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 November 30, 2017
or
May 31, 2021
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period fromTransition Period From _______to _______
Commission File Number
001-36759
WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware47-1758322
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
108 Wilmot Road, Deerfield, Illinois60015
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(847) 315-2500315-3700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par valueWBAThe NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
3.600% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2025WBA25The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
2.125% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2026WBA26The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

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  þ      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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes þ     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   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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 the 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 þ
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01$0.01 par value, as of December 31, 2017June 30, 2021 was 990,668,837.864,987,306.

- 1 -

Table of Contents


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC.


FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2017MAY 31, 2021


TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Item 2.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
Item 3.
Item 4.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 6.5.
Item 6.


Part I. Financial Information



Item 1. Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)















WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q2

Table of Contents





WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions, except shares and per share amounts)
November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017 May 31, 2021August 31, 2020
Assets   Assets  
Current assets:   Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$1,830
 $3,301
Cash and cash equivalents$1,345 $469 
Accounts receivable, net6,858
 6,528
Accounts receivable, net5,153 4,110 
Inventories10,010
 8,899
Inventories8,333 7,917 
Other current assets983
 1,025
Other current assets680 598 
Assets of discontinued operations - current (see note 2)Assets of discontinued operations - current (see note 2)11,097 4,979 
Total current assets19,681
 19,753
Total current assets26,607 18,073 
Non-current assets:

  
Non-current assets: 
Property, plant and equipment, net13,693
 13,642
Property, plant and equipment, net12,450 12,796 
Operating lease right-of-use assetsOperating lease right-of-use assets21,874 21,453 
Goodwill15,931
 15,632
Goodwill12,493 12,013 
Intangible assets, net10,588
 10,156
Intangible assets, net10,435 10,072 
Equity method investments (see note 4)6,028
 6,320
Equity method investments (see note 6)Equity method investments (see note 6)6,778 7,204 
Other non-current assets697
 506
Other non-current assets1,282 581 
Assets of discontinued operations - non-current (see note 2)Assets of discontinued operations - non-current (see note 2)4,983 
Total non-current assets46,937
 46,256
Total non-current assets65,313 69,101 
Total assets$66,618
 $66,009
Total assets$91,920 $87,174 
   
Liabilities and equity 
  
Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and equityLiabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and equity  
Current liabilities: 
  
Current liabilities:  
Short-term borrowings$1,268
 $251
Short-term debtShort-term debt$7,963 $3,265 
Trade accounts payable (see note 17)13,570
 12,494
Trade accounts payable (see note 17)11,290 10,145 
Operating lease obligationsOperating lease obligations2,327 2,358 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities5,183
 5,473
Accrued expenses and other liabilities6,632 5,861 
Income taxes496
 329
Income taxes71 95 
Liabilities of discontinued operations - current (see note 2)Liabilities of discontinued operations - current (see note 2)6,191 5,347 
Total current liabilities20,517
 18,547
Total current liabilities34,475 27,070 
Non-current liabilities: 
  
Non-current liabilities:  
Long-term debt12,737
 12,684
Long-term debt7,732 12,203 
Operating lease obligationsOperating lease obligations22,088 21,765 
Deferred income taxes2,319
 2,281
Deferred income taxes1,309 1,367 
Other non-current liabilities4,289
 4,223
Other non-current liabilities3,410 3,222 
Liabilities of discontinued operations - non-current (see note 2)Liabilities of discontinued operations - non-current (see note 2)412 
Total non-current liabilities19,345
 19,188
Total non-current liabilities34,539 38,968 
Commitments and contingencies (see note 10)

 

Equity: 
  
Preferred stock $.01 par value; authorized 32 million shares, none issued
 
Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 3.2 billion shares; issued 1,172,513,618 at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 201712
 12
Paid-in capital10,359
 10,339
Retained earnings30,560
 30,137
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(2,543) (3,051)
Treasury stock, at cost; 182,067,204 shares at November 30, 2017 and 148,664,548 at August 31, 2017(12,459) (9,971)
Total Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shareholders’ equity25,929
 27,466
Noncontrolling interests827
 808
Total equity26,756
 28,274
Total liabilities and equity$66,618
 $66,009
Commitments and contingencies (see note 11)Commitments and contingencies (see note 11)00
Total liabilitiesTotal liabilities69,014 66,038 
Redeemable noncontrolling interestRedeemable noncontrolling interest310 


The accompanying notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.








WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q3








WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions, except shares and per share amounts)
May 31, 2021August 31, 2020
Equity:
Preferred stock $.01 par value; authorized 32 million shares, NaN issued
Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 3.2 billion shares; issued 1,172,513,618 at May 31, 2021 and August 31, 202012 12 
Paid-in capital10,971 10,761 
Retained earnings34,908 34,210 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(3,180)(3,771)
Treasury stock, at cost; 307,631,219 shares at May 31, 2021 and 306,910,099 shares at August 31, 2020(20,610)(20,575)
Total Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shareholders’ equity22,101 20,637 
Noncontrolling interests495 498 
Total equity22,596 21,136 
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and equity$91,920 $87,174 

The accompanying notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.



WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q4


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
For the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016May 31, 2021
(in millions, except shares)


Three months ended May 31, 2021
Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Common stock sharesCommon stock amountTreasury stock amountPaid-in capitalAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Retained earningsNoncontrolling interestsTotal equity
February 28, 2021864,394,418 $12 $(20,626)$10,916 $(3,306)$34,116 $514 $21,625 
Net earnings (loss)— — — — — 1,197 (24)1,173 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax— — — — 127 — 131 
Dividends declared— — — — — (405)— (405)
Treasury stock purchases— — — — — — — — 
Employee stock purchase and option plans487,981 — 16 — — — 20 
Stock-based compensation— — — 50 — — — 50 
Business combination— — — — — — — — 
Other— — — — — — 
May 31, 2021864,882,399 $12 $(20,610)$10,971 $(3,180)$34,908 $495 $22,596 


Nine months ended May 31, 2021
 Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.  
 Common stock sharesCommon stock amountTreasury stock amountPaid-in capitalAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Retained earningsNoncontrolling interestsTotal equity
August 31, 2020865,603,519 $12 $(20,575)$10,761 $(3,771)$34,210 $498 $21,136 
Net earnings (loss)— — — — — 1,915 (16)1,899 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax— — — — 591 — 15 607 
Dividends declared— — — — — (1,215)— (1,215)
Treasury stock purchases(3,000,000)— (110)— — — — (110)
Employee stock purchase and option plans2,278,880 — 75 (35)— — — 41 
Stock-based compensation— — — 120 — — — 120 
Adoption of new accounting standards— — — — — (3)(3)(6)
Business combination— — — 120 — — — 120 
Other— — — — — 
May 31, 2021864,882,399 $12 $(20,610)$10,971 $(3,180)$34,908 $495 $22,596 








WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q5


 Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.    
 
Common stock
shares
 
Common
stock
amount
 
Treasury
stock
amount
 
Paid-in
capital
 
Employee
stock
loan
receivable
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
(loss) income
 
Retained
earnings
 
Noncontrolling
interests
 
Total
equity
August 31, 20171,023,849,070
 $12
 $(9,971) $10,339
 $
 $(3,051) $30,137
 $808
 $28,274
Net earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 821
 1
 822
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 508
 
 14
 522
Dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 
 (398) 
 (398)
Treasury stock purchases(34,499,913) 
 (2,525) 
 
 
 
 
 (2,525)
Employee stock purchase and option plans1,097,257
 
 37
 (5) 
 
 
 
 32
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 25
 
 
 
 
 25
Noncontrolling interests contribution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4
 4
November 30, 2017990,446,414
 $12
 $(12,459) $10,359
 $
 $(2,543) $30,560
 $827
 $26,756
WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (continued)
 Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.    
 
Common stock
shares
 
Common
stock
amount
 
Treasury
stock
amount
 
Paid-in
capital
 
Employee
stock
loan
receivable
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
(loss) income
 
Retained
earnings
 
Noncontrolling
interests
 
Total
equity
August 31, 20161,082,986,591
 $12
 $(4,934) $10,111
 $(1) $(2,992) $27,684
 $401
 $30,281
Net earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 1,054
 13
 1,067
Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 (818) 
 (47) (865)
Dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 
 (406) 
 (406)
Treasury stock purchases(5,600,000) 
 (457) 
 
 
 
 
 (457)
Employee stock purchase and option plans1,713,545
 
 50
 (5) 1
 
 
 
 46
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 26
 
 
 
 
 26
November 30, 20161,079,100,136
 $12
 $(5,341) $10,132
 $
 $(3,810) $28,332
 $367
 $29,692
(UNAUDITED)
For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020
(in millions, except shares)

Three months ended May 31, 2020
 Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.  
 Common stock sharesCommon stock amountTreasury stock amountPaid-in capitalAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Retained earningsNoncontrolling interestsTotal equity
February 29, 2020880,397,199 $12 $(19,925)$10,689 $(3,407)$36,351 $615 $24,334 
Net earnings (loss)— — — — — (1,708)(18)(1,726)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax— — — — (463)— (11)(474)
Dividends declared— — — — — (399)— (399)
Treasury stock purchases(10,563,051)— (461)— — — — (461)
Employee stock purchase and option plans344,561 — 12 — — — 13 
Stock-based compensation— — — 35 — — — 35 
Adoption of new accounting standards— — — — — — — — 
Other— — — — — — 
May 31, 2020870,178,709 $12 $(20,375)$10,726 $(3,871)$34,244 $586 $21,323 

Nine months ended May 31, 2020
 Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.  
 Common stock sharesCommon stock amountTreasury stock amountPaid-in capitalAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Retained earningsNoncontrolling interestsTotal equity
August 31, 2019895,387,502 $12 $(19,057)$10,639 $(3,897)$35,815 $641 $24,152 
Net earnings (loss)— — — — — 83 (16)68 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax— — — — 27 — 31 
Dividends declared— — — — — (1,211)(43)(1,254)
Treasury stock purchases(27,023,145)— (1,374)— — — — (1,374)
Employee stock purchase and option plans1,814,352 — 56 (16)— — — 40 
Stock-based compensation— — — 101 — — — 101 
Adoption of new accounting standards— — — — — (442)— (442)
Other— — — — — — 
May 31, 2020870,178,709 $12 $(20,375)$10,726 $(3,871)$34,244 $586 $21,323 

The accompanying notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.



WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q6


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Sales$34,030 $30,364 $98,247 $91,612 
Cost of sales26,877 24,406 77,684 71,858 
Gross profit7,153 5,959 20,564 19,753 
Selling, general and administrative expenses6,116 7,884 17,936 19,663 
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen97 243 (1,196)284 
Operating income (loss)1,134 (1,683)1,432 374 
Other income (expense)159 (32)473 32 
Earnings (loss) before interest and tax1,294 (1,715)1,905 407 
Interest expense, net545 148 817 463 
Earnings (loss) before tax749 (1,862)1,088 (56)
Income tax provision (benefit)246 (43)81 129 
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments575 604 
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations1,078 (1,813)1,610 (180)
Net earnings from discontinued operations95 88 289 248 
Net earnings (loss)1,173 (1,726)1,899 68 
Net (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests - continuing operations(27)(20)(25)(23)
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests - discontinued operations
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$1,197 $(1,708)$1,915 $83 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.:
Continuing operations$1,105 $(1,794)$1,636 $(157)
Discontinued operations92 86 279 241 
Total$1,197 $(1,708)$1,915 $83 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:  
Continuing operations$1.28 $(2.05)$1.89 $(0.18)
Discontinued operations0.11 0.10 0.32 0.27 
Total$1.38 $(1.95)$2.21 $0.09 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations$1.27 $(2.05)$1.89 $(0.18)
Discontinued operations0.11 0.10 0.32 0.27 
Total$1.38 $(1.95)$2.21 $0.09 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:  
Basic864.7 875.4 864.7 883.7 
Diluted867.0 875.4 866.2 884.7 
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Sales$30,740
 $28,501
Cost of sales23,399
 21,385
Gross profit7,341
 7,116
    
Selling, general and administrative expenses5,907
 5,686
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen(112) 17
Operating income1,322
 1,447
    
Other income (expense)(137) 1
Earnings before interest and income tax provision1,185
 1,448
    
Interest expense, net149
 173
Earnings before income tax provision1,036
 1,275
Income tax provision227
 220
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments13
 12
Net earnings822
 1,067
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests1
 13
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$821
 $1,054
    
Net earnings per common share: 
  
Basic$0.82
 $0.97
Diluted$0.81
 $0.97
    
Dividends declared per share$0.400
 $0.375
    
Weighted average common shares outstanding: 
  
Basic1,006.1
 1,082.1
Diluted1,011.1
 1,088.3


The accompanying notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.





WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q7



WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions)

 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Comprehensive income:   
Net earnings$822
 $1,067
    
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: 
  
Pension/postretirement obligations
 (9)
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges
 1
Unrecognized loss on available-for-sale investments
 (1)
Share of other comprehensive loss of equity method investments2
 (1)
Currency translation adjustments520
 (855)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)522
 (865)
Total comprehensive income1,344
 202
    
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests15
 (34)
Comprehensive income attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$1,329
 $236
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Comprehensive income:  
Net earnings (loss)$1,173 $(1,726)$1,899 $68 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:  
Pension/postretirement obligations(1)(2)(11)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges(5)21 (4)
Net investment hedges(23)46 (79)25 
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of equity method investments(4)(15)16 (20)
Currency translation adjustments146 (498)636 41 
Total other comprehensive income131 (474)607 31 
Total comprehensive income (loss)1,304 (2,200)2,506 99 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(19)(29)(1)(12)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$1,323 $(2,171)$2,506 $110 


The accompanying notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.




WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q8

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
Three months ended November 30, Nine months ended May 31,
2017 2016 20212020
Cash flows from operating activities:
   
Cash flows from operating activities:
  
Net earnings$822
 $1,067
Net earnings$1,899 $68 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation and amortization416
 419
Depreciation and amortization1,455 1,447 
Deferred income taxes(63) (61)Deferred income taxes(210)(102)
Stock compensation expense25
 26
Stock compensation expense120 101 
Equity (earnings) loss from equity method investments99
 (29)Equity (earnings) loss from equity method investments577 (297)
Goodwill and intangible impairmentsGoodwill and intangible impairments2,001 
Loss on early extinguishment of debtLoss on early extinguishment of debt419 
Gain on sale of equity method investmentGain on sale of equity method investment(290)
Other152
 81
Other(141)305 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:  
Accounts receivable, net(362) (259)Accounts receivable, net(897)141 
Inventories(1,018) (1,330)Inventories71 (227)
Other current assets(154) (109)Other current assets18 59 
Trade accounts payable1,011
 884
Trade accounts payable927 (210)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(222) (378)Accrued expenses and other liabilities428 569 
Income taxes246
 217
Income taxes54 (353)
Other non-current assets and liabilities9
 (3)Other non-current assets and liabilities(120)(102)
Net cash provided by operating activities961
 525
Net cash provided by operating activities4,310 3,398 
   
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
  
Cash flows from investing activities:
  
Additions to property, plant and equipment(378) (378)Additions to property, plant and equipment(1,001)(962)
Proceeds from sale leaseback transactions
 436
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactionsProceeds from sale-leaseback transactions662 557 
Proceeds from sale of other assets13
 26
Proceeds from sale of other assets406 52 
Business and intangible asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired(265) (15)
Business, investment and asset acquisitions, net of cash acquiredBusiness, investment and asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired(1,394)(345)
Other31
 20
Other(14)37 
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities(599) 89
   
Net cash used for investing activitiesNet cash used for investing activities(1,341)(660)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
  
Cash flows from financing activities:
  
Proceeds and payments from short-term borrowings, net1,026
 49
Proceeds from issuance of debt110
 
Net change in short-term debt with maturities of 3 months or lessNet change in short-term debt with maturities of 3 months or less1,556 196 
Proceeds from debtProceeds from debt12,720 16,336 
Payments of debt(92) (4)Payments of debt(11,050)(16,871)
Stock purchases(2,525) (457)Stock purchases(110)(1,374)
Proceeds related to employee stock plans32
 41
Proceeds related to employee stock plans41 40 
Cash dividends paid(413) (406)Cash dividends paid(1,212)(1,260)
Early debt extinguishmentEarly debt extinguishment(3,687)
Other5
 (1)Other(114)(66)
Net cash used for financing activities(1,857) (778)Net cash used for financing activities(1,856)(2,998)
   
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents24
 (45)
Changes in cash and cash equivalents:
 
  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(1,471) (209)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period3,301
 9,807
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$1,830
 $9,598
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cashEffect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(55)(3)
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
  
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cashNet increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash1,058 (263)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of periodCash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period746 1,207 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of periodCash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$1,803 $943 
The accompanying notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q9

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Note 1. Accounting policies

Basis of presentation
The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (“Walgreens Boots Alliance” or the “Company”) included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") regarding interim financial reporting. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company holds a controlling interest. InvestmentsThe Company uses the equity method of accounting for equity investments in less than majority-owned subsidiaries in whichcompanies if the Company does not have a controlling interest, but does haveinvestment provides the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for as equity method investments.influence. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.


The Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, the Consolidated CondensedFinancial Statements of Equity, the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings, the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income, and the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016included herein are unaudited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.2020.

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”) has severely impacted the economies of the United States (“U.S.”), the United Kingdom (“UK”) and other countries around the world. The impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s businesses, financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended May 31, 2021, as well as information regarding certain expected or potential impacts of COVID-19 on the Company, is discussed throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. The Company has evaluated subsequent events frombases its estimates on the balance sheet dateinformation available at the time, its experiences and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances including estimates of the impact of COVID-19. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s business and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors discussed throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q including, but not limited to, the severity and duration of COVID-19, the extent to which it will impact our customers, team members, suppliers, vendors, business partners and distribution channels. The Company assessed certain accounting matters that require consideration of estimates and assumptions in context with the information reasonably available to the Company and the unknown future impacts of COVID-19 as of May 31, 2021 and through the date of this report. The accounting matters assessed included, but were not limited to, the Company’s carrying value of goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets including operating lease right-of-use assets. The Company’s future assessment of the magnitude and duration of COVID-19, as well as other factors, could result in material impacts to the Company’s consolidated financial statements were issuedin future reporting periods. Adjustments may be made in subsequent periods to reflect more current estimates and determined there were no subsequent events to disclose other than as disclosed in notes 5 and 19.assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Actual results may differ.


In the opinion of the Company,management, the unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the interim periods presented include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the results for such interim periods. The impact of COVID-19, the influence of certain holidays, seasonality, foreign currency rates, changes in vendor, payer and customer relationships and terms, strategic transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, changes in laws and general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates and other factors on the Company’s operations and net earnings for any period may not be comparable to the same period in previous years. With respect

On January 6, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) with AmerisourceBergen Corporation (the “Transaction”). Pursuant to the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USA segment,terms and subject to the positive impact on gross profit margins and gross profit dollars typically has been significantconditions set forth in the first several months after a generic versionShare Purchase Agreement, AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) agreed to purchase the majority of a drug is first allowed to compete with the branded version, which is generally referred toCompany's Alliance Healthcare business as well as a “generic conversion”portion of the Company’s retail pharmacy international businesses in Europe (“Disposal Group”). In any givenThe Disposal Group met the criteria to be reported as held for sale and discontinued operations. Therefore, effective as of the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the related assets, liabilities and operating results of the Disposal Group have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods. The majority of the Disposal Group was previously included in the Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment. Effective as of the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, the numberCompany eliminated the Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment and aligned into 2 reportable segments: United States and International. See Note 15 Segment reporting for additional information on the segments. On June 1, 2021 the Company completed the Transaction. See Note 20 Subsequent events.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q10

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Unless otherwise specified, disclosures in these Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect continuing operations only. Certain prior period data, primarily related to discontinued operations, have been reclassified in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying notes to conform to the current period presentation. See Note 2 Discontinued operations for further information.

Certain amounts in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and associated notes may not add due to rounding. Percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts for all periods presented.


Note 2. Discontinued operations

On January 6, 2021, the Company entered into the Share Purchase Agreement with AmerisourceBergen. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Share Purchase Agreement, AmerisourceBergen agreed to purchase the Disposal Group for approximately $6.5 billion, comprised of major brand name drugs$6.275 billion in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, and 2 million shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock. Alliance Healthcare’s investments in China and Italy and its operations in Germany are not included in the Disposal Group. The Company's retail pharmacy international operations in the Netherlands, Norway and Lithuania are included in the Disposal Group. On June 1, 2021 the Company completed the Transaction. See Note 20 Subsequent events.

The Company classified assets and liabilities of the Disposal Group as held for sale in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets at the lower of cost or fair value. Depreciation and amortization ceased on assets classified as held for sale. The Company allocated goodwill to the Disposal Group using relative fair value of the Disposal Group and businesses retained within the respective reporting units. The assets and liabilities and operating results of the Disposal Group are reported as discontinued operations, for all periods presented, as the disposition reflects a strategic shift that undergo a conversion from branded to generic status can increasehas, or decrease, which canwill have, a significant impactmajor effect on the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USA segment’s sales, gross profit marginsoperations and gross profit dollars makingfinancial results.

Results of discontinued operations were as follows (in millions):
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Sales$5,500 $4,714 $16,070 $14,550 
Cost of sales4,956 4,235 14,486 13,089 
Gross profit544 479 1,584 1,461 
Selling, general and administrative expense394 381 1,211 1,173 
Operating income from discontinued operations150 98 373 288 
Other expense(2)(2)(7)(6)
Interest expense, net(13)(7)(23)(20)
Earnings before income tax – discontinued operations135 89 342 262 
Income tax provision44 368 24
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments42159
Net earnings from discontinued operations$95 $88 $289 $248 

Sales from the Company’sDisposal Group to the Company's continuing operations are not eliminated and aggregate to (in millions):
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Sales$471 $448 $1,385 $1,370 


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q11

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
The following table presents cash flows from operating and investing activities for discontinued operations (in millions):
 Nine months ended May 31,
 20212020
Cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations$(132)$(157)
Cash used for investing activities - discontinued operations(58)(42)

Asset and liabilities of discontinued operations were as follows (in millions):
May 31, 2021August 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents$239 $47 
Accounts receivable, net3,524 3,022 
Inventories1,669 1,534 
Other current assets410 376 
Property, plant and equipment, net 1
943 
Goodwill and intangibles4,110 
Other assets202 
Assets of discontinued operations - current$11,097 $4,979 
Property, plant and equipment, net 1
$$816 
Goodwill and intangibles3,936 
Other non-current assets230 
Assets of discontinued operations - non-current 2
$0 $4,983 
Short term debt$366 $273 
Trade accounts payables4,608 4,313 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities759 746 
Income taxes11 14 
Deferred income taxes139 
Other liabilities308 
Liabilities of discontinued operations - current$6,191 $5,347 
Deferred income taxes$$131 
Other non-current liabilities280 
Liabilities of discontinued operations - non-current 2
$0 $412 

1 Includes Operating lease right-of-use assets
2 Assets and liabilities of Disposal Group are presented as current, in the current period, as the Company completed the Transaction on June 1, 2021.

See Note 6 Equity method investments and Note 17 Related parties for more information on the Company's equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen and the Company's continuing involvement.


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q12

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Note 3. Acquisitions

iA acquisition
On December 29, 2020, the Company acquired a majority equity interest in Innovation Associates, Inc. for a cash consideration of $451 million. Innovation Associates, Inc. is a leading-edge provider of software enabled automation solutions for retail, hospital and federal healthcare and mail-order pharmacy markets. The Company accounted for this acquisition as a business combination and consolidates Innovation Associates, Inc. within the United States segment in its financial statements. Considering the contractual terms related to the noncontrolling interest, it is classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. See Note 19 Supplemental information for more details on redeemable noncontrolling interest. The goodwill arising from this acquisition reflects the expected operational synergies and cost savings to be derived as a result of this acquisition.

As of May 31, 2021, the Company had not completed the analysis to determine the fair value of the consideration paid or to assign fair values to all tangible and intangible assets acquired, and therefore the purchase price allocation has not been completed. The preliminary purchase price allocation will be subject to further refinement and may result in changes. These changes may relate to finalization of the fair value of the purchase consideration and the allocation of purchase consideration to all tangible and intangible assets acquired and identified.

The following table summarizes the consideration for the acquisition and the preliminary amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transaction (in millions):
Purchase Price Allocation:
Total Consideration$477
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Tangible assets$58 
Developed technology and other intangibles202 
Liabilities(74)
Total identifiable net assets$186
Non-controlling interest$103
Goodwill$394

Pro forma net earnings and sales of the Company, assuming the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported. The acquisition did not have a material impact on net earnings or sales of the Company for anythe three and nine months ended May 31, 2021.

Pharmaceutical Wholesale business in Germany
On November 1, 2020, the Company and McKesson Corporation closed a transaction to form a combined pharmaceutical wholesale business in Germany, as part of a strategic alliance. The Company owns a 70% controlling equity interest in the combined business which is consolidated by the Company and reported within the International segment in its financial statements. The Company accounted for this acquisition as a business combination involving noncash purchase consideration of $296 million consisting of the issuance of an equity interest in the combined business.

As of May 31, 2021, the Company had not completed the analysis to determine the fair value of the consideration paid or to assign fair values to all tangible and intangible assets acquired, and therefore the purchase price allocation has not been completed. The preliminary purchase price allocation will be subject to further refinement and may result in changes. These changes may relate to finalization of the fair value of the purchase consideration consisting of the issuance of an equity interest in the combined business and the allocation of purchase consideration and the fair value assigned to all tangible and intangible assets acquired and identified.

The following table summarizes the consideration for the acquisition and the preliminary amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transaction (in millions):

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q13

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Purchase Price Allocation:
Total Consideration$331
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Accounts receivable, cash and other assets$582 
Inventories470 
Property, plant and equipment125 
Short term debt(296)
Trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities(374)
Other noncurrent liabilities(197)
Total identifiable net assets$311
Goodwill$21

A noncontrolling interest was recognized based on the Company's proportionate interest in the identifiable net assets of the combined business. The difference between the carrying amount of the non-controlling interest and the fair value of the consideration in the business combination is recognized as additional paid in capital. Considering the contractual terms related to the noncontrolling interest, it is classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. See Note 19 Supplemental information for more details on redeemable noncontrolling interest.

The following table represents supplemental unaudited condensed pro forma consolidated sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each period. The unaudited condensed pro forma information has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not intended to be indicative of what the Company's results would have been had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of the periods presented or results which may occur in the future.
Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Sales$34,030 $31,827 $99,921 $95,999 

Actual sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 included in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings are as follows:
(in millions)Three months ended May 31, 2021Nine months ended May 31, 2021
Sales$1,532 $3,571 

Pro forma net earnings of the Company, assuming the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each period incomparable.presented, would not be materially different from the results reported.


Other acquisitions
The Company acquired certain prescription files and related pharmacy inventory primarily in the U.S. for the aggregate purchase price of $19 million and $85 million during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively and $27 million and $166 million during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively.


Note 2.4. Exit and disposal activities

Transformational Cost Management Program
On December 20, 2018, the Company announced a transformational cost management program that was expected to deliver in excess of $2.0 billion of annual cost savings by fiscal 2022 (the “Transformational Cost Management Program”). The Company continues to expect to deliver in excess of $2.0 billion of annual cost savings by fiscal 2022 from continuing operations, after excluding amounts related to the Disposal Group.


