes operations.
(2) Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 each include $19 million related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of Brakes, and $5 million in integration costs.
(3) 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 Brakes Acquisition also resulted in non-recurring tax expense in fiscal 2017, primarily from non-deductible transaction costs.
(4) 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.
(3)
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 Brakes Acquisition also resulted in non-recurring tax expense in fiscal 2017, primarily from non-deductible transaction costs.
(4)
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.



26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016 Change in Dollars %/bps Change39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018 39-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017 Change in Dollars % Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Operating expenses (GAAP)$4,337,680
 $4,204,532
 $133,148
 3.2 %$6,527,375
 $6,302,705
 $224,670
 3.6 %
Impact of MEPP charge(1,700) 
 (1,700) NM
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
(40,430) (78,374) 37,944
 (48.4)(63,211) (118,438) 55,227
 (46.6)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
(45,545) (47,079) 1,534
 (3.3)(70,906) (71,352) 446
 (0.6)
Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$4,251,705
 $4,079,079
 $172,626
 4.2 %$6,391,558
 $6,112,915
 $278,643
 4.6 %
              
Operating income (GAAP)$1,155,374
 $1,059,250
 $96,124
 9.1 %$1,641,307
 $1,495,212
 $146,095
 9.8 %
Impact of MEPP charge1,700
 
 1,700
 NM
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
40,430
 78,374
 (37,944) (48.4)63,211
 118,438
 (55,227) (46.6)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
45,545
 47,079
 (1,534) (3.3)70,906
 71,352
 (446) (0.6)
Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$1,241,349
 $1,184,703
 $56,646
 4.8 %$1,777,124
 $1,685,002
 $92,122
 5.5 %
              
Interest expense (GAAP)$303,015
 $226,858
 $76,157
 33.6 %
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(53,104) 
 (53,104) NM
Interest expense adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$249,911
 $226,858
 $23,053
 10.2 %
       
Net earnings (GAAP)$651,753
 $599,054
 $52,699
 8.8 %$981,838
 $837,332
 $144,506
 17.3 %
Impact of MEPP charge1,700
 
 1,700
 NM
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
40,430
 78,374
 (37,944) (48.4)63,211
 118,438
 (55,227) (46.6)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
45,545
 47,079
 (1,534) (3.3)70,906
 71,352
 (446) (0.6)
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt53,104
 
 53,104
 NM
Tax impact of MEPP charge(582) 
 (582) NM
Tax impact of restructuring costs (3)
(12,654) (19,072) 6,418
 (33.7)(20,170) (36,840) 16,670
 (45.2)
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(11,088) (10,528) (560) 5.3
(17,778) (19,515) 1,737
 (8.9)
Impact of US transition tax115,000
 
 115,000
 NM
Impact of US balance sheet remeasurement from tax law change(14,477) 
 (14,477) NM
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(18,225) 
 (18,225) NM
Impact of U.S. transition tax115,000
 
 115,000
 NM
Impact of U.S. balance sheet remeasurement from tax law change(14,477) 
 (14,477) NM
Impact of France and U.K. tax law changes(8,137) 
 (8,137) NM
(8,137) 
 (8,137) NM
Tax impact of retirement plan contribution(44,424) 
 (44,424) NM
Net earnings adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)806,372
 694,907
 111,465
 16.0
$1,161,966
 $970,767
 $191,199
 19.7 %
Impact of US tax rate change(64,731) 
 (64,731) NM
Net earnings further adjusted (Non-GAAP)$741,641
 $694,907
 $46,734
 6.7 %
              
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$1.23
 $1.08
 $0.15
 13.9 %$1.85
 $1.52
 $0.33
 21.7 %
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
0.08
 0.14
 (0.06) (42.9)0.12
 0.21
 (0.09) (42.9)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
0.09
 0.08
 0.01
 12.5
0.13
 0.13
 
 NM
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt0.10
 
 0.10
 NM
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (3)
(0.02) (0.03) 0.01
 (33.3)(0.04) (0.07) 0.03
 (42.9)
Tax impact of acquisition financing costs (3)
(0.02) (0.02) 
 
(0.03) (0.04) 0.01
 (25.0)
Impact of US transition tax0.22
 
 0.22
 NM
Impact of US balance sheet remeasurement from tax law change(0.03) 
 (0.03) NM
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(0.03) 
 (0.03) NM
Impact of U.S. transition tax0.22
 
 0.22
 NM
Impact of U.S. balance sheet remeasurement from tax law change(0.03) 
 (0.03) NM
Impact of France and U.K. tax law changes(0.02) 
 (0.02) NM
(0.02) 
 (0.02) NM
Tax impact of retirement plan contribution(0.08) 
 (0.08) NM
Diluted EPS adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP) (4)
1.52
 1.25
 0.27
 21.6 %$2.19
 $1.76
 $0.43
 24.4 %
Impact of US tax rate change(0.12) 
 (0.12) NM
Diluted EPS further adjusted (Non-GAAP) (4)
$1.40
 $1.25
 $0.15
 12.0 %

