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 May 31, 20182019
or
 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) 315-2500
(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
2.875% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2020WBA20The 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 May 31, 20182019 was 992,411,822.903,143,463.


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 20182019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions, except shares and per share amounts)
May 31, 2018 August 31, 2017May 31, 2019 August 31, 2018
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$1,818
 $3,301
$839
 $785
Accounts receivable, net (see note 18)7,159
 6,528
Accounts receivable, net7,239
 6,573
Inventories9,889
 8,899
9,874
 9,565
Other current assets1,122
 1,025
1,070
 923
Total current assets19,988
 19,753
19,021
 17,846
Non-current assets:

  


  
Property, plant and equipment, net13,938
 13,642
13,717
 13,911
Goodwill17,089
 15,632
16,717
 16,914
Intangible assets, net12,111
 10,156
11,325
 11,783
Equity method investments (see note 5)6,272
 6,320
6,673
 6,610
Other non-current assets754
 506
1,133
 1,060
Total non-current assets50,164
 46,256
49,565
 50,278
Total assets$70,152
 $66,009
$68,586
 $68,124
      
Liabilities and equity 
  
 
  
Current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Short-term debt$2,587
 $251
$5,483
 $1,966
Trade accounts payable (see note 16)13,089
 12,494
14,130
 13,566
Accrued expenses and other liabilities5,435
 5,473
5,185
 5,862
Income taxes371
 329
263
 273
Total current liabilities21,482
 18,547
25,060
 21,667
Non-current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Long-term debt12,456
 12,684
12,127
 12,431
Deferred income taxes1,973
 2,281
1,860
 1,815
Other non-current liabilities5,771
 4,223
4,768
 5,522
Total non-current liabilities20,200
 19,188
18,754
 19,768
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 May 31, 2018 and August 31, 201712
 12
Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 3.2 billion shares; issued 1,172,513,618 at May 31, 2019 and August 31, 201812
 12
Paid-in capital10,444
 10,339
10,605
 10,493
Retained earnings32,460
 30,137
35,547
 33,551
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(2,792) (3,051)(3,393) (3,002)
Treasury stock, at cost; 180,101,796 shares at May 31, 2018 and 148,664,548 at August 31, 2017(12,388) (9,971)
Treasury stock, at cost; 269,370,155 shares at May 31, 2019 and 220,380,200 at August 31, 2018(18,638) (15,047)
Total Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shareholders’ equity27,736
 27,466
24,133
 26,007
Noncontrolling interests734
 808
638
 682
Total equity28,470
 28,274
24,771
 26,689
Total liabilities and equity$70,152
 $66,009
$68,586
 $68,124

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

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
For the three and nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and 2017May 31, 2018
(in millions, except shares)

 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
 
 
 
 
 
 3,512
 5
 3,517
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 259
 
 7
 266
Dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 
 (1,189) (86) (1,275)
Treasury stock purchases(34,499,913) 
 (2,525) 
 
 
 
 
 (2,525)
Employee stock purchase and option plans3,062,665
 
 108
 10
 
 
 
 
 118
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 91
 
 
 
 
 91
Noncontrolling interests contribution
 
 
 4
 
 
 
 
 4
May 31, 2018992,411,822
 $12
 $(12,388) $10,444
 $
 $(2,792) $32,460
 $734
 $28,470
 Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.    
 
Common stock
shares
 
Common
stock
amount
 
Treasury
stock
amount
 
Paid-in
capital
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
 income (loss)
 
Retained
earnings
 
Noncontrolling
interests
 
Total
equity
February 28, 2019914,176,442
 $12
 $(18,036) $10,571
 $(2,705) $34,928
 $643
 $25,413
Net earnings (loss)
 
 
 
 
 1,025
 12
 1,037
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 (683) 
 (13) (696)
Dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 (399) 
 (399)
Treasury stock purchases(11,394,049) 
 (612) 
 
 
 
 (612)
Employee stock purchase and option plans361,070
 
 11
 7
 
 
 
 18
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 24
 
 
 
 24
Other
 
 
 3
 (6) (6) (4) (13)
May 31, 2019903,143,463
 $12
 $(18,638) $10,605
 $(3,393) $35,547
 $638
 $24,771

 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
 
 
 
 
 
 3,276
 18
 3,294
Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 (311) 
 (38) (349)
Dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 
 (1,216) (12) (1,228)
Treasury stock purchases(17,419,955) 
 (1,457) 
 
 
 
 
 (1,457)
Employee stock purchase and option plans4,529,850
 
 149
 26
 1
 
 
 
 176
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 71
 
 
 
 
 71
Noncontrolling interests acquired and arising on business combinations
 
 
 181
 
 
 
 515
 696
May 31, 20171,070,096,486
 $12
 $(6,242) $10,389
 $
 $(3,303) $29,744
 $884
 $31,484
 Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.    
 
Common stock
shares
 
Common
stock
amount
 
Treasury
stock
amount
 
Paid-in
capital
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
 income (loss)
 
Retained
earnings
 
Noncontrolling
interests
 
Total
equity
August 31, 2018952,133,418
 $12
 $(15,047) $10,493
 $(3,002) $33,551
 $682
 $26,689
Net earnings (loss)
 
 
 
 
 3,305
 (29) 3,275
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 (393) 
 (6) (399)
Dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 (1,219) (3) (1,222)
Treasury stock purchases(53,491,968) 
 (3,726) 
 
 
 
 (3,726)
Employee stock purchase and option plans4,502,013
 
 135
 21
 
 
 
 156
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 87
 
 
 
 87
Adoption of new accounting standards
 
 
 
 
 (88) 
 (88)
Other
 

 
 4
 
 
 (6) (2)
May 31, 2019903,143,463
 $12
 $(18,638) $10,605
 $(3,393) $35,547
 $638
 $24,771


 Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.    
 Common stock
shares
 Common
stock
amount
 Treasury
stock
amount
 Paid-in
capital
 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Retained
earnings
 Noncontrolling
interests
 Total
equity
February 28, 2018991,665,577
 $12
 $(12,415) $10,408
 $(2,163) $31,513
 $823
 $28,178
Net earnings
 
 
 
 
 1,342
 4
 1,346
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 (629) 
 (13) (642)
Dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 (395) (80) (475)
Employee stock purchase and option plans746,245
 
 27
 8
 
 
 
 35
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 28
 
 
 
 28
Noncontrolling interests contribution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 31, 2018992,411,822
 $12
 $(12,388) $10,444
 $(2,792) $32,460
 $734
 $28,470


 Equity attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.    
 Common stock
shares
 Common
stock
amount
 Treasury
stock
amount
 Paid-in
capital
 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 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
 
 
 
 
 3,512
 5
 3,517
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 259
 
 7
 266
Dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 (1,189) (86) (1,275)
Treasury stock purchases(34,499,913) 
 (2,525) 
 
 
 
 (2,525)
Employee stock purchase and option plans3,062,665
 
 108
 10
 
 
 
 118
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 91
 
 
 
 91
Noncontrolling interests contribution
 
 
 4
 
 
 
 4
May 31, 2018992,411,822
 $12
 $(12,388) $10,444
 $(2,792) $32,460
 $734
 $28,470


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

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,
Three months ended
May 31,

Nine months ended
May 31,
2018
2017
2018 20172019
2018
2019 2018
Sales$34,334
 $30,118
 $98,095
 $88,065
$34,591
 $34,334
 $102,912
 $98,095
Cost of sales26,554
 22,973
 74,878
 66,243
27,138
 26,554
 80,063
 74,878
Gross profit7,780
 7,145
 23,217
 21,822
7,453
 7,780
 22,849
 23,217
              
Selling, general and administrative expenses6,231
 5,712
 18,456
 17,522
6,235
 6,235
 18,834
 18,466
Equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen52
 84
 142
 143
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen(16) 52
 105
 142
Operating income1,601
 1,517
 4,903
 4,443
1,203
 1,597
 4,120
 4,893
              
Other income (expense)(4) (8) (132) (22)182
 
 227
 (122)
Earnings before interest and income tax provision1,597
 1,509
 4,771
 4,421
1,385
 1,597
 4,347
 4,771
              
Interest expense, net157
 155
 457
 500
187
 157
 529
 457
Earnings before income tax provision1,440
 1,354
 4,314
 3,921
1,198
 1,440
 3,819
 4,314
Income tax provision109
 168
 839
 634
156
 109
 562
 839
Post tax earnings (loss) from other equity method investments15
 (21) 42
 7
(5) 15
 19
 42
Net earnings1,346
 1,165
 3,517
 3,294
1,037
 1,346
 3,275
 3,517
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests4
 3
 5
 18
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests12
 4
 (29) 5
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$1,342
 $1,162
 $3,512
 $3,276
$1,025
 $1,342
 $3,305
 $3,512
              
Net earnings per common share: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Basic$1.35
 $1.08
 $3.52
 $3.03
$1.13
 $1.35
 $3.56
 $3.52
Diluted$1.35
 $1.07
 $3.51
 $3.02
$1.13
 $1.35
 $3.55
 $3.51
              
Dividends declared per share$0.400
 $0.375
 $1.200
 $1.125
       
Weighted average common shares outstanding: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Basic992.1
 1,077.1
 996.4
 1,079.6
909.9
 992.1
 928.8
 996.4
Diluted995.3
 1,082.6
 1,000.6
 1,085.5
911.2
 995.3
 931.1
 1,000.6

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

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Comprehensive income: 
  
  
  
Comprehensive Income: 
  
  
  
Net earnings$1,346
 $1,165
 $3,517
 $3,294
$1,037
 $1,346
 $3,275
 $3,517
              
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: 
  
    
 
  
    
Pension/postretirement obligations(2) 5
 (4) 1
(2) (2) (8) (4)
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges1
 1
 2
 3
Unrecognized loss on available-for-sale investments
 (1) 
 (2)
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedges44
 1
 33
 2
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of equity method investments11
 2
 13
 (3)1
 11
 (1) 13
Currency translation adjustments(652) 504
 255
 (348)(745) (652) (422) 255
Total other comprehensive income (loss)(642) 511
 266
 (349)(702) (642) (399) 266
Total comprehensive income704
 1,676
 3,783
 2,945
335
 704
 2,877
 3,783
              
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(9) 8
 12
 (20)(1) (9) (35) 12
Comprehensive income attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$713
 $1,668
 $3,771
 $2,965
$336
 $713
 $2,912
 $3,771

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


WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
Nine months ended May 31,Nine months ended May 31,
2018 20172019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
      
Net earnings$3,517
 $3,294
$3,275
 $3,517
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
 
  
Depreciation and amortization1,300
 1,244
1,512
 1,300
Deferred income taxes(382) (211)109
 (382)
Stock compensation expense91
 71
87
 91
Equity earnings from equity method investments(184) (150)
Equity (earnings) from equity method investments(124) (184)
Other266
 289
42
 266
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
  
 
  
Accounts receivable, net(762) (153)(730) (762)
Inventories230
 259
(354) 230
Other current assets(4) 22
(80) (4)
Trade accounts payable627
 821
662
 675
Accrued expenses and other liabilities10
 (268)(642) 16
Income taxes793
 6
(372) 793
Other non-current assets and liabilities(117) 13
(171) (110)
Net cash provided by operating activities5,385
 5,237
3,215
 5,446
      
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
  
 
  
Additions to property, plant and equipment(983) (912)(1,246) (983)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions
 436
Proceeds from sale of other assets221
 39
95
 221
Business and intangible asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired(4,220) (63)
Business, investment and asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired(467) (4,220)
Other(129) 48
51
 (129)
Net cash used for investing activities(5,111) (452)(1,569) (5,111)
      
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
  
 
  
Net change in short-term debt with maturities of 3 months or less596
 277
299
 596
Proceeds from debt5,043


10,291

5,043
Payments of debt(3,507) (40)(7,332) (3,507)
Stock purchases(2,525) (1,457)(3,726) (2,525)
Proceeds related to employee stock plans118
 174
156
 118
Cash dividends paid(1,291) (1,228)(1,244) (1,291)
Other(217) (59)(17) (217)
Net cash used for financing activities(1,783) (2,333)(1,573) (1,783)
      
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents26
 (6)
Changes in cash and cash equivalents:
 
  
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(1,483) 2,446
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period3,301
 9,807
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$1,818
 $12,253
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(12) 27
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: 
  
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash62
 (1,422)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period975
 3,496
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$1,038
 $2,074

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

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO 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 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 Financial Statements included 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 (“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, 2017.2018.

In the opinion of 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 influence of certain holidays, seasonality, foreign currency rates, changes in vendor, payer and customer relationships and terms, strategic transactions including acquisitions, 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 to the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USA segment, the positive impact on gross profit margins and gross profit dollars typically has been significant

Certain amounts in the first severalConsolidated Condensed Financial Statements and associated notes may not add due to rounding. All percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts for the three and nine months after a generic version of a drug is first allowed to compete with the branded version, which is generally referred to as a “generic conversion”. In any given year, the number of major brand name drugs that undergo a conversion from branded to generic status can increase or decrease, which can have a significant impact on the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USA segment’s sales, gross profit margins and gross profit dollars making the Company’s operations or net earnings for any period incomparable.ended May 31, 2019.

Note 2. 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. The purchases of these stores have been accounted for as business combinations and occurred in waves during fiscal 2018. The Company purchased 390 stores for total cash consideration of $820 million for the three months ended May 31, 2018 and 1,932 stores for total cash consideration of $4.2 billion for the nine monthsfiscal year ended MayAugust 31, 2018. The transition of the three distribution centers and related inventory is expected to begin during fiscal 2019 and remains subject to closing conditions set forth in the amended and restated asset purchase agreement.

As of May 31, 2018,2019, the Company had not completed the analysis to assign fair values to all tangible and intangiblefor assets acquired and thereforeliabilities assumed for the purchase price allocation has not been finalized. 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.stores. During the three months ended May 31, 2018,2019, the Company recorded certaindid not record any measurement period adjustments to identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on additional information regarding such assets and liabilities, which did not have a material impact on the purchase price allocation.adjustments. The following table summarizes the consideration for the purchasespaid and the preliminary amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed for purchase of 1,932 stores as of the nine months ended May 31, 2018.