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q14

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
The Transformational Cost Management Program, which is multi-faceted and includes divisional optimization initiatives, global smart spending, global smart organization and the transformation of the Company’s information technology (IT) capabilities, is designed to help the Company achieve increased cost efficiencies. To date, the Company has taken actions across all aspects of the Transformational Cost Management Program. The actions under the Transformational Cost Management Program focus on the 2 reportable segments and the Company’s Corporate and global functions. Divisional optimization within each of the Company’s segments includes activities such as optimization of stores, including current plans to exit approximately 200 Boots stores in the UK and approximately 250 stores in the U.S.

The Company currently estimates that the Transformational Cost Management Program will result in cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results in continuing operations of approximately $2.1 billion to $2.3 billion, subject to approval of which $1.8 billion to $2.0 billion are expected to be recorded as exit and disposal activities. In addition to these impacts, as a result of the actions related to store closures taken under the Transformational Cost Management Program, the Company recorded $508 million of non-cash transition adjustments to decrease retained earnings due to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard that became effective on September 1, 2019.

Since the inception of the Transformational Cost Management Program to May 31, 2021, the Company has recognized cumulative pre-tax charges to its financial results in accordance with GAAP of $1.2 billion, which were primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. These charges included $293 million related to lease obligations and other real estate costs, $245 million in asset impairments, $517 million in employee severance and business transition costs and $153 million of information technology transformation and other exit costs.

Costs related to exit and disposal activities under the Transformational Cost Management Program for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020 were as follows (in millions):
Three months ended May 31, 2021United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs$15 $$$21 
Asset impairments14 
Employee severance and business transition costs(19)14 (2)
Information technology transformation and other exit costs10 011 
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges$2 $27 $14 $44 
Nine months ended May 31, 2021United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs$56 $$$62 
Asset impairments10 19 
Employee severance and business transition costs92 36 44 172 
Information technology transformation and other exit costs14 11 26 
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs$172 $63 $44 $279 

Three months ended May 31, 2020United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs$170 $$$173 
Asset impairments19 10 29 
Employee severance and business transition costs47 (2)11 56 
Information technology transformation and other exit costs17 16 33 
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges$253 $27 $11 $290 

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q15

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Nine months ended May 31, 2020United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs$179 $$$184 
Asset impairments31 13 44 
Employee severance and business transition costs111 33 18 162 
Information technology transformation and other exit costs27 26 12 65 
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs$348 $76 $31 $455 


The changes in liabilities and assets related to the exit and disposal activities under Transformational Cost Management Program include the following (in millions):
Lease obligations and other real estate costsAsset ImpairmentsEmployee severance and business transition costsInformation technology transformation and other exit costsTotal
Balance at August 31, 2020$19 $$166 $14 $199 
Costs62 19 172 26 279 
Payments(47)(183)(18)(249)
Other(9)(19)(4)(12)(43)
Currency(1)(2)
Balance at May 31, 2021$26 $0 $155 $9 $190 

Store Optimization Program
On October 24, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to implement a program (the “Store Optimization Program”) as part of an initiative to optimize store locations through the planned closure of approximately 600 stores and related assets within the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USAUnited States segment upon completion of the acquisition of certain stores and related assets from Rite Aid. The Store Optimization Program includes plans to close approximately 600Company closed 769 stores and related assets across the U.S.assets. The actions under the Store Optimization Program are expected to take place over an 18 month period beginningcommenced in spring 2018.March 2018 and were completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.


The Company currently estimates that it will recognize cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results of approximately $450 million, including costs associated with lease obligations and other real estate costs, employee severance and other exit costs. The Company expects to incur pre-tax charges of approximately $270 million for lease obligations and other real estate costs and approximately $180 million for employee severance and other exit costs. The Company estimates that substantially all of these cumulative pre-tax charges will result in future cash expenditures.

The Company did not incur any chargesCosts related to the Store Optimization Program for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017.

On April 8, 2015, the Walgreens Boots Alliance Board of Directors approved a plan to implement a restructuring program (the “Cost Transformation Program”) as part of an initiative to reduceMay 31, 2020 were $3 million and $24 million for lease obligation and other real estate costs and increase operating efficiencies. The Cost Transformation Program implemented$7 million and built on the cost-reduction initiative previously announced by the Company on August 6, 2014 and included plans to close stores across the U.S.; reorganize corporate and field operations; drive operating efficiencies; and streamline information technology$25 million for employee severance and other functions.exit costs, respectively. The actions under the Cost Transformation Program focused primarily on the Retail Pharmacy USA segment, but included activities from all segments. The Company completed the Cost Transformation Program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

The changes in accrued expenses and other liabilities related to the Cost TransformationStore Optimization Program for the three months ended November 30, 2017 include the following (in millions):as of May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020 were not material.

  
Real estate
costs
 
Severance and
other business
transition and
exit costs
 Total
Balance at August 31, 2017 $521
 $79
 $600
Payments (42) (39) (81)
Balance at November 30, 2017 $479
 $40
 $519


Note 3. Operating5. Leases

The Company leases
Initial terms for leased premises certain retail stores, warehouses, distribution centers, office space, land and equipment. For leases in the U.S. are, the initial lease term is typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options typically at five-year intervals, and may include rent escalation clauses. Non-U.S. leases are typically for shorter terms and may include cancellation clauses or renewal options. The commencement date of all lease terms is the earlier of the date the Company becomes legally obligated to make rent payments or the date the Company has the right to control the property. The Company recognizes operating lease rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. In addition to minimum fixed rentals, some leases provide for contingent rentals based upon a portion of sales.


The Company continuously evaluates its

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q16

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions):

Balance Sheet supplemental information:May 31, 2021August 31, 2020
Operating Leases:
Operating lease right-of-use assets$21,874 $21,453 
Operating lease obligations - current2,327 2,358 
Operating lease obligations - non-current22,088 21,765 
Total operating lease obligations$24,416 $24,123 
Finance Leases:
Right-of-use assets included in:
 Property, plant and equipment, net$741 $766 
Lease obligations included in:
Accrued expenses and other liabilities37 31 
Other non-current liabilities989 1,013 
Total finance lease obligations$1,025 $1,044 
Supplemental income statement information related to leases were as follows (in millions):

Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
Statement of Earnings supplemental information:2021202020212020
Operating lease cost
Fixed$807 $806 $2,406 $2,436 
Variable 1
157 163 477 587 
Finance lease cost
Amortization$11 $11 $33 $29 
Interest13 14 39 40 
Sublease income21 24 62 56 
Impairment of right-of-use assets170 23 182 
Impairment of finance lease assets
21 24 
Gains on sale-leaseback transactions2
85 84 273 224 

1Includes real estate portfolio in conjunction with its capital needs. Historically, the Company has entered into several sale-leaseback transactions. For the three months ended November 30, 2017, the Company did not record any proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions. For the three months ended November 30, 2016, the Company recorded proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions of $436 million.

The Company provides for future costs related to closed locations. The liability isproperty taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on the present value of future rent obligations and other related costs (net of estimated sublease rent) to the first lease option date. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, the Company recorded charges of $39 million for facilities that were closed or relocated under long-term leases. This compares to $17 million for the three months ended November 30, 2016. These charges are reported insales volume.
2Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings.expenses.


The changes in reserve for facility closings and

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q17

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Other supplemental information related lease termination charges primarily in other non-current liabilities, include the followingto leases were as follows (in millions):

 For the three months ended November 30, 2017 For the twelve months ended August 31, 2017
Balance at beginning of period$718
 $466
Provision for present value of non-cancellable lease payments on closed facilities29
 344
Assumptions about future sublease income, terminations and changes in interest rates1
 13
Interest accretion9
 37
Cash payments, net of sublease income(61) (142)
Balance at end of period$696
 $718
Nine months ended May 31,
Other Supplemental Information:20212020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations
Operating cash flows from operating leases$2,562 $2,487 
Operating cash flows from finance leases36 36 
Financing cash flows from finance leases31 36 
Total$2,629 $2,559 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:
Operating leases$2,011 $1,917 
Finance leases65 
Total$2,011 $1,982 


As of November 30, 2017, the Company remains secondarily liable on 71 leases. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments are $318 millionAverage lease term and discount rate as of November 30, 2017.May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020 were as follows:


Weighted average terms and discount rates:May 31, 2021August 31, 2020
Weighted average remaining lease term in years:
Operating leases10.410.7
Finance leases20.420.6
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases4.93 %4.97 %
Finance leases5.18 %5.14 %

The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of May 31, 2021 were as follows (in millions):

Future lease payments:
Fiscal yearFinance leaseOperating lease
2021 (Remaining period)$23 $867 
202292 3,403 
202391 3,296 
202492 3,169 
202590 3,039 
202690 2,911 
Later1,194 14,569 
Total undiscounted minimum lease payments$1,672 $31,254 
Less: Present value discount(647)(6,838)
Lease liability$1,025 $24,416 



WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q18

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Note 4.6. Equity method investments

Equity method investments as of November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2017,2020, were as follows (in millions, except percentages):
 May 31, 2021August 31, 2020
 Carrying valueOwnership percentageCarrying valueOwnership percentage
AmerisourceBergen$4,193 28%$5,446 28%
Others2,584 8% - 50%1,758 8% - 50%
Total$6,778  $7,204  
 November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017
 
Carrying
value
 
Ownership
percentage
 
Carrying
value
 
Ownership
percentage
AmerisourceBergen$4,895
 26% $5,024
 26%
Others1,133
 8% - 50% 1,296
 8% - 50%
Total$6,028
   $6,320
  


AmerisourceBergen investment
As of November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2017,2020, the Company owned 56,854,867 AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) common shares, representing approximately 26%27.7% of its outstanding common stock based on the outstandingshare count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen common stock.in its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company accounts for its equity investment in AmerisourceBergen using the equity method of accounting, with the net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company’s investment being classified within the operating income of its Pharmaceutical WholesaleUnited States segment. Due to the timing and availability of financial information of AmerisourceBergen, the Company accounts for this equity method investment on a financial reporting lag of two months. Equity earnings (loss) from AmerisourceBergen isare reported as a separate line in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. During the nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company recognized equity losses in AmerisourceBergen of $1,196 million, which included a loss of $1,373 million recognized during the three months ended November 30, 2020. These equity losses were primarily due to AmerisourceBergen's recognition of $5.6 billion, net of tax, and charges related to its ongoing opioid litigation in its financial statements for the three months period ended September 30, 2020.

The levelLevel 1 fair market value of the Company’s equity investment in AmerisourceBergen common stock at November 30, 2017 is $4.8May 31, 2021 was $6.5 billion.

The As of May 31, 2021, the carrying value of the Company’s investment in AmerisourceBergen carrying value exceeded its proportionate share of the net assets of AmerisourceBergen by $4.4$4.2 billion. This premium of $4.4$4.2 billion was recognized as part of the carrying value in the Company’s equity investment in AmerisourceBergen. The difference was primarily related to goodwill and the fair value of AmerisourceBergen intangible assets.


On January 6, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with AmerisourceBergen pursuant to which AmerisourceBergen agreed to purchase the majority of the Company's Alliance Healthcare business. See Note 2 Discontinued operations for additional information. On June 1, 2021, the Company completed the sale and received $6.275 billion in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, and 2 million shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock. After giving effect to the Transaction, the Company beneficially owns approximately 28.4% of AmerisourceBergen’s outstanding common stock, based on the share count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen in its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See Note 20 Subsequent events.

Other investments
The Company’s other equity method investments include its investments in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation (“Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals”) and Nanjing Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited, the Company’s pharmaceutical wholesale investments in China;U.S. which include VillageMD, BrightSpring Health Services (previously PharMerica Corporation), Shields Health Solutions and the equity methodCompany's investment retained through the sale of a majorityin HC Group Holdings I, LLC (“HC Group Holdings”) which owns equity interest in Option Care Inc.Health and the Company's China investments in fiscal 2015.Sinopharm Medicine Holding Guoda Drugstores Co., Ltd, Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Nanjing Pharmaceutical Company Limited.


The Company reported $13$575 million of post-tax equity earnings and $12$6 million of post-tax equity earnings from other equity method investments other than AmerisourceBergen for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and 2016,May 31, 2020, respectively. The Company reported $604 million of post-tax equity earnings and $5 million of post-tax equity earnings from other equity method investments for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively.

During the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company recorded a gain of $98 million and $290 million, respectively, in Other income due to partial sale of ownership interest in Option Care Health by the Company's equity method investee HC Group Holdings. During the three months period ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2021, as a result of these sales, our equity method investee HC Group Holdings lost the ability to control Option Care Health and, therefore, deconsolidated Option Care Health in its financial statements. As a result of this deconsolidation, HC Group Holdings recognized a gain of $1.2 billion and the Company recorded an impairmentits share of $170equity earnings in HC Group Holdings of $576 million in its equity interest in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals, which was included in other income (expense) in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. The fair value of the Company's equity interest in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals was determined using the proposed sale price and thus represents Level 3 measurement.

Note 5. Acquisitions
Acquisition of certain Rite Aid Corporation (Rite Aid) assets
On September 19, 2017, the Company announced that it had secured regulatory clearance for an amended and restated asset purchase agreement to purchase 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid for $4.375 billion in cash and other consideration. During the quarter, the Company purchased 97 stores for total cash consideration of $241 million. Ownership of the remaining stores is expected to be transferred in phases in fiscal 2018. These transfers remain subject to closing conditions set forth in the amended and restated asset purchase agreement and will be accounted for as business combinations.

As of November 30, 2017, the Company had not completed the analysis to assign fair values to all tangible and intangible assets acquired and therefore the purchase price allocation has not been completed.

Pro forma net earnings and sales of the Company, assuming the acquired stores had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported. The acquired stores did not have a material impact on net earnings or sales of the Company forduring the three months ended November 30, 2017.May 31, 2021, in Post tax earnings from other equity method investments.


From December 1, 2017 through
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q19

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

During the date of this report,nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company purchased 260made an additional stores for total cash considerationinvestment of $474 million.

AllianceRx Walgreens Prime
On March 31, 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance and pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics LLC (“Prime”) closed a transaction to form a combined central specialty pharmacy and mail services company AllianceRx Walgreens Prime,$750 million in VillageMD of which $250 million is recorded as part of a strategic alliance. AllianceRx Walgreens Prime is consolidated by Walgreens Boots Alliance and reported within the Retail Pharmacy USA segment in its financial statements. The Company accounted for this acquisition of Prime’s specialty pharmacy and mail services business as a business combination involving non-cash purchase consideration of $720 million consisting of the issuance of an equity interestmethod investment and $500 million is recorded as an investment in AllianceRx Walgreens Prime.convertible debt securities within Other non-current assets.


As of November 30, 2017, the Company had not completed the analysis to determine the fair value of the consideration acquired or to assign fair values to all tangible and intangible assets acquired, and therefore the purchase price allocation has not been completed. The preliminary purchase price allocation will be subject to further refinement and may result in material

changes. These changes will primarily relate to the allocation of consideration and the fair value assigned to all tangible and intangible assets acquired and identified. The following table summarizes the considerationSummarized financial information
Summarized financial information for the acquisition and the preliminary amountsCompany’s equity method investments in aggregate is as follows:

Statements of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transactionearnings (loss) (in millions).
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
2021202020212020
Sales$55,890 $52,772 $171,417 $157,382 
Gross profit2,558 2,253 7,647 6,476 
Net earnings (loss)489 912 (3,841)1,268 
Share of earnings (loss) from equity method investments672 249 (591)289 
Total consideration$720
  
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed 
Accounts receivable$217
Inventories149
Property, plant and equipment11
Intangible assets331
Trade accounts payable(90)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(1)
Total identifiable net assets617
Goodwill$103


The preliminary identified intangible assets primarily include payer contracts. These contracts are estimated to have a weighted average useful life of 15 years. The preliminary goodwill of $103 million arising fromsummarized financial information for equity method investments has been included on an aggregated basis for all investments as reported for the transaction consists of expected purchasing synergies, operating efficiencies by benchmarking performancethree and applying best practices across the combined company, consolidation of operations, reductions in selling, generalnine months ended May 31, 2021 and administrative expenses and combining workforces. Substantially all of the goodwill recognized is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.May 31, 2020, respectively.


In accordance with ASC Topic 810, Consolidation, the noncontrolling interest was recognized based on its proportionate interest in the identifiable net assets of AllianceRx Walgreens Prime. The difference between the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest and the fair value recognized as consideration in the business combination is recognized as additional paid in capital.

Note 6.7. Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or intangible asset below its carrying value.

Based on the analysis completed during fiscal 2020, as of the June 1, 2020 valuation date, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts ranging from approximately 4% to approximately 239% excluding Boots reporting unit for which the excess of fair value over carrying amount was nominal due to an impairment charge recognized during the three months ended May 31, 2020. Other international reporting unit's fair value was in excess of its carrying value by approximately 4%. The fair values of the indefinite-lived trade name intangibles within the Boots reporting unit exceeded their carrying value amounts ranging from approximately 4% to approximately 31%, except for certain Boots trade name assets impaired during the three months ended May 31, 2020 and pharmacy licenses impairment during the year end August 31, 2019. As of May 31, 2021, the carrying values of goodwill were $1.1 billion and $0.4 billion for the Boots reporting unit and Other international reporting unit, respectively. As of May 31, 2021, the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangibles within the Boots reporting unit was $7.7 billion.

The determination of the fair value of the reporting units requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions including with respect to the business and financial performance of the Company’s reporting units, as well as how such performance may be impacted by COVID-19.

Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions, including the impact of COVID-19, could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units and indefinite-lived intangibles, the amount of any goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment charges, or both. These estimates can be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the impact of COVID-19, its severity, duration and its impact on global economies, general economic conditions as well as our profitability. The Company will continue to monitor these potential impacts, including the impact of COVID-19 and economic, industry and market trends and the impact these may have on the Boots and Other international reporting units.


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q20

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment consist of the following (in millions):

Goodwill rollforward:Goodwill rollforward:United StatesInternationalWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
August 31, 2020August 31, 2020$10,553 $1,460 $12,013 
AcquisitionsAcquisitions394 21 416 
Retail
Pharmacy USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
August 31, 2017$9,139
 $3,392
 $3,101
 $15,632
Acquisitions101
 
 
 101
Currency translation adjustments
 103
 95
 198
Currency translation adjustments65 65 
November 30, 2017$9,240
 $3,495
 $3,196
 $15,931
May 31, 2021May 31, 2021$10,947 $1,547 $12,493 


The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions):


Intangible assetsMay 31, 2021August 31, 2020
Gross amortizable intangible assets  
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1
$3,581 $3,502 
Trade names and trademarks373 348 
Purchasing and payer contracts337 337 
Others2
218 60 
Total gross amortizable intangible assets$4,510 $4,247 
Accumulated amortization  
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1
$1,306 $1,089 
Trade names and trademarks226 196 
Purchasing and payer contracts185 95 
Others2
32 26 
Total accumulated amortization1,749 1,406 
Total amortizable intangible assets, net$2,761 $2,841 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets  
Trade names and trademarks$5,526 $5,203 
Pharmacy licenses2,148 2,028 
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets$7,675 $7,231 
Total intangible assets, net$10,435 $10,072 
1Includes purchased prescription files.
 November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017
Gross amortizable intangible assets   
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders$1,910
 $1,851
Purchased prescription files716
 659
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements499
 523
Trade names and trademarks513
 504
Purchasing and payer contracts390
 391
Total gross amortizable intangible assets4,028
 3,928
    
Accumulated amortization 
  
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders$397
 $409
Purchased prescription files420
 371
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements335
 355
Trade names and trademarks169
 155
Purchasing and payer contracts57
 51
Total accumulated amortization1,378
 1,341
Total amortizable intangible assets, net$2,650
 $2,587
    
Indefinite lived intangible assets 
  
Trade names and trademarks$5,783
 $5,514
Pharmacy licenses2,155
 2,055
Total indefinite lived intangible assets$7,938
 $7,569
    
Total intangible assets, net$10,588
 $10,156
2Includes acquired developed technology and non-compete agreements.


Amortization expense for intangible assets was $96$156 million and $95$363 million for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017
May 31, 2021, respectively, and 2016,$94 million and $290 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively.


Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 is as follows (in millions):
 20222023202420252026
Estimated annual amortization expense$439 $336 $317 $289 $262 


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q21
 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Estimated annual amortization expense$350
 $295
 $244
 $218
 $197

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Note 7. Borrowings8. Debt
Borrowings consist
Debt carrying values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated debt is translated using the spot rates as of the balance sheet date. Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars and debt issuances are denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted):
 May 31, 2021August 31, 2020
Short-term debt  
Commercial paper$2,390 $1,517 
Credit facilities 5
4,198 1,071 
£700 million note issuance 1
2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020533 
$8 billion note issuance 1
3.300% unsecured notes due 20211,249 
Other 2
126 144 
Total short-term debt$7,963 $3,265 
Long-term debt  
$1.5 billion note issuance 1
3.200% unsecured notes due 2030$497 $497 
4.100% unsecured notes due 2050 5
792 990 
$6 billion note issuance 1
  
3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 5
1,442 1,891 
4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 5
318 591 
$8 billion note issuance 1
3.300% unsecured notes due 20211,248 
3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 5
1,154 1,993 
4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 5
301 496 
4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 5
868 1,493 
£700 million note issuance 1
3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025423 398 
€750 million note issuance 1
2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026913 891 
$4 billion note issuance 3
3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 5
731 1,198 
4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 5
263 493 
Other 4
31 24 
Total long-term debt, less current portion$7,732 $12,203 

1Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company from time to time outstanding. On October 20, 2020, the Company redeemed in full the £400 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 issued by the Company on November 20, 2014.
2Other short-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies.
3Notes are senior debt obligations of Walgreen Co. and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreen Co. On December 31, 2014, the Company fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured,

 November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017
Short-term borrowings 1
   
Commercial paper$990
 $
Other 2
278
 251
Total short-term borrowings$1,268
 $251
    
Long-term debt 1
 
  
$6 billion note issuance 3,4
 
  
3.450% unsecured notes due 2026$1,887
 $1,887
4.650% unsecured notes due 2046590
 590
$8 billion note issuance 3,4
 
  
2.700% unsecured notes due 20191,247
 1,246
3.300% unsecured notes due 20211,244
 1,244
3.800% unsecured notes due 20241,989
 1,988
4.500% unsecured notes due 2034495
 495
4.800% unsecured notes due 20441,492
 1,492
£700 million note issuance 3,4
 
  
2.875% unsecured pound sterling notes due 2020538
 513
3.600% unsecured pound sterling notes due 2025403
 384
€750 million note issuance 3,4
 
  
2.125% unsecured euro notes due 2026888
 884
$4 billion note issuance 4,7
 
  
3.100% unsecured notes due 20221,195
 1,195
4.400% unsecured notes due 2042492
 492
$1 billion note issuance 4,7
 
  
5.250% unsecured notes due 2019 5
249
 250
Other 6
28
 24
Total long-term debt, less current portion$12,737
 $12,684

1
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q
Carry values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated borrowings have been translated using the spot rates at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017 respectively.
22
2

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Other short-term borrowings represent a mix of fixed and variable rate borrowings with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies.
3
Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding.
4
The issuances of the $6 billion, $8 billion, £0.7 billion, €0.75 billion, $4 billion and $1 billion notes as of November 30, 2017 had fair values and carrying values of $2.5 billion and $2.5 billion, $6.7 billion and $6.5 billion, $1.0 billion and $0.9 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.7 billion, and $0.3 billion and $0.2 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are level 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market price and translated at the November 30, 2017 spot rate, as applicable. The fair values and carrying values of these issuances do not include notes that have been redeemed or repaid as of November 30, 2017.
5
Includes interest rate swap fair market value adjustments. See note 9, fair value measurements for additional fair value disclosures.
6
Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate borrowings in various currencies with various maturities.
7
Notes are senior debt obligations of Walgreen Co. and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreen Co. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured,

unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens Boots Alliancethe Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance.the Company.

4Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt in various currencies with various maturities.
August 2017 Credit Agreements
5On August 24, 2017,April 26, 2021, the Company entered into a cash tender offer to partially purchase and retire $3.3 billion of long term U.S. dollar denominated notes with a weighted average interest rate of 4.02%, using funds drawn down from the $3.8 billion April 2021 Credit Agreement (as defined below). The Company recognized a loss of $419 million related to the early extinguishment of debt, within Interest expense, which includes $386 million of redemption premium paid in cash. The cash payments related to the early extinguishment of debt are classified as cash outflows from financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. On June 1, 2021, the Company completed the previously announced sale of the Company’s Alliance Healthcare business and used a portion of the Transaction proceeds to repay all of the outstanding amount owed on the April 2021 Credit Agreement that funded the bond tender completed by the Company on April 26, 2021.


$1.5 Billion Note Issuance
On April 15, 2020, the Company issued, in an underwritten public offering, $0.5 billion of 3.20% notes due 2030 and $1.0 billion revolvingof 4.10% notes due 2050. Total issuance costs relating to the notes, including underwriting discounts and offering expenses were $13 million. The Company partially purchased and retired $0.2 billion of its outstanding $1.0 billion, 4.10% notes due 2050 pursuant to the debt tender offer completed on April 26, 2021.

Credit facilities

April 9, 2021 Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement
On April 9, 2021, the Company entered into a delayed draw term loan credit agreement (the “April 2021 Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The purpose of the loan was to fund the Company's April 26, 2021 cash tender offer to partially purchase and retire $3.30 billion of long term U.S. dollar denominated notes. The April 2021 Credit Agreement was initially a $2.75 billion senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility, with an original facility termination date (the “Initial Maturity Date”) of the earliest of (x) October 9, 2021, (y) the date of acceleration of all term loans and termination of all commitments pursuant to the April 2021 Credit Agreement and (z) the date of prepayment of all loans and the termination of all commitments pursuant to the April 2021 Credit Agreement. On April 23, 2021, the April 2021 Credit Agreement term loan facility amount was increased to $3.8 billion. As of May 31, 2021, there were $3.8 billion of borrowings outstanding under the April 2021 Credit Agreement. On June 1, 2021 the Company completed the previously announced sale of the Company’s Alliance Healthcare business and used a portion of the Transaction proceeds to repay all borrowings outstanding under the April 2021 Credit Agreement.

December 23, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement
On December 23, 2020, the Company entered into a $1.25 billion senior unsecured 364-day revolving credit agreement and a $2.25 billion senior unsecured 18-month revolving credit facility, with a swing line subfacility commitment amount of $350 million, with designated borrowers from time to time party thereto and lenders from time to time party thereto. The 364-Day Facility’s termination date is the earlier of (i) 364 days from December 23, 2020,the effective date (subject to the extension thereof pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement) and (ii) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments under the 364-Day Facility pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. The 18-Month Facility’s termination date is the earlier of (i) 18 months from the effective date (subject to the extension thereof pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement) and (ii) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments under the 18-Month Facility pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2021, there were $400 million borrowings outstanding under the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement.

April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement
On April 7, 2020, the Company and with WBA Financial Services Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“WBAFSL”), as co-borrowers, entered into a $500 million revolving credit agreement (the “August 2017“April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement”) and a $1.0 billion term loan credit agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (the “2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement” and together with the August 2017lenders from time to time party thereto. The April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement the “August 2017 Credit Agreements”).