(1)
Fiscal 2018 includes business technology transformation initiative costs, professional fees on three-year financial objectives, restructuring expenses within our Brakes operations, costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy, severance charges related to restructuring, and facility closure charges. Fiscal 2017 includes $84 million


(1) Fiscal 2018 includes business technology transformation initiative costs, professional fees on three-year financial objectives, restructuring expenses within our Brakes operations and severance charges related to restructuring. Fiscal 2017 includes $56 million in accelerated depreciation associated with our revised business technology strategy and $22$35 million related to professional fees on 3-year financial objectives, restructuring expenses within our Brakes operations, severance charges and costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy.
(2) Fiscal 2018strategy and fiscal 2017 include $31 million and $38 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of Brakes, and $10 million and $7 million in integration costs, respectively.severance charges.
(3)
(2) 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 Brakes Acquisition also resulted in non-recurring tax expense in fiscal 2017, primarily from non-deductible transaction costs.
(4) 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.


Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 include $51 million and $57 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of Brakes, and $14 million and $15 million in integration costs, respectively.
(3)
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 Brakes Acquisition also resulted in non-recurring tax expense in fiscal 2017, primarily from non-deductible transaction costs.
(4)
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.

Set forth below is a reconciliation by segment of actual operating expenses and operating income to adjusted results for these measures for applicable segments and corporate for the periods presented:
13-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018 13-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017 Change in Dollars % Change
U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS       
Operating expenses$1,216,240
 $1,147,016
 $69,224
 6.0 %
Impact of MEPP charge(1,700) 
 (1,700) NM
Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$1,214,540
 $1,147,016
 $67,524
 5.9 %



 

 

 

Operating income$695,464
 $689,210
 $6,254
 0.9 %
Impact of MEPP charge1,700
 
 1,700
 NM
Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$697,164
 $689,210
 $7,954
 1.2 %
13-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017 13-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016 Change in Dollars %/bps Change

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS

 

 

 



 

 

 

Operating expenses (GAAP)$547,209
 $491,401
 $55,808
 11.4 %$563,907
 $500,672
 $63,235
 12.6 %
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
(5,602) (5,590) (12) 0.2
(3,552) (6,779) 3,227
 (47.6)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
(20,809) (20,293) (516) 2.5
(21,679) (17,048) (4,631) 27.2
Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$520,798
 $465,518
 $55,280
 11.9 %$538,676
 $476,845
 $61,831
 13.0 %



 

 

 



 

 

 

Operating income (GAAP)$52,438
 $84,814
 $(32,376) (38.2)%$19,319
 $16,076
 $3,243
 20.2 %
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
5,602
 5,590
 12
 0.2
3,552
 6,779
 (3,227) (47.6)
Impact of acquisition related costs (2)
20,809
 20,293
 516
 2.5
21,679
 17,048
 4,631
 27.2
Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$78,849
 $110,697
 $(31,848) (28.8)%$44,550
 $39,903
 $4,647
 11.6 %
              
CORPORATE              
Operating expenses (GAAP)$232,921
 $279,765
 $(46,844) (16.7)%$228,371
 $284,330
 $(55,959) (19.7)%
Impact of restructuring costs (3)
(15,775) (34,029) 18,254
 (53.6)(19,229) (33,286) 14,057
 (42.2)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)
(4,990) (5,078) 88
 (1.7)(3,682) (7,224) 3,542
 (49.0)
Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$212,156
 $240,658
 $(28,502) (11.8)%$205,460
 $243,820
 $(38,360) (15.7)%
              
Operating income (GAAP)$(233,106) $(280,666) $47,560
 (16.9)%$(239,272) $(282,746) $43,474
 (15.4)%
Impact of restructuring costs (3)
15,775
 34,029
 (18,254) (53.6)19,229
 33,286
 (14,057) (42.2)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)
4,990
 5,078
 (88) (1.7)3,682
 7,224
 (3,542) (49.0)
Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$(212,341) $(241,559) $29,218
 (12.1)%$(216,361) $(242,236) $25,875
 (10.7)%

(1)Includes Brakes Acquisition-related restructuring charges and other severance charges related to restructuring.
(2) Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 include $19 million related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of the Brakes Group.
(3) Fiscal 2018 includes business technology transformation initiative costs, professional fees on three-year financial objectives and severance charges related to restructuring. Fiscal 2017 includes $28 million in accelerated depreciation associated with our revised business technology strategy and $10 million in severance charges related to restructuring, professional fees on three-year financial objectives and costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy.
(4) Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 include $5 million related to integration costs from the Brakes Acquisition.
NM represent that the percentage change is not meaningful.
Includes Brakes Acquisition-related restructuring charges, facility closure charges and other severance charges related to restructuring.