2019 (in millions):
Consideration$4,330
$4,330
  
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed  
Inventories$1,291
$1,171
Property, plant and equipment494
490
Intangible assets2,028
2,039
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(54)(55)
Deferred income taxes5
291
Other non-current liabilities(795)(937)
Total identifiable net assets2,969
2,999
Goodwill$1,361
$1,331

The preliminary identified definite-lived intangible assets were as follows:

Definite-lived intangible assetsWeighted-average useful life (in years)Amount (in millions)Weighted-average useful life (in years)Amount (in millions)
Customer relationships12$1,850
12$1,800
Favorable lease interests6158
10219
Trade names and trademarks220
Trade names220
Total $2,028
 $2,039

Consideration includesincluded cash of $4,157 million and the fair value of the option granted to Rite Aid to become a member of the Company’s group purchasing organization, Walgreens Boots Alliance Development GmbH. The fair value for this option was determined using the income approach methodology. The fair value estimates are based on the market compensation for such services and appropriate discount rate, as relevant, that market participants would consider when estimating fair values.

The goodwill of $1,361$1,331 million arising from the business combinations primarily reflects the expected operational synergies and cost savings generated from the Store Optimization Program as well as the expected growth from new customers. See note 3, exit and disposal activities, for additional information. The goodwill was allocated to the Retail Pharmacy USA segment. Substantially all of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The fair value for customer relationships was determined using the multi-period excess earnings method, a form of the income approach. Real property fair values were determined using primarily the income approach and sales comparison approach. The fair value measurements of the intangible assets are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements. The fair value estimates for the intangible assets are based on projected discounted cash flows, historical and projected financial information and attrition rates, as relevant, that market participants would consider when estimating fair values.

The following table presents supplemental unaudited condensed pro forma consolidated sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018 and 2017 as ifgives effect to the acquisition of all 1,932 stores acquired under the amended and restated asset purchase agreement as if such had occurredbeen acquired on September 1, 2016.2017. Pro forma net earnings of the Company for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018, assuming these purchases had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported. See note 3, exit and disposal activities, for additional information.disclosures. 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 purchases 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,Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
(in millions)2018 2017 2018 20172018 2018
Sales$34,366
 $32,496
 $102,059
 $95,378
$34,366
 $102,059


Actual sales fromThe Company acquired Rite Aid storesthe first distribution center and related inventory for cash consideration of $61 million during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018 included2019. The transition of the remaining two distribution centers and related inventory remains subject to closing conditions set forth in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings are as follows:amended and restated asset purchase agreement.

(in millions)Three months ended May 31, 2018 Nine months ended May 31, 2018
Sales$2,223  $3,038 

Other acquisitions
The 1,932 Rite Aid storesCompany acquired did not have a material impact on net earnings of the Companycertain prescription files and related pharmacy inventory from Fred’s Inc. for the three andaggregate purchase price of $177 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2018.

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, as part of a strategic alliance. AllianceRx Walgreens Prime is consolidated by Walgreens Boots Alliance and reported within the Retail Pharmacy USA division in its financial statements. The Company accounted for this acquisition of Prime’s specialty pharmacy and mail services business as a business combination involving noncash purchase consideration of $720 million consisting of the issuance of an equity interest in AllianceRx Walgreens Prime.

The Company has completed the purchase accounting for the AllianceRx Walgreens Prime transaction. The following table summarizes the consideration for the acquisition and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transaction (in millions).
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 identified intangible assets primarily include purchasing and payer contracts. These contracts are estimated to have a weighted average useful life of 15 years. The goodwill of $103 million arising from the transaction consists of expected purchasing synergies, operating efficiencies by benchmarking performance and applying best practices across the combined company, consolidation of operations, reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses and combining workforces. Substantially all of the goodwill recognized is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

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.2019.

Note 3. Exit and disposal activities
Transformational Cost Management Program
On December 20, 2018, the Company announced a multi-faceted program (the “Transformational Cost Management Program”), which includes divisional optimization initiatives, global smart spending, global smart organization and digitalization of the enterprise to transform long-term capabilities. Divisional optimization within each of our segments include activities such as optimization of stores, distribution centers and offices and efficient supply chain. Additionally, the Company has initiated global smart spending and smart organization programs and digitalization, initially focused on the Company’s

Retail Pharmacy USA division, its retail business in the UK and its global functions. Actions under the Transformational Cost Management Program announced on December 20, 2018 are expected to be complete by fiscal 2022.

As of the date of this report, the Company is not able to make a determination of the total estimated charge or range of charges that may be incurred for each major type of cost nor the future cash expenditures or charges, including non-cash impairment charges, it may incur.
Costs related to the Transformational Cost Management Program, which were primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses were as follows (in millions):
Three months ended May 31, 2019Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Employee severance and other exit costs$7
 $5
 $11
 $24
Asset impairments1
5
 16
 11
 32
Total costs$13
 $21
 $22
 $56

Nine months ended May 31, 2019Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Employee severance and other exit costs$24
 $39
 $22
 $86
Asset impairments1
5
 48
 96
 149
Total costs$29
 $88
 $119
 $235

1
Primarily includes write down of certain software and inventory.

The changes in liabilities related to the Transformational Cost Management Program include the following (in millions):
  Employee severance and other exit costs Asset impairments Total
Balance at August 31, 2018 $
 $
 $
Costs 86
 149
 235
Payments (57) 
 (57)
Other - non cash 
 (149) (149)
Balance at May 31, 2019 $28
 $
 $28

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 USA segment upon completion of the acquisition of certain stores and related assets from Rite Aid. The Store Optimization Program includes plansAs of the date of this report, the Company expects to close approximately 600 stores and related assets across the U.S.750 stores. The actions under the Store Optimization Program commenced in March 2018 and are expected to take place over an 18 month period.be complete by end of fiscal 2020.

The Company currently estimates that it will recognize cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results of approximately $450$350 million, including costs associated with lease obligations and other real estate costs and employee severance

and other exit costs. The Company expects to incur pre-tax charges of approximately $270$160 million for lease obligations and other real estate costs and approximately $180$190 million for employee severance and other exit costs. The Company estimates that substantially all of these cumulative pre-tax charges will result in cash expenditures.

Since approval of the Store Optimization Program, the Company has recognized cumulative pre-tax charges to its financial results in accordance with GAAP totaling $200 million, which were primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. These charges included $64 million related to lease obligations and other real estate costs and $136 million in employee severance and other exit costs.


Costs related to the Store Optimization Program which were primarily recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses for the Company's Retail Pharmacy USA segment included in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018, are as follows (in millions):
Three months ended May 31, 2018 
Lease obligations and other real estate costs2
Employee severance and other exit costs22
Total costs$24

Nine months ended May 31, 2018 
Three months ended May 31, 2019 Nine months ended May 31, 2019
Lease obligations and other real estate costs2
$44
 $45
Employee severance and other exit costs22
5
 54
Total costs$24
$49
 $99

The changes in liabilities related to the Store Optimization Program for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 include the following (in millions):
Lease obligations and other real estate costs Employee severance and other exit costs TotalLease obligations and other real estate costs Employee severance and other exit costs Total
Balance at August 31, 2017$
 $
 $
Balance at August 31, 2018$308
 $21
 $329
Costs2
 22
 24
45
 54
 99
Payments
 (8) (8)(125) (69) (194)
Other - non cash1
30
 
 30
104
 
 104
Balance at May 31, 2018$32
 $14
 $46
Balance at May 31, 2019$332
 $6
 $338

1 
RepresentsPrimarily represents unfavorable lease liabilities from acquired Rite Aid stores.

Cost Transformation Program
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 reduce costs and increase operating efficiencies. The Cost Transformation Program implemented 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.;United States; reorganize corporate and field operations; drive operating efficiencies; and streamline information technology and other functions. 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 liabilities related to the Cost Transformation Program for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 include the following (in millions):
  
Real estate
costs
 
Severance and
other business
transition and
exit costs
 Total
Balance at August 31, 2017 $521
 $79
 $600
Payments (112) (68) (180)
Other - non cash 20
 (1) 19
Currency translation adjustments 
 (1) (1)
Balance at May 31, 2018 $429
 $9
 $438
  
Real estate
costs
 
Severance and
other business
transition and
exit costs
 Total
Balance at August 31, 2018 $414
 $7
 $421
Payments (67) (3) (70)
Other - non cash 51
 
 51
Balance at May 31, 2019 $399
 $4
 $403


Total costs by segment, which were primarily recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses included in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017, are as follows (in millions):
Three months ended May 31, 2017Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Asset impairments$96
 $18
 $
 $114
Real estate costs15
 
 
 15
Severance and other business transition and exit costs18
 8
 16
 42
Total costs$129
 $26
 $16
 $171

Nine months ended May 31, 2017Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Asset impairments$207
 $21
 $1
 $229
Real estate costs264
 
 
 264
Severance and other business transition and exit costs46
 30
 23
 99
Total costs$517
 $51
 $24
 $592

Note 4. Operating leases
Initial terms for leased premises in the U.S. are typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options 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 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 real estate portfolio in conjunction with its capital needs. Historically, the Company has entered into several sale-leaseback transactions. For the nine months ended May 31, 2018, the Company did not record any proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions. For the nine months ended May 31, 2017, the Company recorded proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions of $436 million.

The Company provides for future costs related to closed locations. The liability is 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 and nine months ended May 31, 2018,2019, the Company recorded charges of $21$53 million and $88$95 million for facilities that were closed.closed or relocated. This compares to $25$21 million and $289$88 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017.2018. These charges are reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings.


The changes in reserve for facility closings and related lease termination charges primarily in other non-current liabilities, include the following (in millions):
For the nine months ended May 31, 2018 For the twelve months ended August 31, 2017For the nine months ended May 31, 2019 For the twelve months ended August 31, 2018
Balance at beginning of period$718
 $466
$964
 $718
Provision for present value of non-cancellable lease payments on closed facilities34
 344
11
 52
Changes in assumptions7
 13
54
 19
Accretion expense47
 37
30
 58
Other - non cash1
30
 
124
 338
Cash payments, net of sublease income(159) (142)(240) (221)
Balance at end of period$677
 $718
$943
 $964

1 
Represents unfavorable lease liabilities from acquired Rite Aid stores.


As of May 31, 2018, the Company remains secondarily liable on 71 leases. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments are $311 million as of May 31, 2018.

Note 5. Equity method investments
Equity method investments as of May 31, 20182019 and August 31, 2017, are2018, were as follows (in millions, except percentages):
May 31, 2018 August 31, 2017May 31, 2019 August 31, 2018
Carrying
value
 
Ownership
percentage
 
Carrying
value
 
Ownership
percentage
Carrying
value
 
Ownership
percentage
 
Carrying
value
 
Ownership
percentage
AmerisourceBergen$5,120
 26% $5,024
 26%$5,175
 27% $5,138
 26%
Others1,152
 8% - 50% 1,296
 8% - 50%1,498
 8% - 50% 1,472
 8% - 50%
Total$6,272
   $6,320
  $6,673
   $6,610
  

AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) investment
As of May 31, 20182019 and August 31, 2017,2018, the Company owned 56,854,867 AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) common shares, representing approximately 27% and 26% of the outstanding AmerisourceBergen common stock.stock, respectively. The Company accounts for its equity investment in AmerisourceBergen using the equity method of accounting, with the net earnings attributable to the Company’s investment being classified within the operating income of its Pharmaceutical Wholesale 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 from AmerisourceBergen are reported as a separate line in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. The levelLevel 1 fair market value of the Company’s equity investment in AmerisourceBergen common stock at May 31, 2018 is $4.72019 was $4.4 billion.

As of May 31, 2018,2019, the Company’s investment in AmerisourceBergen carrying value exceeded its proportionate share of the net assets of AmerisourceBergen by $4.2$4.4 billion. This premium of $4.2$4.4 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.

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; andSinopharm Holding GuoDa Drugstores Co., Ltd., the equity methodCompany's retail pharmacy investment retained through the sale of a majority interest in China and Option Care Inc., the Company's investment in fiscal 2015.the United States.

The Company reported $5 million of post-tax equity losses and $15 million of post-tax equity earnings and $21 million of post-tax equity losses from other equity method investments, including equity method investments classified as operating, for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and May 31, 2017,2018, respectively. The Company reported $42$19 million and $7$42 million of post-tax equity earnings from other equity method investments for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018, and May 31, 2017, respectively. During the nine month period ended May 31, 2018, the Company recorded an impairment of $170 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. During the three months ended May 31, 2018, the Company completed the sale of a 30 percent interest in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals to its joint venture partner Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings resulting in a $172 million reduction in carrying value and a $8 million cumulative translation adjustment loss.

Note 6. 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. During the three months ended May 31, 2019, the Company completed quantitative impairment analysis for goodwill and certain indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the two reporting units within the

Retail Pharmacy International division, Boots and Other international. Based on this analysis, the fair value of the Boots reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value by approximately 9% and the fair value of the Pharmacy licenses is in excess of its carrying value by 5%. The Company will continue to monitor industry trends, market trends and the impact it may have on the Boots reporting unit. The determination of the fair value of the reporting units requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions. Although we believe our 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 could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of any goodwill impairment charge, or both. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets fair values are estimated using the relief from royalty method and excess earnings method of the income approach. These estimates can be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, availability of market information as well as our profitability.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment consist of the following (in millions):
Retail
Pharmacy USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Retail
Pharmacy USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Balance at August 31, 2017$9,139
 $3,392
 $3,101
 $15,632
Balance at August 31, 2018$10,483
 $3,370
 $3,061
 $16,914
Acquisitions1,361
 
 4
 1,365
8
 
 
 8
Disposals
 (8) 
 (8)
Currency translation adjustments
 54
 38
 92

 (104) (93) (197)
Balance at May 31, 2018$10,500
 $3,446
 $3,143
 $17,089
Balance at May 31, 2019$10,491
 $3,258
 $2,968
 $16,717

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

May 31, 2018 August 31, 2017May 31, 2019 August 31, 2018
Gross amortizable intangible assets      
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1
$4,331
 $2,510
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders$4,329
 $4,235
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements621
 523
661
 680
Trade names and trademarks495
 504
545
 489
Purchasing and payer contracts389
 391
382
 390
Total gross amortizable intangible assets5,836
 3,928
5,917
 5,794
      
Accumulated amortization 
  
 
  
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1
$930
 $780
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders$1,194
 $997
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements353
 355
396
 359
Trade names and trademarks190
 155
247
 206
Purchasing and payer contracts71
 51
93
 78
Total accumulated amortization1,544
 1,341
1,930
 1,640
Total amortizable intangible assets, net$4,292
 $2,587
$3,987
 $4,154
      
Indefinite lived intangible assets 
  
Indefinite-lived intangible assets 
  
Trade names and trademarks$5,696
 $5,514
$5,326
 $5,557
Pharmacy licenses2,123
 2,055
2,012
 2,072
Total indefinite lived intangible assets$7,819
 $7,569
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets$7,338
 $7,629
      
Total intangible assets, net$12,111
 $10,156
$11,325
 $11,783

1
Includes purchased prescription files.

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $142 million and $415 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019, respectively, and $146 million and $363 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018, respectively, and $98 million and $287 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017, respectively.

Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at May 31, 20182019 is as follows (in millions):

 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Estimated annual amortization expense$545
 $470
 $413
 $388
 $348
 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Estimated annual amortization expense$481
 $432
 $412
 $377
 $356


Note 7. Debt
Debt consistconsists 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, 2018 August 31, 2017May 31, 2019 August 31, 2018
Short-term debt 1
      
Commercial paper1,039
 
$2,820
 $430
Credit facilities 2
999
 
948
 999
$1 billion note issuance 3,4
 
  
5.250% unsecured notes due 2019 5
248
 
Other 6
301
 251
$8 billion note issuance 3,4
   
2.700% unsecured notes due 20191,249
 
$1 billion note issuance 5
 
  
5.250% unsecured notes due 2019 6

 249
Other 7
465
 288
Total short-term debt2,587
 251
$5,483
 $1,966
      
Long-term debt 1
 
  
 
  
$6 billion note issuance 3,7
 
  
$6 billion note issuance 3,4
 
  
3.450% unsecured notes due 20261,888
 1,887
$1,889
 $1,888
4.650% unsecured notes due 2046590
 590
591
 590
$8 billion note issuance 3,7
 
  
$8 billion note issuance 3,4
 
  
2.700% unsecured notes due 20191,247
 1,246

 1,248
3.300% unsecured notes due 20211,245
 1,244
1,246
 1,245
3.800% unsecured notes due 20241,989
 1,988
1,991
 1,990
4.500% unsecured notes due 2034495
 495
495
 495
4.800% unsecured notes due 20441,492
 1,492
1,492
 1,492
£700 million note issuance 3,7
 
  
£700 million note issuance 3,4
 
  
2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020530
 513
503
 517
3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025397
 384
376
 387
€750 million note issuance 3,7
 
  
€750 million note issuance 3,4
 
  
2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026869
 884
833
 868
$4 billion note issuance 3,4
 
  
$4 billion note issuance 3,5
 
  
3.100% unsecured notes due 20221,195
 1,195
1,197
 1,196
4.400% unsecured notes due 2042492
 492
493
 492
$1 billion note issuance 3,4
 
  
5.250% unsecured notes due 2019 5

 250
Credit facilities 2
996
 
Other 8
27
 24
25
 23
Total long-term debt, less current portion$12,456
 $12,684
$12,127
 $12,431

1 
CarryCarrying values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated borrowings havedebt has been translated using the spot rates at May 31, 20182019 and August 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
2 
Credit facilities includes borrowingsinclude debt outstanding under the February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement, the August 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement and the 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement, which arevarious credit facilities described in more detail below. From time to time, the Company may also enter into other credit facilities, including in March 2018, a $350 million short-term unsecured revolving credit facility which was undrawn as of May 31, 2018.
3 
The $6 billion, $8 billion, £0.7 billion, €0.75 billion $4 billion and $1$4 billion note issuances as of May 31, 20182019 had fair values and carrying values of $2.4$2.5 billion and $2.5 billion, $6.4 billion and $6.5 billion, $1.0$0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, $1.7$0.8 billion and $1.7 billion and $0.3 billion and $0.2$1.7 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are levelLevel 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market price and translated at the May 31, 20182019 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 May 31, 2018.2019.

4
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 Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance.
5
Includes interest rate swap fair market value adjustments. See note 9, fair value measurements for additional fair value disclosures.
6
Other short-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate borrowings with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies.
7 
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.
5
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 Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance.
6
Includes interest rate swap fair market value adjustments. See note 9, fair value measurements, for additional fair value disclosures.
7
Other short-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies.
8 
Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate borrowingsdebt in various currencies with various maturities.

January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement
On January 18, 2019, the Company entered into a $2.0 billion 364-day revolving credit agreement (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 a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 364 days following January 31, 2019, the date of the effectiveness of the commitments pursuant to the January 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2019, there were $0.2 billion of borrowings outstanding under the January 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement.

December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement
On December 21, 2018, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion revolving credit agreement (the “December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured revolving credit facility with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 18 months following January 28, 2019, the date of the effectiveness of the commitments pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding under the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement.

December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement
On December 5, 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance entered into a $1.0 billion term loan credit agreement (the “December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured term loan facility with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) January 29, 2021 and (b) the date of acceleration of all term loans pursuant to the December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2019, there were $1.0 billion of borrowings outstanding under the December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement.

November 2018 Credit Agreement
On November 30, 2018, the Company entered into a credit agreement (as amended, the “November 2018 Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto and, on March 25, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement reflecting certain changes to the borrowing notice provisions thereto. The November 2018 Credit Agreement includes a $500 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility and a $500 million senior unsecured term loan facility. The facility termination date is, with respect to the revolving credit facility, the earlier of (a) May 30, 2020 and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments pursuant to the November 2018 Credit Agreement and, with respect to the term loan facility, the earlier of (a) May 30, 2020 and (b) the date of acceleration of all term loans pursuant to the November 2018 Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2019, there were $0.8 billion of borrowings outstanding under the November 2018 Credit Agreement.

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 an 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 the 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, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding under the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement.


August 2017 Credit Agreements
On August 24, 2017, the Company 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”).

The August 2017 Revolving On November 30, 2018, in connection with the entrance into the November 2018 Credit Agreement, is an unsecured revolving credit facilitythe Company terminated the 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement in accordance with a facility terminationits terms and as of such date of the earlier of (a)paid all amounts due in connection therewith. On January 31, 2019, subject to any extension thereof pursuant to the terms of the August 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement matured and (b) the date of terminationCompany paid all amounts due in whole of the aggregate commitments provided by the lenders thereunder. As of May 31, 2018, there were no borrowings outstanding under the August 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement. The 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement is an unsecured “multi-draw” term loan facility which matures on March 30, 2019.  As of May 31, 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance had $1.0 billion of borrowings outstanding under the 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement, and no additional commitments were available.connection therewith.

February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement
On February 1, 2017, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion revolving credit facility (as amended, the “February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto and, on August 1, 2017, the Company entered into an amendment agreement thereto. The terms and conditions ofOn January 31, 2019, the February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement were unchanged by the amendment other than the extension of the facility termination date to the earlier of (a) January 31, 2019 and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate commitments provided by the lenders thereunder. As of May 31, 2018, there were no borrowings outstanding under the February 2017 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 notesmatured 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 redeemCompany paid 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 outstandingamounts due in accordance with their respective terms.connection therewith.

Debt covenants
Each of the Company’s credit facilities 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 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 $1.4 billion of commercial paper outstanding of $2.6 billion and $1.4 billion at a weighted average interest rate of 3.08% and 2.00% for the nine months ended May 31, 2018. The Company had no activity under its commercial paper program for the nine months ended May 31, 2017.2019 and 2018, respectively.

Interest
Interest paid was $450$570 million and $573$450 million for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and May 31, 2017,2018, respectively.

Note 8. Financial instruments
The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks.

The notional amounts and fair value and balance sheet presentation of derivative instruments outstanding as of May 31, 2018 and August 31, 2017 arewere as follows (in millions):

May 31, 2019 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
Derivatives designated as hedges:      
Foreign currency forwards $37
 $1
 Other current assets
Cross currency interest rate swaps 800
 39
 Other non-current assets
Derivatives not designated as hedges:      
Foreign currency forwards 3,105
 107
 Other current assets
Foreign currency forwards 658
 3
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities
May 31, 2018 August 31, 2017 
Notional 1
 Fair value 
Notional 1
 Fair value 
Location in Consolidated
Condensed Balance Sheets
August 31, 2018 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
Derivatives designated as hedges:             
Interest rate swaps$
 $
 $250
 $
 Other non-current assets
Interest rate swaps250
 2
 
 
 Other current liabilities $250
 $1
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Foreign currency forwards28
 
 24
 
 Other current assets 15
 
 Other current assets
Derivatives not designated as hedges:             
Foreign currency forwards$3,762
 $147
 $221
 $
 Other current assets 3,273
 52
 Other current assets
Foreign currency forwards
 
 2,816
 19
 Other current liabilities 825
 4
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities

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

The Company has non-U.S. dollar denominated net investments and uses interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate exposure associated with some of its fixed-rate borrowingsforeign currency denominated financial instruments, specifically foreign currency derivatives and designates them as fair value hedges. From time to time, the Company may use forward starting interest rate swapsforeign currency denominated debt, to hedge interest rate exposure of some or all of its anticipated debt issuances.foreign currency risk.

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.S. dollar denominated net investmentsuses interest rate swaps from time to time to manage the interest rate exposure associated with some of its fixed-rate debt and designates them as fair value hedges. From time to time, the Company uses foreign currency denominated financial instruments, specifically foreign currency derivatives and foreign currency denominated debt,forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge its foreign currency risk.interest rate exposure of some of its anticipated debt issuances.

Fair valueNet investment hedges
The Company holds anuses cross currency interest rate swap converting $250 millionswaps as hedges of its 5.250% fixed rate notes to a floating interest rate based on the six-month LIBORnet investments in arrears plus a constant spread. The swap termination date coincidessubsidiaries with the January 15, 2019 maturity date of the notes. This swap was designated as a fair value hedge.

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 fixed to variable rate and designated as fair value hedgesderivatives are includedrecorded in long-term debt on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (see note 7, debt)currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

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 income and (expense) due to changes in fair value of these derivative instruments were recognized in earnings as follows (in millions):
  Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
  Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Location in Consolidated Condensed
Statements of Earnings
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Location in Consolidated
Condensed Statements of Earnings
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Foreign currency forwardsSelling, general and administrative expenses $108
 $(19) $(75) $28
Selling, general and administrative expenses $140
 $108
 $80
 $(75)
Foreign currency forwardsOther income (expense) 3
 (1) 36
 (15)Other income (expense) (8) 3
 (10) 36

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. 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):
May 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3May 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:
              
Money market funds1
$1,104
 $1,104
 $
 $
$177
 $177
 $
 $
Available-for-sale investments2
1
 1
 
 
Investments in equity securities2
4
 4
 
 
Foreign currency forwards3
147
 
 147
 
108
 
 108
 
Cross currency interest rate swaps4
39
 
 39
 
Liabilities:
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Interest rate swaps4
2
 
 2
 
Foreign currency forwards3
3
 
 3
 
Cross currency interest rate swaps4

 
 
 

August 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3August 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:
              
Money market funds1
$2,096
 $2,096
 $
 $
$227
 $227
 $
 $
Available-for-sale investments2
1
 1
 
 
1
 1
 
 
Foreign currency forwards3
52
 
 52
 
Liabilities:
 
    
  
 
    
  
Interest rate swaps4
1
 
 1
 
Foreign currency forwards3
19
 
 19
 
4
 
 4
 

1 
Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor.
2 
The fairFair value of quoted investments are based on current bid prices as of the balance sheet dates.May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018.
3 
The fair value of forward currency contracts areis 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 and cross currency 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.

There were no transfers between levelsLevels for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018.2019.

The Company reports its debt instruments under the guidance of ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which requires disclosure of the fair value of the Company’s debt in the footnotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise noted, the fair value for all notes was determined based upon quoted market prices and therefore categorized as levelLevel 1. See note 7, debt, for further information. The carrying values of accounts receivable net and trade accounts payable approximated their respective fair values due to their short-term nature.

Note 10. Commitments and contingencies
The Company is involved in legal proceedings, including litigation, arbitration and is subject toother claims, and investigations, inspections, 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. 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 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. 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.

The results of legal proceedings are often uncertain and difficult to predict, and the costs incurred in litigation can be substantial, regardless of the outcome. 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 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 a quarterly basis, 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 will 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/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 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’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 litigation 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, including the corresponding accruals, could change because of the discovery of facts with respect to legal actions or other proceedings pending against the Company which are not presently known. Adverse rulings or determinations by judges, juries, governmental authorities or other parties could also result 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.paid.

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. 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 is described below, on November 3, 2016, the Court entered a stipulation and order extending the stay until the resolution of the securities case is fully resolved.case.

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. 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 appointing a lead plaintiff. Pursuant to the Court’s order, lead plaintiff filed an amendeda consolidated class action 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 granting in part and denying 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. PlaintiffsPlaintiff filed theirits motion for class certification on April 21, 2017. Plaintiffs’The Court granted plaintiffs’ motion was granted on March 29, 2018 and merits discovery is proceeding. On December 19, 2018, plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint and defendants moved to dismiss the new complaint on February 19, 2019. The motion has been fully briefed.

As of August 31, 2017,the date of this report, the Company was aware of two previously disclosed 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 outcertain of its officers regarding the transactions contemplated by the original Merger Agreementmerger agreement between the Company and Rite Aid (prior to its amendment on January 29, 2017) (such transactions, the “Rite Aid Transactions”). One of the Rite Aid actionactions was filed in the State of Pennsylvania in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County (the “Pennsylvania action”), and primarily alleged that Walgreens Boots Alliance and one of its subsidiaries aided and abetted certain alleged breaches of fiduciary duty by the board of directors of Rite Aid in connection with the Rite Aid Transactions. This action was terminated by the court for lack of prosecution in December 2018. The other action was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (the “federal action”). The Pennsylvania action primarily alleged that the 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,alleges, among other things, that Rite Aidthe Company and certain of its board of directors disseminated an allegedlyofficers made false andor misleading proxy statement in connection withstatements regarding the Rite Aid Transactions. The plaintiffs incourt denied the federal action also 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 agreed to stay the litigation until after the Rite Aid Transactions closed. On March 17, 2017, plaintiffs moved to lift the stay to allow plaintiffs to file an amended complaint. On August 4, 2017, that motion was granted for the limited purpose of allowing 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 their amended complaint on December 11, 2017. Pursuant to a briefing schedule set by the Court, the

Company filed aCompany’s motion to dismiss on February 16, 2018. Plaintiffs filed their response brief on May 1, 2018 and reply briefs were filed on June 7, 2018.