The August 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement is ana senior unsecured revolving credit facility, with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) January364-days from April 7, 2020 and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. The Company and WBAFSL are co-borrowers under the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company provides a guarantee of any obligations of WBAFSL under the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. This revolving credit agreement was terminated in full on December 23, 2020.



WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q23

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
April 2020 Revolving Bilateral and Club Credit Agreements
The Company entered into a $750 million revolving credit agreement on April 1, 2020 (the “April 2020 Revolving Bilateral Credit Agreement”) and a $1.325 billion revolving credit agreement on April 2, 2020 (the “April 2020 Revolving Club Credit Agreement” and together with the April 2020 Revolving Bilateral Credit Agreement, the “Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreements”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. Each of the Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreements is a senior unsecured revolving credit facility, with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) March 31, 2019, subject to any extension thereof2021 (which date shall be shortened pursuant to the terms of the applicable Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement if the Company does not extend the maturity date of certain of its existing credit agreements or enter into new bank or bond financings with a certain maturity date and above an aggregate principal amount as described in the applicable Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement) and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the applicable Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. This revolving credit agreement was terminated in full on December 23, 2020.

August 20172019 Revolving Credit Agreements
On August 30, 2019, the Company entered into 3 $500 million revolving credit agreements (together, the “August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements” and each individually, an “August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. Each of the August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements are senior unsecured revolving credit facilities, with facility termination dates of the earlier of (a) 18 months following August 30, 2019, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the applicable August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments provided by the lenders thereunder. The 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement is an unsecured “multi-draw” term loan facility maturing on March 30, 2019. The aggregate commitments of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation under the 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement are initially equal to $1.0 billion, which shall be reduced on June 1, 2018pursuant to the lesser of $500 million and the aggregate remaining undrawn commitments thereunder. Any remaining undrawn commitments thereunder and the ability of the Company to request loans under such commitments shall terminate on September 1, 2018. As of November 30, 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance had $30 million of borrowings outstanding under the 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement and there were no borrowings outstanding under theapplicable August 20172019 Revolving Credit Agreement. This revolving credit agreement was terminated in full on December 23, 2020.


February 2017January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement
On February 1, 2017,January 18, 2019, the Company entered into a $1.0$2.0 billion 364-day revolving credit facilityagreement (as amended,extended, the “February 2017“January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured 364-day revolving credit facility, with an original facility termination date of 364 days following January 31, 2019, subject to extension. On December 18, 2019, the Company entered into an Extension Agreement (the “Extension Agreement”) relating to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto and Mizuho, as administrative agent. The Extension Agreement extended the Maturity Date (as defined in the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement) for an additional period of 364 days to January 28, 2021. Such extension became effective on January 30, 2020. The January 2019 364 Day Revolving Credit Agreement was partially terminated on December 23, 2020. The January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement was partially terminated in accordance with its terms and conditions, reducing the amount available to $0.5 billion as of December 23, 2020. The outstanding facility amount of $1.5 billion was terminated on January 28, 2021.

A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement
On December 5, 2018, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion term loan credit agreement with the lenders from time to time party thereto and, on August 1, 2017,9, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement thereto. (such credit agreement as so amended, the “December 2018 Credit Agreement”) to permit the Company to borrow, repay and reborrow amounts borrowed thereunder prior to the maturity date. On April 2, 2020, the Company amended and restated the December 2018 Credit Agreement (such credit agreement as so amended and restated, the “A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement”). The terms and conditionsA&R December 2018 Credit Agreement governs a $2.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, consisting of the February 2017 Revolvinginitial $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving facility previously governed by the December 2018 Credit Agreement were unchanged by the amendment other than the extension of theand a new $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The facility termination date tois the earlier of (a) January 29, 2021 (which date shall be extended to February 26, 2021 or July 31, 20192021 pursuant to the terms of the A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement if the Company extends the maturity date of certain of its existing credit agreements or enters into new bank or bond financings with a certain maturity date and above an aggregate principal amount as described in the A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement ) and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments provided bypursuant to the A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement. The A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement was further amended on December 23, 2020 whereby the new facility was terminated in full and the existing facility matured in January 2021.

Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement
On November 30, 2018, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion credit agreement, consisting of a $500 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility and a $500 million senior unsecured term loan facility, with the lenders thereunder.from time to time party thereto, on March 25, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement (such credit agreement as so amended, the “November 2018 Credit Agreement”) reflecting certain changes to the borrowing notice provisions thereto. On April 2, 2020, the Company entered into a second amendment to the November 2018 Credit Agreement (such credit agreement as so further amended, the “Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement”) which amendment became effective as of May 29, 2020. As of May 29, 2020, the $500 million revolving credit facility portion of the November 30, 2017,2018 Credit Agreement was

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q24

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
converted into a term loan facility, such that the Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement consists of a $1.0 billion senior unsecured term loan facility. The facility termination date is the earlier of (a) May 29, 2021 and (b) the date of acceleration of all loans under the Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement pursuant to its terms. The November 2018 Credit Agreement was repaid in full on April 23, 2021.

August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement
On August 29, 2018, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders and letter of credit issuers from time to time party thereto. The August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement is an unsecured revolving credit facility with aggregate commitment in the amount of $3.5 billion, with a letter of credit subfacility commitment amount of $500 million. The facility termination date is the earlier of (a) August 29, 2023, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments pursuant to the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2021, there were no borrowings outstanding under the February 2017August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement.

$6.0 billion note issuance
On June 1, 2016, Walgreens Boots Alliance received net proceeds of $6.0 billion from a public offering of five series of U.S. dollar notes with varying maturities and interest rates. Because the merger with Rite Aid was not consummated on or prior to June 1, 2017, the 2018 notes, the 2021 notes and the 2023 notes were redeemed on June 5, 2017 under the special mandatory redemption terms of the indenture governing such notes. Walgreens Boots Alliance was required to redeem all of the 2018 notes, the 2021 notes and the 2023 notes then outstanding, at a special mandatory redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest of approximately $1 million to, but excluding, the date of redemption. The 2026 notes and 2046 notes remain outstanding in accordance with their respective terms and are subject to redemption in certain circumstances.


Debt covenants
Each of the Company’s credit facilities described above contain a covenant to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization not to exceed 0.60:1.00.1.00, subject to increase in certain circumstances set forth in the applicable credit agreement. The credit facilities also contain various other customary covenants.


Commercial paper
The Company periodically borrows under its commercial paper program and may borrow under it in future periods. The Company had average daily short-term borrowings of $620 million ofU.S. commercial paper outstanding of $2.3 billion and $2.6 billion at a weighted average interest rate of 1.46%0.47% and 2.33% for the threenine months ended November 30, 2017. TheMay 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively. A subsidiary of the Company had no activityaverage daily commercial paper outstanding, which was issued under itsthe Joint HM Treasury and Bank of England's COVID Corporate Financing Facility commercial paper program, of £300 million or approximately $424 million at a weighted average interest rate of 0.43% for the twelvenine months ended AugustMay 31, 2017.2021. The subsidiary of the Company repaid the commercial paper issued under the Joint HM Treasury and Bank of England's COVID Corporate Financing Facility commercial paper program on May 14, 2021.


Interest
Interest paid by the Company was $889 million and $510 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively. Interest paid in the nine months ended May 31, 2021 of $889 million includes charges on early extinguishment of debt of $387 million.


Note 8.9. Financial instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks.

The notional amounts, fair value and balance sheet presentation of derivative instruments outstanding as of November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017 are as follows (in millions):

 November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017  
 
Notional 1
 Fair value 
Notional 1
 Fair value 
Location in Consolidated
Condensed Balance Sheets
Derivatives designated as hedges:         
Interest rate swaps$
 $
 $250
 $
 Other non-current assets
Interest rate swaps250
 1
 
 
 Other non-current liabilities
Foreign currency forwards
 
 24
 
 Other current assets
Derivatives not designated as hedges:         
Foreign currency forwards139
 3
 221
 
 Other current assets
Foreign currency forwards3,064
 15
 2,816
 19
 Other current liabilities

1
Amounts are presented in U.S. dollar equivalents, as applicable.

The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate exposure associated with some of its fixed-rate borrowings and designates them as fair value hedges. The Company uses forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge its interest rate exposure of some of its anticipated debt issuances.

The Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency derivatives to hedge significant committed and highly probable future transactions and cash flows denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company has significant non-U.Snon-U.S. dollar denominated net investments and uses foreign currency denominated financial instruments, specifically foreign currency derivatives and foreign currency denominated debt, to hedge its foreign currency risk.


Fair
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q25

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
The notional amounts and fair value of derivative instruments outstanding were as follows (in millions):

May 31, 2021NotionalFair valueLocation in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
Derivatives designated as hedges:
Interest rate swaps$1,000 $Other non-current assets
Cross currency interest rate swaps992 58 Other non-current liabilities
Foreign currency forwards39 Other non-current liabilities
Foreign currency forwardsOther current assets
Foreign currency forwards635 14 Other current liabilities
Cross currency interest rate swaps113 13 Other current liabilities
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency forwards$1,368 $Other current assets
Total return swap244 Other current assets
Foreign currency forwards2,613 30 Other current liabilities

August 31, 2020NotionalFair valueLocation in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
Derivatives designated as hedges:
Cross currency interest rate swaps$722 $16 Other non-current assets
Foreign currency forwards49 Other non-current liabilities
Cross currency interest rate swaps318 13 Other non-current liabilities
Interest rate swaps1,000 10 Other non-current liabilities
Foreign currency forwards100 Other current assets
Cross currency interest rate swaps50 Other current assets
Foreign currency forwards671 23 Other current liabilities
Cross currency interest rate swaps103 Other current liabilities
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency forwards$1,930 $19 Other current assets
Foreign currency forwards2,934 56 Other current liabilities
Total return swap205 Other current liabilities

Net investment hedges
The Company holdsuses cross currency interest rate swaps converting $250 million of its 5.250% fixed rate notesand foreign currency forward contracts to a floating interest rate based on the six-month LIBORhedge net investments in arrears plus a constant spread. All swap termination dates coincidesubsidiaries with the notes maturity date, January 15, 2019. These swaps were designated as fair value hedges.

The gains and losses due tonon-U.S. dollar functional currencies. For qualifying net investment hedges, changes in fair value on the swaps and on the hedged notes attributable to interest rate risk did not have a material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements. The changes in fair value of the Company’s debt that was swapped from fixedderivatives are recorded in the currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Cash flow hedges
The Company uses interest rate swaps to variable rate and designated ashedge the variability in forecasted cash flows of certain floating-rate debt. For qualifying cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value hedgesof the derivatives are includedrecorded in long-term debt onaccumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and released to the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (see note 7, borrowings).

Statements of Earnings when the hedged cash flows affect earnings.
Derivatives not designated as hedges
The Company enters into derivative transactions that are not designated as accounting hedges. These derivative instruments are economic hedges of foreign currency risks. The gains and (losses)Company also utilizes total return swaps to economically hedge variability in compensation charges related to certain deferred compensation obligations. The income (expenses) due to changes in fair value of these derivative instruments were recognized in earnings as follows (in millions):


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q26

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
   Three months ended November 30,
 
Location in Consolidated Condensed
Statements of Earnings
 2017 2016
Foreign currency forwardsSelling, general and administrative expenses $(19) $50
Foreign currency forwardsOther income 34
 1


  Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings2021202020212020
Foreign currency forwardsSelling, general and administrative expenses$(53)$72 $(177)$11 
Total return swapsSelling, general and administrative expenses20 48 
Foreign currency forwardsOther income (expense)(5)(6)

Derivatives credit risk
Counterparties to derivative financial instruments expose the Company to credit-related losses in the event of counterparty nonperformance, and the Company regularly monitors the credit worthiness of each counterparty.


Derivatives offsetting
The Company does not offset the fair value amounts of derivative instruments subject to master netting agreements in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.



Note 9.10. Fair value measurements

The Company measures certain assets and liabilities in accordance with ASCAccounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly

transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In addition, it establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels:


Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to levelLevel 1 inputs.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to levelLevel 3 inputs.


Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis arewere as follows (in millions):

 November 30, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:
       
Money market funds1
$940
 $940
 $
 $
Available-for-sale investments2
1
 1
 
 
Foreign currency forwards3
3
 
 3
 
Liabilities:
 
  
  
  
Foreign currency forwards3
15
 
 15
 
Interest rate swaps4
1
 
 1
 
 May 31, 2021Level 1Level 2Level 3
Assets:
    
Money market funds 1
$447 $447 $$
Investments in equity securities 2
10 10 
Investments in debt securities 3
535 535 
Foreign currency forwards 4
Interest rate swaps 5
Total return swaps
Warrants
Liabilities:
    
Foreign currency forwards 4
$46 $$46 $
Cross currency interest rate swaps 5
71 71 

 August 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:
       
Money market funds1
$2,096
 $2,096
 $
 $
Available-for-sale investments2
1
 1
 
 
Liabilities:
 
  
  
  
Foreign currency forwards3
19
 
 19
 

1
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q
Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor.
27
2
Fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices as of the balance sheet dates.
3
The fair value of forward currency contracts are estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current available forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using observable market rates.
4
The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows based on the applicable observable yield curves. See note 8, financial instruments for additional information.


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 August 31, 2020Level 1Level 2Level 3
Assets:
    
Money market funds 1
$$$$
Investments in equity securities 2
Foreign currency forwards 4
20 20 
Cross currency interest rate swaps 5
16 16 
Liabilities:
    
Foreign currency forwards 4
$80 $$80 $
Cross currency interest rate swaps 5
16 16 
Interest rate swaps 5
1010
Total return swaps11

1Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor.
2Fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020.
3Level 3 debt securities include investments in convertible debt securities of VillageMD which are valued on a quarterly basis using an option pricing method, a form of the income approach, with gains or losses recorded in Other Comprehensive Income. Inputs include the enterprise value, expected holding term of the investment, volatility and risk-free interest rates.
4The fair value of forward currency contracts is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current available forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using observable market rates. See Note 9 Financial instruments, for additional information.
5The fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps and interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows based on the applicable observable yield curves. See Note 9 Financial instruments, for additional information.

There were no transfers between levelsLevels for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017.May 31, 2021.


As of May 31, 2021, the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term notes outstanding including the current portion were $8.9 billion and $9.7 billion, respectively. The Company reports its debt instruments under the guidance of ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which requires disclosurefair values of the notes outstanding are Level 1 fair value of the Company’s debt in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise noted, the fair value for all notes wasmeasures and determined based uponon quoted market pricesprice and therefore categorizedtranslated at the May 31, 2021 spot rate, as level 1.applicable. The fair values and carrying values of these issuances do not include notes that have been redeemed or repaid as of May 31, 2021. See note 7, borrowingsNote 8 Debt, for further information.

The carrying values of the Company's commercial paper, credit facilities, accounts receivable and trade accounts payable approximated their respective fair values due to their short-term nature.


Note 10.11. Commitments and contingencies

The Company is involved in legal proceedings, including litigation, arbitration and is subject toother claims, and investigations, inspections, subpoenas, audits, claims, inquiries and similar actions by pharmacy, healthcare, tax and other governmental authorities, arising in the normal course of the Company’s business, including the matters described below. Legal proceedings, in general, and securities, and class action and multi-district litigation, in particular, can be expensive and disruptive. Some of these suits may purport or may be determined to be class actions and/or involve parties seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages, and may remain unresolved for several years. From time to time, the Company is also involved in legal proceedings as a plaintiff involving antitrust, tax, contract, intellectual property and other matters. Gain contingencies, if any, are recognized when they are realized.

Like other companies in the retail pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesale industries, the Company is subject to extensive regulation by national, state and local government agencies in the U.S. and other countries in which it operates. There continues to be a heightened level of review and/or audit by regulatory authorities of, and increased litigation regarding, the Company’s and the rest of the health care and related industry’s business, compliance and reporting practices. As a result, the Company regularly is the subject of government actions of the types described above. The Company also may be named from time to time in qui tam actions initiated by private third parties. In such actions, the private parties purport to act on behalf of federal or state governments, allege that false claims have been submitted for payment by the government and may receive an award if their claims are successful. After a private party has filed a qui tam action, the government must investigate the private party's claim

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q28

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
and determine whether to intervene in and take control over the litigation. These actions may remain under seal while the government makes this determination. If the government declines to intervene, the private party may nonetheless continue to pursue the litigation on his or her own purporting to act on behalf of the government.

The results of legal proceedings, including government investigations, are often uncertain and difficult to predict, and the costs incurred in litigationthese matters can be substantial, regardless of the outcome. With respect to litigation and other legal proceedings where the Company has determined that a material loss is reasonably possible, the Company is unable to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible loss due to the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of and uncertainties regarding such litigation and legal proceedings. The Company believes that its defenses and assertions in pending legal proceedings have merit and does not believe that any of these pending matters, after consideration of applicable reserves and rights to indemnification, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position. However, substantial unanticipated verdicts, fines and rulings do sometimes occur. As a result, the Company could from time to time incur judgments, enter into settlements or revise its expectations regarding the outcome

of certain matters, and such developments could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations in the period in which the amounts are accrued and/or its cash flows in the period in which the amounts are paid.

On In addition, as a quarterly basis,result of governmental investigations or proceedings, the Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies for outstanding legal proceedings and reserves are established on a case-by-case basis for those legal claims for which management concludes that it is probable that a loss willmay be incurred and that the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. Substantially all of these contingencies are subject to significant uncertainties and, therefore, determining the likelihood of a loss and/damages, civil or the measurement of any loss can be complex. With respect to litigation and other legal proceedings where the Company has determined that a loss is reasonably possible, the Company is unable to estimate the amountcriminal fines or range of reasonably possible loss due to the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of and uncertainties regarding such litigation and legal proceedings. The Company’s assessments are based on estimates and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by management, but that may prove to be incomplete or inaccurate, and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that might cause the Company to change those estimates and assumptions. Therefore, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more pending litigationpenalties, or other contingencies could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in a future fiscal period. Management’s assessment of current litigation and other legal proceedings,sanctions, including the corresponding accruals, could change becausepossible suspension or loss of the discovery of facts with respect to legal actions licensure and/or other proceedings pending against the Company which are not presently known. Adverse rulingssuspension or determinations by judges, juries, governmental authorities or other parties could also resultexclusion from participation in changes to management’s assessment of current liabilities and contingencies. Accordingly, the ultimate costs of resolving these claims may be substantially higher or lower than the amounts reserved.government programs.


On December 29, 2014, a putative shareholder filed a derivative action in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against certain current and former directors and officers of Walgreen Co., and Walgreen Co., as a nominal defendant, arising out of certain public statements the Company made regarding its former fiscal 2016 goals. (Cutler v. Wasson et al., No. 1:14-cv-10408 (N.D. Ill.)) The action asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, waste and unjust enrichment. On April 10, 2015, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. On May 18, 2015, the case was stayed in light of a securities class action that was filed on April 10, 2015. After a ruling issued on September 30, 2016 in the securities class action, which is2015, described below, onbelow. On November 3, 2016, the Court entered a stipulation and order extending the stay until the resolution of the securities case is fully resolved.class action.


On April 10, 2015, a putative shareholder filed a securities class action in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against Walgreen Co. and certain former officers of Walgreen Co. (Washtenaw County Employees’ Retirement System v. Walgreen Co. et al., No. 1:15-cv-3187 (N.D. Ill.)) The action asserts claims for violation of the federal securities laws arising out of certain public statements the Company made regarding its former fiscal 2016 goals. On June 16, 2015, the Court entered an order appointingA motion to dismiss a lead plaintiff. Pursuant to the Court’s order, lead plaintiffconsolidated class action complaint filed an amended complaint on August 17, 2015 and defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint on October 16, 2015. Lead plaintiff filed a response to the motion to dismiss on December 22, 2015, and defendants filed a reply in support of the motion on February 5, 2016. On September 30, 2016, the Court issued an order grantingwas granted in part and denyingdenied in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. Defendants filed their answer to the amended complaint on November 4, 2016 and filed an amended answer on January 16, 2017. Plaintiffs filed theirSeptember 30, 2016. The court granted plaintiff’s motion for class certification on April 21, 2017.March 29, 2018 and plaintiff filed a first amended complaint on December 19, 2018. A motion to dismiss the first amended complaint was granted in part and denied in part on September 23, 2019. Fact discovery and expert discovery have concluded. Motions for summary judgment have been fully briefed.


As of August 31,On December 11, 2017, the Company was aware of twopurported Rite Aid shareholders filed an amended complaint in a putative class action lawsuits filed by purported Rite Aid stockholders against Rite Aid and its board of directors, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Victoria Merger Sub, Inc. for claims arising out of the transactions contemplated by the original Merger Agreement (prior to its amendment on January 29, 2017) (such transactions, the “Rite Aid Transactions”). One Rite Aid action was filedlawsuit in the State of Pennsylvania in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County (the “Pennsylvania action”), and one action was filed in the United StatesU.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (the “federal“M.D. Pa. action”). arising out of transactions contemplated by the merger agreement between the Company and Rite Aid. The Pennsylvania action primarilyamended complaint alleged that the Company and certain of its officers made false or misleading statements regarding the transactions. The Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint on April 15, 2019. The Company filed an answer and affirmative defenses, discovery commenced, and the Court granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification. In October and December 2020, two separate purported Rite Aid board of directors breached its fiduciary duties in connection with the Rite Aid Transactions by, among other things, agreeing to an unfair and inadequate price, agreeing to deal protection devices that preclude other bidders from making successful competing offers for Rite Aid, and failing to disclose all allegedly material information concerning the proposed merger, and also alleged that Walgreens Boots Alliance and Victoria Merger Sub, Inc. aided and abetted these alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The federal action alleged, among other things, that Rite Aid and its board of directors disseminated an allegedly false and misleading proxy statement in connection with the Rite Aid Transactions. The plaintiffsShareholders filed lawsuits in the federalsame court as the M.D. Pa. action alsoopting out of the class in the M.D. Pa. action making nearly identical allegations as those in the M.D. Pa. action (the “Direct Actions”). On December 24, 2020, the parties to the Direct Actions filed a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin the Rite Aid shareholder vote relating to the Rite Aid Transactions. That motion was denied and plaintiffs agreedjoint stipulation to stay the litigationDirect Actions until the earlier of (a) 30 days after the Rite Aid Transactions closed. On March 17, 2017, plaintiffs movedentry of an order resolving any pre-trial dispositive motions in the M.D. Pa. action, or (b) 30 days after the entry of an order of final approval of any settlement of the M.D. Pa. action. The court so ordered the joint stipulation on December 28, 2020.

In June 2019, a Fred’s, Inc. shareholder filed a nearly identical lawsuit to lift the stay to allow plaintiffs to file an amended complaint. On August 4, 2017, that motion was grantedM.D. Pa. action in the U.S. District Court for the limited purposeWestern District of allowingTennessee, except naming Fred’s, Inc. and one of its former officers along with the Company and certain of its officers. Lead plaintiffs to file a motion seeking leave to amend their complaint in light of the termination of the Merger Agreement. Plaintiffs filed such a motion on September 22, 2017. The Company filed its response on October 6, 2017. The Court granted the motion on November 27, 2017, ordering the plaintiffs to file their amended complaint within 10 business days. Plaintiffs filed theiran amended complaint on December 11, 2017. November 4, 2019, which is substantially the same as the original complaint. The Court set a briefing schedule pursuant to which motionscourt granted the Company's motion to dismiss will beto the amended complaint on March 31, 2021.

In December 2017, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated numerous cases filed against an array of defendants by February 16, 2018, response briefs by April 17, 2018various plaintiffs such as counties, cities, hospitals, Indian tribes, and reply briefs by May 17, 2018.

others, alleging claims generally concerning the impacts of widespread opioid abuse. The consolidated multidistrict litigation, captioned In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL No. 2804, Case No. 17-md-2804), is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio ("N.D. Ohio"). The Company wasis involved in the following multidistrict litigation (MDL) bellwether cases: (1) two consolidated cases in N.D. Ohio (Cnty. of Summit, Ohio, et al v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Case No. 18-op-45090; Cnty.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q29

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
of Cuyahoga, Ohio, et al. v. Purdue Pharma L.P., Case No. 18-op-45004), previously scheduled for trial in November 2020 but postponed indefinitely; (2) one remanded to the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma (The Cherokee Nation v. McKesson Corp., et al., Case No. 18-CV-00056-RAW-SPS), scheduled for trial in September 2022; (3) one remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (City and Cnty. of San Francisco, et al. v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Case No. 3:18-cv-07591-CRB), originally scheduled for trial in October 2021, but rescheduled for April 2022; and (4) two additional consolidated cases in N.D. Ohio (Cnty. of Lake, Ohio v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Case No. 18-op-45032; Cnty. of Trumbull, Ohio v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Case No. 18-op-45079), initially scheduled for trial in May 2021 but continued until October 2021. In April 2021, the MDL court selected five additional bellwether cases involving the Company, all currently pending in N.D. Ohio: (1) Cobb Cnty. v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Case No. 18-op-45817; (2) Durham Cnty. v. AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp., et al., Case No. 19-op-45346; (3) Montgomery Cnty. Bd. of Cnty. Commrs., et al. v. Cardinal Health, Inc., et al., Case No. 18-op-46326; (4) Board of Cnty. Commrs. of the Cnty. of Santa Fe v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Case No. 18-op-45776; and (5) Cnty. of Tarrant v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Case No. 18-op-45274.

The Company also has been named as a defendant in eight putative class actionnumerous lawsuits filedbrought in thestate courts relating to opioid matters. Trial dates have been set in cases pending in state courts in New Mexico (State of New Mexico, ex rel. Hector Balderas, Attorney General v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Case No. D-101-cv-2017-02541, First Judicial District Court, Santa Fe County, New Mexico - September 2022); West Virginia (In re: Opioid Litigation, Circuit Court of ChanceryKanawha County, West Virginia, Civil Action No. 19-C-9000 - November 2021); Missouri (Jefferson County, Missouri v. Dannie E. Williams, M.D., et al., Cause No. 20JE-CC00029, Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit, Jefferson County, Missouri - June 2022); Florida (State of Florida, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Legal Affairs v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Case No. 2018-CA-001438, Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pasco County, Florida - April 2022); Nevada (State of Nevada v. McKesson Corporation, et al., Case No. A-19-796755-B, Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada - January 2023); Michigan (State of Michigan, ex rel. Dana Nessel, Attorney General v. Cardinal Health, Inc., Case No. 19-016896-NZ, Circuit Court for Wayne County, Michigan - October 2022); and Alabama (The DCH Health Care Authority, et al. v. Purdue Pharma LP, et al., Cause No. CV-2019-000007.00, Circuit Court of Conecuh County, Alabama - July 2022). In two consolidated cases in New York state court (County of Suffolk v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Index No. 400001/2017; County of Nassau v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., Index No. 400008/2017, Supreme Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware actions”). Those actions were consolidated,New York, Suffolk County, New York) jury selection began in June 2021.