(2)
Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 include $20 million and $19 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of the Brakes Group.
(3)
Fiscal 2018 includes business technology transformation initiative costs, professional fees on three-year financial objectives, costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy and severance charges related to restructuring. Fiscal 2017 includes $28 million in accelerated depreciation associated with our revised business technology strategy and $6 million related to costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy, professional fees on three-year financial objectives and severance charges related to restructuring.
(4)
Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 include $4 million and $7 million, respectively, related to integration costs from the Brakes Acquisition.

26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 2016 Change in Dollars %/bps Change39-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018 39-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017 Change in Dollars % Change
INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS       
Operating expenses (GAAP)$1,085,666
 $1,010,372
 $75,294
 7.5 %
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
(9,500) (10,271) 771
 (7.5)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)
(35,323) (39,790) 4,467
 (11.2)
U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS       
Operating expenses$3,630,745
 $3,456,602
 $174,143
 5.0 %
Impact of MEPP charge(1,700) 
 (1,700) NM
Impact of restructuring costs
 (470) 470
 NM
Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$1,040,843
 $960,311
 $80,533
 8.4 %$3,629,045
 $3,456,132
 $172,913
 5.0 %
              
Operating income (GAAP)$129,084
 $164,249
 $(35,165) (21.4)%
Impact of restructuring costs (1)
9,500
 10,271
 (771) (7.5)
Impact of acquisition related costs (2)
35,323
 39,790
 (4,467) (11.2)
Operating income$2,182,708
 $2,115,762
 $66,946
 3.2 %
Impact of MEPP charge1,700
 
 1,700
 NM
Impact of restructuring costs
 470
 (470) NM
Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$173,907
 $214,310
 $(40,403) (18.9)%$2,184,408
 $2,116,232
 $68,176
 3.2 %
              
CORPORATE       
INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS       
Operating expenses (GAAP)$475,053
 $547,645
 $(72,592) (13.3)%$1,649,573
 $1,511,044
 $138,529
 9.2 %
Impact of restructuring costs (3)(1)
(30,930) (67,633) 36,703
 (54.3)(13,052) (17,049) 3,997
 (23.4)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)(2)
(10,222) (7,290) (2,932) 40.2
(57,001) (56,838) (163) 0.3
Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$433,901
 $472,722
 $(38,821) (8.2)%$1,579,520
 $1,437,157
 $142,363
 9.9 %
              
Operating income (GAAP)$(476,390) $(551,407) $75,017
 (13.6)%$148,403
 $180,324
 $(31,921) (17.7)%
Impact of restructuring costs (3)(1)
30,930
 67,633
 (36,703) (54.3)13,052
 17,049
 (3,997) (23.4)
Impact of acquisition related costs (2)
57,001
 56,838
 163
 0.3
Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$218,456
 $254,211
 $(35,755) (14.1)%
       
CORPORATE       
Operating expenses (GAAP)$703,425
 $831,976
 $(128,551) (15.5)%
Impact of restructuring costs (3)
(50,159) (100,919) 50,760
 (50.3)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)
(13,904) (14,514) 610
 (4.2)
Operating expenses adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$639,362
 $716,543
 $(77,181) (10.8)%
       
Operating income (GAAP)$(715,660) $(834,154) $118,494
 (14.2)%
Impact of restructuring costs (3)
50,159
 100,919
 (50,760) (50.3)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)
10,222
 7,290
 2,932
 40.2
13,904
 14,514
 (610) (4.2)
Operating income adjusted for certain items (Non-GAAP)$(435,238) $(476,484) $41,246
 (8.7)%$(651,597) $(718,721) $67,124
 (9.3)%

(1)
Includes Brakes Acquisition-related restructuring charges, facility closure charges and other severance charges related to restructuring.
(2)
Fiscal 2018 and 2017 include $51 million and $57 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of the Brakes Group.
(1) Includes Brakes Acquisition-related restructuring charges and other severance charges pertaining to restructuring.
(2) Fiscal 2018 and 2017 include $31 million and $38 million, respectively, related to intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of the Brakes Group.
(3)Fiscal 2018 includes business technology transformation initiative costs, professional fees on three-year financial objectives and severance charges related to restructuring. Fiscal 2017 includes $56 million in accelerated depreciation associated with our revised business technology strategy and $18 million in professional fees on three-year financial objectives, severance charges related to restructuring and costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy.
(4) Fiscal 2018 and 2017 include $10 million and $7 million, respectively, related to integration costs from the Brakes Acquisition.
NM represent that the percentage change is not meaningful.
Fiscal 2018 includes business technology transformation initiative costs, professional fees on three-year financial objectives, costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy and severance charges related to restructuring. Fiscal 2017 includes $84 million in accelerated depreciation associated with our revised business technology strategy and $17 million related to professional fees on 3-year financial objectives, costs to convert to legacy systems in conjunction with our revised business technology strategy and severance charges.
(4)
Fiscal 2018 and 2017 include $14 million and $15 million, respectively, related to integration costs from the Brakes Acquisition.