The Company was also named as a defendant in eight putative class action lawsuits filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware actions”). Those actions were consolidated, and plaintiffs 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 the plaintiffs in the Delaware actions agreed to settle this matter for an immaterial amount. The Delaware actions all have been dismissed.federal action.

In December 2017, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated numerous cases filed against an array of defendants by various plaintiffs such as counties, cities, hospitals, Indian tribes and 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), is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The Company is named as a defendant in a subset of the cases included in this multidistrict litigation. The Company also has been named as a defendant in severalnumerous lawsuits brought in state courts relating to opioid matters. The relief sought by various plaintiffs is compensatory and punitive damages, as well as injunctive relief. Additionally, the Company has received from the Attorney Generals of several states subpoenas, civil investigative demands and/or other requests concerning opioid matters.

On September 28, 2018, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement with the SEC to fully resolve an investigation into certain forward-looking financial goals and related disclosures by Walgreens. The disclosures at issue were made prior to the strategic combination with Alliance Boots and the merger pursuant to which Walgreens Boots Alliance became the parent holding company on December 31, 2014. The settlement does not involve any of the Company’s current officers or executives, nor does it allege intentional or reckless conduct by the Company. In agreeing to the settlement, the Company neither admitted nor denied the SEC’s allegations. Pursuant to the agreement with the SEC, the Company consented to the SEC’s issuance of an administrative order, and the Company paid a $34.5 million penalty, which was fully reserved for in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of August 31, 2018.

On January 22, 2019, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement to resolve a civil investigation involving allegations under the False Claims Act by a United States Attorney’s Office, working in conjunction with several states, regarding certain dispensing practices. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid $209.2 million to the United States and the various states involved in the matter, substantially all of which was reserved for in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of November 30, 2018.

Note 11. Income taxes
The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended May 31, 20182019 was 13.0% and 14.7% respectively, compared to 7.6% and 19.4% respectively, compared to 12.4% and 16.2% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017. As further described below, the decrease2018, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended andMay 31, 2019 was primarily due to net discrete tax benefits in the increaseprior year as a result of the U.S. tax law changes. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 were significantly impacted by an additional provisional net tax benefit of $140 million and a provisional net tax expense of $44 million respectively, as a result of the U.S. tax law changes, which were enacted on December 22, 2017. The decrease in the prior year comparable periods are2019 was primarily due to higherthe net discrete tax benefits. In addition,expense in the Company's results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018 also include a net reduction to the Company’s estimated annual tax rate for the currentprior year as a result of the U.S. tax law changes.

Income taxes paid for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 were $428$824 million, compared to $839$428 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2017.2018.

U.S.On June 21, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations relating to the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) and foreign tax law changes
The United States government enacted comprehensive tax legislation in December 2017. The accounting guidance on income taxes generally requires the effects of new tax legislation to be recognized in the period of enactment. The SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides for a measurement period of up to one year from the enactment date for companies to complete their accounting for the U.S. tax law changes. In accordance with the SEC staff guidance, companies must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the U.S. tax law changes for which the accounting is complete. To the extent a company’s accounting for the income tax effect of certaincredit provisions of the U.S. tax law changes is incomplete but theenacted in December 2017. The Company is able to determine a reasonable estimate, a provisional estimate must be recorded in the Company’sevaluating any potential impact on its financial statements. If companies cannot determine a provisional estimate for the effects of an aspect of the U.S. tax law changes, they should continue applying the accounting guidance on income taxes on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws in effect immediately before the U.S. tax law changes were enacted.

The U.S. tax law changes include broad and complex changes affecting the Company’s fiscal 2018 results. Among other things, the U.S. tax law changes reduce the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 and require companies to immediately accrue for and pay over an eight year period a one-time transition tax on certain un-repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The U.S. tax law changes also alter the taxation of foreign earnings, repeal of the deduction for domestic production activities and establish a global intangible low tax income (GILTI) regime, as well as base erosion anti-avoidance tax (BEAT).

In connection with the Company’s ongoing analysis of the impact of the U.S. tax law changes, which is provisional and subject to change, the Company recorded a net tax expense of $44 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2018. This provisional net tax expense arises from the Company’s accrual for the transition tax and other U.S. tax law changes of $679 million, partly offset by a benefit of $635 million from re-measuring the Company’s net U.S. deferred tax liabilities.

Based on the effective dates of certain aspects of the U.S. tax law changes as well as estimated data required to be used in the corresponding measurement calculations, the Company’s analysis of the income tax effects of the U.S. tax law changes could not be finalized as of May 31, 2018. While the Company made reasonable estimates of the impact of the transition tax and the remeasurement of its deferred tax assets and liabilities, the final impact of the U.S. tax law changes may differ from these estimates, due to, among other things, changes in its interpretations and assumptions, additional guidance and actions the

Company may take. The Company expects to finalize such provisional amounts within the time period prescribed by SAB 118. The U.S. tax law changes created new rules that allow the Company to make an accounting policy election to either treat taxes due on future GILTI inclusions in taxable income as either a current period expense or reflect such inclusions related to temporary basis differences in the Company’s measurement of deferred taxes. The Company’s analysis of the new GILTI rules is not complete; therefore, the Company has not made a policy election regarding the tax accounting treatment of the GILTI tax.

The U.S. tax law changes have the potential to change the Company’s assertions with respect to whether earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries should remain indefinitely reinvested. The Company continues to evaluate these changes, therefore, the Company has not made any changes to its indefinite reinvestment assertions.

Note 12. 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. 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”).Kingdom. 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 for the defined benefit pension plans (in millions):
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
 Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings2019 2018 2019 2018
Service costs$2
 $1
 $5
 $3
Selling, general and administrative expenses$2
 $2
 $4
 $5
Interest costs50
 43
 146
 129
Other expense1
49
 50
 148
 146
Expected returns on plan assets/other(54) (41) (158) (112)
Other income1
(61) (54) (186) (158)
Total net periodic pension costs$(2) $3
 $(7) $20
Total net periodic pension costs (income) $(10) $(2) $(34) $(7)

1 Shown as Other income (expense) on Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings.

The Company made cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of $57$28 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2018,2019, which primarily related to committed funded payments. The Company plans to contribute an additional $7$6 million to its defined benefit pension plans in fiscal 2018.2019.

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 $53$58 million and $164$183 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 20182019 compared to an expense of $58$53 million and $164 million in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017.2018.

The Company also has certain contract basedcontract-based defined contribution arrangements. The principal one is the Alliance Healthcare & Boots Retirement Savings Plan, which is United Kingdom 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 May 31, 20182019 was $33$32 million and $94$96 million compared to a cost of $26$33 million and $82$94 million in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017.

Postretirement healthcare plan
The Company provides certain health insurance benefits to retired U.S. employees who meet eligibility requirements, including age, years of service and date of hire. The costs of these benefits are accrued over the service life of the employee. An amendment to this plan in the third quarter of fiscal 2017 resulted in a $109 million curtailment gain.2018.

Note 13. 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 12.1 million outstanding options to purchase common shares that were anti-dilutive and excluded from the third quarter earnings per share calculation as of May 31, 2018 compared to 6.4 million as of May 31, 2017. Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the year to date earnings per share calculation were 10.1 million for the period ended May 31, 2018 compared to 5.7 million for the period ended May 31, 2017.

Note 14. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
The following is a summary of net changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") by component and net of tax for the three and nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and May 31, 20172018 (in millions):
 
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 February 28, 2018$(141) $
 $(32) $
 $(1,990) $(2,163)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments
 
 
 3
 (647) (644)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI(2) 
 1
 11
 8
 18
Tax benefit (provision)
 
 
 (3) 
 (3)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(2) 
 1
 11
 (639) (629)
Balance at May 31, 2018$(143) $
 $(31) $11
 $(2,629) $(2,792)
 
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) 
 
 7
 240
 246
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI(5) 
 3
 11
 8
 17
Tax benefit (provision)2
 
 (1) (5) 
 (4)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(4) 
 2
 13
 248
 259
Balance at May 31, 2018$(143) $
 $(31) $11
 $(2,629) $(2,792)

 
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 February 28, 2017$(216) $1
 $(35) $(6) $(3,553) $(3,809)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments(102) (1) 
 4
 499
 400
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI1
109
 
 1
 
 
 110
Tax benefit (provision)(2) 
 
 (2) 
 (4)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)5
 (1) 1
 2
 499
 506
Balance at May 31, 2017$(211) $
 $(34) $(4) $(3,054) $(3,303)
 Pension/ post-
retirement
obligations

Unrealized
gain (loss) on
hedges

Share of AOCI of
equity method
investments

Cumulative
translation
adjustments
 Total
Balance at February 28, 2019$95
 $(40) $2
 $(2,762) $(2,705)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments1
 56
 1
 (733) (675)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(4) 1
 
 
 (2)
Tax benefit (provision)1
 (14) 
 1
 (12)
Net change in other comprehensive
income (loss)
(2) 44
 1
 (732) (689)
Balance at May 31, 2019$93
 $4
 $4
 $(3,493) $(3,393)
 Pension/ post-
retirement
obligations

Unrealized
gain (loss) on
hedges

Share of AOCI of
equity method
investments

Cumulative
translation
adjustments
 Total
Balance at August 31, 2018$101
 $(30) $3
 $(3,076) $(3,002)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments1
 40
 (1) (415) (376)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(12) 4
 
 
 (8)
Other
 
 
 
 
Tax benefit (provision)3
 (10) 
 (1) (8)
Net change in other comprehensive
income (loss)
(8) 33
 (1) (416) (393)
Balance at May 31, 2019$93
 $4
 $4
 $(3,493) $(3,393)

 Pension/ post-
retirement
obligations

Unrealized
gain (loss) on
hedges

Share of AOCI of
equity method
investments

Cumulative
translation
adjustments
 Total
Balance at February 28, 2018$(141) $(32) $
 $(1,990) $(2,163)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments
 
 3
 (647) (644)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(2) 1
 11
 8
 18
Tax benefit (provision)
 
 (3) 
 (3)
Net change in other comprehensive
income (loss)
(2) 1
 11
 (639) (629)
Balance at May 31, 2018$(143) $(31) $11
 $(2,629) $(2,792)


 
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(107) (2) 
 (4) (310) (423)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI1
109
 
 4
 
 
 113
Tax benefit (provision)(1) 
 (1) 1
 
 (1)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)1
 (2) 3
 (3) (310) (311)
Balance at May 31, 2017$(211) $
 $(34) $(4) $(3,054) $(3,303)
 Pension/ post-
retirement
obligations

Unrealized
gain (loss) on
hedges

Share of AOCI of
equity method
investments

Cumulative
translation
adjustments
 Total
Balance at August 31, 2017$(139) $(33) $(2) $(2,877) $(3,051)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments(1) 
 7
 240
 246
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(5) 3
 11
 8
 17
Tax benefit (provision)2
 (1) (5) 
 (4)
Net change in other comprehensive
income (loss)
(4) 2
 13
 248
 259
Balance at May 31, 2018$(143) $(31) $11
 $(2,629) $(2,792)

1
Includes amendment to U.S. postretirement healthcare plan resulting in a curtailment gain. See note 12, retirement benefits.

Note 15.14. Segment reporting
The Company has aligned its operations into three reportable segments: Retail Pharmacy USA,USA; Retail Pharmacy International,International; and Pharmaceutical Wholesale. 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. 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, therefore the total asset disclosure by segment has not been included.

Retail Pharmacy USA
The Retail Pharmacy USA segment consists of the Walgreens business, which includes the operation of retail drugstores, and convenient care clinics;clinics and operation of mail and central specialty pharmacy services. 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 and personal care and consumables and general merchandise.

Retail Pharmacy International
The Retail Pharmacy International segment consists of pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses and optical practices. These businesses include Boots branded stores in the United Kingdom, Thailand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands;Netherlands, Benavides in Mexico and Ahumada in Chile. Sales for the segment are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and health and wellness, beauty and personal care and other consumer products.

Pharmaceutical Wholesale
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 segment include procurement benefits and an allocation of corporate-related overhead costs. The “Eliminations” column contains items not allocable to the reportable segments, as the information is not utilized by the chief operating decision maker to assess segment performance and allocate resources.