The relief sought by various plaintiffs in these matters is compensatory and plaintiffs filedpunitive damages, as well as injunctive relief. Additionally, the Company has received from the Department of Justice and the Attorney Generals of numerous states subpoenas, civil investigative demands, and/or other requests concerning opioid matters. The Company has also had communications with the Department of Justice with respect to purported violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act and the federal False Claims Act in dispensing prescriptions at certain Walgreens locations. As discussed above, legal proceedings, including government investigations, are often uncertain and difficult to predict, and the costs and penalties incurred in these matters can be substantial.


Note 12. Income taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2021 was 32.8%, compared to 2.3% for the three months ended May 31, 2020. The tax rate for the current period includes a motiondiscrete tax expense on equity earnings of $576 million from HC Group Holdings. See Note 6 Equity method investments for preliminary injunction seeking to enjoinfurther information. The effective tax rate for the Rite Aid shareholder vote relatingprior period reflects a tax benefit on a pretax loss and is primarily driven by the impact of a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 was an expense of 7.4%, primarily due to the Rite Aid Transactions. That motiondiscrete tax effect of equity losses in AmerisourceBergen, partially offset by the tax effect of equity earnings of HC Group Holdings.The effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 was deniedan expense of 230.0%, on a pretax loss for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 primarily due to a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge.

Income taxes paid for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 were $305 million, compared to $604 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2020.

During the next twelve months, based on current knowledge, it is reasonably possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by up to $110 million due to anticipated U.S. federal income tax audit settlements.

During the nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company recognized an increase in uncertain tax benefits, resulting in a reduction in deferred tax assets for capital loss carryforwards and corresponding valuation allowance.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q30

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

On June 10, 2021 the plaintiffsUK Finance Act 2021 was enacted increasing the UK tax rate from 19% to 25% effective April 1, 2023. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of the tax rate increase on its financial statements, which the Company anticipates will result in tax expense related to revaluing the UK net deferred tax liabilities in the Delaware actions agreed to settle this matter for an immaterial amount. The Delaware actions all have been dismissed.fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.




Note 11.13. Retirement benefits

The Company sponsors several retirement plans, including defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans and a postretirement health plan.


Defined benefit pension plans (non-U.S. plans)
The Company has various defined benefit pension plans outside the United States.U.S. The principal defined benefit pension plan is the Boots Pension Plan (the “Boots Plan”), which covers certain employees in the United Kingdom (the “Boots Plan”).UK. The Boots Plan is a funded final salary defined benefit plan providing pensions and death benefits to members. The Boots Plan was closed to future accrual effective July 1, 2010, with pensions calculated based on salaries up until that date. The Boots Plan is governed by a trustee board, which is independent of the Company. The plan is subject to a full funding actuarial valuation on a triennial basis.


Components of net periodic pension costs (income) for the defined benefit pension plans (in millions):
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings2021202020212020
Service costsSelling, general and administrative expenses$$$$
Interest costsOther income36 34 104 106 
Expected returns on plan assets/otherOther income(85)(69)(248)(214)
Total net periodic pension costs (income)$(48)$(35)$(140)$(106)
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Service costs$2
 $2
Interest costs47
 43
Expected returns on plan assets(51) (37)
Total net periodic pension costs$(2) $8


The Company made cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of $9$37 million for the threenine months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2021, which primarily related to committed funded payments. The Company plans to contribute an additional $50$2 million to its defined benefit pension plans in fiscal 2018.2021.


Defined contribution plans
The principal retirement plan for U.S. employees is the Walgreen Profit-Sharing Retirement Trust, to which both the Company and participating employees contribute. The Company’s contribution is in the form of a guaranteed match which is made pursuant to the applicable plan document approved annually by the Walgreen Co. Board of Directors andDirectors. Plan activity is reviewed periodically by the Compensation Committee and Finance Committeecertain Committees of the Walgreens Boots Alliance Board of Directors. The profit-sharing provision was an expense of $57$54 million and $166 million for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to an expense of $57 million and November 30, 2016.$171 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively.


The Company also has certain contract based defined contribution arrangements. The principal one is the Alliance Healthcare & Boots Retirement Savings Plan, which is United KingdomUK based and to which both the Company and participating employees contribute. The cost recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 was $30$25 million and $77 million, respectively, compared to a cost of $28$26 million and $80 million in the three and nine months ended November 30, 2016.May 31, 2020, respectively.


Note 12. Earnings per share
The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options on earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method. Stock options are anti-dilutive and excluded from the earnings per share calculation if the exercise price exceeds the average market price of the common shares. There were 7.6 million outstanding options to purchase common shares that were anti-dilutive and excluded from the first quarter earnings per share calculation as of November 30, 2017 compared to 4.0 million as of November 30, 2016.

Note 13. Depreciation and amortization
The Company has recorded the following depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (in millions):



WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q31
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Depreciation expense$335
 $335
Intangible asset and other amortization81
 84
Total depreciation and amortization expense$416
 $419

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Note 14. Supplemental financial information
The effective tax rate for the three months ended November 30, 2017 was 21.9% compared to 17.3% for the prior year period. The increase in effective tax rate was primarily attributable to reduced discrete tax benefits in the current period. During the three months ended November 30, 2016, we recognized a discrete tax benefit of $77 million related to reducing our deferred tax liabilities, following enactment of a U.K. tax rate reduction. This benefit did not recur during the three months ended November 30, 2017. The impact of this non-recurrence was partly offset by additional net discrete tax benefits for the three months ended November 30, 2017, primarily related to our equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen. Cash paid for income taxes was $45 million and $63 million in the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Interest paid was $217 million and $246 million for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Note 15. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

The following is a summary of net changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component and net of tax for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and 2016May 31, 2020 (in millions):

Pension/ post-retirement obligationsUnrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedgesNet investment hedgesUnrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securitiesShare of OCI of equity method investmentsCumulative translation adjustmentsTotal
Balance at February 28, 2021$(739)$(18)$(90)$$10 $(2,469)$(3,306)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments(3)(30)141 115 
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(2)14 13 
Tax benefit (provision)(3)(6)(1)
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)(1)(23)(4)142 127 
Balance at May 31, 2021$(740)$(10)$(113)$5 $6 $(2,327)$(3,180)


 Pension/ post-retirement obligationsUnrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedgesNet investment hedgesUnrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securitiesShare of OCI of equity method investmentsCumulative translation adjustmentsTotal
Balance at August 31, 2020$(748)$(31)$(34)$$(10)$(2,948)$(3,771)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments16 11 (110)21 615 558 
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(6)16 17 
Tax benefit (provision)(3)(7)31 (5)17 
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)21 (79)16 621 591 
Balance at May 31, 2021$(740)$(10)$(113)$5 $6 $(2,327)$(3,180)


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q32

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Pension/ post-
retirement
obligations
 
Unrecognized
gain (loss) on
available-for-
sale
investments
 
Unrealized
gain (loss) on
cash flow
hedges
 
Share of
OCI of
equity
method
investments
 
Currency
translation
adjustment
 Total
Balance at August 31, 2017$(139) $
 $(33) $(2) $(2,877) $(3,051)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments(1) 
 
 3
 506
 508
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI
 
 1
 
 
 1
Tax benefit (provision)1
 
 (1) (1) 
 (1)
Net other comprehensive income
 
 
 2
 506
 508
Balance at November 30, 2017$(139) $
 $(33) $
 $(2,371) $(2,543)
Pension/ post-retirement obligationsUnrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedgesNet investment hedgesShare of AOCI of equity method investmentsCumulative translation adjustmentsTotal
Balance at February 29, 2020$(57)$(24)$34 $(1)$(3,360)$(3,407)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments(4)(8)59 (18)(482)(453)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(3)(1)
Tax benefit (provision)(13)(5)(9)
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)(2)(5)46 (15)(487)(463)
Balance at May 31, 2020$(59)$(29)$80 $(16)$(3,847)$(3,871)


 Pension/ post-retirement obligations
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges1
Net investment hedgesShare of AOCI of equity method investmentsCumulative translation adjustmentsTotal
Balance at August 31, 2019$(48)$(24)$55 $$(3,884)$(3,897)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments(12)(9)31 (23)39 26 
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(3)
Tax benefit (provision)(6)(2)
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)(11)(4)25 (20)37 27 
Balance at May 31, 2020$(59)$(29)$80 $(16)$(3,847)$(3,871)


 
Pension/ post-
retirement
obligations
 
Unrecognized
gain (loss) on
available-for-
sale
investments
 
Unrealized
gain (loss) on
cash flow
hedges
 
Share of
OCI of
equity
method
investments
 
Currency
translation
adjustment
 Total
Balance at August 31, 2016$(212) $2
 $(37) $(1) $(2,744) $(2,992)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments(11) (1) 1
 (1) (808) (820)
Tax benefit2
 
 
 
 
 2
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(9) (1) 1
 (1) (808) (818)
Balance at November 30, 2016$(221) $1
 $(36) $(2) $(3,552) $(3,810)

Note 16.15. Segment reporting

On January 6, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with AmerisourceBergen. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Share Purchase Agreement, AmerisourceBergen agreed to purchase the majority of the Company's Alliance Healthcare business as well as a portion of the Company’s retail pharmacy international businesses in Europe. The majority of the Disposal Group was previously included in the Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment. Effective as of the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company haseliminated the Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment and is aligned its operations into three2 reportable segments: Retail Pharmacy USA, Retail Pharmacy International,United States and Pharmaceutical Wholesale.International. The operating segments have been identified based on the financial data utilized by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the chief operating decision maker) to assess segment performance and allocate resources among the Company’s operating segments, which have been aggregated as described below.segments. The chief operating decision maker uses adjusted operating income to assess segment profitability. The chief operating decision maker does not use total assets by segment to make decisions regarding resources,resources; therefore, the total asset disclosure by segment has not been included.


United States
The Retail Pharmacy USACompany's United States segment consists ofincludes the Walgreens business which includes the operationoperations of retail drugstores, health and convenient care clinics;wellness services, and operation of mail and central specialty pharmacy services.services, and its equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen. Sales for the segment are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and a wide assortment of retail products, including health and wellness, beauty, personal care and consumables and general merchandise.


International
The Retail PharmacyCompany's International segment consists of pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses outside the U.S. and optical practices. Thesepharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution business in Germany. Pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses include

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q33

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Boots branded stores in the United Kingdom, Thailand, Norway,UK, the Republic of Ireland and Thailand, the Netherlands; Benavides brand in Mexico and the Ahumada brand in Chile. Sales for the segmentthese businesses are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and health and wellness, beauty, personal care and other consumer products.

The Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment consists of the Alliance Healthcare pharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution businesses and an equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen. Wholesale operations are located in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, Egypt, Norway, Romania, Czech Republic and Lithuania. Sales for the segment are principally derived from wholesaling and distribution of a comprehensive offering of brand-name pharmaceuticals (including specialty pharmaceutical products) and generic pharmaceuticals, health and beauty products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to pharmacies and other healthcare providers.


The results of operations for each reportable segmentsegments include procurement benefits and an allocation of corporate-relatedbenefits. Corporate-related overhead costs. The “Eliminations” column contains itemscosts are not allocableallocated to the reportable segments asand are reported in the information is not utilized by the chief operating decision maker to assess segment performance“Corporate and allocate resources.Other”.


The following table reflects results of operations of the Company’sCompany's reportable segments (in millions):

 
Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Three months ended November 30, 2017         
Sales to external customers$22,489
 $3,083
 $5,168
 $
 $30,740
Intersegment sales
 
 550
 (550) 
Sales$22,489
 $3,083
 $5,718
 $(550) $30,740
          
Adjusted operating income$1,377
 $210
 $224
 $(2) $1,809
          
Three months ended November 30, 2016 
  
  
  
  
Sales to external customers$20,659
 $2,962
 $4,880
 $
 $28,501
Intersegment sales
 
 537
 (537) 
Sales$20,659
 $2,962
 $5,417
 $(537) $28,501
          
Adjusted operating income$1,289
 $213
 $224
 $
 $1,726
Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
2021202020212020
Sales:
United States$28,743 $27,357 $83,250 $80,734 
International5,288 3,008 14,998 10,878 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$34,030 $30,364 $98,247 $91,612 
Adjusted Operating income:
United States$1,471 $979 $3,789 $3,704 
International94 (135)326 155 
Corporate and Other(105)(46)(233)(135)
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$1,459 $798 $3,881 $3,724 

The following table reconciles adjusted operating income to operating income (in millions):


Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
2021202020212020
Adjusted operating income$1,459 $798 $3,881 $3,724 
Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen(48)105 (1,575)(47)
Transformational cost management(60)(310)(338)(508)
Acquisition-related amortization(158)(94)(367)(290)
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements(60)
LIFO provision(51)(29)(85)(90)
Acquisition-related costs(9)(68)(25)(291)
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets(2,001)(2,001)
Store optimization(10)(49)
Store damage and inventory losses(75)(75)
Operating income (loss)$1,134 $(1,683)$1,432 $374 




 
Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Three months ended November 30, 2017         
Adjusted operating income$1,377
 $210
 $224
 $(2) $1,809
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen        (189)
Acquisition-related amortization 
  
  
  
 (85)
Hurricane-related costs 
  
  
  
 (83)
LIFO provision 
  
  
  
 (54)
Acquisition-related costs 
  
  
  
 (51)
Legal settlement 
  
  
  
 (25)
Operating income 
  
  
  
 $1,322
          
Three months ended November 30, 2016 
  
  
  
  
Adjusted operating income$1,289
 $213
 $224
 $
 $1,726
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
  
  
  
 (41)
Acquisition-related amortization 
  
  
  
 (82)
LIFO provision 
  
  
  
 (58)
Acquisition-related costs        (17)
Cost transformation        (81)
Operating income 
  
  
  
 1,447

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q34

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Note 16. Sales

The following table summarizes the Company’s sales by segment and by major source (in millions):
Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
2021202020212020
United States
Pharmacy$21,770 $20,478 $63,133 $60,084 
Retail6,973 6,879 20,117 20,650 
Total28,743 27,357 83,250 80,734 
International
Pharmacy958 794 2,791 2,531 
Retail1,455 971 4,618 4,735 
Wholesale2,875 1,243 7,588 3,611 
Total5,288 3,008 14,998 10,878 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$34,030 $30,364 $98,247 $91,612 

Contract balances with customers
Contract liabilities primarily represent the Company’s obligation to transfer additional goods or services to a customer for which the Company has received consideration, for example the Company’s myWalgreens and Boots Advantage Card loyalty programs. Under such programs, customers earn reward points on purchases for redemption at a later date. See Note 19 Supplemental information, for further information on receivables from contracts with customers.


Note 17. Related parties

The Company has a long-term pharmaceutical distribution agreement with AmerisourceBergen pursuant to which the Company sources branded and generic pharmaceutical products from AmerisourceBergen principally for its U.S. operations.

Related party transactions (in millions):
 Three months ended
 November 30, 2017 November 30, 2016
Purchases, net$11,604
 $10,636
 November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017
Trade accounts payable, net$4,818
 $4,384

Additionally, AmerisourceBergen receives sourcing services for generic pharmaceutical products.


Related party transactions with AmerisourceBergen (in millions):
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Purchases, net$15,947 $15,081 $46,449 $44,489 
 May 31, 2021August 31, 2020
Trade accounts payable, net$6,608 $6,390 

See Note 2 Discontinued operations for further information.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q35

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 18. New accounting pronouncements

Adoption of new accounting pronouncements
Measurement of inventory
Financial instruments
In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)March 2020, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.ASU 2020-03. This ASU simplifies current accounting treatmentsimproves and clarifies various financial instruments topics. The ASU includes seven different issues that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP, intended to make the standards easier to understand and apply by requiring entities to measure most inventories at “the lower of costeliminating inconsistencies and net realizable value” rather than using lower of cost or market. This guidance does not apply to inventories measured using last-in, first-out method or the retail inventory method. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 (fiscal 2018), and interim periods within those fiscal years.providing clarifications. The Company adopted this guidance on a prospective basis during the quarter ended November 30, 2017. Thenew standard effective September 1, 2020 and the adoption did not have a materialany impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.


Investments - equity securities
In April 2019, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Financial Instruments (Topic 825). This extensive ASU provides clarifications for three topics related to financial instruments accounting, some of which apply to the Company. For example, this ASU clarifies the disclosure requirements that apply to equity securities without a readily determinable fair value for which the measurement alternative is elected. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2020 and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Collaborative arrangements
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808). This ASU clarifies the interaction between Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements, and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2020 and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Compensation – retirement benefits – defined benefit plans
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement benefits (Topic 715-20). This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The ASU eliminates the requirement to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost over the next year. The ASU also removes the disclosure requirements for the effects of a one-percentage-point change on the assumed health care costs and the effect of this change in rates on service cost, interest cost and the benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2020 and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Fair value measurement
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The ASU eliminates such disclosures as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The ASU adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2020 on a retrospective basis and the adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Financial instruments - credit losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which amends the Board’s guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. The ASU adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses, which is known as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model applies to most debt instruments (other than those measured at fair value), trade and other receivables, financial guarantee contracts, and loan commitments. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2020, using a modified retrospective transition method, which requires a cumulative-effect adjustment, if any, to the opening balance of retained earnings to be recognized on the date of adoption with prior periods not restated. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.





WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q36

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
Accounting for hedging activities

Receivables - nonrefundable fees and others
In August 2017,October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivative and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted2020-08, Codification Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.Subtopic 310-20, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other. This ASU expands an entity’s ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components and reduces complexity in fair value hedges of interest rate risk. It eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. It also eases certain documentation and assessment requirements and modifiesclarifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium by giving consideration to securities which have multiple call dates. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 20182020 (fiscal 2020), and interims periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance with respect to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships existing on the date of adoption must be applied on a modified retrospective basis, and the new presentation and disclosure requirements must be applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This ASU requires an employer to report the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement cost in the same line item in the statement of earnings as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the related employees during the period. The other net cost components are required to be presented in the statement of earnings separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. Additionally, the line item used in the statement of earnings to present the other net cost components must be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal 2019), and interims periods within those fiscal years, and must be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company has evaluated the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance and determined that adoption will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations. The Company will adopt this new accounting guidance as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019)2022).

Restricted cash
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal 2019), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance must be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows.

Tax accounting for intra-entity asset transfers
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. Topic 740, Income Taxes, prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. In addition, interpretations of this guidance have developed in practice for transfers of certain intangible and tangible assets. This prohibition on recognition is an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes in GAAP. To more faithfully represent the economics of intra-entity asset transfers, the amendments in this ASU require that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amendments in this ASU do not change GAAP for the pre-tax effects of an intra-entity asset transfer under Topic 810, Consolidation, or for an intra-entity transfer of inventory. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal 2019), including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative effect adjustment recognized directly to retained earnings as of the date of adoption. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.

Classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU addresses the classification of certain specific cash flow issues including debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, settlement of certain debt instruments, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of certain insurance claims and distributions received from equity method investees. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal 2019), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period and the new guidance must be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company is evaluating the effect this ASU will have on its consolidated statement of cash flows.

Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes Topic 840, Leases. This ASU increases the transparency and comparability of organizations by requiring the capitalization of substantially all leases on the balance sheet and disclosures of key information about leasing arrangements. Under this new guidance, at the lease commencement date, a lessee recognizes a right-of-use asset and lease liability, which is initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments. For income statement purposes, a dual model was retained for lessees, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance leases. Under the operating lease model, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Under the finance lease model, interest on the lease liability is recognized separately from amortization of the right-of-use asset. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (fiscal 2020), and interim periods within those fiscal years. In transition, lessees are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented (fiscal 2018) using a modified retrospective approach which includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply.
The Company will adopt this ASU on September 1, 2019 (fiscal 2020). The Company has begun evaluating and planning for adoption and implementation of this ASU, including selecting a new lease accounting system, evaluating practical expedient and accounting policy elections, and assessing the overall financial statement impact. This ASU will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position. The impact on the Company’s results of operations is being evaluated. The impact of this ASU is non-cash in nature and will not affect the Company’s cash flows.
Classification and measurement of financial instruments
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This ASU requires equity investments (except those under the equity method of accounting or those that result in the consolidation of an investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. This simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments previous held at cost. Separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category is required. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal 2019), and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted, for fiscal years or interim periods that have not yet been issued as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The new guidance must be applied on a modified retrospective basis, with the exception of the amendments related to equity investments without readily determinable fair values, which must be applied on a prospective basis. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but does not expect adoption towill have a material impact on the Company’sCompany's results of operations.operations, cash flows or financial position.

Revenue recognitionEffects of reference rate reform on contracts with customersfinancial reporting
In May 2014,March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 606).848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This ASU provides a single principles-based revenue recognition modeloptional expedient and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. In response to the concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates (“IBORs”) and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), regulators in several jurisdictions around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. The ASU provides companies with a five-step analysis of transactionsoptional guidance to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle isease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expectsare expected to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Subsequently,discontinued. In January 2021, the FASB has issued additionalASU 2021-01, which adds implementation guidance to above ASU to clarify certain optional expedients in Topic 848. The ASUs which furthercan be adopted no later than December 1, 2022 with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Investments — equity securities; Investments — equity method and joint ventures; Derivatives and hedging
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in this ASU clarify this guidancethe interaction between the accounting for investments in equity securities, investment in equity method and also defercertain derivatives instruments. The ASU is expected to reduce diversity in practice and increase comparability of the accounting for these interactions. This ASU is effective date by one year tofor fiscal years beginning after December 15, 20172020 (fiscal 2019)2022). The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Income taxes - simplifying the accounting for income taxes
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740), which removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 (fiscal 2022), and interim periods within those fiscal years.years, with early adoption permitted. The Company continues to evaluateis evaluating the impacteffect of adopting this ASU, the related amendments and the interpretivenew accounting guidance but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company continues to evaluate the method of adoption. Based on preliminary assessment, the Company believes the impact of adopting the new guidance will not be material to its consolidated financial statements, and that the impact will be limited to immaterial changes to the timing of recognition of revenues related to loyalty programs and gift cards, in addition to disaggregated revenueCompany's disclosures. The Company will adopt this ASU on September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019).


Note 19. Subsequent eventSupplemental information
On December 22, 2017, U.S. tax legislation
Accounts receivable
Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable balances primarily consist of trade receivables due from customers, including amounts due from third party providers (e.g., pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies and governmental agencies). Trade receivables were $3.9 billion and $3.0 billion at May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively. Other accounts receivable balances, which consist primarily of receivables from vendors and manufacturers, including receivables from AmerisourceBergen (see Note 17 Related parties), were $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion at May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization
The Company has recorded the following depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (in millions):

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q37

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
2021202020212020
Depreciation expense$352 $349 $1,042 $1,051 
Intangible asset and other amortization156 93 363 290 
Total depreciation and amortization expense$507 $443 $1,404 $1,341 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment was enacted that made significant changes$13.0 billion at May 31, 2021 and $12.1 billion at August 31, 2020.

Restricted cash
The Company is required to many elementsmaintain cash deposits with certain banks which consist of the U.S. federal Internal Revenue Code. Due to the recent enactment of this tax legislation and expected further rulemaking and future regulatory guidance, a comprehensive estimate of the overall tax impact to the Company's financial position, results of operationsdeposits restricted under contractual agency agreements and cash flows cannot be made at this time. However, at this time, the Company does anticipate this tax legislation will result inrestricted by law and other obligations.

The following represents a discrete tax impact related to revaluing the Company's U.S. federal deferred tax assetsreconciliation of cash and liabilities, a discrete tax impact associated with including incremental earnings from the Company's non-U.S. entities in its U.S. federal income tax base and a change to the Company’s fiscal 2018 estimated annual tax rate due to the statutory corporate tax rate reduction. These changes will impact Deferred income tax and Other non-current liabilitiescash equivalents in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet. Sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020 (in millions):
May 31, 2021August 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents - continuing operations$1,345 $469 
Cash and cash equivalents - discontinued operations239 47 
Restricted cash - continuing operations (included in other current assets)76 62 
Restricted cash - discontinued operations143 168 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$1,803 $746 



Redeemable noncontrolling interest
The redeemable noncontrolling interest balance as of May 31, 2021 was $310 million due to acquisitions during the nine months period ended May 31, 2021. See Note 3 Acquisitions for further details.

Earnings per share
The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options on earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method. Stock options are anti-dilutive and excluded from the earnings per share calculation if the exercise price exceeds the average market price of the common shares. There were 15.9 million weighted outstanding options to purchase common shares that were anti-dilutive and excluded from the third quarter earnings per share calculation as of May 31, 2021 compared to 20.5 million as of May 31, 2020.

Due to the anti-dilutive effect resulting from the reported net loss during three months and nine months ended May 31, 2020, the incremental impact of potentially dilutive securities were omitted from the calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding.

Cash dividends declared per common share
Cash dividends per common share declared were as follows:
Quarter ended20212020
November$0.4675 $0.4575 
February$0.4675 $0.4575 
May$0.4675 $0.4575 
$1.4025 $1.3725 






WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q38

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Note 20. Subsequent events

On June 1, 2021, the Company completed the previously announced sale of the majority of the Company's Alliance Healthcare business as well as a portion of the Company’s retail pharmacy international businesses in Europe, per the Share Purchase Agreement with AmerisourceBergen. See Note 2 Discontinued Operations for further information. The Company estimates the fair value of the proceeds from the Transaction to be approximately $6.8 billion to $6.9 billion (subject to net cash and working capital adjustments), the gain before currency translation adjustments to be approximately $1.0 billion to $1.1 billion and net gain on disposal to be approximately $0.3 billion to $0.4 billion. As of the date of this report, the Company has not completed the calculation of net gain on disposal of discontinued operations and therefore estimates presented are subject to further refinement and may result in changes.


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q39


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 2. Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere herein and the consolidated financial statements,Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, accompanying notes and Management’smanagement’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and other disclosures contained in the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.2020. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed below under “Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements”, and in Itemitem 1A, “Risk factors”risk factors, in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 and in Item 1A“Risk factors” in this report.2020. References herein to the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our” refer to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires.


Certain amounts in the management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations may not add due to rounding. All percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020.

INTRODUCTION AND SEGMENTS

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Walgreens Boots Alliance” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries areis a global pharmacy-led health and wellbeing enterprise.leader in retail pharmacy. Its operations are conducted through threetwo reportable segments:
Retail Pharmacy USA;United States; and
Retail Pharmacy International; andInternational
Pharmaceutical Wholesale


See noteNote 15 Segment reporting and Note 16 segment reportingSales to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for further information.


Acquisition of certain Rite Aid Corporation (Rite Aid) assets
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Pharmaceutical Wholesale Transaction
On September 19, 2017,January 6, 2021, the Company announced it had secured regulatory clearance for an amendedentered into a Share Purchase Agreement with AmerisourceBergen. Pursuant to the terms and restated asset purchase agreement to purchase 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid for $4.375 billion in cash and other consideration. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had acquired 357 Rite Aid stores. The Company expects ownership of the remaining stores to be transferred in phases, with the goal being to complete the store transfers in spring 2018. These transfers remain subject to closingthe conditions set forth in the amendedShare Purchase Agreement, AmerisourceBergen agreed to purchase the majority of the Company's Alliance Healthcare business as well as a portion of the Company’s retail pharmacy international businesses in Europe for approximately $6.5 billion, comprised of$6.275 billion in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, and restated asset2 million shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock. Alliance Healthcare’s investment in China and Italy and its operations in Germany are not part of the Transaction. The Company's retail pharmacy international operations in The Netherlands, Norway and Lithuania are part of the Transaction. On June 1, 2021 the Company completed the previously announced sale of the Company's Alliance Healthcare business per the Share Purchase Agreement with AmerisourceBergen. After giving effect to the Transaction, the Company beneficially owns approximately 28.4% of AmerisourceBergen’s outstanding common stock, based on the share count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen in its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See Note 20 Subsequent events to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for further information.