Three-Year Financial Targets

Sysco management considers adjusted ROIC to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the company’s long-term capital investments. In addition, we have targets and expectations that are based on adjusted results, including an adjusted ROIC target of 15% under our current three-year plan and 16% under our new three-year plan. We cannot predict with certainty when we will achieve these results or whether the calculation of our ROIC in such future period will be on an adjusted basis due to the effect of Certain Items, which would be excluded from such calculation. Due to these uncertainties, to the extent our future calculation of ROIC is on an adjusted basis excluding Certain Items, we cannot provide a quantitative reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. However, we would expect to calculate adjusted ROIC, if applicable, in the same manner as we have calculated this historically. All components of our adjusted ROIC calculation would be impacted by Certain Items. We calculate adjusted ROIC as adjusted net earnings divided by (i) stockholders’ equity, computed as the average of adjusted stockholders’ equity at the beginning of the year and at the end of each fiscal quarter during the year; and (ii) long-term debt, computed as the average of the long-term debt at the beginning of the year and at the end of each fiscal quarter during the year.



Form of calculation:
Net earnings (GAAP)
Impact of Certain Items on net earnings
Adjusted net earnings (Non-GAAP)
 
Invested Capital (GAAP)
Adjustments to invested capital
Adjusted Invested capital (GAAP)
 
Return on investmentinvested capital (GAAP)
Return on investmentinvested capital (Non-GAAP)

Additional targets and expectations include our adjusted operating income target that we expect to achieve by the end of fiscal 2018 under our current three-year plan and fiscal 2020 under our new three-year plan. Our fiscal 2020 three-year plan further includes target amounts for adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share. Due to uncertainties in projecting Certain Items, we cannot provide a quantitative reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable effort. However, we would expect to calculate these adjusted results in the same manner as the reconciliations provided for the historical periods that are presented herein. The impact of future Certain Items could cause projected non-GAAP amounts to differ significantly from our GAAP results. Sysco’s three-year targets for fiscal 2018 were developed assuming U.S. statutory tax rates would not change. In order to communicate the final fiscal 2018 results as compared to these targets, Sysco will provide results that exclude the impact of U.S. tax reform. The objectives targeted in our new three-year plan that concludes in fiscal 2020 are subject to change, as we continue to assess the impact of the recently enacted U.S. tax reform; however, we anticipate our three-year plan earnings targets will be positively impacted.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Highlights

Comparisons of the cash flows from the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 to the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017:

Cash flows from operations were $933.2 million$1.1 billion in fiscal 2018 compared to $639.4 million in 2017, primarily due to lower tax payments resulting from relief provided in connection with the impact of Hurricane Harvey;and fiscal 2017;
Capital expenditures totaled $258.6$372.6 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $285.7$413.8 million in fiscal 2017;
Free cash flow was $678.5$768.5 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $365.3$687.7 million in fiscal 2017, primarily due to lower tax payments resulting from relief provided in connection with the impact of Hurricane Harvey; (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below under the heading “Free Cash Flow”);


Cash used for acquisition of businesses, net of cash received, was $147.6$203.6 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $2.9 billion in fiscal 2017;
Commercial paper issuances and net bank borrowings were $630.3$638.3 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $1.0$1.3 billion of commercial paper issuances and net bank borrowings in fiscal 2017;
Dividends paid were $346.9$534.7 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $343.4$521.8 million in fiscal 2017; and
Cash paid for treasury stock repurchases was $750.5$911.0 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $1.2$1.5 billion in fiscal 2017.
In addition, for our senior notes:

We issued an aggregate of $1.0 billion in new senior notes in fiscal 2018; and
We repaid senior notes in the amount of $500.0 million and redeemed senior notes and debentures in the amount of $230.5 million in fiscal 2018, using cash on hand, proceeds from borrowings under our commercial paper program and a portion of net proceeds from our senior notes offering.

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;


cash dividends;
acquisitions compatible with our overall growth strategy;
contributions to our various retirement plans; and
debt repayments and share repurchases.