The following table reflects results of operations of the Company’s reportable segments (in millions):
 
Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Three months ended May 31, 2018         
Sales to external customers$25,917
 $2,995
 $5,422
 $
 $34,334
Intersegment sales
 
 543
 (543) 
Sales$25,917
 $2,995
 $5,965
 $(543) $34,334
          
Adjusted operating income$1,492
 $198
 $257
 $
 $1,947
          
Three months ended May 31, 2017 
  
  
  
  
Sales to external customers$22,528
 $2,809
 $4,781
 $
 $30,118
Intersegment sales
 
 515
 (515) 
Sales$22,528
 $2,809
 $5,296
 $(515) $30,118
          
Adjusted operating income$1,463
 $193
 $253
 $5
 $1,914
 
Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Nine months ended May 31, 2018         
Sales to external customers$72,884
 $9,395
 $15,816
 $
 $98,095
Intersegment sales
 
 1,622
 (1,622) 
Sales$72,884
 $9,395
 $17,438
 $(1,622) $98,095
          
Adjusted operating income$4,518
 $688
 $712
 $1
 $5,919
          
Nine months ended May 31, 2017         
Sales to external customers$65,001
 $8,872
 $14,192
 $
 $88,065
Intersegment sales
 
 1,551
 (1,551) 
Sales$65,001
 $8,872
 $15,743
 $(1,551) $88,065
          
Adjusted operating income$4,304
 $648
 $703
 $1
 $5,656

The following tableand reconciles adjusted operating income to operating income for the Company's reportable segments (in millions):


Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 
Eliminations1
 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Three months ended May 31, 2018         
Three months ended May 31, 2019         
Sales$26,513
 $2,776
 $5,865
 $(563) $34,591
         
Adjusted operating income$1,492
 $198
 $257
 $
 $1,947
$1,286
 $165
 $265
 $1
 $1,717
Acquisition-related amortization 
  
  
  
 (131) 
  
  
  
 (127)
Transformational cost management 
  
  
  
 (86)
Acquisition-related costs 
  
  
  
 (57) 
  
  
  
 (80)
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen        (137)
Store optimization        (49)
LIFO provision 
  
  
  
 (69) 
  
  
  
 (29)
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
  
  
  
 (60)
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements 
  
  
  
 (5) 
  
  
  
 (7)
Store optimization        (24)
Operating income 
  
  
  
 $1,601
 
  
  
  
 $1,203
                  
Three months ended May 31, 2017 
  
  
  
  
Adjusted operating income$1,463
 $193
 $253
 $5
 $1,914
Three months ended May 31, 2018 
  
  
  
  
Sales$25,917
 $2,995
 $5,965
 $(543) $34,334
         
Adjusted operating income3
$1,492
 $193
 $258
 $
 $1,943
Acquisition-related amortization 
  
  
  
 (83)        (131)
Acquisition-related costs        (29) 
  
  
  
 (57)
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
  
  
  
 (60)
Store optimization        (24)
LIFO provision 
  
  
  
 (97)        (69)
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
  
  
  
 (17)
Cost transformation        (171)
Operating income 
  
  
  
 $1,517
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements2
 
  
  
  
 (5)
Operating income3
 
  
  
  
 $1,597




Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 
Retail
Pharmacy
International
 
Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 
Eliminations1
 
Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Nine months ended May 31, 2018         
Nine months ended May 31, 2019         
Sales$78,491
 $8,759
 $17,311
 $(1,649) $102,912
         
Adjusted operating income$4,518
 $688
 $712
 $1
 $5,919
$4,119
 $553
 $710
 $1
 $5,384
Acquisition-related amortization 
  
  
  
 (329) 
  
  
  
 (373)
Transformational cost management 
  
  
  
 (265)
Acquisition-related costs 
  
  
  
 (173) 
  
  
  
 (228)
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
  
  
  
 (191)
Store optimization 
  
  
  
 (99)
LIFO provision 
  
  
  
 (166)        (77)
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
  
  
  
 (136)
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements 
  
  
  
 (120)        (31)
Hurricane-related costs        (83)
Store optimization        (24)
Asset recovery        15
Operating income 
  
  
  
 $4,903
 
  
  
  
 $4,120
                  
Nine months ended May 31, 2017 
  
  
  
  
Adjusted operating income$4,304
 $648
 $703
 $1
 $5,656
Nine months ended May 31, 2018 
  
  
  
  
Sales$72,884
 $9,395
 $17,438
 $(1,622) $98,095
         
Adjusted operating income3
$4,520
 $674
 $714
 $1
 $5,909
Acquisition-related amortization 
  
  
  
 (247) 
  
  
  
 (329)
Acquisition-related costs        (75)        (173)
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
  
  
  
 (136)
Store optimization 
  
  
  
 (24)
LIFO provision 
  
  
  
 (204) 
  
  
  
 (166)
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
  
  
  
 (95)
Cost transformation 
  
  
  
 (592)
Operating income 
  
  
  
 $4,443
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements2
 
  
  
  
 (120)
Asset recovery        15
Hurricane-related costs        (83)
Operating income3
        $4,893

1
Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments.
2
As previously disclosed, beginning in the quarter ended August 31, 2018, management reviewed and refined its practice to include all charges related to the matters included in certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements. In order to present non-GAAP measures on a consistent basis for fiscal year 2018, the Company included adjustments in the quarter ended August 31, 2018 of $14 million, $50 million and $5 million which were previously accrued in the Company’s financial statements for the quarters ended November 30, 2017, February 28, 2018 and May 31, 2018, respectively. These additional adjustments impact the comparability of such results to the results reported in prior and future quarters.
3
The Company adopted new accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) on a retrospective basis for the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings presentation. See note 17, new accounting pronouncements, for further information.


Note 15. 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,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Retail Pharmacy USA       
Pharmacy$19,585
 $18,790
 $57,624
 $52,258
Retail6,928
 7,127
 20,867
 20,626
Total26,513
 25,917
 78,491
 72,884
        
Retail Pharmacy International       
Pharmacy1,047
 1,111
 3,096
 3,316
Retail1,730
 1,884
 5,662
 6,079
Total2,776
 2,995
 8,759
 9,395
        
Pharmaceutical Wholesale5,865
 5,965
 17,311
 17,438
        
Eliminations1
(563) (543) (1,649) (1,622)
        
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.$34,591
 $34,334
 $102,912
 $98,095

1
Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments.

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 Balance Rewards® and Boots Advantage Card loyalty programs. Under such programs, customers earn reward points on purchases for redemption at a later date. See note 18, supplemental information, for further information on receivables from contracts with customers.

Note 16. 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
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Purchases, net$15,830
 $10,703
 $39,566
 $31,941
 May 31, 2018 August 31, 2017
Trade accounts payable, net$5,802
 $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,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Purchases, net$14,684
 $15,830
 $43,070
 $39,566
 May 31, 2019 August 31, 2018
Trade accounts payable, net$6,520
 $6,274

Note 17. New accounting pronouncements
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements
Accounting for hedging activitiesPresentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost
In AugustMarch 2017, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2017-12, DerivativeAccounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This ASU expandsrequires an entity’s abilityemployer to hedge nonfinancial report the service cost component of net periodic pension cost

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 changenet periodic postretirement benefit cost in the fair valuesame line item in the statement of a hedging instrumentearnings as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the related employees during the period. All other net cost components are required to be presented in the samestatement 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. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) on a retrospective basis and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position. The impact on our previously reported net periodic costs as a result of the retrospective adoption of this standard results in a reclassification from selling, general and administrative expenses to other income (expense) of $125 million, $73 million and $(69) million for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The updated accounting policy for pension and postretirement benefits is as follows:

Pension and postretirement benefits
The Company has various defined benefit pension plans, which cover some of its non-U.S. employees. The Company also has a postretirement healthcare plan, which covers qualifying U.S. employees. Eligibility and the level of benefits for these plans vary depending on participants’ status, date of hire and or length of service. Pension and postretirement plan expenses and valuations are dependent on assumptions used by third-party actuaries in calculating those amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, healthcare cost trends, long-term return on plan assets, retirement rates, mortality rates and other factors. The Company funds its pension plans in accordance with applicable regulations. The Company records the service cost component of net pension cost and net postretirement benefit cost in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company records all other net cost components of net pension cost and net postretirement benefit cost in other income (expense). See note 12, retirement benefits, for further information.

The following is a reconciliation of the effect of the reclassification of all other net cost components (excluding service cost component) of net pension cost and net postretirement benefit cost from selling, general and administrative expenses to other income (expense) in the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (in millions):
 As reported Adjustments As revised
Three months ended May 31, 2018 
  
  
Selling, general and administrative expenses$6,231
 $4
 $6,235
Operating income1,601
 (4) 1,597
Other income (expense)(4) 4
 

 As reported Adjustments As revised
Nine months ended May 31, 2018 
  
  
Selling, general and administrative expenses$18,456
 $10
 $18,466
Operating income4,903
 (10) 4,893
Other income (expense)(132) 10
 (122)

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. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) on a full retrospective basis and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s Statement of Cash Flows.


The following is a reconciliation of the effect on the relevant line items on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 as the hedged item. It also eases certain documentation and assessment requirements and modifies thea result of adopting this new accounting guidance (in millions):
 As reported Adjustments As revised
Nine months ended May 31, 2018 
  
  
Trade accounts payable$627
 $48
 $675
Accrued expenses and other liabilities10
 6
 16
Other non-current assets and liabilities(117) 7
 (110)
Net cash provided by operating activities5,385
 61
 5,446
      
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash26
 1
 27
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(1,483) 61
 (1,422)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period3,301
 195
 3,496
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$1,818
 $256
 $2,074

Tax accounting for components excludedintra-entity asset transfers
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. This ASU 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. 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. This ASU does not change the pre-tax effects of an intra-entity asset transfer under Topic 810, Consolidation, or for an intra-entity transfer of inventory. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) on a modified retrospective basis and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations.

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. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) and adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s Statement of Cash Flows.

Revenue recognition on contracts with customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Subsequently, the FASB issued additional ASUs, which further clarify this guidance. This ASU provides a single principles-based revenue recognition model with a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance on September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) using the modified retrospective transition approach for all contracts and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations. The adoption mainly resulted in changes to recognition of revenues related to loyalty programs and gift card breakage. Prior to adoption, the Company used the cost approach to account for loyalty programs. Upon adoption, the Company uses the deferred revenue approach. Prior to adoption, gift card breakage was primarily recognized at point of sale. Upon adoption, all gift card breakage is recognized based on the redemption pattern. The changes in accounting for loyalty programs and gift card breakage resulted in a cumulative transition adjustment of $98 million in retained earnings. See note 15, sales, for additional disclosures. The updated accounting policy for revenue recognition and loyalty programs are as follows:


Revenue recognition
Retail Pharmacy USA and Retail Pharmacy International
The Company recognizes revenue, net of taxes and expected returns, at the time it sells merchandise or dispenses prescription drugs to the customer. The Company estimates revenue based on expected reimbursements from third-party payers (e.g., pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies and governmental agencies) for dispensing prescription drugs. The estimates are based on all available information including historical experience and are updated to actual reimbursement amounts.

Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Wholesale revenue is recognized, net of taxes and expected returns, upon shipment of goods, which is generally also the day of delivery. Returns are estimated using expected returns.

Loyalty programs and gift card
The Company’s loyalty rewards programs represent a separate performance obligation and are accounted for using the deferred revenue approach. When goods are sold, the transaction price is allocated between goods sold and loyalty points awarded based upon the relative standalone selling price. The revenue allocated to the loyalty points is recognized upon redemption. Loyalty program breakage is recognized as revenue based on the redemption pattern.

Customer purchases of gift cards are not recognized as revenue until the card is redeemed. Gift card breakage (i.e., unused gift card) is recognized as revenue based on the redemption pattern.

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. Subsequently, the FASB issued additional ASUs, which further clarify this guidance. 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 less impairment, if any, and 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 hedge effectiveness.equity investments previous held at cost. Separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category is required. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) and adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. The new guidance was applied on a modified retrospective basis, with the exception of the amendments related to the measurement alternative for equity investments without readily determinable fair values, which was applied on a prospective basis.

New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
Investments - equity securities
In April 2019, the FASB issued 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 adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant 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. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021). The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Financial instruments - hedging and derivatives
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. This ASU permits use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (fiscal 2020), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted thisnew guidance during the third fiscal quarter of 2018.must be applied on a prospective basis. The adoption didof this ASU is not expected to have anya significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. The updated accounting policy for financial instruments is as follows:

Financial instruments
The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to interest rateIntangibles – goodwill and currency risks arising from operating and financing activities. In accordance with its risk management policies, the Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.other – internal-use software

Derivatives are recognizedIn August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This ASU addresses customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract and also adds certain disclosure requirements related to implementation costs incurred for internal-use software and cloud computing arrangements. This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this ASU can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values. When the Company becomes a party to a derivative instrument and intends to apply hedge accounting, it formally documents the hedge relationship and the risk management objective for undertaking the hedge which includes designating the instrument forCompany’s financial reporting purposes as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge,position or a net investment hedge. The accounting for changes in fair valueresults of a derivative instrument depends on whether the Company had designated it in a qualifying hedging relationship and on the type of hedging relationship. The Company applies the following accounting policies:operations.

Changes inCompensation – retirement benefits – defined benefit plans
In August 2018, the fair value of a derivative designated as a fair value hedge, along withFASB 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 gain or loss onrequirement to disclose the hedged asset or liability attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in the same line item - interest expense, net.
Changes in the fair value of a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge are recordedamounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)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 Consolidated Statementsbenefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. This ASU is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 (fiscal 2022) and must be applied on a full retrospective basis. The Company is evaluating the effect of Comprehensive Incomeadopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company's financial position and reclassified into earnings indisclosures.

Fair value measurement
In August 2018, the period or periods during which the hedged item affects earnings and is presented in the same line itemFASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). This ASU eliminates such disclosures as the earnings effectamount of the hedged item.

Changes inand reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The ASU adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for any eliminated or modified disclosures. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a derivative designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation are recorded in cumulative translation adjustments within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) inmaterial impact on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Recognition in earnings of amounts previously recorded in cumulative translation adjustments is limited to circumstances such as complete or substantially complete liquidationCompany's disclosures.

Compensation – stock compensation
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This ASU eliminated most of the net investment indifferences between accounting guidance for share-based compensation granted to nonemployees and the hedged investments in foreign operations.

Changes inguidance for share-based compensation granted to employees. The ASU supersedes the fair value of a derivative not designated in a hedging relationship are recognized inguidance for nonemployees and expands the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Cash receipts or payments on a settlement of a derivative contract are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consistent with the naturescope of the underlying hedged item.guidance for employees to include both. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (fiscal 2020), and interim periods within those years. 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 financial position.

For derivative instruments designated as hedges, the Company assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. Highly effective means that cumulative changes in the fair value of the derivative are between 80% and 125% of the cumulative changes in the fair value of the hedged item. In addition, when the Company determines that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, hedge accounting is discontinued. When it is probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting for the affected portion of the forecasted transaction, and reclassifies any gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. When a derivative in a hedge relationship is terminated or the hedged item is sold, extinguished or terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively.

New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
Accounting for reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income
In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU addresses the income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) whichthat were originally recognized in other comprehensive income, rather than in income from continuing operations. Specifically, it permits a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for the adjustment of deferred taxes due to the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate resulting from the U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017. It also requires certain disclosures about these reclassifications. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (fiscal 2020), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance must be applied either on a prospective basis in the period of adoption or

retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the U.S. tax law changes are recognized. 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 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 interim 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).

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 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 Statement of Cash Flows. The Company will adopt this new accounting guidance as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019).

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. The Company will adopt this new accounting guidance as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019).

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 has evaluated the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance and determined that adoption will not have a material impact on the Company’s Statement of Cash Flows. The Company will adopt this new accounting guidance as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019).

Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes Topic 840, Leases. Subsequently, the FASB has issued additional ASUs, which further clarify this guidance. 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-useright-of-use asset and lease liability. The lease liability which is initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments.payments and the asset is based on the liability, subject to certain adjustments. 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. In July 2018, a new ASU was issued to provide relief to the companies from restating the comparative period. Pursuant to this ASU, WBA will not restate comparative periods presented in the Company’s financial statements in the period of adoption.