The Disposal Group met the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. Therefore, the related assets, liabilities and operating results of the Disposal Group are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

In connection with the closing of the Transaction, the Company and AmerisourceBergen also agreed to (i) a three-year extension through 2029 of the U.S. pharmaceutical distribution agreement pursuant to which branded and generic pharmaceutical products are sourced from AmerisourceBergen in the U.S., (ii) a three-year extension of the agreement, that provides AmerisourceBergen the ability to access generics pharmaceutical products through Walgreens Boots Alliance Development GmbH, the Company’s global sourcing enterprise, (iii) a distribution agreement pursuant to which AmerisourceBergen will supply branded and generic pharmaceutical products to the Company’s Boots UK business following the closing of the Transaction and (iv) explore a series of strategic initiatives designed to create incremental growth and efficiencies in sourcing, logistics and distribution.

See Note 2 Discontinued operations to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for additional information.

VillageMD investment
On January 6, 2021, the Company and VillageMD announced that the Company had accelerated its investment in VillageMD to support the opening of 600 to 700 Village Medical at Walgreens primary care clinics in more than 30 U.S. markets within the next four years, with the intent to build hundreds more thereafter.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q40


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

In July 2020, the Company and VillageMD announced an expansion of their partnership and the intent to open 500 to 700 clinics over a five-year period, supported by the Company’s investment in VillageMD over three years of $1.0 billion in equity and convertible debt, which included an initial $250 million equity investment. The Company completed the remaining $750 million investment during the nine months ended May 31, 2021, which allows the Company to increase the minimum number of clinics to 600 and expand the rollout at a faster pace.

iA acquisition
On December 29, 2020, the Company acquired a majority equity interest in Innovation Associates, Inc. for a cash consideration of $451 million. Innovation Associates, Inc. is a leading-edge provider of software enabled automation solutions for retail, hospital and federal healthcare and mail-order pharmacy markets. The Company accounted for this acquisition as a business combination and consolidates Innovation Associates, Inc. within the United States segment in its financial statements. See Note 3 Acquisitions to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for further information. Considering the contractual terms related to the remaining noncontrolling interest, it is classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. See Note 19 Supplemental information for more details on redeemable noncontrolling interest. The goodwill arising from this acquisition reflects the expected operational synergies and cost savings to be derived as a result of this acquisition.

Pharmaceutical Wholesale business in Germany
On November 1, 2020, the Company and McKesson Corporation closed a transaction to form a combined pharmaceutical wholesale business in Germany, as part of a strategic alliance. The Company owns a 70% controlling equity interest in the combined business which is consolidated by the Company and reported within the International segment in its financial statements. The Company accounted for this acquisition as a business combination involving noncash purchase agreement.consideration of $296 million consisting of the issuance of an equity interest in the combined business. See Note 3 Acquisitions to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for further information.


FACTORS AFFECTING OUR RESULTS AND COMPARABILITY
The Company has been, and we expect it to continue to be affected by a number of factors that may cause actual results to differ from our historical results or current expectations. These factors include: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19) on our operations and financial results; the financial performance of our equity method investees, including AmerisourceBergen; the influence of certain holidays; seasonality; foreign currency rates; changes in vendor, payer and customer relationships and terms and associated reimbursement pressure; strategic transactions and acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and other strategic collaborations; changes in laws, including U.S. tax law changes; changes in trade, tariffs, including trade relations between the U.S. and China, and international relations, including the UK's withdrawal from the European Union and its impact on our operations and prospects and those of our customers and counterparties; the timing and magnitude of cost reduction initiatives, including under our Transformational Cost Management Program (as defined below); the timing and severity of the cough, cold and flu season; fluctuations in variable costs; the impacts of looting, natural disasters, war, terrorism and other catastrophic events, and changes in general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates. These and other factors can affect the Company’s operations and net earnings for any period and may cause such results not to be comparable to the same period in previous years. The results presented in this report are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.

Estimated COVID-19 impacts and uncertainties
COVID-19 has severely impacted, and is expected to continue to impact, the economies of the U.S., the UK and other countries around the world. COVID-19 has created significant public health concerns as well as significant volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption in every region in which we operate, all of which have been adversely affected and may again adversely affect our industries and our business operations. Further, financial and credit markets have experienced and may again experience volatility. Policies and initiatives designed to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 have resulted in, among other things, temporary closure or reduced hours of operation of certain store locations in U.S., the UK and other countries, reduced customer traffic and sales in our retail pharmacies and the adoption of work-from-home policies.

COVID-19 continued to affect global economic conditions during the three months ended May 31, 2021.The situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid, and we are actively managing our response in collaboration with customers, government officials, team members and business partners and assessing potential impacts to our financial position and operating results, as well as developments in our business. As COVID-19 impacts the economies of the U.S., the UK and other countries around the world, the Company has put preparedness plans in place at our facilities to maintain continuity of our operations, while also taking steps to keep our team members healthy and safe.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q41


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
In response to COVID-19, various domestic and foreign federal, state and local governmental legislation, regulations, orders, policies and initiatives have been implemented that are designed to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, as well as to help address economic and market volatility and instability resulting from COVID-19. The Company has assessed and will continue to assess the impact of these governmental actions on the Company. It has participated in certain of these programs, including for example availing itself to certain tax deferrals which were introduced by the CARES Act in the U.S. and certain tax deferral and benefit and employee wage support in the UK, and may continue to do so in the future.

During the three months ended May 31, 2021, sales growth within the United States segment was aided by the acceleration of COVID-19 vaccination rollout and retail recovery as store traffic accelerated with key markets continuing to reopen. The International segment experienced a rebound in retail sales resulting from the phased reopening of the UK high street and less severe COVID-19 restrictions. However, store transactions remain below pre-COVID-19 levels due to the slower pace of reopening in the UK. The Company incurred labor and other costs related to the vaccination program and continued to take measures to keep stores open, incurring incremental selling, general and administrative expenses to safeguard store environments. The Company continued to take certain actions during the three months ended May 31, 2021 to partly mitigate the impact of COVID-19 through cost containment across the International segment, including reducing rent at some locations.

The Company expectscontinues to complete integrationplay a critical role in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. To continue to work with customers and manage through the pandemic, the Company launched a COVID-19 testing program in fiscal 2020. Since the launch of the acquired stores and related assets by the end of fiscal 2020, at an estimated total cost of approximately $750 million, which is reported as acquisition-related costs. In addition,program, the Company planshas administered more than 8 million COVID-19 tests in the U.S. as part of its Test & Protect efforts, including over-the counter self tests. In the International segment, Boots administered more than 3 million COVID-19 tests in the UK, mostly undertaken in partnership with the National Health Service (“NHS”). Boots UK also have a growing private test offering with several at home and in-store tests available, in addition to spend approximately $500 million of capital on store conversions and related activities.testing partnerships with several major airlines.


The Company has worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) and the U.S. government to help administer COVID-19 vaccines to high priority groups, including long-term care facility residents and staff. The United States segment also expanded vaccination models to ensure convenient access, including same-day and walk-in appointments, mobile clinics, employer partnerships and extended hours at over 4,000 locations. As of the date of this report, the United States segment has provided more than 25 million, COVID-19 vaccination, including 17 million in the three months ended May 31, 2021. The Company expects a lower level of COVID-19 vaccination in the three months ending August 31, 2021 compared to realize annual synergiesthe three months ended May 31, 2021.

The Company anticipates additional mandates and directives, including revisions thereto, from foreign, federal, state, county and city authorities throughout the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and for some time thereafter. The impact of this activity on the U.S. and global economies and consumer, customer and health care utilization patterns depends upon the evolving factors and future developments related to COVID-19. As a result, the financial and/or operational impact these COVID-19 related governmental actions and inactions will have on our businesses, operating results, cash flows and/or financial condition is uncertain, but the impact, singularly or collectively, could be material and adverse.

The Company’s current expectations described above are forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ. Factors that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed below under “Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements” and in Item 1A, Risk factors, in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.

The potential impacts of Brexit
As a result of a referendum in June 2016, the UK withdrew from the transactionEuropean Union (“Brexit”) on January 31, 2020. It began a transition period in which to negotiate a new trading relationship for goods and services that ended on December 31, 2020. On December 24, 2020, the EU and UK agreed to a trade deal with no tariffs nor quotas on products, regulatory and customs cooperation mechanisms as well as provisions ensuring a level playing field for open and fair competition. Given the lack of more than $300 million,comparable precedent, it is uncertain what financial, trade, regulatory and legal implications the agreed Brexit trade deal will have on our business, particularly our UK and other European operations; however, Brexit and its related effects could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.


TRANSFORMATIONAL COST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
On December 20, 2018, the Company announced a transformational cost management program that was expected to deliver in excess of $2.0 billion of annual cost savings by fiscal 2022 (the “Transformational Cost Management Program”). The Company continues to expect to deliver in excess of $2.0 billion of annual cost savings by fiscal 2022 from continuing operations, after excluding amounts related to the Disposal Group.


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q42


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The Transformational Cost Management Program, which is multi-faceted and includes divisional optimization initiatives, global smart spending, global smart organization and the transformation of the Company’s information technology (IT) capabilities, is designed to help the Company achieve increased cost efficiencies. To date, the Company has taken actions across all aspects of the Transformational Cost Management Program. The actions under the Transformational Cost Management Program focus on the two reportable segments and the Company’s corporate and global functions. Divisional optimization within each of the Company’s segments includes activities such as optimization of stores including current plans to close approximately 200 Boots stores in the UK and approximately 250 stores in the U.S.

The Company currently estimates that the Transformational Cost Management Program will result in cumulative pre-tax charges to its generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) financial results of approximately $2.1 billion to $2.3 billion, subject to approval, of which $1.8 billion to $2.0 billion are expected to be fully realized within four yearsrecorded as exit and disposal activities. The Company estimates that approximately 85% of the initial closing of this transactioncumulative pre-tax charges will be associated with cash expenditures, primarily related to employee severance and derived primarilybusiness transition costs, IT transformation costs and lease and real estate payments.

The Company currently estimates that it will recognize aggregate pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results in continuing operations related to Transformational Cost Management Program as follows:
Transformational Cost Management Program ActivitiesRange of Charges
Lease obligations and other real estate costs1
$450 to 500 million
Asset impairments2
$275 to 300 million
Employee severance and business transition costs$800 to 850 million
Information technology transformation and other exit costs$275 to 300 million
Total cumulative pre-tax exit and disposal costs$1.8 to 2.0 billion
Other IT transformation costs$300 to 350 million
Total estimated pre-tax costs$2.1 to 2.3 billion
1Includes impairments relating to operating lease right-of-use and finance lease assets.
2Primarily related to asset write-offs from procurement, cost savingsstore closures and other operational matters.asset write-offs.


In addition to the impacts discussed above, as a result of the actions related to store closures taken under the Transformational Cost Management Program, the Company recorded $508 million of transition adjustments to decrease retained earnings due to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard (Topic 842) on September 1, 2019.

Since the inception of the Transformational Cost Management Program to May 31, 2021, the Company has recognized aggregate cumulative pre-tax charges to its financial results in accordance with GAAP of $1.4 billion, of which $1.2 billion are recorded as exit and disposal activities. See Note 4 Exit and disposal activities, to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for additional information. These charges included $293 million related to lease obligations and other real estate costs, $245 million in asset impairments, $517 million in employee severance and business transition costs, $153 million of information technology transformation and other exit costs and $175 million other IT costs.

Costs from continuing operations under the Transformational Cost Management Program, which were primarily recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, were as follows (in millions):


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q43


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Three months ended May 31, 2021United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs$15 $$— $21 
Asset impairments— 14 
Employee severance and business transition costs(19)14 (2)
Information technology transformation and other exit costs10 11 
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs$2 $27 $14 $44 
Other IT transformation costs10 — 16 
Total pre-tax costs$13 $33 $14 $60 

Nine months ended May 31, 2021United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs$56 $$— $62 
Asset impairment10 — 19 
Employee severance and business transition costs92 36 44 172 
Information technology transformation and other exit costs14 11 26 
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges$172 $63 $44 $279 
Other IT transformation costs42 17 — 59 
Total pre-tax charges$213 $80 $44 $338 

Three months ended May 31, 2020United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs$170 $$— $173 
Asset impairments19 10 — 29 
Employee severance and business transition costs47 (2)11 56 
Information technology transformation and other exit costs17 16 — 33 
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs$253 $27 $11 $290 
Other IT transformation costs17 — 20 
Total pre-tax costs$269 $30 $11 $310 

Nine months ended May 31, 2020United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs$179 $$— $184 
Asset impairment31 13 — 44 
Employee severance and business transition costs111 33 18 162 
Information technology transformation and other exit costs27 26 12 65 
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges$348 $76 $31 $455 
Other IT transformation costs43 11 — 53 
Total pre-tax charges$390 $87 $31 $508 

The amounts and timing of all estimates are subject to change until finalized. The actual amounts and timing may vary materially based on various factors. See “cautionary“Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements” below.



RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Investment in Chinese Pharmacy Chain GuoDa
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q44
On December 6, 2017 the Company announced that it had reached an agreement with China National Accord Medicines Corporation Ltd. to become an investor in its subsidiary Sinopharm Holding Guoda Drugstores Co., Ltd. (“GuoDa”), a leading retail pharmacy chain in China.



WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Following a public tender process, the Company's bid met all the requirements set by the seller to acquire a 40 percent equity interest in GuoDa through a capital increase worth approximately $416 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory review and approval, and other customary closing conditions. Upon completion, the Company will account for this equity investment using the equity method of accounting.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Recent U.S. tax legislation
On December 22, 2017, U.S. tax legislation was enacted that made significant changes to many elements of the U.S. federal Internal Revenue Code.  Due to the recent enactment of this tax legislation and expected further rulemaking and future regulatory guidance, a comprehensive estimate of the overall tax impact to the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows cannot be made at this time. However, at this time, the Company does anticipate this tax legislation will result in a discrete tax impact related to revaluing the Company's U.S. federal deferred tax assets and liabilities, a discrete tax impact associated with including incremental earnings from the Company's non-U.S. entities in its U.S. federal income tax base and a change to the Company’s fiscal 2018 estimated annual tax rate due to the statutory corporate tax rate reduction. These changes will impact Deferred income tax and Other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet.

See note 19, “subsequent event” above and “cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements” and Item 1A “Risk factors” below.

EXIT AND DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES
Store Optimization Program
On October 24, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to implement a program (the “Store Optimization Program”) as part of an initiative to optimize store locations within the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USA segment upon completion of the acquisition of certain stores and related assets from Rite Aid. The Store Optimization Program includes plans to close approximately 600 stores and related assets across the U.S. and is expected to result in cost savings of $300 million per year to be delivered by the end of fiscal 2020. The actions under the Store Optimization Program are expected to take place over an 18 month period beginning in spring 2018.

The Company currently estimates that it will recognize cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results of approximately $450 million, including costs associated with lease obligations and other real estate costs, employee severance and other exit costs. The Company expects to incur pre-tax charges of approximately $270 million for lease obligations and other real estate costs and approximately $180 million for employee severance and other exit costs. The Company estimates that substantially all of these cumulative pre-tax charges will result in future cash expenditures.

As the Store Optimization Program is implemented, charges will be recognized as the costs are incurred over time in accordance with GAAP. The Company intends to treat charges related to the Store Optimization Program as special items impacting comparability of results in its quarterly earnings disclosures.

The amounts and timing of all estimates are subject to change until finalized. The actual amounts and timing may vary materially based on various factors. See “cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements” below.

INVESTMENT IN AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION RELATIONSHIP
As of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2021, the Company owned 56,854,867 AmerisourceBergen common shares representing approximately 26% of the outstanding AmerisourceBergen common stock, representing approximately 27.7% of its outstanding common stock based on the share count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen in its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and had designated one member of AmerisourceBergen’s board of directors. As of November 30, 2017, the Company canmay, subject to certain conditions, acquire up to an additional 8,398,752 AmerisourceBergen shares in the open market and thereafter designate another member of AmerisourceBergen’s board of directors, subject in each case to applicable legal and contractual requirements. market.

The amount of permitted open market purchases is subject to increase or decrease in certain circumstances.

Effective March 18, 2016, the Company began accountingaccounts for theits investment in AmerisourceBergen using the equity method of accounting, subject to a two-month reporting lag, with the net earnings (loss) attributable to the investment being classified within the operating income of the Pharmaceutical WholesaleCompany’s United States segment. During the nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company recognized equity losses in AmerisourceBergen of $1,196 million, which included a loss of $1,373 million recognized during the three months ended November 30, 2020. These equity losses were primarily due to AmerisourceBergen recognition of $5.6 billion, net of tax, and charges related to its ongoing opioid litigation in its financial statements for the three months period ended September 30, 2020.

On January 6, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with AmerisourceBergen pursuant to which AmerisourceBergen agreed to purchase the majority of the Company's pharmaceutical wholesale operations, as well as a portion of the Company’s retail pharmacy international businesses in Europe among other assets, for $6.275 billion in cash (subject to customary purchase price adjustments) and 2 million shares of common stock of AmerisourceBergen. On June 1, 2021 the Company completed the previously announced sale of the Company's Alliance Healthcare business per the Share Purchase Agreement with AmerisourceBergen. After giving effect to the Transaction, the Company beneficially owns approximately 28.4% of AmerisourceBergen’s outstanding common stock, based on the share count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen in its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See note 4, equityRecent developments above and Note 2 Discontinued operations to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for additional information.

The financial performance of AmerisourceBergen will impact the Company’s results of operations. Additionally, a substantial and sustained decline in the price of AmerisourceBergen’s common stock could trigger an impairment evaluation of our investment. These considerations may materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

For more information, see Note 6 Equity method investments to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for further information.Statements.



WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q45


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The following table presents certain key financial statisticsstatistics.
 (in millions, except per share amounts)
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Sales$34,030 $30,364 $98,247 $91,612 
Gross profit7,153 5,959 20,564 19,753 
Selling, general and administrative expenses6,116 7,884 17,936 19,663 
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen97 243 (1,196)284 
Operating income (loss)1,134 (1,683)1,432 374 
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,459 798 3,881 3,724 
Earnings (loss) before interest and income tax provision1,294 (1,715)1,905 407 
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - continuing operations (GAAP)1,105 (1,794)1,636 (157)
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - continuing operations (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,194 618 3,237 2,985 
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations (GAAP)1.27 (2.05)1.89 (0.18)
Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share - continuing operations (Non-GAAP measure)1
1.38 0.71 3.74 3.37 
 Percentage increases (decreases)
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Sales12.10.17.21.4
Gross profit20.0(14.4)4.1(7.7)
Selling, general and administrative expenses(22.4)35.4(8.8)12.0
Operating incomeNMNM282.6(90.5)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
82.9(50.0)4.2(26.2)
Earnings before interest and income tax provisionNMNM368.3(90.3)
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - continuing operations (GAAP)NMNMNMNM
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - continuing operations (Non-GAAP measure)1
93.1(50.4)8.4(25.0)
Diluted net earnings per common share - continuing operations (GAAP)NMNMNMNM
Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share - continuing operations (Non-GAAP measure)1
95.1(48.4)10.7(21.1)
 Percent to sales
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Gross margin21.019.620.921.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses18.026.018.321.5

1See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the Company for the three months ended November 30, 2017most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and 2016, respectively.

related disclosures.

 (in millions, except per share amounts)
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Sales$30,740
 $28,501
Gross profit7,341
 7,116
Selling, general and administrative expenses5,907
 5,686
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen(112) 17
Operating income1,322
 1,447
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,809
 1,726
Earnings before interest and income tax provision1,185
 1,448
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.821
 1,054
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,295
 1,201
Net earnings per common share – diluted0.81
 0.97
Adjusted net earnings per common share – diluted (Non-GAAP measure)1
1.28
 1.10
 Percentage increases (decreases)
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Sales7.9
 (1.8)
Gross profit3.2
 (4.1)
Selling, general and administrative expenses3.9
 (4.5)
Operating income(8.6) (1.4)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
4.8
 0.4
Earnings before interest and income tax provision(18.2) 2.6
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.(22.1) (5.0)
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Non-GAAP measure)1
7.8
 6.1
Net earnings per common share – diluted(16.5) (4.0)
Adjusted net earnings per common share – diluted (Non-GAAP measure)1
16.4
 6.8
 Percent to sales
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Gross margin23.9 25.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses19.2 20.0

1
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q
See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).46



WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
NM - Not meaningful. Percentage increases/decreases when one period includes income and other period includes loss are considered not meaningful.


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net earnings from continuing operations
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliancethe Company for the three months ended May 31, 2021 was $1.1 billion compared to net loss of $1.8 billion for the prior year quarter. Diluted net earnings per share was $1.27 compared to diluted net loss per share of $2.05 for the prior year quarter. The increases in net earnings and diluted net earnings per share are primarily due to $2.0 billion non-cash impairment charges in the International segment, related to goodwill and intangible assets in the prior year period, increased operating income in the United States and International Segments and earnings related to the Company's equity method investment in HC Group Holdings I, LLC (“HC Group Holdings”) partially offset by higher effective tax rate in the quarter.

Net earnings attributable to the Company for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 was $1.6 billion compared to net loss of $157 million for the prior year period. Diluted net earnings per share was $1.89 compared to diluted net loss per share of $0.18 for the prior year period. The increases in net earnings and diluted net earnings per share are primarily due to $2.0 billion non-cash impairment charges in the International segment, related to goodwill and intangible assets in the prior year period, earnings related to the Company's equity method investee HC Group Holdings and gain on partial sale of ownership interest in Option Care Health by the Company's equity method investee HC Group Holdings partially offset by equity losses in AmerisourceBergen of $1.4 billion during the three months ended November 30, 2017 decreased 22.1% to $8212020.

Other income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 was $159 million while diluted net earnings per share decreased 16.5% to $0.81 compared withand $473 million respectively. Other income for the prior year period. The decreases werethree and nine months ended May 31, 2020 was an expense of $32 million and an income of $32 million respectively. Increase in Other income is mainly due to impairmenta partial sale of ownership interest in Option Care Health by the Company's equity method investment in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation (“Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals”). In addition, the decreases in net earnings reflect a loss from the Company's equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen in the current period and benefits from the U.K. tax rate reduction recorded in the comparable prior year period.investee HC Group Holdings.

Other income (expense) for the three months ended November 30, 2017 was an expense of $137 million as compared to an income of $1 million in the comparable prior year period, which primarily reflects impairment of the Company's equity method investment in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals.


Interest was a net expense of $149$545 million and $173$817 million for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $148 million and 2016,$463 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively. The decrease mainly reflects lower borrowings.increases in interest expense included $419 million related to the early extinguishment of debt related to Company's cash tender offer to partially purchase and retire $3.3 billion of long-term debt in advance of its maturity.


The effective tax rate for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 was 21.9%32.8%, compared to 17.3% for the prior year period.
The increase in effective tax rate was primarily attributable to reduced discrete tax benefits in the current period. During the three months ended November 30, 2016, we recognized a discrete tax benefit of $77 million related to reducing our deferred tax liabilities, following enactment of a U.K. tax rate reduction. This benefit did not recur during the three months ended November 30, 2017. The impact of this non-recurrence was partly offset by additional net discrete tax benefits2.3% for the three months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020. The tax rate for the current period includes a discrete tax expense on equity earnings of $576 million from HC Group Holdings. The effective tax rate for the prior period reflects a tax benefit on a pretax loss and is primarily relateddriven by the impact of a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 was 7.4% compared to our230.0% in prior period, primarily due to the discrete tax effect of equity method investmentlosses in AmerisourceBergen.AmerisourceBergen, partially offset by the tax effect of equity earnings of HC Group Holdings.


Adjusted diluted net earnings per sharefrom continuing operations (Non-GAAP measure)
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliancethe Company for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 increased 7.8% to $1.3 billion,93.1% compared with the year-ago quarter.prior year quarter to $1.2 billion. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share increased 16.4% to $1.28,95.1% compared with the year-ago quarter.quarter to $1.38. Adjusted diluted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share were both positively impacted by 0.6 percentage points and 0.91.5 percentage points, respectively, due toas a result of currency translation.


Excluding the impact of currency translation, the increaseThe increases in adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended November 30, 2017 wasMay 31, 2021 primarily reflect strong adjusted gross profit growth across both pharmacy and retail in the United States and a rebound in International sales and profitability due to an increaseless severe COVID-19 restrictions in sales and a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales partially offset by lower gross margin.

the UK. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended November 30, 2017 alsoMay 31, 2021 benefited from a lower number of shares in issue as a result ofoutstanding compared with the stock repurchase programs described below.prior year quarter. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP measure.and related disclosures.


Adjusted net earnings attributable to the Company for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 increased 8.4% compared with the prior year period to $3.2 billion. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share increased compared with the year-ago period 10.7% to $3.74. Adjusted diluted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share were both positively impacted by 0.8 percentage points as a result of currency translation.


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q47


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The increases in adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 primarily reflect growth in operating income due to less severe impacts from COVID-19 and lower interest expense. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 benefited from a lower number of shares outstanding compared with the prior year period. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and related disclosures.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT


Retail Pharmacy USA
United States
The Company's United States segment includes the Walgreens business which includes the operations of retail drugstores, health and wellness services, and mail and central specialty pharmacy services, and its equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen. Sales for the segment are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and a wide assortment of retail products, including health and wellness, beauty, personal care and consumables and general merchandise.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE(in millions, except location amounts)
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Sales$28,743 $27,357 $83,250 $80,734 
Gross profit6,093 5,275 17,434 16,816 
Selling, general and administrative expenses4,971 4,990 14,695 14,595 
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen97 243 (1,196)284 
Operating income1,219 528 1,543 2,505 
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,471 979 3,789 3,704 
Number of prescriptions2
214.1 196.9 613.9 623.2 
30-day equivalent prescriptions2,3
312.1 287.0 898.1 877.7 
Number of locations at period end8,992 9,095 8,992 9,095 
 Percentage increases (decreases)
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Sales5.13.23.12.9
Gross profit15.5(9.7)3.7(6.4)
Selling, general and administrative expenses(0.4)4.00.71.3
Operating income130.8(48.5)(38.4)(31.6)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
50.3(32.6)2.3(19.2)
Comparable sales4
6.43.14.12.5
Pharmacy sales6.34.65.14.3
Comparable pharmacy sales4
8.43.56.03.3
Retail sales1.4(0.7)(2.6)(1.0)
Comparable retail sales4
1.72.1(0.5)0.7
Comparable number of prescription2,4
9.8(5.8)(1.2)
Comparable 30-day equivalent prescriptions2,3,4
9.80.43.82.7

 (in millions, except location amounts)
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Sales$22,489
 $20,659
Gross profit5,602
 5,439
Selling, general and administrative expenses4,476
 4,334
Operating income1,126
 1,105
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,377
 1,289
Number of prescriptions2
196.4
 187.2
30-day equivalent prescriptions2,3
260.2
 237.6
Number of locations at period end8,201
 8,185

 Percentage increases (decreases)
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Sales8.9
 1.4
Gross profit3.0
 (0.1)
Selling, general and administrative expenses3.3
 (1.9)
Operating income1.9
 7.5
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
6.8
 3.7
Comparable store sales4
4.7
 1.1
Pharmacy sales14.1
 2.5
Comparable pharmacy sales4
7.4
 2.0
Retail sales(2.8) (0.9)
Comparable retail sales4
(0.9) (0.5)
Comparable number of prescriptions2,4
5.3
 1.0
Comparable 30-day equivalent prescriptions2,3,4
8.9
 3.4
 Percent to sales
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Gross margin24.9 26.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses19.9 21.0

1
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q
See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and related disclosures.
48
2
Includes immunizations.
3
Includes the adjustment to convert prescriptions greater than 84 days to the equivalent of three 30-day prescriptions. This adjustment reflects the fact that these prescriptions include approximately three times the amount of product days supplied compared to a normal prescription.
4
Comparable stores are defined as those that have been open for at least twelve consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days and without a major remodel or subject to a natural disaster in the past twelve months. Relocated and acquired stores are not included as comparable stores for the first twelve months after the relocation or acquisition. The method of calculating comparable sales varies across the industries in which we operate. As a result, our method of calculating comparable sales may not be the same as other companies’ methods.



WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 Percent to sales
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Gross margin21.219.320.920.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses17.318.217.718.1

1See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and related disclosures.
2Includes immunizations.
3Includes the adjustment to convert prescriptions greater than 84 days to the equivalent of three 30-day prescriptions. This adjustment reflects the fact that these prescriptions include approximately three times the amount of product days supplied compared to a normal prescription.
4Comparable sales are defined as sales from stores that have been open for at least twelve consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days, including due to looting or store damage, and without a major remodel or being subject to a natural disaster, in the past twelve months as well as e-commerce sales. E-commerce sales include digitally initiated sales online or through mobile applications. Relocated stores are not included as comparable sales for the first twelve months after the relocation. Acquired stores are not included as comparable sales for the first twelve months after acquisition or conversion, when applicable, whichever is later. Comparable sales, comparable pharmacy sales, comparable retail sales, comparable number of prescriptions and comparable number of 30-day equivalent prescriptions refer to total sales, pharmacy sales, retail sales, number of prescriptions and number of 30-day equivalent prescriptions, respectively. Comparable retail sales for previous periods have been restated to include e-commerce sales. The method of calculating comparable sales varies across the retail industry and our method of calculating comparable sales may not be the same as other retailers’ methods.

Sales for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and 2016May 31, 2020
Retail Pharmacy USA division’sThe United States segment's sales for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 increased by 8.9%5.1% compared with the year-ago quarter to $22.5$28.7 billion. Sales in comparable stores increased 4.7%6.4% compared with the year-ago quarter.


Pharmacy sales increased by 14.1%6.3% for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and represented 72.4%75.7% of the division’ssegment’s sales. The increase in the current quarter is mainlyprimarily due to higher brand inflation, COVID-19 vaccination volume and increased prescription volumes including mailvolume partially offset by higher generic utilization and central specialty following the formation of AllianceRx Walgreens Prime.lower reimbursement. In the year-ago quarter, pharmacy sales increased 2.5%4.6% and represented 69.1%74.9% of the division’ssegment’s sales. Comparable pharmacy sales increased 7.4%8.4% for the three months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2021 compared to an increase of 2.0%3.5% in the year-ago quarter, primarily due to strong volume growth from Medicare Part D and volume growth from previously announced strategic pharmacy partnerships.quarter. The effect of generic drugs, which have a lower retail price, replacing brand name drugs reduced prescription sales by 2.0%0.5% in the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 compared to a reduction of 2.2%2.7% in the year-ago quarter. On divisionThe effect of generics mix on segment sales this effect wascaused a reduction of 1.2%0.4% for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 compared to a reduction of 1.3%1.9% for the year-ago quarter. Third party sales, where reimbursement is received from managed care organizations, governmental agencies, employers or private insurers, were 97.5% of prescription sales for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 95.4% in the year-ago quarter. The total number of prescriptions (including immunizations) filled for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 was 196.4214.1 million compared to 187.2196.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Prescriptions (including immunizations) filled adjusted to 30-day equivalents were 260.2312.1 million in the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 compared to 237.6287.0 million in the year-ago quarter.



Retail sales decreased 2.8% for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 increased 1.4%, including the impact of the store closures, and were 27.6%24.3% of the division’ssegment’s sales. In the year-ago quarter, retail sales decreased 0.9%0.7% and represented 30.9%comprised 25.1% of the division’ssegment’s sales. The decrease in the current quarter reflects the impact of recent store closures, the impact of the previously announced closure of certain e-commerce operations and loss of sales as a result of the hurricanes in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Comparable retail sales decreased 0.9%increased 1.7% in the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 compared to a decreaseincrease of 0.5%2.1% in the year-ago quarter.quarter. The decrease in comparable retail sales growthincrease in the current period was due to declinesquarter is driven primarily by an increase in thehealth and wellness excluding cough, cold and flu and beauty categories reflecting mass personalization and improved traffic trends partially offset by a decline in consumables and general merchandise category and in the personal care category, partially offset by growth in the health and wellness category and in the beauty category.categories.


Operating income for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and 2016May 31, 2020
Retail Pharmacy USA division’sThe United States segment’s operating income for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 increased 1.9%130.8% to $1.1 billion.$1.2 billion including $97 million from the Company’s share of equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen. The increase was primarily driven by higher gross profit from pharmacy reflecting improved pharmacy margin entirely due to product mix from COVID-19 vaccinations, and higher pharmacy sales, and a reductiongross profit from retail reflecting favorable product mix, higher costs related to Transformational Cost Management program in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales,the year ago quarter, partially offset by lower gross margin.incremental costs related to the vaccination program.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q49


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
Gross margin was 24.9%21.2% for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 compared to 26.3%19.3% in the year-ago quarter. Pharmacy margins in the current period were negatively impacted by lower third-party reimbursements and a higher mix of specialty sales. The decrease in pharmacy margins were partially offset by the favorable impact of procurement efficiencies. Retail margins wereGross margin was positively impacted in the current period primarilyquarter by increased pharmacy margin due to underlyingfavorable mix from vaccinations and retail margin improvement from changesexpansion due to promotions and improvedproduct mix.


Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 19.9%17.3% in the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 compared to 21.0%18.2% in the year-ago quarter. Expenses asAs a percentage of sales, expenses were lower in the current periodquarter primarily due to sales mixhigher costs related to Transformational Cost Management Program in the year ago quarter and savings this year from Transformational Cost Management program partially offset by incremental COVID-19 related costs, mainly related to the vaccination program as well as higher sales.growth investments.


Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and 2016May 31, 2020
Retail Pharmacy USA division’sThe United States segment’s adjusted operating income, which included $145 million from the Company’s share of adjusted earnings in AmerisourceBergen, was $1.5 billion for the three months ended November 30, 2017 increased 6.8% to $1.4 billion.May 31, 2021, an increase of 50.3% from the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily driven by higher gross profit from pharmacy reflecting improved pharmacy margin entirely due to product mix from COVID-19 vaccinations, and higher pharmacy sales,gross profit from retail reflecting favorable product mix and a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, partiallycosts savings from the Transformational Cost Management Program, offset by lower gross margin.costs related to the COVID-19 vaccination program and higher growth investments. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP measure.and related disclosures.


Sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020
The United States segment’s sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 increased 3.1% compared with the year-ago period to $83.3 billion. Sales in comparable stores increased 4.1% compared with the year-ago period.

Pharmacy sales increased 5.1% for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and represented 75.8% of the segment’s sales. The increase is primarily due to higher brand and generic inflation and COVID-19 vaccination partially offset by pharmacy reimbursements and COVID-19 impacts. In the year-ago period, pharmacy sales increased 4.3% and represented 74.4% of the segment’s sales. Comparable pharmacy sales increased 6.0% for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to increase of 3.3% in the year-ago period. The effect of generic drugs, which have a lower retail price, replacing brand name drugs reduced prescription sales by 0.4% in the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to a reduction of 2.6% in the year-ago period. The effect of generics mix on segment sales caused a reduction of 0.3% for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to a reduction of 1.8% for the year-ago period. Third party sales, where reimbursement is received from managed care organizations, governmental agencies, employers or private insurers, were 97.5% of prescription sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 97.2% in the year-ago period. The total number of prescriptions (including immunizations) filled for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 was 613.9 million compared to 623.2 million in the year-ago period. Prescriptions (including immunizations) filled adjusted to 30-day equivalents were 898.1 million in the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 877.7 million in the year-ago period.

Retail Pharmacy sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 decreased 2.6% and were 24.2% of the segment’s sales. In the year-ago period, retail sales decreased 1.0% and comprised 25.6% of the segment’s sales. Comparable retail sales decreased 0.5% in the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to increase of 0.7% in the year-ago period. The decrease in the current period was driven by slight declines in discretionary categories.

Operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020
The United States segment’s operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 decreased 38.4% compared to the year-ago period to $1.5 billion, including a loss of $1.2 billion from the Company’s share of equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen. Excluding the Company's share of equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen, the increase was primarily due to cost savings from the Transformation Cost Management Program.
Gross margin was 20.9% for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 20.8% in the year-ago period. Gross margin was impacted in the current fiscal year by pharmacy margins, which includes adverse impact of specialty, and higher retail margins.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 17.7% in the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 18.1% in the year-ago period. As a percentage of sales, expenses were lower in the current period primarily due to savings related to the Transformational Cost Management Program partially offset by incremental COVID-19 related costs, mainly related to the vaccination program as well as higher growth investments.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q50


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020
The United States segment’s adjusted operating income was $3.8 billion and $3.7 billion for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 andMay 31, 2020, respectively. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and related disclosures.

International
This division comprisesThe Company's International segment consists of pharmacy-led health and beauty retail pharmacy businesses operatingoutside the U.S. and pharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution business in Germany. Pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses include Boots branded stores in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Thailand, the Benavides brand in Mexico and the Ahumada brand in Chile. Sales for these businesses are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and health and wellness, beauty, personal care and other consumer products.

The International segment operates in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, including the British Pound,pound sterling, Euro, Chilean Pesopeso and Mexican Peso,peso and therefore the division’ssegment’s results are impacted by movements in foreign currency exchange rates. See Item 3. Quantitative3, “Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk, foreign currency exchange rate riskrisk”, for further information on currency risk.

 (in millions, except location amounts)
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Sales$3,083
 $2,962
Gross profit1,224
 1,175
Selling, general and administrative expenses1,040
 993
Operating income184
 182
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
210
 213
Number of locations at period end4,716
 4,686

 Percentage increases (decreases)
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Sales4.1
 (14.4)
Gross profit4.2
 (17.4)
Selling, general and administrative expenses4.7
 (11.3)
Operating income1.1
 (39.7)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
(1.4) (32.4)
Comparable store sales2
4.2
 (14.8)
Comparable store sales in constant currency2,3
(0.7) (0.1)
Pharmacy sales4.4
 (15.8)
Comparable pharmacy sales2
4.7
 (14.6)
Comparable pharmacy sales in constant currency2,3
(0.1) (0.5)
Retail sales3.9
 (13.6)
Comparable retail sales2
4.0
 (15.0)
Comparable retail sales in constant currency2,3
(1.0) 0.2
 Percent to sales
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Gross margin39.7 39.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses33.7 33.5

1
See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and related disclosures.
2
Comparable stores are defined as those that have been open for at least twelve consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days and without a major remodel or a natural disaster in the past twelve months. Relocated and acquired stores are not included as comparable stores for the first twelve months after the relocation or acquisition. The method of calculating comparable sales varies across the industries in which we operate. As a result, our method of calculating comparable sales may not be the same as other companies’ methods.
3
The Company presents certain information related to current period operating results in “constant currency,” which is a non-GAAP financial measure. These amounts are calculated by translating current period results at the foreign currency exchange rates used in the comparable period in the prior year. The Company presents such constant currency financial information because it has significant operations outside of the United States reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and this presentation provides a framework to assess how its business performed excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below.

Sales for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016
Retail Pharmacy International division’s sales for the three months ended November 30, 2017 increased 4.1% to $3.1 billion. Salescurrent period operating results in comparable stores increased 4.2% from the year-ago quarter. The positive impact of“constant currency, translation on both sales and comparable sales was 4.9 percentage points.” which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Comparable store sales in constant currency, decreased 0.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Pharmacy sales increased 4.4% in the three months ended November 30, 2017 and represented 35.8% of the division’s sales. Comparable pharmacy sales increased 4.7% from the year-ago quarter. The positive impact of currency translation on pharmacy sales and comparable pharmacy sales was 4.7 percentage points and 4.8 percentage points, respectively. Comparable pharmacy sales in constant currency decreased 0.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Retail sales increased 3.9% for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and were 64.2% of the division’s sales. Comparable retail sales increased 4.0% from the year-ago quarter. The positive impact of currency translation on both retail sales and comparable retail sales was 5.0 percentage points. Comparable retail sales in constant currency decreased 1.0% fromexclude the year-ago quarter reflecting lower Boots UK retail sales.effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. See “--Non-GAAP Measures.”



FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE(in millions, except location amounts)
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Sales$5,288 $3,008 $14,998 $10,878 
Gross profit1,060 684 3,130 2,936 
Selling, general and administrative expenses1,025 2,835 2,949 4,895 
Operating income (loss)36 (2,151)181 (1,960)
Adjusted operating income (loss) (Non-GAAP measure)1
94 (135)326 155 
Number of locations at period end4,062 4,265 4,062 4,265 
Operating income for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016
 Percentage increases (decreases)
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Sales75.8(21.1)37.9(8.1)
Gross profit55.0(38.8)6.6(14.5)
Selling, general and administrative expenses(63.9)183.9(39.8)61.3
Operating income (loss)NMNMNMNM
Adjusted operating income (loss) (Non-GAAP measure)1
NMNM109.7(72.5)
Comparable sales in constant currency2
21.0(22.8)0.7(8.2)
Pharmacy sales15.2(11.5)5.2(4.6)
Comparable pharmacy sales in constant currency2
6.0(2.2)4.8(0.1)
Retail sales55.9(44.6)(0.1)(16.4)
Comparable retail sales in constant currency2
35.7(36.1)(1.9)(12.5)
Retail Pharmacy International division’s operating income for the three months ended November 30, 2017 increased 1.1% to $184 million. Currency translation positively impacted operating income by 4.4 percentage points ($8 million).


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q51


Gross profit increased 4.2% from the year-ago quarter. Currency translation positively impacted gross profit by 5.0 percentage points ($58 million).WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4.7% from the year-ago quarter. Currency translation negatively impacted expenses by 5.0 percentage points ($50 million). As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 33.7% in the three months ended November 30, 2017 compared to 33.5% in the year-ago quarter.
 Percent to sales
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Gross margin20.122.720.927.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses19.494.319.745.0


Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016
Retail Pharmacy International division’s adjusted operating income for the three months ended November 30, 2017 decreased 1.4% to $210 million. Currency translation positively impacted adjusted operating income by 4.2 percentage points ($9 million). Adjusted operating income in constant currency decreased 5.6% primarily due to lower sales. 1See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP measure.and related disclosures.

2Comparable sales in constant currency are defined as sales from stores that have been open for at least twelve consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days, including due to looting or store damage, and without a major remodel or being subject to a natural disaster, in the past twelve months as well as e-commerce sales. Comparable sales in constant currency exclude wholesale sales. E-commerce sales include digitally initiated sales online or through mobile applications. Relocated stores are not included as comparable stores for the first twelve months after the relocation. Acquired stores are not included as comparable sales for the first twelve months after acquisition or conversion, when applicable, whichever is later. Comparable sales in constant currency, comparable pharmacy sales in constant currency and comparable retail sales in constant currency refer to total sales, pharmacy sales and retail sales, respectively. Comparable retail sales in constant currency for previous periods have been restated to include e-commerce sales. The method of calculating comparable sales in constant currency varies across the retail industry and our method of calculating comparable sales in constant currency may not be the same as other retailers’ methods.

Pharmaceutical WholesaleNM - Not meaningful. Percentage increases/decreases when one period includes income and other period includes loss are considered not meaningful.
This division includes pharmaceutical wholesale businesses operating in currencies other than the U.S. dollar including the British Pound, Euro, and Turkish Lira, and thus the division’s results are impacted by movements in foreign currency exchange rates. See Item 3. Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk, Foreign currency exchange rate risk for further information on currency risk.
 (in millions, except location amounts)
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Sales$5,718
 $5,417
Gross profit522
 502
Selling, general and administrative expenses396
 359
Equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen(112) 17
Operating income14
 160
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
224
 224
 Percentage increases (decreases)
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Sales5.6
 (6.5)
Gross profit4.0
 (9.9)
Selling, general and administrative expenses10.3
 (13.3)
Operating income(91.3) 11.9
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1

 34.9
Comparable sales2
5.6
 (2.7)
Comparable sales in constant currency2,3
4.5
 4.7
 Percent to sales
 Three months ended November 30,
 2017 2016
Gross margin9.1 9.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses6.9 6.6

1
See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and related disclosures.
2
Comparable sales are defined as sales excluding acquisitions and dispositions.

3
The Company presents certain information related to current period operating results in “constant currency,” which is a non-GAAP financial measure. These amounts are calculated by translating current period results at the foreign currency exchange rates used in the comparable period in the prior year. The Company presents such constant currency financial information because it has significant operations outside of the United States reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and this presentation provides a framework to assess how its business performed excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below.


Sales for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and 2016May 31, 2020
Pharmaceutical Wholesale division’sThe International segment’s sales for the three months ended May 31, 2021 increased 75.8% from the year-ago quarter to $5.3 billion, resulting from an increase in the Company’s combined wholesale and distribution business in Germany which were consolidated as of November 30, 2017 increased 5.6% to $5.7 billion.

Sales were positively impacted by 1.1 percentage points as a result2020. The favorable impact of currency translation.translation was 17.1 percentage points. Comparable sales, which exclude pharmaceutical wholesale sales in constant currencyGermany, increased 4.5%21.0%, mainly due to higher sales in Boots UK and Republic of Ireland driven by recovery in store foot traffic as COVID-19 restrictions eased.

Pharmacy sales increased 15.2% in the three months ended May 31, 2021 and represented 18.1% of the segment’s sales. The favorable impact of currency translation on pharmacy sales was 13.0 percentage points. Comparable pharmacy sales increased 6.0% from the year-ago quarter primarily due to stronger pharmacy services, and favorable timing of National Health Service (“NHS”) reimbursement in the UK as well as growth in emerging marketsMexico, partially offset by challenging market conditionsthe impact of lower prescription volumes in certain continental European countries.the UK.


Retail sales increased 55.9% for the three months ended May 31, 2021 and represented 27.4% of the segment’s sales. The favorable impact of currency translation on retail sales was 17.0 percentage points. Comparable retail sales increased 35.7%, from the year-ago quarter reflecting higher Boots UK and Republic of Ireland retail sales driven by recovery in store foot traffic as COVID-19 restrictions eased, as well as strong performance of Boots.com.

Operating income for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and 2016May 31, 2020
Pharmaceutical Wholesale division’sThe International segment’s operating income for the three months ended November 30, 2017, which includedMay 31, 2021 was $36 million, compared to a loss of $112 million$2.2 billion in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges in the Boots reporting unit in the year ago quarter, higher gross profit attributable to higher sales from less severe COVID-19 restrictions in the UK, as well as decisive cost management actions and strong performance of Boots.com.

Gross profit increased 55.0% from the Company’s shareyear-ago quarter. Gross profit was favorably impacted by 16.3 percentage points ($111 million) of equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen, decreased 91.3% to $14 million. The decrease in net earnings from AmerisourceBergencurrency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation, the increase was primarily due to higher retail sales in the Company's shareUK as a result of the litigation accrual includedrecovery in AmerisourceBergen's fourth quarter results forstore foot traffic as COVID-19 restrictions eased, as well as incremental gross profit associated with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Operating income was negativelyGermany combined business.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 63.9% from the year-ago quarter. Expenses were impacted by 1.33.8 percentage points ($2108 million) as a result of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation, the decrease was mainly due to goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges in the Boots reporting unit in the year ago quarter, cost


Gross profit increased 4.0%
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q52


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
savings from the year-ago quarter. Gross profit was positively impacted by 1.6 percentage points ($8 million) as a result of currency translation. The remaining increase was primarily due to sales growth partiallyTransformational Cost Management Program, partly offset by lower gross margin, including some generic procurement pressure.

Selling,short term mitigation actions as COVID-19 restrictions eased and higher selling, general and administrative expenses increased 10.3% fromassociated with the year-ago quarter. Expenses were negatively impacted by 2.8 percentage points ($10 million) as a result of currency translation.Germany combined business. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 6.9%19.4% in the current quarter,three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 6.6%94.3% in the year-ago quarter.


Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the three months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and 2016May 31, 2020
Pharmaceutical Wholesale division’sInternational segment’s adjusted operating income for the three months ended November 30, 2017, which included $77May 31, 2021 was $94 million, froman increase of $229 million compared with the Company’s share of adjusted equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen, was unchanged at $224 million.year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating income was negativelypositively impacted by 0.45.1 percentage points ($17 million) of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation, the increase in adjusted operating income was primarily due to higher sales as a result of currency translation.

Excluding the contribution from the Company’s sharerecovery in store foot traffic as COVID-19 restrictions eased, strong performance of adjusted equity earnings in AmerisourceBergenBoots.com and the negative impact of currency translation, adjusted operating income decreased 10.8% over the year-ago quarter, primarily due to higher selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales and lower gross margin, partially offset by sales growth.decisive cost mitigation actions. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP measure.and related disclosures.


Sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020
The International segment’s sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021, increased 37.9% compared to the prior year period to $15.0 billion, resulting from an increase from the Company’s combined wholesale and distribution business in Germany which were consolidated as of November 2020. Sales were favorably impacted in the period by 9.6 percentage points ($1.0 billion) as a result of currency translation. Comparable sales in constant currency, which exclude pharmaceutical wholesale sales in Germany, increased 0.7%, primarily due to growth in Ireland and Mexico partially offset by lower sales in Boots UK, including adverse COVID-19 impacts.

Pharmacy sales increased 5.2% for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the prior year period and represented 18.6% of the segment’s sales. The favorable impact of currency translation on pharmacy sales in the period was 5.8 percentage points. Comparable pharmacy sales in constant currency increased 4.8% from the prior year period primarily due to favorable timing of NHS reimbursement and stronger pharmacy services in the UK, and pharmacy volumes in Mexico. This is partially offset by lower prescription volume in the UK.

Retail sales decreased 0.1% for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the prior year period and represented 30.7% of the segment’s sales. The favorable impact of currency translation on retail sales in the period was 5.6% percentage points. Comparable retail sales in constant currency decreased 1.9% from the prior year period reflecting lower store retail sales in Boots UK, including COVID-19 impacts, partially offset by higher retail sales in Ireland as well as the ongoing strong performance of Boots.com.

Operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020
The International segment’s operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 was $181 million, compared to an operating loss in the prior year period of $2.0 billion. The increase was primarily due to goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges in the Boots reporting unit in the year ago period, decisive cost management actions and strong performance of Boots.com, partly offset by lower sales from lower store foot traffic from the relative duration of COVID-19 restrictions.

Gross profit increased 6.6% from the prior year period. Gross profit in the period was favorably impacted by 6.5 percentage points ($190 million) as a result of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation, the increase was primarily due to incremental gross profit associated with the Germany combined business and favorable timing of NHS reimbursement, largely offset by lower retail sales in Boots UK.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 39.8% from the prior year period. Expenses in the period were adversely impacted by 3.6 percentage points ($177 million) as a result of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation, the decrease was largely due to goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges in the Boots reporting unit in the prior year period, cost savings from the Transformational Cost Management Program and short term cost mitigation, partly offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses associated with the Germany combined business. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 19.7% in the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 45.0% in the prior year period.

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020
The International segment’s adjusted operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 increased compared to the prior year period to $326 million. Adjusted operating income in the period was positively impacted by 12.0 percentage points

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q53


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
($19 million) as a result of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation, the increase was mainly due to decisive cost mitigation actions and strong performance of Boots.com, partially offset by the impact of lower store foot traffic, compared to the prior year period. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and related disclosures.



NON-GAAP MEASURES

The following information provides reconciliations of the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures, as defined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,SEC, presented herein to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company has provided the non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as supplemental information and in addition to the financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. See notes to the “Net Earnings (loss) From Continuing Operations (GAAP)” to “Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share (Non-GAAP measure)” reconciliation table for definitions of non-GAAP financial measures and related adjustments presented below.


These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures are presented because ourthe Company's management has evaluated ourits financial results both including and excluding the adjusted items or the effects of foreign currency translation, as applicable, and believebelieves that the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures presented provide additional perspective and insights when analyzing the core operating performance of our businessthe Company from period to period and trends in ourits historical operating results. These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented.