We currently estimate $200 million to $300 million in annual cash savings from lower taxes as a result of the Tax Act. We invested a portion of those savings in our employees through increased contributions to Sysco’s retirement plans. We will continue to evaluate our options with regard to how best to utilize the balance of these savings and will maintaindo so consistent with our capital allocation priorities. We believe this is an opportunity to reinvest in our business and further strengthen our competitive advantage.

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.

We continue to generate substantial cash flows from operations and remain in a strong financial position; however, 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 December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had $961.1$901.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately 72.0% 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 withholding and additional foreign tax obligations; however, this potential tax obligation has not been accrued for as a result of the company’s ability and intent to not repatriate this cash. This assertion will continue to be assessed due to the recent enactment of the Tax Act.



In December 2017, Sysco established a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (Captive)(the Captive). The primary purpose of the Captive is to enhance Sysco’s risk financing strategies by providing Sysco the opportunity to negotiate insurance premiums in the non-retail insurance market. The formation of the Captive will result in a one-time benefit to free cash flow of between $55 million and $60 million due to accelerated tax deductibility of the initial premium paid to the Captive in the last half of fiscal 2018. Further, the Captive must maintain a sufficient level of cash to fund future reserve payments. As of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had $152.9$102.2 million of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents primarily held by the Captive in a cash deposit account in order to meet solvency requirements.

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:

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 $933.2 million$1.1 billion in cash flows from operations in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 compared to cash flows of $639.4 million in the first 26 weeks ofand fiscal 2017. This increase of $293.8 millionThese comparable amounts include year-over-year was largely due to favorable comparisoncomparisons on accrued expense,income taxes, accrued income taxesexpense and higher operating results, partially offset by a $330 million pension contribution that allowed us to fund the Pension Plan in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, as well as increased working capital.



ChangesTotal tax payments have decreased by $455.0 million in working capital, specifically accounts receivable, inventorythe first 39 weeks of fiscal 2018, as compared to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2017. The decrease was due to savings from the decrease in the tax rates, as well as $136.7 million from deductions related to our pension contribution and accounts payable, had$59.9 million savings from a negative impactdeduction resulting from our formation of $118.5 million on the period-over-period change in cash flow from operations. This was primarily from working capital investments in support of sales growth.Captive.

The positive comparison on accrued expenses was primarily due to a $70.2 million decrease in other accruals, such as corporate business technology accruals and professional fee accruals. There was also a $52.5$65.7 million decrease from incentive payments. Our annual incentive payments from the prior fiscal year are paid in the first quarter of each fiscal year. Our fiscal 2017 performance resulted in lower incentive payments, paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, as compared to our payments in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 that resulted from our fiscal 2016 performance. There was also a $55.1 million decrease in other accruals, such as corporate business technology accruals, professional fee accruals and acquisition costs, as well as a $49.7 million decrease in interest payments.

InIncluded in the change in other long-term liabilities was a negative comparison primarily from pension contributions. Pension contributions were $401.6 million in fiscal 2018, dueincluding a $330 million contribution that allowed us to relief provided in connection withfund and de-risk the impact of Hurricane Harvey, our tax payments will not be made until our third quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in a favorable variance in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2017. Total tax payments have decreased by $383.8 million. Our tax payments will likely resumePension Plan in the third quarter of fiscal 2018.

Changes in working capital, specifically accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable, had a negative impact of $193.8 million on the period-over-period change in cash flow from operations. This was primarily from working capital investments in support of sales growth.

Seasonal trends also impact our cash flows from operations, as we use more cash earlier in the fiscal year and then see larger, sequential quarterly increases throughout the remainder of the year. We believe our operating cash flows for fiscal 2018 will be generally consistent with the results achieved in fiscal 2017.

Investing Activities

Our capital expenditures in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 primarily consisted of facility replacements and expansions, fleet, technology and warehouse equipment, including supply chain opportunities involving Sysco Europe. Our capital expenditures in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 were higher by $27.1$41.2 million as compared to the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017. We previously forecasted investment, expressed as a percentage of sales, of 1.4 % to 1.5% for fiscal 2018, as we anticipated moving spend from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2018; however, we currently estimate that our capital expenditures for fiscal 2018, net of proceeds from sales of assets, will be lower than originally planned.



During the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, we paid $147.6$203.6 million, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions made during fiscal 2018, net of cash acquired primarily for the acquisitions, including HFM and Doerle. Additionally, we purchased the remaining 50% interest in our joint venture in Costa Rica.

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 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 increased by $313.2$80.7 million, to $678.5$768.5 million, as compared to the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017, principally as a result of a year-over-year increase in accrued expensescash flows from operations and accrued income taxes.reduced capital expenditures.