The Company will adopt this ASU and related amendments on September 1, 2019 (fiscal 2020). The Company has begun evaluating and planningcontinues to plan for adoption and implementation of this ASU, including implementing a new global 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. Subsequently, the FASB has issued additional ASUs which further clarify this guidance. 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 the measurement alternative for equity investments without readily determinable fair values, which must be applied on a prospective 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).

Revenue recognition on contracts with customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU provides a single principles-based revenue recognition model with a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Subsequently, the FASB has issued additional ASUs which further clarify this guidance and also defer the effective date by one year to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal 2019), and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of this ASU, the related amendments and the interpretive guidance on the Company's consolidated financial statements, and will use the modified retrospective method as the transition approach when adopting this new accounting guidance on September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019). Based on the preliminary assessment, the impact of adopting the new guidance will not be material to the consolidated financial statements and will be limited to immaterial changes to the timing of recognition of revenues related to loyalty programs and gift cards, in addition to disaggregated revenue disclosures. Specifically, the Company currently uses the cost approach to account for loyalty programs. Upon adoption, the Company will use the deferred revenue approach. Additionally, gift card breakage currently is recognized at point of sale by the Retail Pharmacy USA segment and upon expiration primarily within the Retail Pharmacy International segment. Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance, all breakage will be recognized based on the pattern in which the customer redeems the gift cards.

Note 18. Supplemental information
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), clients and members. Trade receivables were $5,893 million$5.9 billion and $5,458 million$5.4 billion at May 31, 20182019 and August 31, 2017,2018, respectively. Other accounts receivable balances, which consist primarily of receivables from vendors and manufacturers, including receivables from AmerisourceBergen (see note 16, related parties), were $1,266 million$1.3 billion and $1,070 million$1.2 billion at May 31, 20182019 and August 31, 2017,2018, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization
The Company has recorded the following depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (in millions):
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Depreciation expense$358
 $334
 $1,040
 $1,000
$379
 $358
 $1,096
 $1,040
Intangible asset and other amortization84
 79
 260
 244
142
 84
 415
 260
Total depreciation and amortization expense$442
 $413
 $1,300
 $1,244
$522
 $442
 $1,512
 $1,300

Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment was $10.2$11.2 billion at May 31, 20182019 and $9.3$10.5 billion at August 31, 2017.2018.

Restricted cash
The Company is required to maintain cash deposits with certain banks which consist of deposits restricted under contractual agency agreements and cash restricted by law and other obligations. As of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018, the amount of such restricted cash was $199 million and $190 million, respectively, and is reported in other current assets on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

The following represents a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows as of May 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 (in millions):
 May 31, 2019 August 31, 2018
Cash and cash equivalents$839
 $785
Restricted cash (included in other current assets)199
 190
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$1,038
 $975

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 17.0 million outstanding options to purchase common shares that were anti-dilutive

and excluded from the third quarter earnings per share calculation as of May 31, 2019 compared to 12.1 million as of May 31, 2018.

Cash dividends declared per common share
Cash dividends per common share declared during the nine months ended fiscal 2019 and the nine months ended fiscal 2018 were as follows:
Quarter ended 2019 2018
November $0.440
 $0.400
February 0.440
 0.400
May 0.440
 0.400
  $1.320
 $1.200

Note 19. Subsequent event
On June 28, 2018, Premise Health Holding Corp. and OMERS, a Canadian pension fund, announced that an affiliate of OMERS will acquire control of Premise Health, which is currently owned by an entity in which the Company indirectly holds a minority equity interest. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed in July 2018. Upon closing, the Company estimates that it would recognize an after-tax gain on disposition of approximately $272 million, which the Company intends to treat as a special item impacting the comparability of results.

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, 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, 2017.2018. 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 under “Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements” below and in Itemitem 1A “Risk factors”risk factors, in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 20172018 and in our Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2017.February 28, 2019. 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 Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and associated notes may not add due to rounding. All percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019.

INTRODUCTION AND SEGMENTS
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (“Walgreens Boots Alliance”) and its subsidiaries are a global pharmacy-led health and wellbeing enterprise. Its operations are conducted through three reportable segments:
Retail Pharmacy USA;
Retail Pharmacy International; and
Pharmaceutical WholesaleWholesale.

See note 15,14, segment reporting, for further information.

Acquisition
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 current expectations. These factor include: the influence of certain holidays; seasonality; foreign currency rates; changes in vendor; payer and customer relationships and terms; strategic transactions and acquisitions, for example the acquisition of stores and other assets from Rite Aid Corporation (Rite AidAid; joint ventures and other strategic collaborations; changes in laws, for example the U.S. tax law changes; changes in trade, tariff and international relations, including the U.K.'s proposed 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; fluctuations in variable costs; and 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.

TRANSFORMATIONAL COST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
On December 20, 2018, the Company announced a multi-faceted program (the “Transformational Cost Management Program”), which includes divisional optimization initiatives, global smart spending, global smart organization and digitalization of the enterprise to transform long-term capabilities. Divisional optimization within each of our segments include activities such as optimization of stores, distribution centers and offices and efficient supply chain. Additionally, the Company has initiated global smart spending, smart organization programs and digitalization, initially focused on the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USA division, its retail business in the UK and its global functions. Actions under the Transformational Cost Management Program announced on December 20, 2018 are expected to deliver in excess of $1.5 billion of annual cost savings by fiscal 2022.

Additional significant actions under the Transformational Cost Management Program continue to be evaluated and are expected to commence in future periods, subject to receipt of necessary corporate approvals. The Company expects that it will incur approximately $600 million in charges for actions that have been approved to date under the Transformational Cost Management Program, of which approximately $450 million will be recorded as exit and disposal activities. These amounts include charges recognized through the nine months ended May 31, 2019 as discussed below.

As of the date of this report, the Company is not able to make a determination of the total estimated charges or range of charges that may be incurred for each major type of cost nor the future cash expenditures or charges, including non-cash impairment charges (if any), it may incur. The Company will update this disclosure upon the determination of such amounts.

Transformational Cost Management Program charges are recognized as the costs are incurred over time in accordance with GAAP. The Company treats charges related to the Transformational Cost Management Program as special items impacting comparability of results in its earnings disclosures. As of May 31, 2019, the Company has recognized cumulative pre-tax charges to its financial results in accordance with GAAP relating to the Transformational Cost Management Program of $265 million, of which $235 million are recorded as exit and disposal activities. See note 3, exit and disposal activities, for additional information. Transformational Cost Management Program charges were primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses and relate to actions taken across all divisions.

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.

ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN RITE AID CORPORATION (“RITE AID”) assetsASSETS
On September 19, 2017, the Company announced 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. The Company has completed the acquisition of all 1,932 Rite Aid stores. The transition of the threefirst distribution center and related inventory occurred in September 2018 and the transition of the remaining two distribution centers and related inventory is expected to begin during fiscal 2019 and remains subject to closing conditions set forth in the amended and restated asset purchase agreement.

The Company continues to expect to complete integration of the acquired stores and related assets by the end of fiscal 2020, at an estimated total cost of approximately $750$850 million, which is reported as acquisition-related costs. The Company has recognized cumulative pre-tax charges for the fiscal year 2018 and for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 of $221 million and $224 million, respectively, related to integration of the acquired stores and related assets. In addition, the Company continues to expect to spend approximately $500 million of capital on store conversions and related activities. The Company continues to expectexpects annual synergies from the transaction of more than $300$325 million, which are expected to be fully realized within four years of the initial closing of this transaction and derived primarily from procurement, cost savings and other operational matters.

See Store Optimization Program in item 2, management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, for information on the Store Optimization Program.

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.

Comparability
The influence of certain holidays, seasonality, foreign currency rates, changes in vendor, payer and customer relationships and terms, strategic transactions including acquisitions, for example the acquisition of stores and other assets from Rite Aid, joint ventures and other strategic collaborations, changes in laws, for example the U.S. tax law changes, 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 and are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Premise Health
On June 28, 2018, Premise Health Holding Corp. and OMERS, a Canadian pension fund, announced that an affiliate of OMERS will acquire control of Premise Health, which is currently owned by an entity in which the Company indirectly holds a minority equity interest. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed in July 2018. Upon closing, the Company estimates that it would recognize an after-tax gain on disposition of approximately $272 million, which the Company intends to treat as a special item impacting the comparability of results. See “cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements” below.

U.S. tax law changes
The United States government enacted comprehensive tax legislation in December 2017. The U.S. tax law changes include broad and complex changes affecting the Company's fiscal 2018 results. Among other things, the U.S. tax law changes reduce the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 and require companies to immediately accrue for and pay over an eight year period a one-time transition tax on certain un-repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The U.S. tax law changes also alter the taxation of foreign earnings, repeal the deduction for domestic production activities and establish a global intangible low tax income (GILTI) regime as well as a base erosion anti-avoidance tax (BEAT).

In connection with the Company’s ongoing analysis of the impact of the U.S. tax law changes, which is provisional and subject to change, the Company recorded a net tax expense of $44 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2018. This provisional net tax expense arises from the Company’s accrual for the transition tax and other U.S. tax law changes of $679 million, partly offset by a benefit of $635 million from re-measuring the Company’s net U.S. deferred tax liabilities. As of May 31, 2018, while the Company made reasonable estimates of the impact of the U.S. tax law changes, the final impact may differ from these estimates, due to, among other things, changes in its interpretations and assumptions, additional guidance and actions the Company may take.

In addition, the Company’s results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018 also include a net reduction to the estimated annual tax rate for the current year as a result of the U.S. tax law changes.

Investment in Chinese Pharmacy Chain GuoDa
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.

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 worth approximately $432 million translated using spot rate at May 31, 2018. 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.

EXIT AND DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES
Store Optimization ProgramSTORE OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM
On October 24, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to implement a program (the “Store Optimization Program”) to optimize store locations through the planned closure of approximately 600 stores and related assets 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 plansAs of the date of this report, the Company expects to close approximately 600 stores and related assets across the U.S. and is expected to result in cost savings of approximately $300 million per year to be fully delivered by the end of fiscal 2020.750 stores. The actions under the Store Optimization Program commenced in March 2018 and are expected to take place over an 18 month period.

be complete by end of fiscal 2020. The Store Optimization Program is expected to result in cost savings of approximately $350 million per year to be fully delivered by the end of fiscal 2020.

The Company currently estimates that it will recognize cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results of approximately $450$350 million, including costs associated with lease obligations and other real estate costs and employee severance and other exit costs. The Company expects to incur pre-tax charges of approximately $270$160 million for lease obligations and other real estate costs and approximately $180$190 million for employee severance and other exit costs. The Company estimates that substantially all of these cumulative pre-tax charges will result in cash expenditures.


The Company has recognized cumulative pre-tax charges to its financial resultsfor the fiscal year 2018 and for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") of $24GAAP totaling $200 million which were primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. These charges included $2$64 million related to lease obligations and other real estate costs and $22$136 million in employee severance and other exit costs.

Store Optimization Program charges are recognized as the costs are incurred over time in accordance with GAAP. The Company treats 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.

AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION RELATIONSHIPU.S. TAX LAW CHANGES
As of May 31, 2018,In connection with the U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017 and in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”), the Company owned 56,854,867 AmerisourceBergen common shares representing approximately 26%completed its analysis of the outstanding AmerisourceBergen common stock, and had designated one member of AmerisourceBergen’s board of directors. As of May 31, 2018, the Company can 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. The amount of permitted open market purchases is subject to increase or decrease in certain circumstances.

Effective March 18, 2016, the Company began accounting for the investment in AmerisourceBergen using the equity method of accounting, subject to a two-month reporting lag, with the net earnings attributable to the investment being classified within the operating income tax effects of the Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment. See note 5, equity method investments,U.S. tax law changes during the three months ended February 28, 2019. The incremental net tax benefit recorded upon completion of the analysis of the income tax effects of the U.S. tax law changes was not material to theour Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for further information.Statements.

While the Company completed its analysis of the income tax effects of the U.S. tax law changes, the final impact of the U.S. tax law changes may differ from this analysis, due to, among other things, technical clarifications from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), interpretations of the U.S. tax law changes and actions the Company may take. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of any future authoritative guidance with respect to the U.S. tax law changes.

As we repatriate the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries for use in the United States, the earnings from our foreign subsidiaries will generally not be subject to U.S. federal tax. We continuously evaluate the amount of foreign earnings that are not necessary to be permanently reinvested in our foreign subsidiaries.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The following table presents certain key financial statistics for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018 and May 31, 2017, respectively.statistics:
(in millions, except per share amounts)(in millions, except per share amounts)
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Sales$34,334
 $30,118
 $98,095
 $88,065
$34,591
 $34,334
 $102,912
 $98,095
Gross profit7,780
 7,145
 23,217
 21,822
7,453
 7,780
 22,849
 23,217
Selling, general and administrative expenses6,231
 5,712
 18,456
 17,522
6,235
 6,235
 18,834
 18,466
Equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen52
 84
 142
 143
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen(16) 52
 105
 142
Operating income1,601
 1,517
 4,903
 4,443
1,203
 1,597
 4,120
 4,893
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,947
 1,914
 5,919
 5,656
1,717
 1,943
 5,384
 5,909
Earnings before interest and income tax provision1,597
 1,509
 4,771
 4,421
1,385
 1,597
 4,347
 4,771
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.1,342
 1,162
 3,512
 3,276
1,025
 1,342
 3,305
 3,512
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,522
 1,441
 4,538
 4,118
1,338
 1,522
 4,246
 4,538
Net earnings per common share – diluted1.35
 1.07
 3.51
 3.02
1.13
 1.35
 3.55
 3.51
Adjusted net earnings per common share – diluted (Non-GAAP measure)1
1.53
 1.33
 4.54
 3.79
1.47
 1.53
 4.56
 4.54

Percentage increases (decreases)Percentage increases (decreases)
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Sales14.0 2.1
 11.4 (0.7)0.7
 14.0 4.9
 11.4
Gross profit8.9 (3.9) 6.4 (3.9)(4.2) 8.9 (1.6) 6.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses9.1 (3.2) 5.3 (1.9)
 7.2 2.0
 4.9
Operating income5.5 (1.0) 10.4 (8.6)(24.7) 13.1 (15.8) 12.3
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
1.7 5.5
 4.6 0.1
(11.7) 7.4 (8.9) 6.1
Earnings before interest and income tax provision5.8 (3.3) 7.9 2.0
(13.3) 5.8 (8.9) 7.9
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.15.5 5.3
 7.2 4.2
(23.6) 15.5 (5.9) 7.2
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Non-GAAP measure)1
5.6 11.9
 10.2 7.2
(12.1) 5.6 (6.4) 10.2
Net earnings per common share – diluted26.2 5.9
 16.2 4.9
(16.5) 26.2 1.1
 16.2
Adjusted net earnings per common share – diluted (Non-GAAP measure)1
15.0 12.7
 19.8 7.7
(4.0) 15.0 0.6
 19.8
Percent to salesPercent to sales
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Gross margin22.7 23.7 23.7 24.821.5 22.7 22.2 23.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses18.1 19.0 18.8 19.918.0 18.2 18.3 18.8

1 
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”).GAAP.



WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance for the three months ended May 31, 2018 increased 15.5%2019 decreased 23.6% to $1.3$1.0 billion compared with the prior year period, while diluted net earnings per share increased 26.2%decreased 16.5% to $1.35$1.13 compared with the prior year period. The increasesdecrease in net earnings and diluted net earnings per share for the three month period ended May 31, 20182019 primarily reflect operating performance, including costs related to the Company'sTransformational Cost TransformationManagement Program, and loss from the Company’s share of equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen, partially offset by gain recognition in other income resulting from the prior year period andtermination of the option granted to Rite Aid to become a lower effective tax rate inmember of the current period.Company’s group purchasing organization. Diluted net earnings per share was also positively affected by a lower number of shares outstanding compared to the prior year period. Net earnings and diluted net earnings per share were each positivelynegatively impacted by 1.0 0.9percentage points and 1.0percentage points, respectively, as a result of currency translation.
 
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 increased 7.2%2019 decreased 5.9% to $3.5$3.3 billion compared with the prior year period, while diluted net earnings per share increased 16.2%1.1% to $3.51$3.55 compared with the prior year period. The increasesdecrease in net earnings and diluted net earnings per share for the nine month period ended May 31, 20182019 primarily reflect operating performance including costs related to the effectsTransformational Cost Management Program partially offset by the lower effective tax rate, gain recognition in other income resulting from the termination of the Cost Transformation Program in the prior year period, partially offset byoption granted to Rite Aid and impairment of the Company's equity method investment in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation in the nine months ended May 31, 2018. Dilutedprior year period. The increase in diluted net earnings per share was also positively affected by a lower number of shares outstanding compared to the prior year period. Net earnings and diluted net earnings per share were positivelynegatively impacted by 0.90.8 percentage points and 1.00.9 percentage points, respectively, as a result of currency translation.

Other income (expense) for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 was an expenseincome of $4$182 million as compared to an expenseincome of $8$0 million for the three months ended May 31, 2017.2018, which primarily reflects gain recognition in other income resulting from the termination of the option granted to Rite Aid to become a member of the Company’s group purchasing organization in the current period. Other income (expense) for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 was income of $227 million, compared to an expense of $132$122 million, whichfor the nine months ended May 31, 2018. Results for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 primarily reflects the impairment of the Company’s equity method investment in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals, as compared to an expense of $22 million, for the nine months ended May 31, 2017.Pharmaceuticals.

Interest was a net expense of $187 million and $529 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019, respectively, compared to $157 million and $457 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018, respectively, compared to $155 million and $500 million in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017, respectively. For the nine months ended May 31, 2018 the decrease is primarily as a result of the redemption of certain notes in June 2017 pursuant to the special mandatory redemption terms of the indenture governing such notes.

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended May 31, 20182019 was 13.0% and 14.7%, respectively, compared to 7.6% and 19.4% respectively, compared to 12.4% and 16.2% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017. For2018, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2018,2019 was primarily due to net discrete tax benefits in the prior year as a result of the U.S. tax law changes. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due to the impact of the U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017, including the company’s estimated accrual for transition tax, which was updated in the quarter. For the nine months ended May 31, 2018, the increase in the effective tax rate reflects the Company’s estimated accrual for transition tax. A provisional net tax benefit of $140 million and net expense of $44 million was recorded during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2018, respectively, as a result of U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017. In addition, the Company’s results for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 also include a net reduction2019 was primarily due to the Company’s estimated annualnet discrete tax rate forexpense in the currentprior year as a result of the U.S. tax law changes.

Adjusted diluted net earnings per share (Non-GAAP measure)
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance for the three months ended May 31, 2018 increased 5.6%2019 decreased 12.1% to $1.5$1.3 billion, compared with the year-ago quarter. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share increased 15.0%decreased 4.0% to $1.53,$1.47, compared with the year-ago quarter. Adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share were each positivelynegatively impacted by 1.01.4 percentage points and 1.5 percentage points, respectively, as a result of currency translation.

Excluding the impact of currency translation, the increasedecrease in adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 reflects the impact of theoperating performance primarily due to lower U.S. tax law changes.pharmacy margin and lower retail volume. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share was also positively affected by a lower number of shares outstanding compared to the prior year period.
 
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 increased 10.2%2019 decreased 6.4% to $4.5$4.2 billion, compared with the year-ago period. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share increased 19.8%0.6% to $4.54,$4.56, compared with the year-ago period. Adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share were positivelynegatively impacted by 1.11.0 percentage points and 1.31.1 percentage points, respectively, as a result of currency translation.

Excluding the impact of currency translation, the increasedecrease in adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 was primarily reflects the impact of the U.S.due to operating performance partially offset by a decrease in adjusted effective tax law changes and increased adjusted operating income.rate. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share was also positively affected by a lower number of shares outstanding compared to the prior year period. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT

Retail Pharmacy USA

 (in millions, except location amounts)
 Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Sales$25,917
 $22,528
 $72,884
 $65,001
Gross profit6,029
 5,507
 17,898
 16,822
Selling, general and administrative expenses4,776
 4,337
 14,117
 13,427
Operating income1,253
 1,170
 3,781
 3,395
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,492
 1,463
 4,518
 4,304
Number of prescriptions2
215.2
 196.0
 615.8
 575.8
30-day equivalent prescriptions2,3
285.2
 255.2
 814.6
 739.5
Number of locations at period end9,964
 8,138
 9,964
 8,138
This division comprises the retail pharmacy businesses operating in the U.S.
 Percentage increases (decreases)
 Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Sales15.0
 6.3
 12.1
 3.1
Gross profit9.5
 (1.7) 6.4
 (0.7)
Selling, general and administrative expenses10.1
 (2.2) 5.1
 0.8
Operating income7.1
 0.1
 11.4
 (6.4)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
2.0
 5.9
 5.0
 1.1
Comparable store sales4
(1.2) 3.7
 1.9
 2.6
Pharmacy sales19.3
 10.3
 17.4
 5.5
Comparable pharmacy sales4

 5.8
 4.1
 4.4
Retail sales5.2
 (1.8) 0.6
 (1.9)
Comparable retail sales4
(3.8) (0.4) (2.5) (0.6)
Comparable number of prescriptions2,4
(2.4) 4.8
 1.5
 3.6
Comparable 30-day equivalent prescriptions2,3,4

 8.3
 4.2
 6.5
 (in millions, except location amounts)
 Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Sales$26,513
 $25,917
 $78,491
 $72,884
Gross profit5,813
 6,029
 17,880
 17,898
Selling, general and administrative expenses4,818
 4,776
 14,492
 14,115
Operating income995
 1,253
 3,388
 3,783
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
1,286
 1,492
 4,119
 4,520
        
Number of prescriptions2
212.3
 215.2
 640.8
 615.8
30-day equivalent prescriptions2,3
290.7
 285.2
 866.9
 814.6
Number of locations at period end9,390
 9,964
 9,390
 9,964
Percent to salesPercentage increases (decreases)
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Gross margin23.3 24.4 24.6 25.9
Sales2.3
 15.0
 7.7
 12.1
Gross profit(3.6) 9.5
 (0.1) 6.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses18.4 19.3 19.4 20.70.9
 7.5
 2.7
 4.3
Operating income(20.6) 17.9
 (10.5) 14.9
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
(13.8) 10.0
 (8.9) 7.6
       
Comparable store sales4
3.8
 (1.2) 1.6
 1.9
Pharmacy sales4.3
 19.3
 10.2
 17.4
Comparable pharmacy sales4
6.0
 
 3.6
 4.1
Retail sales(2.9) 5.2
 1.3
 0.6
Comparable retail sales4
(1.1) (3.8) (2.7) (2.5)
Comparable number of prescriptions2,4
1.4
 (2.4) (0.1) 1.5
Comparable 30-day equivalent prescriptions2,3,4
4.7
 
 2.8
 4.2
 Percent to sales
 Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Gross margin21.9 23.3 22.8 24.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses18.2 18.4 18.5 19.4

1 
See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAPfinancial measure and related disclosures.calculated in accordance with GAAP.
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 being 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 relocationrelocation. Acquired stores are not included as comparable stores for the first twelve months after acquisition or acquisition.conversion, when applicable, whichever is later. The method of calculating comparable sales varies across the industries in which the Company operates.retail industry. As a result, our method of calculating comparable sales may not be the same as other companies’retailers’ methods.

Sales for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Retail Pharmacy USA division’s sales for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 increased by 15.0%2.3% to $25.9$26.5 billion. Sales in comparable stores decreased 1.2%increased 3.8% compared with the year-ago quarter.

Pharmacy sales increased by 19.3%4.3% for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and accounted for 72.5%73.9% of the division’s sales. The increase in the current quarter is mainly due to higher brand inflation and prescription volumes from the acquisition of Rite Aid stores and fromstrong growth in central specialty and mail following the formation of AllianceRx Walgreens Prime.specialty. In the year-ago quarter, pharmacy sales increased 10.3%19.3% and accounted for 69.9%72.5% of the division’s sales. Comparable pharmacy sales were unchangedincreased by 6.0% for the three months ended May 31, 2018,2019, compared to an increase of 5.8%remaining unchanged in the year-ago quarter. Brand inflation was offset by reimbursement pressure and generics which had a negative impact on comparable pharmacy sales growth. The effect of generic drugs, which have a lower retail price, replacing brand name drugs reduced prescriptionpharmacy sales by 1.1%1.2% in the three months ended May 31, 20182019 compared to a reduction of 2.6%1.1% in the year-ago quarter. On division sales, this effect was a reduction of 0.7%0.8% for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 compared to a reduction of 1.6%0.7% for the year-ago quarter. The total number of prescriptions (including immunizations) filled for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 was 215.2212.3 million compared to 196.0215.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Prescriptions (including immunizations) filled adjusted to 30-day equivalents were 285.2290.7 million in the three months ended May 31, 20182019 compared to 255.2285.2 million in the year-ago quarter.

Retail sales increased 5.2%decreased 2.9% for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and were 27.5%26.1% of the division’s sales. In the year-ago quarter, retail sales decreased 1.8%increased 5.2% and represented 30.1%27.5% of the division’s sales. The increasedecrease in the current quarter is mainly due to sales from the acquired Rite Aid stores.continued de-emphasis of tobacco. Comparable retail sales decreased 3.8%1.1% in the three months ended May 31, 20182019 compared to a decrease of 0.4%3.8% in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in comparable retail sales growth in the current period was primarily due to declines in the consumables and general merchandise category, the health and wellness category and the personal care category, partially offset by growth in the beauty category.continued de-emphasis of tobacco.

Operating income for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Retail Pharmacy USA division’s operating income for the three months ended May 31, 2018 increased 7.1%2019 decreased 20.6% to $1.3$1.0 billion. The increasedecrease was primarily due to higher sales andlower gross margin partially offset by a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, partially offset by lower gross margin.sales.

Gross margin was 23.3%21.9% for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 compared to 24.4%23.3% in the year-ago quarter. Pharmacy margins in the current period were negatively impacted by continued reimbursement pressure and the adverse mix associated with brand inflation and a higher mix offaster growing specialty sales and by lower third-party reimbursements. The decrease in pharmacy marginsbusiness. These impacts were partially offset by the favorable impact of procurement efficiencies. Retail margins were positively impacted in the current period primarily due to underlying margin improvement from changes to promotions.gains.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 18.4%18.2% in the three months ended May 31, 20182019 compared to 19.3%18.4% in the year-ago quarter. Expenses asAs a percentage of sales, expenses were lower in the current period primarily due to pharmacy sales mixgrowth and cost savings partially offset bya higher cost mix of acquired Rite Aid stores.specialty sales.

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Retail Pharmacy USA division’s adjusted operating income for the three months ended May 31, 2018 increased 2.0%2019 decreased 13.8% to $1.5$1.3 billion. The increasedecrease was primarily due to higher sales andlower gross margins partially offset by a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, partially offset by lower gross margin.sales. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Sales for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Retail Pharmacy USA division’s total sales for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 increased 12.1%7.7% to $72.9$78.5 billion. Sales in comparable stores increased 1.9%1.6% compared with the year-ago period.

Pharmacy sales increased by 17.4%10.2% for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and represented 71.7%73.4% of the division’s sales. The increase is primarily due to prescription volume, brand inflation and growth in central specialty. In the nine months ended May 31, 2017,2018, pharmacy sales were up 5.5%17.4% and represented 68.5%71.7% of the division’s sales. Comparable pharmacy sales were up 3.6% in the nine months ended May 31, 2019 compared to an increase of 4.1% in the nine months ended May 31, 2018 compared to an increase of 4.4% in the nine months ended May 31, 2017.2018. The effect of generic drugs, which have a lower retail price, replacing brand name drugs reduced prescriptionpharmacy sales by 1.5%1.0% in the nine month period ended May 31, 20182019 compared to a reduction of 2.6%1.5% in the year-ago period. The effect of generics on division sales was a reduction of 0.9%0.7% in the current nine month period compared to a reduction of 1.6%0.9% in the year-ago period.

Third party sales, where reimbursement is received from managed care organizations, governmental agencies, employers or private insurers, were 98.0%97.1% of prescription sales for the nine month period ended May 31, 20182019 compared to 97.7%98.0% for the nine months ended May 31, 2017.2018. The total number of prescriptions (including

immunizations) filled for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 was 615.8640.8 million compared to 575.8615.8 million for the year-ago period. Prescriptions (including immunizations) filled adjusted to 30-day equivalents were 814.6866.9 million in the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 compared to 739.5814.6 million in the year-ago period.