The Company also presents certain information related to current period operating results in “constant currency,”currency”, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. These amounts are calculated by translating current period results at the foreign currency exchange rates used in the comparable period in the prior year. The Company presents such constant currency financial information because it has significant operations outside of the United StatesU.S. reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar

and such presentation provides a framework to assess how its business performed excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

  (in millions)
  Three months ended November 30, 2017
  Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (GAAP) $1,126
 $184
 $14
 $(2) $1,322
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 189
 
 189
Acquisition-related amortization 38
 26
 21
 
 85
Hurricane-related costs 83
 
 
 
 83
LIFO provision 54
 
 
 
 54
Acquisition-related costs 51
 
 
 
 51
Legal settlement 25
 
 
 
 25
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) $1,377
 $210
 $224
 $(2) $1,809
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

(in millions)
Three months ended May 31, 2021
United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (loss) (GAAP)$1,219 $36 $(120)$1,134 
Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen48 — — 48 
Acquisition-related amortization138 20 — 158 
Transformational cost management12 33 14 60 
LIFO provision51 — — 51 
Acquisition-related costs
Adjusted operating income (loss) (Non-GAAP measure)$1,471 $94 $(105)$1,459 

  (in millions)
  Three months ended November 30, 2016
  Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (GAAP) $1,105
 $182
 $160
 $
 $1,447
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 41
 
 41
Acquisition-related amortization 37
 25
 20
 
 82
LIFO provision 58
 
 
 
 58
Acquisition-related costs 17
 
 
 
 17
Cost transformation 72
 6
 3
 
 81
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) $1,289
 $213
 $224
 $
 $1,726

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q54


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
(in millions)
Three months ended May 31, 2020
United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (loss) (GAAP)$528 $(2,151)$(60)$(1,683)
Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen(105)— — (105)
Acquisition-related amortization77 16 — 94 
Transformational cost management269 30 11 310 
LIFO provision29 — — 29 
Acquisition-related costs64 68 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets32 1,969 — 2,001 
Store optimization10 — — 10 
Store damage and inventory losses75 — — 75 
Adjusted operating income (loss) (Non-GAAP measure)$979 $(135)$(46)$798 

 (in millions)
 Nine months ended May 31, 2021
 United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (loss) (GAAP)$1,543 $181 $(292)$1,432 
Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen1,575 — — 1,575 
Acquisition-related amortization311 56 — 367 
Transformational cost management213 80 44 338 
LIFO provision85 — — 85 
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements60 — — 60 
Acquisition-related costs14 25 
Adjusted operating income (loss) (Non-GAAP measure)$3,789 $326 $(233)$3,881 

 (in millions)
 Nine months ended May 31, 2020
 United StatesInternationalCorporate and OtherWalgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (loss) (GAAP)$2,505 $(1,960)$(171)$374 
Transformational cost management390 86 31 508 
Acquisition-related amortization233 58 — 290 
LIFO provision90 — — 90 
Acquisition-related costs284 291 
Store optimization49 — — 49 
Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen47 — — 47 
Store damage and inventory losses75 — — 75 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets32 1,969 — 2,001 
Adjusted operating income (loss) (Non-GAAP measure)$3,704 $155 $(135)$3,724 


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q55



WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
(in millions)
 Three months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
 2021202020212020
Net Earnings (loss) From Continuing Operations (GAAP)$1,105 $(1,794)$1,636 $(157)
Adjustments to Operating income (loss):
Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen 1
48 (105)1,575 47 
Acquisition-related amortization 2
158 94 367 290 
Transformational cost management 3
60 310 338 508 
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements 4
— — 60 — 
LIFO provision 5
51 29 85 90 
Acquisition-related costs 6
68 25 291 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 12
— 2,001 — 2,001 
Store optimization 3
— 10 — 49 
Store damage and inventory losses 13
— 75 — 75 
Total adjustments to operating income325 2,481 2,449 3,350 
Adjustments to Other income (expense):
Net investment hedging (gain) loss 7
(2)(6)
Impairment of equity method investment— 71 — 71 
Gain on sale of equity method investment 8
(98)— (290)(1)
Total adjustments to other income (expense)(94)69 (284)64 
Adjustments to interest expense, net:
Early debt extinguishment 11
419 — 419 — 
Total adjustments to interest expense, net419 — 419 — 
Adjustments to income tax provision (benefit):
U.S. tax law changes 9
— — — (6)
Tax impact of adjustments 9
10 (180)(104)(350)
Equity method non-cash tax 9
17 53 (309)52 
Total adjustments to income tax provision (benefit)27 (127)(412)(303)
Adjustments to post tax equity earnings from other equity method investments:
Adjustments to equity earnings in other equity method investments 10
(557)(520)47 
Total adjustments to post tax equity earnings from other equity method investments(557)(520)47 
Adjustments to net (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Transformational cost management 3
— — — 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 12
— (14)— (14)
LIFO provision 5
(1)— (7)— 
Acquisition-related amortization 2
(30)— (46)— 
Total adjustments to net (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(30)(14)(50)(14)

  (in millions, except per share amounts)
  Three months ended November 30,
  2017 2016
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (GAAP) $821
 $1,054
     
Adjustments to operating income:    
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 189
 41
Acquisition-related amortization 85
 82
Hurricane-related costs 83
 
LIFO provision 54
 58
Acquisition-related costs 51
 17
Legal settlement 25
 
Cost transformation 
 81
Total adjustments to operating income 487
 279
     
Adjustments to other income (expense):    
Impairment of equity method investment 170
 
Net investment hedging gain (34) (1)
Total adjustments to other income (expense) 136
 (1)
     
Adjustments to interest expense, net:    
Prefunded acquisition financing costs 24
 41
Total adjustments to interest expense, net 24
 41
     
Adjustments to income tax provision:    
United Kingdom tax rate change1
 
 (77)
Equity method non-cash tax (50) 2
Tax impact of adjustments2
 (123) (97)
Total adjustments to income tax provision (173) (172)
     
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Non-GAAP measure) $1,295
 $1,201
     
Diluted net earnings per common share (GAAP) $0.81
 $0.97
Adjustments to operating income 0.48
 0.25
Adjustments to other income (expense) 0.13
 
Adjustments to interest expense, net 0.02
 0.04
Adjustments to income tax provision (0.16) (0.16)
Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share (Non-GAAP measure) $1.28
 $1.10

    
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted 1,011.1
 1,088.3

1
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q
Discrete tax-only items.56


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Continuing Operations (Non-GAAP measure)$1,194 $618 $3,237 $2,985 
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - discontinued operations (GAAP)92 86 279 241 
Acquisition-related amortization 2
— 19 28 57 
Acquisition-related costs 6
39 — 49 — 
Transformational cost management 3
(8)15 
Tax impact of adjustments 9
(5)(4)(15)(11)
Total adjustments to net earnings (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - discontinued operations$26 $19 $62 $61 
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. - discontinued operations (Non-GAAP measure)$119 $105 $342 $303 
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Non-GAAP measure)$1,313 $723 $3,579 $3,288 
Diluted net earnings per common share - continuing operations (GAAP) 14
$1.27 $(2.05)$1.89 $(0.18)
Adjustments to operating income0.38 2.83 2.83 3.79 
Adjustments to other income (expense)(0.11)0.08 (0.33)0.07 
Adjustments to interest expense, net0.48 — 0.48 — 
Adjustments to income tax provision (benefit)0.03 (0.14)(0.48)(0.34)
Adjustments to earnings from other equity method investments10
(0.64)— (0.60)0.05 
Adjustments to net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(0.03)(0.02)(0.06)(0.02)
Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share - continuing operations (Non-GAAP measure)$1.38 $0.71 $3.74 $3.37 
Diluted net earnings per common share - discontinued operations (GAAP)$0.11 $0.10 $0.32 $0.27 
Total adjustments to net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. – discontinued operations0.030.020.070.07
Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share - discontinued operations (Non-GAAP measure)
$0.14 $0.12 $0.39 $0.34 
Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share (Non-GAAP measure)$1.51 $0.83 $4.13 $3.72 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted (in millions) 15
867.0 876.1 866.2 884.7 


2
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q
Represents57


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
1Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen consist of the Company’s proportionate share of non-GAAP adjustments reported by AmerisourceBergen consistent with the Company’s non-GAAP measures. The Company recognized equity losses in AmerisourceBergen of $1,373 million during the three months ended November 30, 2020. These equity losses are primarily due to AmerisourceBergen's recognition of $5.6 billion, net of tax, charges related to its ongoing opioid litigation in its financial statements for the three months period ended September 30, 2020.
2Acquisition-related amortization includes amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and inventory valuation adjustments. Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets includes amortization of intangibles assets such as customer relationships, trade names, trademarks and contract intangibles. Intangible asset amortization excluded from the related non-GAAP measure represents the entire amount recorded within the Company’s GAAP financial statements. The revenue generated by the associated intangible assets has not been excluded from the related non-GAAP measures. Amortization expense, unlike the related revenue, is not affected by operations of any particular period unless an intangible asset becomes impaired or the estimated useful life of an intangible asset is revised. These charges are primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Business combination accounting principles require us to measure acquired inventory at fair value. The fair value of the inventory reflects cost of acquired inventory and a portion of the expected profit margin. The acquisition-related inventory valuation adjustments excludes the expected profit margin component from cost of sales recorded under the business combination accounting principles.
3Transformational Cost Management Program and Store Optimization Program charges are costs associated with a formal restructuring plan. These charges are primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs do not reflect current operating performance and are impacted by the timing of restructuring activity.
4Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements relate to significant charges associated with certain legal proceedings. The Company excludes these charges when evaluating operating performance because it does not incur such charges on a predictable basis and exclusion of such charges enables more consistent evaluation of the Company’s operating performance. These charges are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.
5The Company’s United States segment inventory is accounted for using the last-in-first-out (“LIFO”) method. This adjustment represents the impact on cost of sales as if the United States segment inventory is accounted for using first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method. The LIFO provision is affected by changes in inventory quantities, product mix, and manufacturer pricing practices, which may be impacted by market and other external influences. Therefore, the Company cannot control the amounts recognized or timing of these items.
6Acquisition-related costs are transaction and integration costs associated with certain merger, acquisition and divestitures related activities. These costs include all charges incurred on certain mergers, acquisition and divestitures related activities, for example, including costs related to integration efforts for successful merger, acquisition and divestitures activities. These charges are primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs are significantly impacted by the timing and complexity of the underlying merger, acquisition and divestitures related activities and do not reflect the Company’s current operating performance.
7Gain or loss on certain derivative instruments used as economic hedges of the Company’s net investments in foreign subsidiaries. These charges are recorded within other income (expense). We do not believe this volatility related to mark-to-market adjustment on the underlying derivative instruments reflects the Company’s operational performance.
8Includes significant gain on sale of equity method investment. During the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company recorded a gain of $98 million and $290 million respectively, in Other income due to a partial sale of ownership interests in Option Care Health by the Company's equity method investee HC Group Holdings.
9Adjustments to income tax provision include adjustments to the GAAP basis tax provision commensurate with non-GAAP adjustments and certain discrete tax items including U.S. tax law changes and equity method non-cash tax. These charges are recorded within income tax provision (benefit).
10Adjustments to post tax equity earnings from other equity method investments consist of the proportionate share of certain equity method investees’ non-cash items or unusual or infrequent items consistent with the Company’s non-GAAP adjustments. These charges are recorded within post tax earnings (loss) from other equity method investments. Although the Company may have shareholder rights and board representation commensurate with its ownership interests in these equity method investees, adjustments relating to equity method investments are not intended to imply that the Company has direct control over their operations and resulting revenue and expenses. Moreover, these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all revenue and expenses of these equity method investees. In the three months ended May 31, 2021 due to partial sales of ownership interests in Option Care Health, our equity method investee HC Group Holdings lost the ability to control Option Care Health and, therefore, deconsolidated Option Care Health in its financial statements. As a result of this deconsolidation, HC Group Holdings recognized a gain of $1.2 billion and the Company recorded its share of equity earnings in HC Group Holdings of $576 million during the three months ended May 31, 2021.
11Loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the Company's cash tender offers to partially purchase and retire $3.3 billion of long term U.S. denominated notes. The Company excludes these charges to enable a more consistent evaluation of the Company's financial performance.
12Goodwill and intangible assets arising from acquisition related activities are recorded by the Company following the analysis to determine the fair value of consideration paid and the assignment of fair values to all tangible and intangible assets acquired. Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets do not relate to the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The Company excludes these charges when evaluating operating performance because it does not incur such charges on a predictable basis and exclusion of such charges enables more consistent evaluation of the Company’s operating performance. These charges are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.
13Store damage and inventory losses as a result of looting in the U.S., net of insurance recoveries.
14Due to the anti-dilutive effect resulting from the reported net loss, the impact of potentially dilutive securities on the per share amounts has been omitted from the quarterly calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020.
15Includes impact of potentially dilutive securities in the quarterly calculation of weighted-average common shares, diluted for adjusted diluted net earnings per common share calculation purposes for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020.





WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q58


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The Company considers certain metrics presented in this report, such as comparable sales, comparable pharmacy sales, comparable retail sales, comparable number of prescriptions, and comparable 30-day equivalent prescriptions, to be key performance indicators because the Company’s management has evaluated its results of operations using these metrics and believes that these key performance indicators presented provide additional perspective and insights when analyzing the core operating performance of the Company from period to period and trends in its historical operating results. These key performance indicators should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented herein. These measures, which are described in more detail in this report, may not be comparable to similarly-titled performance indicators used by other companies.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash, and cash equivalents and restricted cash were $1.8 billion (including $1.1$0.7 billion in non-U.S. jurisdictions) as of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2021, compared to $9.6$0.9 billion (including $1.8$0.4 billion in non-U.S. jurisdictions) at November 30, 2016.as of May 31, 2020. Short-term investment objectives are primarily to minimize risk and maintain liquidity. To attain these objectives, investment limits are placed on the

amount, type and issuer of securities. Investments are principally in U.S. Treasury money market funds and AAA-rated money market funds.


OurThe Company's long-term capital policy is toto: maintain a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility; reinvest in ourits core strategies; invest in strategic opportunities that reinforce ourits core strategies and meet return requirements; and return surplus cash flow to stockholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases over the long term. In June 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors reviewed and refined the Company’s dividend policy to set forth the Company’s current intention to increase its dividend each year.


Cash provided by operations and the issuanceincurrence of debt are the principal sources of funds for expansion, investments, acquisitions, remodeling programs, dividends to shareholdersstockholders and stock repurchases. Net cash provided by operating activities for the threenine months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 was $961 million,$4.3 billion, compared to $525 million$3.4 billion for the year-agoprior year period. The $0.9 billion increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower cash outflows from changesreflects increase in inventories,operating performance and higher cash inflows from trade accounts payables, lower cash outflows from accrued expenses and other liabilitiespayable, partially offset by higher cash outflows from accounts receivable. Decreases in cash outflows on inventories resulted primarily from Retail Pharmacy USA inventory management initiatives related to simplified retail product offering, promotional efficiencies and lower brand name drug inflation.receivables. Changes in trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities,payables and accounts receivables isare mainly driven by timing of payments and collections.receipts.


Net cash used for investing activities was $599 million$1.3 billion for the threenine months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2021 compared to $89 million provided$0.7 billion for the prior year period. The $0.7 billion increase in cash used by investing activities is primarily driven by higher cash outflows from business, investment and asset acquisitions partially offset by higher cash inflows from proceeds from sale of assets. Changes in the year-ago period. Businessbusiness, investment and asset acquisitions in the threeperiod was primarily driven by acquisition in Innovation Associates and increased investment in VillageMD. Changes in proceeds from sale of assets was primarily driven by partial sale of ownership interest in Option Care Health by the Company's equity method investee HC Group Holdings. Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions was $0.7 billion for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 were $265 millionMay 31, 2021 compared to $15 million$0.6 billion for the year-agoprior year period.


For the threenine months ended November 30, 2017 and for the year-ago period,May 31, 2021, additions to property, plant and equipment were $378 million.$1.0 billion compared to $1.0 billion in the prior year period. Capital expenditures by reporting segment were as follows:follows (in millions):
 Nine months ended May 31,
 20212020
United States$745 $743 
International162 169 
Corporate28 
Discontinued operations67 45 
Total$1,001 $962 
  Three months ended November 30,
  2017 2016
Retail Pharmacy USA $281
 $230
Retail Pharmacy International 71
 119
Pharmaceutical Wholesale 26
 29
Total $378
 $378


Significant capital expenditures primarily relate to investments in our storesgrowth initiatives and information technology projects.
 
Additionally, investing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2017 did not include any proceeds related to sale-leaseback transactions, compared to $436 million of proceeds in the year-ago period.

Net cash used for financing activities for the threenine months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 was $1.9 billion, compared to net cash used of $778 million$3.0 billion in the year-agoprior year period. ForIn the nine months ended May 31, 2021 there were $14.3 billion in net debt proceeds primarily from revolving credit facilities described below and commercial paper debt compared to $16.5 billion in net proceeds in the prior year period. In the nine months ended May 31, 2021 there were $11.1 billion in payments of debt made primarily for revolving credit facilities and commercial paper debt compared to $16.9 billion in nine months ended May 31, 2020. Financing activities during the three months ended November 30, 2017 we completed $2.5May 31, 2021 include partial purchase and retirement of $3.3 billion of share repurchases comprised of $2.2long term debt using

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q59


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
proceeds from the $3.8 billion of repurchases underdelayed draw term loan. The Company repurchased shares totaling $110 million in the June 2017 stock repurchase program described below and $289 million of repurchasesnine months ended May 31, 2021 to support the needs of employee stock plans. We completed $457 million of share repurchases during the three months ended November 30, 2016. Proceeds related toits employee stock plans were $32 million during the three months ended November 30, 2017, compared to $41 million for$1.4 billion in the three months ended November 30, 2016.prior year period which also included stock repurchase program described below. Cash dividends paid were $413 million$1.2 billion during the threenine months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2021, compared to $406 million$1.3 billion for the same period aprior year ago. We currently intendperiod.

The Company expects to fund its working capital needs, capital expenditures, future acquisitions, dividend payments and debt service obligations from liquidity sources including cash flow from operations, availability under existing credit facilities, commercial paper programs, working capital financing arrangements and current cash and investment balances. The Company believes that these sources, and the ability to obtain other financing will provide adequate cash funds for the Company’s foreseeable working capital needs, capital expenditures, future acquisitions, dividend payments and debt service obligations for at least the next 12 months. The Company’s cash requirements are subject to change as business conditions warrant and opportunities arise. The timing and size of any new business ventures or acquisitions that the Company may complete may also impact its cash requirements. Additionally, the Company’s cash requirements, and its ability to generate cash flow, have been and may continue to maintainbe adversely affected by COVID-19 and the resulting market volatility and instability. For further information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the Company, including on its liquidity and capital resources, please see Item 1A, Risk factors in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.

See Item 3, Qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk, below for a long-term dividend payout ratio targetdiscussion of approximately 30 to 35 percent of adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance.certain financing and market risks.


Stock repurchase programsprogram
In April 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance authorizedJune 2018, the Company's Board of Director's approved a stock repurchase program (the “April 2017“June 2018 stock repurchase program”), which authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0$10.0 billion of Walgreens Boots Alliancethe Company's common stock prior to the program’s expiration on December 31, 2017. In May 2017,of which the Company completed the April 2017had repurchased $8.0 billion as of May 31, 2021. The June 2018 stock repurchase program purchasing 11.8 million shares.has no specified expiration date. In June 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance authorized a new stock repurchase program, which authorized the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock prior to the program’s expiration on August 31, 2018, which authorization was increased by an additional $1.0 billion in October 2017 (as expanded, the “June 2017 stock repurchase program”). During fiscal 2017,July 2020, the Company purchased 47.2 million shares at a total cost of $3.8 billionannounced that it was suspending activities under the June 2017this program. The Company may continue to repurchase stock repurchase program. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, theto offset anticipated dilution from equity incentive plans.
The Company purchased 30.3 million shares at a total cost of $2.2 billion, which completed the June 2017 stock repurchase program. We determinedetermines the timing and amount of repurchases, including repurchases to offset anticipated dilution from equity incentive plans, based on ourits assessment of various factors, including prevailing market conditions, alternate uses of capital, liquidity and the economic

environment. We haveThe Company has repurchased, and may from time to time in the future repurchase, shares on the open market through Rule 10b5-1 plans, which enable usthe Company to repurchase shares at times when we otherwise might be precluded from doing so under insider tradingfederal securities laws.


Commercial paper
The Company periodically borrows under its commercial paper program and may continue to borrow under it in future periods. The Company had $990 millionaverage daily U.S. commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of November 30, 2017$2.3 billion and there were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of November 30, 2016. The Company had average daily short-term borrowings of $620 million of commercial paper outstanding$2.6 billion at a weighted average interest rate of 1.46%0.47% and 2.33% for the threenine months ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 and no activityMay 31, 2020, respectively. A subsidiary of the Company had average daily commercial paper outstanding, which was issued under itsthe Joint HM Treasury and Bank of England's COVID Corporate Financing Facility commercial paper program, of £300 million or approximately $424 million at a weighted average interest rate of 0.43% for the threenine months ended November 30, 2016.May 31, 2021. The subsidiary of the Company repaid the commercial paper issued under the Joint HM Treasury and Bank of England's COVID Corporate Financing Facility commercial paper program on May 14, 2021.


Financing actions
On November 10, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance and WalgreensAugust 29, 2018, the Company entered into a term loan credit agreement with the lenders party thereto (the “2014 Term Loan Agreement”), which provided Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walgreens with the ability to borrow up to £1.45 billion on an unsecured basis. As of August 31, 2016, Walgreens Boots Alliance had borrowed £1.45 billion ($1.9 billion at the August 31, 2016 spot rate of $1.31 to £1) under the 2014 Term Loan Agreement. On August 30, 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance used available cash to repay in full all outstanding loans and obligations under the 2014 Term Loan Agreement, which, as of such date, consisted of the remaining unamortized amount of £1.41 billion ($1.83 billion at the August 31, 2017 spot rate of $1.295 to £1) aggregate principal amount of outstanding loans together with accrued interest thereon through, but excluding, the payment date, and such other amounts required to be paid by Walgreens Boots Alliance thereunder and the 2014 Term Loan Agreement terminated in accordance with its terms.
On November 10, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walgreens entered into a five-year unsecured, multicurrency revolving credit agreement with the lenders party thereto (the “2014 Revolving Credit Agreement”), which has available credit of $3.0 billion, of which $500 million is available for the issuance of letters of credit. Borrowings under the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at Walgreens Boots Alliance’s option, the alternate base rate or the reserve adjusted LIBOR, in each case, plus an applicable margin calculated based on Walgreens Boots Alliance’s credit ratings. As of November 30, 2017 and 2016, there were no borrowings or letters of credit issued pursuant to the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement.

We pay, or paid in the case of the 2014 Term Loan Agreement, certain customary fees in connection with these facilities.

On November 18, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance issued several series of unsecured, unsubordinated notes totaling $8.0 billion, with maturities ranging from 2016 to 2044. All such notes have fixed interest rates, with the exception of the $750 million floating rate notes due 2016, which were repaid in full in May 2016 and which had a floating rate based on the three month LIBOR plus a fixed spread of 45 basis points. On August 28, 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance redeemed in full its $750 million 1.750% notes due 2017 at a make-whole redemption price.

On November 20, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance issued series of unsecured, unsubordinated notes that included total Pound Sterling denominated debt of £700 million ($1.1 billion based on the November 20, 2014 exchange rate) with maturities due 2020 and 2025 and Euro denominated debt of €750 million ($940 million based on the November 20, 2014 exchange rate) due 2026. All notes issued on November 20, 2014 have fixed interest rates.

On June 1, 2016, Walgreens Boots Alliance issued in an underwritten public offering $1.2 billion of 1.750% notes due“August 2018 (the “2018 notes”), $1.5 billion of 2.600% notes due 2021 (the “2021 notes”), $0.8 billion of 3.100% notes due 2023 (the “2023 notes”), $1.9 billion of 3.450% notes due 2026 (the “2026 notes”) and $0.6 billion of 4.650% notes due 2046 (the “2046 notes”). Because the merger with Rite Aid was not consummated on or prior to June 1, 2017, the 2018 notes, the 2021 notes and the 2023 notes were redeemed on June 5, 2017 under the special mandatory redemption terms of the indenture governing such notes. The 2026 notes and 2046 notes remain outstanding in accordance with their respective terms and are subject to redemption in certain circumstances.

On February 1, 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance entered into a $1.0 billion revolving credit facility (as amended, the “February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders and letter of credit issuers from time to time party thereto and, on August 1, 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance entered into an amendment agreement thereto. The terms and conditions of the February 2017August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement were unchanged byis an unsecured revolving credit facility with aggregate commitment in the amendment other than the extensionamount of the$3.5 billion, with a letter of credit subfacility commitment amount of $500 million. The facility termination date tois the earlier of (a) January 31, 2019August 29, 2023, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments provided bypursuant to the lenders thereunder.August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the February 2017August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at Walgreens Boots Alliance’s option, the alternate base rate or the reserve adjusted Eurocurrency rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin calculated based on Walgreens Boots Alliance’s credit ratings. In connection with the February 2017

Revolving Credit Agreement, Walgreens Boots Alliance paid upfront fees of $0.5 million and additional extension fees of $0.5 million in respect of the amendment to the February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement. In addition, Walgreens Boots Alliance has agreed to pay to the lenders under the February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement certain customary fees. As of November 30, 2017, there were no borrowings under the February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement.

On August 24, 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance entered into a $1.0 billion revolving credit agreement with the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “August 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement”) and a $1.0 billion term loan credit agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (the “2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement” and together with the August 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement, the “August 2017 Credit Agreements”). The August 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement is an unsecured revolving credit facility with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) January 31, 2019, subject to any extension thereof pursuant to the terms of the August 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate commitments provided by the lenders thereunder. The 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement is an unsecured “multi-draw” term loan facility maturing on March 30, 2019. The aggregate commitments of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation under the 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement are initially equal to $1.0 billion, which shall be reduced on June 1, 2018 to the lesser of $500 million and the aggregate remaining undrawn commitments thereunder. Any remaining undrawn commitments thereunder and the ability of Walgreens Boots Alliance to request loans under such commitments shall terminate on September 1, 2018.

Borrowings under the August 2017 Credit Agreements will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at Walgreens Boots Alliance’sCompany's option, the alternate base rate or the Eurocurrency rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin calculated based on Walgreens Boots Alliance’sthe Company's credit ratings. Upfront fees paid to date in connection with the August 2017 Credit Agreements totaled $1.25 million. In addition, Walgreens Boots Alliance has agreed to pay to the lenders under the August 2017 Credit Agreements certain customary fees. As of November 30, 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance had $30 million of borrowings outstanding under the 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement andMay 31, 2021, there were no borrowings outstanding under the August 20172018 Revolving Credit Agreement.



WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q60


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
On November 30, 2018, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion credit agreement, consisting of a $500 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility and a $500 million senior unsecured term loan facility, with the lenders from time to time party thereto, on March 25, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement (such credit agreement as so amended, the “November 2018 Credit Agreement”) reflecting certain changes to the borrowing notice provisions thereto. On April 2, 2020, the Company entered into a second amendment to the November 2018 Credit Agreement (such credit agreement as so further amended, the “Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement”), which amendment became effective as of May 29, 2020. As of May 29, 2020, the $500 million revolving credit facility portion of the November 2018 Credit Agreement was converted into a term loan facility, such that the Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement consists of a $1.0 billion senior unsecured term loan facility. The facility termination date is the earlier of (a) May 29, 2021 and (b) the date of acceleration of all loans under the Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement pursuant to its terms. Borrowings under the Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, the alternate base rate or the Eurocurrency rate, plus an applicable margin of 1.25% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans and 0.125% in the case of alternative base rate loans. The November 2018 Credit Agreement was repaid in full on April 23, 2021.

On December 5, 2018, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion term loan credit agreement with the lenders from time to time party thereto and, on August 9, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement (such credit agreement as so amended, the “December 2018 Credit Agreement”) to permit the Company to borrow, repay and reborrow amounts borrowed thereunder prior to the maturity date. On April 2, 2020, the Company amended and restated the December 2018 Credit Agreement (such credit agreement as so amended and restated, the “A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement”).
The A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement governs a $2.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, consisting of the initial $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving facility (the “Initial Facility”) previously governed by the December 2018 Credit Agreement and a new $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “New Facility”). The facility termination date is the earlier of (a) January 29, 2021 (the “Initial Maturity Date”) (which date shall be extended to February 26, 2021 or July 31, 2021 pursuant to the terms of the A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement if the Company extends the maturity date of certain of its existing credit agreements or enters into new bank or bond financings with a certain maturity date and above an aggregate principal amount as described in the A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement) and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, the alternate base rate or the Eurocurrency rate, plus an applicable margin of (i) in the case of the Initial Facility from April 2, 2020 through and including the Initial Maturity Date, 0.75% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans and 0.00% in the case of alternate base rate loans and (ii) in the case of the New Facility and the Initial Facility after the Initial Maturity Date, 1.50% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans and 0.50% in the case of alternate base rate loans. The A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement was further amended on December 23, 2020 whereby the new facility was terminated in full and the existing facility matured in January 2021.