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 provided by operating activities.
26-Week Period Ended Dec. 30, 2017 26-Week Period Ended Dec. 31, 201639-Week Period Ended Mar. 31, 2018 39-Week Period Ended Apr. 1, 2017
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)$933,204
 $639,401
$1,124,187
 $1,082,424
Additions to plant and equipment(258,577) (285,692)(372,612) (413,776)
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment3,878
 11,639
16,910
 19,091
Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)$678,505
 $365,348
$768,485
 $687,739

Seasonal trends also impact our 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. We believe our free cash flow for fiscal 2018 will be generally consistent with the results achieved in fiscal 2017 and, therefore, anticipate that we will experience free cash flow growth over the remainder of the fiscal year.



Financing Activities

Equity Transactions

Proceeds from exercises of share-based compensation awards were $172.3$238.4 million in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, as compared to $113.9$175.3 million in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017. 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.  The number of shares acquired and their cost during the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 were 14.216.9 million shares for $750.5$911.0 million, with 22.729.1 million shares repurchased in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017 for $1.2$1.5 billion. We repurchased 0.70.2 million additional shares for $41.7$14.2 million through January 19,April 20, 2018. In February 2017, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of shares of the company’s common stock not to exceed $1.0 billion through the end of fiscal 2019. In November 2017, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of the company’s common stock not to exceed $1.5 billion through the end of fiscal 2020. These repurchase programs are intended to allow Sysco to continue offsetting dilution resulting from shares issued under the company’s benefit plans and to make opportunistic repurchases. All share repurchases in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 were made under these authorizations. The number of shares we repurchase during the remainder of fiscal 2018 will be dependent on many factors, including the level of future stock option exercises, as well as competing uses for available cash. At this time, we do not expect our repurchase activity to match the pace of repurchases that occurred in the first half of fiscal 2018.

Dividends paid in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 were $346.9$534.7 million, or $0.66$1.02 per share, as compared to $343.4$521.8 million, or $0.62$0.95 per share, in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017.  In November 2017,February 2018, we declared our regular quarterly dividend for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018 of $0.36 per share, which was paid in JanuaryApril 2018.



Debt Activity and Borrowing Availability

Our debt activity, including issuances and repayments, and our borrowing availability is described in Note 7, "Debt."“Debt.” Our outstanding borrowings at December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, and repayment activity since the close of the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2018, are disclosed within that note.  Updated amounts through January 19,April 20, 2018, include:

$788.3844.3 million outstanding from our commercial paper program; and
No amounts outstanding from the credit facility supporting the company’s U.S. commercial paper program.

During the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 and 2017, our aggregate commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings had weighted average interest rates of 1.44%1.58% and 0.71%0.85%, respectively.

Included in current maturities of long-term debt as of December 30, 2017March 31, 2018 are the 5.25%5.38% senior notes totaling $500$250 million, which mature in February 2018.March 2019. It is our intention to fund the repayment of these notes at maturity through cash on hand, cash flow from operations, issuances of commercial paper, issuances of senior notes or a combination thereof.

Contractual Obligations

Our 2017 Form 10-K contains a table that summarizes our obligations and commitments to make specified contractual future cash payments as of July 1, 2017. Since July 1, 2017, the only material change to our specified contractual obligations relates to the one-time transition tax liability that we are required to pay over an eight-year period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 due to the provisions enacted as part of the Tax Act.Act and as it relates to changes in our senior notes, as outlined in Note 7, “Debt.” As noted in Note 11, "Income“Income Taxes," our transition tax liability is currently a provisional estimate. The following table sets forth, as of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, certain information, of our transition tax liability, updating the contractual obligations and commitments to make contractual future payments disclosed in our 2017 Form 10-K:

 Payments Due by Period
         More Than
 Total < 1 Year 1-3 Years 3-5 Years 5 Years
 (In thousands)
Recorded Contractual Obligations:         
One-time transition tax liability$115,000
 $19,761
 $16,563
 $16,563
 $62,113



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. Our most critical accounting policies and estimates 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 2017 Form 10-K.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, two reporting units within Ireland combined as a result of the integration of Sysco’s Ireland operations with the Ireland operations acquired in the Brakes Acquisition. As a result of this combination, the company performed an interim impairment test of the goodwill attributable to these reporting units. Each of the reporting units was tested separately using qualitative assessments. A quantitative test was completed for the combined reporting unit and no impairment charges were applicable.

Our estimates of fair value contain uncertainties requiring management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. Actual results could differ from these assumptions and projections, resulting in the company revising its assumptions and, if required, recognizing an impairment loss.  There was no impairment recorded as a result of an assessment in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.  We do not believe the estimates used in the analysis are reasonably likely to change materially in the future, but we will continue to assess the estimates in the future based on the expectations of the combined reporting unit.



Income Taxes

The determination of our provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Our provision for income taxes primarily 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 our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate.

As discussed in Note 11, “Income Taxes,” on December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act. The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that will affect the company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. Also, in December 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (ASC 740). In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete, but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in its financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act. The company has not completed its accounting for the income tax effects of certain elements of the Tax Act, as indicated in Note 11, “Income Taxes.” Once Sysco has completed its accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Act, the ultimate impact may differ from the provisional amounts recorded due to additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the company has made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued, and actions the company may take as a result of the Tax Act. The accounting is not expected to extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date.



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.  Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “projected,” “continues,” “continuously,” variations of such terms, and similar terms and phrases denoting anticipated or expected occurrences or results. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
our expectations and beliefs regarding our fair value estimates;
our expectations with respect to achieving our three-year financial targets through fiscal 2018 and our new three-year financial objectives through fiscal 2020;
the impact of general economic conditions on our business and our industry in the Unites States and abroad;
our expectations regarding product inflation and other economic trends in the United StatesU.S. and abroad;
changesour expectations regarding the rise of restaurant sales;
our expectations regarding local customer growth and customer experience;
our expectations regarding investments in future depreciation expense;our supply chain transformation across Europe;
our expectations regarding our effective tax rate, our accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Act and the positive impact of the Tax Act generally, including on our cash savings and our use thereof, on our earnings per share, and on our three-year financial plan earnings targets;
our expectations regarding multi-unit customer growth;the use of remaining cash generated from operations;
our expectations regarding future performancethe impact of potential acquisitions and growth, including operating performancesales of assets on our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and operating income growth;
our expectations regarding operating expense;capital availability;
our expectations regarding the calculation of adjusted return on invested capital, adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings and adjusted operating income;diluted earnings per share;


our expectations regarding the impact of future Certain Items on our capital allocation priorities;projected future non-GAAP and GAAP results;
our expectations regarding cash held by international subsidiaries, including our need to repatriate cash held outside of the U.S. in a tax-efficient manner;
the sufficiency of our mechanisms for managing working capital and competitive pressures, and our beliefs regarding the impact of these mechanisms;
our ability to meet future cash requirements, including the ability to access financial markets effectively, including issuances of debt securities, and maintain sufficient liquidity;
our ability to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets;
our expectations regarding operating cash flow, capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sales of assets, cash flow growth and free cash flow;
our intention to repay our long-term debt with cash on hand, cash flow from operations, issuances of commercial paper, issuances of senior notes, or a combination thereof;
our expectations regarding 2018 fuel prices; and
our expectations regarding share repurchases.

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 2017 Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the updated risk factor discussed in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:SEC:
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 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;
risks related to 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 U.K.’s anticipated exit from the European Union, commonly referred to as Brexit, may adversely impact our operations in the U.K., including those of the Brakes Group;
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;
capital expenditures may vary based on changes in business plans and other factors, including risks related to 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; 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 2017 Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the updated risk factor discussed in Part II. Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.Securities and Exchange Commission.

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 1, 2017. There have been no significant changes to our market risks since July 1, 2017, except as noted below.

Interest Rate Risk

At December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, there were $750.0$758.0 million in commercial paper issuances outstanding.  Total debt as of December 30, 2017March 31, 2018 was $8.8$9.1 billion, of which approximately 66%73% 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. Increased fuel costs may have a negative impact on our results of operations in three areas. First, the high cost of fuel can negatively impact consumer confidence and discretionary spending and thus reduce the frequency and amount spent by consumers for food-away-from-home purchases. Second, the high cost of fuel can increase the price we pay for product purchases and we may not be able to pass these costs fully to our customers. Third, increased fuel costs impact the costs we incur to deliver product to our customers. During the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, fuel costs related to outbound deliveries represented approximately 0.5% and 0.4% of sales respectively.in both periods.

We use diesel fuel swap contracts to fix the price of a portion of our projected monthly diesel fuel requirements.  As of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had diesel fuel swaps with a total notional amount of approximately 2413 million gallons through June 2018. 


These swaps will lock in the price of approximately 55% to 60%65% of our projected fuel purchase needs for fiscal 2018. Additional swaps have been entered into for hedging activity in fiscal 2019. As of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had diesel fuel swaps with a total notional amount of approximately 2029 million gallons specific to fiscal 2019. Our remaining fuel purchase needs will occur at market rates unless contracted for a fixed price or hedged at a later date.

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 December 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.  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 Securities and Exchange Commission’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 December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, 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.

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 December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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 fiscal year ended July 1, 2017, in addition toand subsequent filings with the updated risk noted below.

Changes in applicable tax laws or regulationsSecurities and the resolution of tax disputes could negatively affect our financial results.