On January 18, 2019, the Company entered into a $2.0 billion 364-day revolving credit agreement (as extended, the “January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured 364-day revolving credit facility, with an original facility termination date of 364 days following January 31, 2019, subject to extension. On December 18, 2019, the Company entered into an Extension Agreement (the “Extension Agreement”) relating to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto and Mizuho, as administrative agent. The Extension Agreement extended the Maturity Date (as defined in the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement) for an additional period of 364 days to January 28, 2021. Such extension became effective on January 30, 2020. Borrowings under the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at the Company's option, the alternate base rate or the Eurocurrency rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin calculated based on the Company’s credit ratings. The January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement was partially terminated in accordance with its terms and conditions, reducing the amount available to $0.5 billion as of December 23, 2020, concurrently with the execution of the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement described below. The outstanding facility amount of $1.5 billion was terminated on January 28, 2021.

On August 30, 2019, the Company entered into three $500 million revolving credit agreements (together, the “August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements” and each individually, an “August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. Each of the August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements are senior unsecured revolving credit facilities, with facility termination dates of the earlier of (a) 18 months following August 30, 2019, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the applicable August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the applicable August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement. Borrowings under each of the August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at the Company's option, the alternate base rate or the Eurocurrency rate, plus an applicable margin of 0.95% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans. This revolving credit agreement was terminated in full on December 23, 2020.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q61


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The Company entered into a $750 million revolving credit agreement on April 1, 2020 (the “April 2020 Revolving Bilateral Credit Agreement”) and a $1.325 billion revolving credit agreement on April 2, 2020 (the “April 2020 Revolving Club Credit Agreement” and together with the April 2020 Revolving Bilateral Credit Agreement, the “Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreements”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. Each of the Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreements is a senior unsecured revolving credit facility, with a facility termination dates of the earlier of (a) March 31, 2021 (which date shall be shortened pursuant to the terms of the applicable Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement if the Company does not extend the maturity date of certain of its existing credit agreements or enter into new bank or bond financings with a certain maturity date and above an aggregate principal amount as described in the applicable April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement) and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the applicable Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreements bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, the Eurocurrency rate or the alternate base rate, plus an applicable margin of 1.25% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans. This revolving credit agreement was terminated in full on December 23, 2020.

On April 7, 2020, the Company and with WBA Financial Services Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“WBAFSL”), as co-borrowers, entered into a $500 million revolving credit agreement (the “April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured revolving credit facility, with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 364-days from April 7, 2020 and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. The Company and WBAFSL are co-borrowers under the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company provides a guarantee of any obligations of WBAFSL under the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, the Eurocurrency rate or the alternate base rate, plus an applicable margin of 1.50% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans. This revolving credit agreement was terminated in full on December 23, 2020.

On April 15, 2020, the Company issued in an underwritten public offering $0.5 billion of 3.20% notes due 2030 and $1.0 billion of 4.10% notes due 2050. Total issuance costs relating to the notes, including underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses were $13 million. The Company partially purchased and retired $0.2 billion of its outstanding $1.0 billion, 4.10% notes due 2050 pursuant to the debt tender offer completed on April 26, 2021.

On October 20, 2020, the Company redeemed in full the £400 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 2.875% notes due 2020 issued by the Company on November 20, 2014.

On December 23, 2020, the Company entered into a $1.25 billion senior unsecured 364-day revolving credit agreement and a $2.25 billion senior unsecured 18-month revolving credit facility, with a swing line subfacility commitment amount of $350 million, with designated borrowers from time to time party thereto and lenders from time to time party thereto. The 364-Day Facility’s termination date is the earlier of (i) 364 days from December 23, 2020,the effective date (subject to the extension thereof pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement) and (ii) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments under the 364-Day Facility pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. The 18-Month Facility’s termination date is the earlier of (i) 18 months from the effective date (subject to the extension thereof pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement) and (ii) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments under the 18-Month Facility pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2021, there were $400 million borrowings outstanding under the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement.

After the entry into the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement and the full or partial termination of the Company’s other credit agreements as discussed herein, as of May 31, 2021, the Company had an aggregate borrowing capacity of $10.8 billion including funds already drawn.

On April 9, 2021 the Company entered into a delayed draw term loan credit agreement (the “April 2021 Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The purpose of the loan was to fund the Company's April 26, 2021 cash tender offer to partially purchase and retire $3.30 billion of long term U.S. dollar denominated notes. The April 2021 Credit Agreement was initially a $2.75 billion senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility, with an original facility termination date (the "Initial Maturity Date") of the earliest of (x) October 9, 2021, (y) the date of acceleration of all term loans and termination of all commitments pursuant to the April 2021 Credit Agreement and (z) the date of prepayment of all loans and the termination of all commitments pursuant to the April 2021 Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the April 2021 Credit

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q62


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Agreement bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, the alternate base rate or the Eurocurrency rate, plus an applicable margin of (i) on and prior to the Initial Maturity Date, 0.70% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans and 0.00% in the case of alternate base rate loans and (ii) after the Initial Maturity Date, 0.75% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans and 0.00% in the case of alternate base rate loans. On April 23, 2021 the April 2021 Credit Agreement term loan facility amount was increased to $3.8 billion. As of May 31, 2021, there were $3.8 billion of borrowings outstanding under the April 2021 Credit Agreement. On June 1, 2021 the Company completed the previously announced sale of the Company’s Alliance Healthcare business and used a portion of the Transaction proceeds to repay all borrowings outstanding under the April 9, 2021 Credit Agreement.

Tender offer to purchase debt
On April 26, 2021, the Company entered into a cash tender offer to partially purchase and retire $3.3 billion of long term U.S. dollar denominated notes with a weighted average interest rate of 4.02%, using funds drawn down from the $3.8 billion April 2021 Credit Agreement. The Company recognized a loss of $419 million related to the early extinguishment of debt, within Interest expense, which includes $386 million of redemption premium paid in cash. The cash payments related to the early extinguishment of debt are classified as cash outflows from financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. On June 1, 2021, the Company completed the previously announced sale of the Company’s Alliance Healthcare business and used a portion of the Transaction proceeds to repay all of the outstanding amount owed on the April 2021 Credit Agreement that funded the bond tender completed by the Company on April 26, 2021.

Debt covenants
Each of the Company’s credit facilities described above contain a covenant to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization not to exceed 0.60:1.00.1.00, subject to increase in certain circumstances set forth in the applicable credit agreement. The credit facilities also contain various other customary covenants. As of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all such applicable covenants.


Credit ratings
As of January 3, 2018,June 30, 2021, the credit ratings of Walgreens Boots Alliance were:
Rating agencyLong-term debt ratingCommercial paper ratingOutlook
FitchBBBBBB-F2F3StableNegative
Moody’sBaa2P-2StableNegative
Standard & Poor’sBBBA-2StableNegative


In assessing ourthe Company’s credit strength, each rating agency considers various factors including ourthe Company’s business model, capital structure, financial policies and financial performance. There can be no assurance that any particular rating will be assigned or maintained. OurThe Company’s credit ratings impact ourits borrowing costs, access to capital markets and operating lease costs. The rating agency ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold ourthe Company’s debt securities or commercial paper. Each rating may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency and should be evaluated independently of any other rating.


AmerisourceBergen relationship
PursuantAs of May 31, 2021, the Company owned 56,854,867 AmerisourceBergen common shares representing approximately 27.7% of its outstanding common stock based on the share count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen in its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and had designated one member of AmerisourceBergen’s board of directors. As of May 31, 2021, the Company can acquire up to our arrangements withan additional 8,398,752 AmerisourceBergen we haveshares in the right, but not the obligation,open market and thereafter designate another member of AmerisourceBergen’s board of directors, subject in each case to purchase a minority equity positionapplicable legal and contractual requirements. The amount of permitted open market purchases is subject to increase or decrease in AmerisourceBergen over time as described under “--AmerisourceBergen Corporation relationship” above.certain circumstances. Subject to applicable legal and contractual requirements, share purchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions or pursuant to instruments and plans complying with Rule 10b5-1. See Note 6 Equity method investments, to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for further information.



WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q63


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
On January 6, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with AmerisourceBergen pursuant to which AmerisourceBergen agreed to purchase the majority of the Company's pharmaceutical wholesale operations, as well as a portion of the Company’s retail pharmacy international businesses in Europe, for $6.275 billion in cash (subject to customary purchase price adjustments) and 2 million shares of common stock of AmerisourceBergen. After giving effect to the Transaction, the Company beneficially owns approximately 28.4% of AmerisourceBergen’s outstanding common stock, based on the share count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen in its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See “Recent Developments” above and Note 2 Discontinued operations to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for additional information.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We doThe Company does not have any unconsolidated special purpose entities and, except as described herein, we dothe Company does not have significant exposure to any off-balance sheet arrangements. The term “off-balance sheet arrangement” generally means any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement to which an entity unconsolidated with usnot consolidated by the Company is a party, under which we have: (i) any obligation arising under a guarantee contract, derivative instrument or variable interest; or (ii) a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to such entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support for such assets.




As of November 30, 2017, we have issued $252 million in letters of credit, primarily related to insurance obligations. We also had $46 million of guarantees to various suppliers outstanding as of November 30, 2017. We remain secondarily liable on 71 leases. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments related to these leases was $318 million as of November 30, 2017.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS
Other than our obligations under the amended and restated asset purchase agreement with Rite Aid and the transactions contemplated thereby, thereThere have been no material changes, outside of the ordinary course of business, in ourthe Company's outstanding contractual obligations disclosed in the Walgreens Boots AllianceCompany's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017.2020.



CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Condensed Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and include amounts based on management’s prudent judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Management believes that any reasonable deviation from those judgments and estimates would not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. To the extent that the estimates used differ from actual results, however, adjustments to the statement of earnings and corresponding balance sheet accounts would be necessary. These adjustments would be made in future periods. For a discussion of our significant accounting policies, please see the Walgreens Boots AllianceCompany's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.2020. Some of the more significant estimates include business combinations, leases, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment, vendor allowances, liability for closed locations, cost of sales and inventory, equity method investments, pension and postretirement benefits and income taxes. There have been no significant changes in those accounting policies.


NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
A discussion of new accounting pronouncements is described in noteNote 18 newNew accounting pronouncements, in Item 1.to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) of this CurrentQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.


CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report and other documents that we file or furnish with the SEC contain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future performance, our business, our beliefs and our management’s assumptions. In addition, we, or others on our behalf, may make forward-looking statements in press releases or written statements, on the Company’s website or in our communications and discussions with investors and analysts in the normal course of business through meetings, webcasts, phone calls, conference calls and other communications. Some of such forward-looking statements may be based on certain data and forecasts relating to our business and industry that we have obtained from internal surveys, market research, publicly available information and industry publications. Industry publications, surveys and market research generally state that the information they provide has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those regarding estimates of and goals for future financial and operating performance as well as forward-looking statements concerning the potential impacts on our business of the spread and impact of COVID-19, the expected execution and effect of our business strategies, our cost-savings and growth initiatives, pilot programs, strategic partnerships and initiatives, and restructuring activities and the amounts and timing of their expected impact our amended and restated asset purchase agreement with Rite Aid and the transactions contemplated thereby and their possible timing and effects,delivery of estimated cost savings, our commercial agreement with AmerisourceBergen, the arrangements and transactions contemplated by our framework agreement with AmerisourceBergen and their possible effects, estimates of the impact of developments on our earnings, earnings per share and other financial and operating metrics, cough, cold and flu season, prescription volume, pharmacy sales trends, prescription margins and reimbursement rates, changes in generic prescription drug prices, retail margins, number and location of new store openings, network participation, vendor, payer and

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q64


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
customer relationships and terms, possible new contracts or contract extensions, the proposed withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and its possible effects, competition, economic and business conditions, outcomes of litigation and regulatory matters, the level of capital expenditures, industry trends, demographic trends, growth strategies, financial results, cost reduction initiatives, impairment or other charges, acquisition and joint venture synergies, competitive strengths and changes in legislation or regulations. WordsAll statements in the future tense and all statements accompanied by words such as “expect,” “likely,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “preliminary,” “pilot,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “can,” “will,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “guidance,” “target,” “aim,” “continue,” “sustain,” “synergy,” “transform,” “accelerate,” “model,” “long-term,” “on track,” “on schedule,” “headwind,” “tailwind,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “upcoming,” “to come,” “may,” “possible,” “assume,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.


These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, known or unknown, that could cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated or anticipated,

including, but not limited to, those relating to the impact of private and public third-party payers’ efforts to reduce prescription drug reimbursements, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, the timing and magnitude of the impact of branded to generic drug conversions and changes in generic drug prices, our ability to realize synergies and achieve financial, tax and operating results in the amounts and at the times anticipated, supply arrangements including our commercial agreement with AmerisourceBergen, the arrangements and transactions contemplated by our framework agreement with AmerisourceBergen and their possible effects, the risks associated with our equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination, cross-termination or modification of any of our contractual obligations, the amount of costs, fees, expenses and charges incurred in connection with strategic transactions, whether the costs and charges associated with our store optimization program will exceed estimates, our ability to realize expected savings and benefits from cost-savings initiatives, restructuring activities and acquisitions and joint ventures in the amounts and at the times anticipated, the timing and amount of any impairment or other charges, the timing and severity of cough, cold and flu season, changes in management’s assumptions, the risks associated with governance and control matters, the ability to retain key personnel, changes in economic and business conditions generally or in particular markets in which we participate, changes in financial markets and interest rates, the risks associated with international business operations, including the risks associated with the proposed withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the risk of unexpected costs, liabilities or delays, changes in vendor, customer and payer relationships and terms, including changes in network participation and reimbursement terms, risks of inflation in the cost of goods, risks associated with the operation and growth of our customer loyalty programs, competition, risks associated with new business areas and activities, risks associated with acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic investments, including those relating to the ability of the parties to satisfy the closing conditions and consummate the phased acquisition of certain assets pursuant to our amended and restated asset purchase agreement with Rite Aid on a timely basis or at all, the risks associated with the integration of complex businesses, outcomes of legal and regulatory matters, and risks associated with changes in laws, including those relating to the recent U.S. tax legislation, regulations or interpretations thereof.anticipated. These and other risks, assumptions and uncertainties areinclude those described in Item 1A. “Risk factors”1A, Risk factors, in ourthe Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, in Item 1A. “Risk factors” in this report2020 and in other documents that we file or furnish with the SEC. ShouldIf one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize,materializes, or shouldif underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements we make or that are made on our behalf are qualified by these cautionary statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any duty or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement after the date of this report, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.




WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q65


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ItemITEM 3. Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market riskQUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest rate risk
We are exposed to interest rate volatility with regard to existing debt issuances. Primary exposures include U.S. Treasury rates, LIBOR and commercial paper rates. From time to time, we use interest rate swaps and forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge our exposure to the impact of interest rate changes on existing debt and future debt issuances respectively, to reduce the volatility of our financing costs and, based on current and projected market conditions, achieve a desired proportion of fixed versus floating-rate debt. Generally under these swaps, we agree with a counterparty to exchange the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts based on an agreed upon notional principal amount.

Information regarding our transactions are set forth in note 8, financial instruments to our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. These financial instruments are sensitive to changes in interest rates. On November 30, 2017, we had no material long-term debt obligations that had floating interest rates. The amounts exclude the impact of any associated derivative contracts.

Foreign currency exchange rate risk
We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily with respect to the British Pound Sterling and Euro,and certain other foreign currencies, which may affect our net investment in foreign subsidiaries and may cause fluctuations in cash flows related to foreign denominated transactions. We are also exposed to the translation of foreign currency earnings to the U.S. dollar. We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on non-functional currency cash flows of certain entities denominated in foreign currencies. These transactions are almost exclusively less than 12 months in maturity. In addition, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated in hedging relationships to offset, in part, the impacts of certain intercompany activities (primarily associated with intercompany financing transactions). As circumstances warrant, we also use basis swaps as hedging instruments to hedge portions of our net investments in foreign operations. The foreign currency derivative instruments held as of November 30, 2017 are sensitive to changes in exchange rates. A 1% increase or decrease in foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar would increase or decrease our pre-tax income by approximately $11 million due to changes in the value of foreign currency derivative instruments. Excluded from the computation were anticipated transactions, foreign currency trade payables and receivables, and net investments in foreign subsidiaries, which the abovementioned instruments are intended to partially hedge.

Item 3. Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk
Interest rate risk
The Company is exposed to interest rate volatility with regard to existing variable-rate debt instruments and future incurrences of fixed or variable-rate debt, which exposure primarily relates to movements in various interest rates, such as U.S treasury rates and commercial paper rates. From time to time, the Company uses interest rate swaps and forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge its exposure to the impact of interest rate changes on existing debt and future debt issuances respectively, to reduce the volatility of financing costs and, based on current and projected market conditions, achieve a desired proportion of fixed-rate versus floating-rate debt. Generally under these swaps, the Company agrees with a counterparty to exchange the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts based on an agreed upon notional principal amount.

On March 5, 2021, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, issued an announcement on the future cessation or loss of representativeness of LIBOR benchmark settings currently published by ICE Benchmark Administration. That announcement confirmed that LIBOR will either cease to be provided by any administrator or will no longer be representative after December 31, 2021 for all non-USD LIBOR reference rates, and for 1W and 2M USD LIBOR and after June 30, 2023 for other USD LIBOR reference rates. Certain of our credit facilities provide that, under certain circumstances set forth in such credit facilities, we and the administrative agent may amend the applicable credit facility to replace LIBOR with an alternate benchmark rate, giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar syndicated credit facilities in the U.S. market for alternative benchmarks. Such alternative benchmark rate could include the secured overnight financing rate, also known as SOFR, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Information regarding the Company's transactions are set forth in Note 9 Financial instruments, to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. These financial instruments are sensitive to changes in interest rates. On May 31, 2021, the Company had no material long-term debt obligations that had floating interest rates. The amounts exclude the impact of any associated derivative contracts.

Foreign currency exchange rate risk
The Company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily with respect to the British pound sterling and Euro,and certain other foreign currencies, which may affect its net investment in foreign subsidiaries and may cause fluctuations in cash flows related to foreign denominated transactions. The Company is also exposed to the translation of foreign currency earnings to the U.S. dollar. The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on non-functional currency cash flows. These transactions are almost exclusively less than 12 months in maturity. In addition, the Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated in hedging relationships to offset, in part, the impacts of certain intercompany activities (primarily associated with intercompany financing transactions).

The Company’s foreign currency derivative instruments are sensitive to changes in exchange rates. A hypothetical 1% change in foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar would change the fair value of the foreign currency derivatives held as of May 31, 2021, by approximately $43 million. The foreign currency derivatives are intended to partially hedge anticipated transactions, foreign currency trade payables and receivables and net investments in foreign subsidiaries.

Equity price risk
Changes in AmerisourceBergen common stock price may have a significant impact on the fair value of the equity investment in AmerisourceBergen described in Note 6 Equity method investments, to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. See “--Investment in AmerisourceBergen” above.


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q66


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 4.Controls and procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The controls evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Based upon the controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


Changes in internal control over financial reporting
In the ordinary course of business, the Company reviews its internal control over financial reporting and makes changes to its systems and processes that are intended to enhance such controls and increase efficiency while maintaining an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as updating existing systems, automating manual processes, standardizing controls and modifying monitoring controls.

As we transform our business processes, we continue to make strategic changes in how we perform certain key business functions. These changes include the continued leveraging of extended workforces via third-party outsource arrangements as well as our continued implementation of new information systems. Specifically, the Company is currently implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This project is a multi-year initiative and is intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of certain financial and business transaction processes, as well as the underlying systems environment. These initiatives are not being implemented in response to any identified internal control deficiency or weakness. As these changes occur, we will evaluate quarterly whether such changes materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

In connection with the evaluation pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(d) of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) by the Company’s management, including its CEO and CFO, no changes during the three monthsquarter ended November 30, 2017May 31, 2021 were identified that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


Inherent limitations on effectiveness of controls
Our management, including the CEO and CFO, do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls

effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.












WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q67


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Part II.  Other Information


Item 1. Legal proceedings
The information in response to this item is incorporated herein by reference to note 10, commitmentsNote 11 Commitments and contingencies, ofto the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report.


As previously disclosed, the Company has been under investigation by certain counties within the State of California for alleged noncompliance with state hazardous waste regulations. The Company has worked with state and local officials in an effort to resolve this matter. The Company executed a settlement agreement in October 2020 which includes a monetary payment and injunctive provisions, including funding of supplemental environmental projects. The total settlement value is $3.5 million. On November 16, 2020, a number of California District Attorneys submitted thesigned settlement agreement and a complaint to a California state court in Alameda County (People of the State of California v. Walgreen Co., Case No. RG20081172) for review and approval. The settlement was approved by the court on December 17, 2020 and shall be in effect for three years.

Item 1A. Risk factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Itemitem 1A. “Risk factors” in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017 and the amended and restated risk factor set forth below,2020, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.


We could be subject to adverse changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations or challenges to our tax positions.

We are a large corporation with operations in the U.S. and numerous other jurisdictions around the world. As such, we are subject to tax laws and regulations of the U.S. federal, state and local governments as well as various foreign jurisdictions. We compute our income tax provision based on enacted tax rates in the jurisdictions in which we operate. As the tax rates vary among jurisdictions, a change in earnings attributable to the various jurisdictions in which we operate could result in an unfavorable change in our overall tax provision.

From time to time, changes in tax laws or regulations may be proposed or enacted that could adversely affect our overall tax liability. For example, the recent U.S. tax legislation enacted on December 22, 2017 represents a significant overhaul of the U.S. federal tax code. This tax legislation significantly reduced the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate and made other changes that could have a favorable impact on our overall U.S. federal tax liability in a given period. However, the tax legislation also included a number of provisions, including, but not limited to, the limitation or elimination of various deductions or credits (including for interest expense and for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)), the imposition of taxes on certain cross-border payments or transfers, the changing of the timing of the recognition of certain income and deductions or their character, and the limitation of asset basis under certain circumstances, that could significant and adversely affect our U.S. federal income tax position. The legislation also made significant changes to the tax rules applicable to insurance companies and other entities with which we do business. We are continuing to evaluate the overall impact of this tax legislation on our operations and U.S. federal income tax position. There can be no assurance that changes in tax laws or regulations, both within the U.S. and the other jurisdictions in which we operate, will not materially and adversely affect our effective tax rate, tax payments, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, changes in tax laws and regulations that impact our customers and counterparties or the economy generally may also impact our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, tax laws and regulations are complex and subject to varying interpretations, and any significant failure to comply with applicable tax laws and regulations in all relevant jurisdictions could give rise to substantial penalties and liabilities. Any changes in enacted tax laws (such as the recent U.S. tax legislation), rules or regulatory or judicial interpretations; any adverse outcome in connection with tax audits in any jurisdiction; or any change in the pronouncements relating to accounting for income taxes could materially and adversely impact our effective tax rate, tax payments, financial condition and results of operations.

Item 2. Unregistered sales of equity securities and use of proceeds
The following table provides information about purchases by the Company during the quarter ended May 31, 2021 of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. Subject to applicable law, share purchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions including accelerated share repurchase agreements, or pursuant to instruments and plans complying with Rule 10b5-1.
(c)The following table provides information aboutIssuer purchases by the Company during the quarter ended November 30, 2017 of equity securities
PeriodTotal number of shares purchased by monthAverage price paid per share
Total number of shares purchased by month as part of publicly announced repurchase programs1
Approximate dollar value of shares that are registered bymay yet be purchased under the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. Subject to applicable law, share purchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions including accelerated share repurchase agreements,plans or pursuant to instruments and plans complying with Rule 10b5-1.program1
03/01/21 - 03/31/21— $— — $2,003,419,960 
04/01/21 - 04/30/21— — — 2,003,419,960 
05/01/21 - 05/31/21— — — 2,003,419,960 
— $— — $2,003,419,960 


1In June 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance authorized a stock repurchase program, which authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 billion of Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock. This program has no specified expiration date. In July 2020, the Company announced that it had suspended activities under this program.




 Issuer purchases of equity securities
PeriodTotal number of shares purchased Average price paid per share 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced repurchase programs1
 
Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or program1
09/01/17 – 09/30/1714,544,366
 $81.10
 14,544,366
 $57,093,011
10/01/17 – 10/31/174,038,853
 68.90
 4,038,853
 778,767,494
11/01/17 – 11/30/172
15,916,694
 67.06
 11,686,694
 
Total34,499,913
 $73.19
 30,269,913
 $

1
WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q
In June 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance authorized a new stock repurchase program (the “June 2017 stock repurchase program”), which authorizes the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock prior to the program’s expiration on August 31, 2018. The Company purchased 47.2 million shares in fiscal 2017 at a total cost of $3.8 billion under the June 2017 stock repurchase program. The Company completed the authorized $5.0 billion of stock repurchases in October 2017. On October 24, 2017, the Company expanded the June 2017 stock repurchase program by an additional $1.0 billion and completed the additionally authorized $1.0 billion of stock repurchases in November 2017.
68
2
The Company purchased 4.2 million shares of its common stock in open-market transactions to support the needs of its employee stock plans.




WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 5. Other information
None


Item 6. Exhibits
The agreements included as exhibits to this report are included to provide information regarding their terms and not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement that were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement, and:


should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;


may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;


may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and


were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.


Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

Exhibit
No.
DescriptionSEC Document Reference
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B (File No. 1-36759) filed with the SEC on December 31, 2014.
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-36759) filed with the SEC on June 10, 2016.
Amended and Restated AmerisourceBergen Shareholders Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2021, between AmerisourceBergen Corporation and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.’s Current Report on Form of Performance Share Award agreement for CEO (effective October 2017).8-K (File No. 1-36759) filed with the SEC on June 4, 2021.
Agreement between Walgreens Boots Alliance Services Limited and Alexander W. Gourlay, dated June 30, 2021.Filed herewith.
Form of Stock Option Award agreement for CEO (effective October 2017).Filed herewith.
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award agreement for Executive Chairman (effective October 2017).agreement.Filed herewith.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-36759) filed with the SEC on April 26, 2021.
ComputationDelayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of Ratio of EarningsApril 9, 2021, by and among Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., the Lenders from time to Fixed Charges.time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent.Filed herewith.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-36759) filed with the SEC on April 9, 2021.
Increase Amendment, dated April 23, 2021, to the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-36759) filed with the SEC on April 23, 2021.
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.Filed herewith.

WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q69


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.Filed herewith.
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.Furnished herewith.

Furnished herewith.
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.Furnished herewith.
101.INS
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document (The following financial information from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2021 formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensive Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Equity; (iii) the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Earnings; (iv) the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income; (v) the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes Financial Statements).Filed herewith.
101.SCH
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentFiled herewith.
101.CAL
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentFiled herewith.
101.DEF
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentFiled herewith.
101.LAB
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentFiled herewith.
101.PRE
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentFiled herewith.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101)Filed herewith.

___________________________


* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.arrangement


WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q70


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.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
(Registrant)
Dated: January 4, 2018July 1, 2021/s/ George R. FairweatherJames Kehoe
George R. FairweatherJames Kehoe
Executive Vice President, and Global Chief Financial Officer
Dated: January 4, 2018/s/ Kimberly R. Scardino
Kimberly R. Scardino
Senior Vice President, Global Controller and Acting Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial Officer & Principal Accounting Officer)



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WBA Q3 2021 Form 10-Q71