As a multinational corporation, we are subject to income taxes, as well as non-income based taxes, in both the U.S. and various foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities. Changes in tax laws or tax rulings may have a significant adverse impact on our effective tax rate. For example, the U.S. and many countries in the EU where we do business are actively considering or have recently enacted changes in relevant tax, accounting and other laws, regulations and interpretations, including changes to tax laws applicable to corporate multinationals.

In particular, the U.S. government enacted on December 22, 2017, comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, the estimated impacts of which are disclosed elsewhere in this report. The final effects of the Tax Act may differ materially from our estimates, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations of the Tax Act, any further legislative actions to address questions that arise because of the Tax Act, any changes in accounting standards for income taxes or related interpretations in response to the Tax Act, and/or any updates to estimates the company has utilized to calculate the effects. In addition, as discussed more fully at Note 11, “Income Taxes,” our accounting for certain elements of the Tax Act is incomplete, and we were not able to make reasonable estimates of the effects of those elements in our financial statements included in this Report on Form 10-Q. Completion of our accounting for such elements could result in charges or other adjustments that materially adversely impact our financial results for fiscal 2018.

Further, in the ordinary course of a global business, there are many intercompany transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination could change if tax laws or tax rulings were to be modified. We are also subject to non-income based taxes, such as payroll, sales, use, value-added, net worth, property and goods and services taxes, in both the U.S. and various foreign jurisdictions. Although we believe that our income and non-income based tax estimates are appropriate, there is no assurance that the final determination of tax audits or tax disputes will not be different from what is reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals.

Given the breadth and complexity of the Tax Act, as well as the unpredictability of possible further changes to the U.S. or foreign tax laws and regulations and their potential interdependency, it is very difficult to predict the cumulative effect of such tax laws and regulations on our results of operations and cash flow, but such laws and regulations (and changes thereto) could materially adversely impact our financial results.Exchange Commission.

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

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

We made the following share repurchases during the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018:



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
(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              
October 1 - October 282,612,212
 $54.39
 2,610,098
 
December 31 - January 27908,968
 $61.76
 903,760
 
Month #2     
       
  
October 29 - November 251,074,356
 55.02
 1,062,800
 
January 28 - February 241,264,306
 59.80
 1,264,306
 
Month #3     
       
  
November 26 - December 30
 
 
 
February 25 - March 31488,344
 59.82
 485,014
 
Total3,686,568
 $54.57
 3,672,898
 
2,661,618
 $60.47
 2,653,080
 

(1) The total number of shares purchased includes 2,114, 11,5565,208, 0 and 03,330 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 February 2017, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of shares of the company’s common stock not to exceed $1.0 billion through the end of fiscal 2019. In November 2017, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of the company’s common stock not to exceed $1.5 billion through the end of fiscal 2020. These repurchase programs are intended to allow Sysco to continue offsetting dilution resulting from shares issued under the company’s benefit plans and to make opportunistic repurchases. These share repurchase programs were 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.”

We repurchased 14.216.9 million shares during the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2018, resulting in a remaining authorization under this programour programs of approximately $1.7$1.6 billion. We purchased 22.729.1 million shares in the first 2639 weeks of fiscal 2017. We purchased approximately 680,000235,000 additional shares under these authorizations through January 19,April 20, 2018. The number of shares we repurchase during the remainder of fiscal 2018 will be dependent on many factors, including the level of future stock option exercises, as well as competing uses for available cash. At this time, we do not expect our repurchase activity to match the pace of repurchases that occurred in the first half of fiscal 2018.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None



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.


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)
   
   
Date: February 5,May 7, 2018By:/s/ THOMAS L. BENÉ
  Thomas L. Bené
  President and Chief Executive Officer
   
Date: February 5,May 7, 2018By:/s/ JOEL T. GRADE
  Joel T. Grade
  Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer
   
Date: February 5,May 7, 2018By:/s/ ANITA A. ZIELINSKI
  Anita A. Zielinski
  Senior Vice President and
  Chief Accounting Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1
   
3.2
   
3.3
   
3.4
10.1#†
   
10.2#†4.1
   
10.3#†4.2
10.4#†
10.5#†
   
12.1#
   
31.1#
   
31.2#
   
32.1#
   
32.2#
   
101.1#
The following financial information from Sysco Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 30, 2017March 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 5,May 7, 2018, formatted in XBRL includes:  (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016,April 1, 2017, (ii) Consolidated Results of Operations for the thirteen and twenty sixthirty nine week periods ended December 30,March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, and December 31, 2016, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the thirteen and twenty sixthirty nine week periods ended December 30,March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, and December 31, 2016, (iv) Consolidated Cash Flows for the twenty sixthirty nine week periods ended December 30,March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, and December 31, 2016, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

___________
† Executive Compensation Arrangement pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K
# Filed herewith

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