Retail sales increased 0.6%1.3% for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and were 28.3%26.6% of the division’s sales. In comparison, for the nine months ended May 31, 20172018 retail sales decreased 1.9%increased 0.6% and represented 31.5%28.3% of the division’s sales. The increase in the current period is mainly due to sales from the acquired Rite Aid stores. The impact from changes to our promotional plans and the impact of the previously announced closure of certain e-commerce operations negatively impacted retail sales in the period. Comparable retail sales decreased 2.5%2.7% for the current nine month period compared to a decrease of 0.6%2.5% in the year-ago period. The decrease in comparable retail sales in the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 was primarily due to declines in the consumables and general merchandise category and in the personal care category, partially offset by growth in the health and wellness category and the beauty category.continued de-emphasis of tobacco.

Operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Retail Pharmacy USA division’s operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 increased 11.4%2019 decreased 10.5% to $3.8$3.4 billion. The increasedecrease was primarily due to higher sales andlower gross margins partially offset by a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, partially offset by lower gross margin.sales.

Gross margin was 24.6%22.8% for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 compared to 25.9%24.6% in the year-ago period. Pharmacy margins in the current period were negatively impacted by a higherreimbursement pressure and adverse mix ofassociated with brand inflation and continued growth from central specialty, sales and by lower third-party reimbursements. The decrease in pharmacy margins were partially offset by the favorable impact of procurement efficiencies. Retail margins were positively impacted in the current period primarily due to underlying margin improvement from changes to promotions.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 19.4%18.5% for the nine month period ended May 31, 20182019 compared to 20.7%19.4% in the year-ago period. Expenses asAs a percentage of sales, expenses were lower in the current period primarily due to sales mix, the Cost Transformation Program in the year-ago period anda higher prescription volume partially offset by higher cost mix of acquired Rite Aid stores in the current period.specialty sales and continued cost saving initiatives.

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Retail Pharmacy USA division’s adjusted operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 increased 5.0%2019 decreased 8.9% to $4.5$4.1 billion. The increasedecrease was primarily due to higher sales andlower gross margins partially offset by a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, partially offset by lower gross margin.sales. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Retail Pharmacy International

This division comprises retail pharmacy businesses operating in countries outside of the U.S.United States and in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, including the British pound sterling, Euro, Chilean peso and Mexican peso and therefore the division’s results are impacted by movements in foreign currency exchange rates. See Itemitem 3. Quantitativequantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk for further information on currency risk.
(in millions, except location amounts)(in millions, except location amounts)
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Sales$2,995
 $2,809
 $9,395
 $8,872
$2,776
 $2,995
 $8,759
 $9,395
Gross profit1,215
 1,148
 3,733
 3,527
1,112
 1,215
 3,418
 3,733
Selling, general and administrative expenses1,043
 1,006
 3,125
 3,005
993
 1,048
 3,029
 3,139
Operating income172
 142
 608
 522
119
 167
 389
 594
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
198
 193
 688
 648
165
 193
 553
 674
Number of locations at period end4,734
 4,710
 4,734
 4,710
4,612
 4,734
 4,612
 4,734

Percentage increases (decreases)Percentage increases (decreases)
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Sales6.6
 (10.3) 5.9
 (13.2)(7.3) 6.6
 (6.8) 5.9
Gross profit5.8
 (11.6) 5.8
 (15.2)(8.5) 5.8
 (8.4) 5.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses3.7
 (6.4) 4.0
 (9.9)(5.3) 4.4
 (3.5) 5.1
Operating income21.1
 (36.3) 16.5
 (36.7)(28.6) 16.0
 (34.5) 10.0
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
2.6
 (25.2) 6.2
 (28.6)(14.9) (1.0) (18.0) 1.2
Comparable store sales2
7.4
 (9.9) 6.5
 (12.9)(6.8) 7.4
 (6.4) 6.5
Comparable store sales in constant currency2,3
(1.4) 0.2
 (1.3) (0.3)(1.0) (1.4) (1.6) (1.3)
Pharmacy sales6.7
 (9.7) 7.0
 (13.2)(5.9) 6.7
 (6.5) 7.0
Comparable pharmacy sales2
6.8
 (9.9) 7.3
 (13.3)(4.9) 6.8
 (5.7) 7.3
Comparable pharmacy sales in constant currency2,3
(1.7) (0.1) (0.4) (1.4)1.0
 (1.7) (0.8) (0.4)
Retail sales6.6
 (10.7) 5.3
 (13.2)(8.1) 6.6
 (6.9) 5.3
Comparable retail sales2
7.7
 (10.0) 6.1
 (12.7)(7.9) 7.7
 (6.7) 6.1
Comparable retail sales in constant currency2,3
(1.3) 0.4
 (1.7) 0.4
(2.3) (1.3) (2.1) (1.7)
Percent to salesPercent to sales
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Gross margin40.6 40.9 39.7 39.840.0 40.6 39.0 39.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses34.8 35.8 33.3 33.935.8 35.0 34.6 33.4

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 being 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 relocationrelocation. Acquired stores are not included as comparable stores for the first twelve months after acquisition or acquisition.conversion, when applicable, whichever is later. The method of calculating comparable sales varies across the industries in which the Company operates.retail industry. As a result, our method of calculating comparable sales may not be the same as other companies’retailers’ 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 May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Retail Pharmacy International division’s sales for the three months ended May 31, 2018 increased 6.6%2019 decreased 7.3% to $3.0$2.8 billion. Sales in comparable stores increased 7.4%decreased 6.8% from the year-ago quarter. The positivenegative impact of currency translation on each of sales and comparable sales was 8.75.7 percentage points and 8.8 percentage points, respectively.points. Comparable store sales in constant currency decreased 1.4%1.0% from the year-ago quarter.

Pharmacy sales increased 6.7%decreased 5.9% in the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and represented 37.1%37.7% of the division’s sales. Comparable pharmacy sales increased 6.8%decreased 4.9% from the year-ago quarter. The positivenegative impact of currency translation on pharmacy sales and comparable pharmacy sales was 8.45.9 percentage points and 8.55.9 percentage points, respectively. Comparable pharmacy sales in constant currency decreased 1.7%increased 1.0% from the year-ago quarter mainly due to lower prescription volume and government funding in the United Kingdom.quarter.

Retail sales increased 6.6%decreased 8.1% for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and were 62.9%62.3% of the division’s sales. Comparable retail sales increased 7.7%decreased 7.9% from the year-ago quarter. The positivenegative impact of currency translation on retail sales and comparable retail

comparable retail sales was 8.95.6 percentage points and 9.05.6 percentage points, respectively. Comparable retail sales in constant currency decreased 1.3%2.3% from the year-ago quarter reflecting lower Boots UK retail sales in a challenging market place.

Operating income for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Retail Pharmacy International division’s operating income for the three months ended May 31, 2018 increased 21.1%2019 decreased 28.6% to $172$119 million of which 14.83.6 percentage points ($216 million) was as a result of the positivenegative impact of currency translation. The remaining increasedecrease was primarily due to lower selling, generalsales and administrative expenses.charges related to the Transformational Cost Management Program in the current quarter.

Gross profit increased 5.8%decreased 8.5% from the year-ago quarter of which 8.85.5 percentage points ($10167 million) was as a result of the positivenegative impact of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation, the decrease was primarily due to charges related to Transformational Cost Management Program and lower retail gross margin.sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 3.7%decreased 5.3% from the year-ago quarter. Expenses were negativelypositively impacted by 8.05.8 percentage points ($8061 million) as a result of currency translation. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 34.8%35.8% in the current quarter, compared to 35.8%35.0% in the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Retail Pharmacy International division’s adjusted operating income for the three months ended May 31, 2018 increased 2.6%2019 decreased 14.9% to $198$165 million, of which 11.94.4 percentage points ($238 million) was as a result of the positive impact of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation the decrease was due to lower gross profit and the phasing of certain selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by cost containment measures. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 and 2017
Retail Pharmacy International division’s sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 increased 5.9% to $9.4 billion. Sales in comparable stores increased 6.5% from the year-ago period. Of the increases in sales and comparable store sales, 7.7 percentage points and 7.8 percentage points, respectively, were as a result of the positive impact of currency translation. Comparable store sales in constant currency decreased 1.3% from the year-ago period.

Pharmacy sales increased by 7.0% in the nine months ended May 31, 2018 and represented 35.3% of the division’s sales. Comparable pharmacy sales increased 7.3% from the year-ago period. Of the increases in pharmacy sales and comparable pharmacy sales, 7.6 percentage points and 7.7 percentage points, respectively, were as a result of the positive impact of currency translation. Comparable pharmacy sales in constant currency decreased 0.4% from the year-ago period.

Retail sales increased 5.3% for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 and were 64.7% of the division’s sales. Comparable retail sales increased 6.1% from the year-ago period. Retail sales and comparable retail sales were positively impacted by 7.8 percentage points and 7.8 percentage points, respectively, as a result of currency translation. Comparable retail sales in constant currency decreased 1.7% from the year-ago period reflecting lower Boots UK retail sales.

Operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 and 2017
Retail Pharmacy International division’s operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 increased 16.5% to $608 million, of which 9.2 percentage points ($48 million) was as a result of the positive impact of currency translation. The remaining increase was due to lower selling, general and administrative expenses.

Gross profit increased 5.8% from the year-ago period, of which 7.8 percentage points ($277 million) was as a result of the positive impact of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation the decrease was primarily due to lower Boots UK retail sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4.0% from the year-ago period. Expenses were negatively impacted by 7.6 percentage points ($229 million) as a result of currency translation. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 33.3% in the current period, compared to 33.9% in the year-ago period.

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 and 2017
Retail Pharmacy International division’s adjusted operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 increased 6.2% to $688 million, of which 8.4 percentage points ($54 million) was as a result of the positivenegative impact of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation the decrease was due to lower sales, partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018
Retail Pharmacy International division’s sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 decreased 6.8% to $8.8 billion. Sales in comparable stores decreased 6.4% from the year-ago period. Of the decreases in sales and comparable store sales, 4.7 percentage points and 4.8 percentage points, respectively, were as a result of the negative impact of currency translation. Comparable store sales in constant currency decreased 1.6% from the year-ago period.

Pharmacy sales decreased by 6.5% in the nine months ended May 31, 2019 and represented 35.3% of the division’s sales. Comparable pharmacy sales decreased 5.7% from the year-ago period. Of the decreases in pharmacy sales and comparable pharmacy sales, 7.4 percentage points and 4.9 percentage points, respectively, were as a result of the negative impact of currency translation. Comparable pharmacy sales in constant currency decreased 0.8% from the year-ago period.

Retail sales decreased 6.9% for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 and were 64.7% of the division’s sales. Comparable retail sales decreased 6.7% from the year-ago period. Retail sales and comparable retail sales were negatively impacted by 3.2 percentage points and 4.6 percentage points, respectively, as a result of currency translation. Comparable retail sales in constant currency decreased 2.1% from the year-ago period reflecting lower Boots UK retail sales in a challenging market place.

Operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018
Retail Pharmacy International division’s operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 decreased 34.5% to $389 million, of which 2.4 percentage points ($14 million) was as a result of the negative impact of currency translation. The remaining decrease was due to lower sales, higher selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales and Transformational Cost Management Program charges.

Gross profit decreased 8.4% from the year-ago period, of which 4.5 percentage points ($167 million) was as a result of the negative impact of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation the decrease was primarily due lower sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 3.5% from the year-ago period. Expenses were positively impacted by 4.9 percentage points ($153 million) as a result of currency translation. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 34.6% in the current period, compared to 33.4% in the year-ago period.

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018
Retail Pharmacy International division’s adjusted operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 decreased 18.0% to $553 million, of which 3.5 percentage points ($24 million) was as a result of the negative impact of currency translation. Excluding the impact of currency translation the decrease was primarily due to lower sales and gross margin, and higher

selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Pharmaceutical Wholesale

This division includes pharmaceutical wholesale businesses operating in currencies other than the U.S. dollar including the British pound sterling, Euro, and Turkish lira, and thus the division’s results are impacted by movements in foreign currency exchange rates. See Itemitem 3. Quantitativequantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk for further information on currency risk.
(in millions, except location amounts)(in millions)
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Sales$5,965
 $5,296
 $17,438
 $15,743
$5,865
 $5,965
 $17,311
 $17,438
Gross profit536
 491
 1,590
 1,478
527
 536
 1,549
 1,590
Selling, general and administrative expenses412
 375
 1,219
 1,096
424
 411
 1,313
 1,217
Equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen52
 84
 142
 143
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen(16) 52
 105
 142
Operating income176
 200
 513
 525
87
 177
 342
 515
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
257
 253
 712
 703
265
 258
 710
 714
Percentage increases (decreases)Percentage increases (decreases)
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Sales12.6
 (7.9) 10.8
 (8.3)(1.7) 12.6
 (0.7) 10.8
Gross profit9.2
 (8.6) 7.6
 (9.3)(1.9) 9.2
 (2.6) 7.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses9.9
 (4.8) 11.2
 (9.3)2.9
 9.6
 7.9
 10.9
Operating income(12.0) 37.0
 (2.3) 24.1
(51.1) (11.5) (33.6) (1.7)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
1.6
 41.3
 1.3
 40.6
2.6
 2.0
 (0.5) 1.7
Comparable sales2
12.6
 (7.0) 10.8
 (5.4)(1.7) 12.6
 (0.7) 10.8
Comparable sales in constant currency2,3
4.0
 3.7
 4.0
 4.5
8.3
 4.0
 8.0
 4.0
Percent to salesPercent to sales
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Gross margin9.0 9.3 9.1 9.49.0 9.0 9.0 9.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses6.9 7.1 7.0 7.07.2 6.9 7.6 7.0

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 May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Pharmaceutical Wholesale division’s sales for the three months ended May 31, 2018 increased 12.6%2019 decreased 1.7% to $6.0$5.9 billion. Comparable sales, increased 12.6%which exclude acquisitions and disposals, decreased 1.7%.


Sales and comparable sales were positivelynegatively impacted by 8.610.0 percentage points as a result of currency translation. Comparable sales in constant currency increased 4.0%8.3%, mainly reflecting growth in emerging markets partially offset by challenging market conditions in certain continental European countries.

and the UK.

Operating income for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Pharmaceutical Wholesale division’s operating income for the three months ended May 31, 2018,2019, which included $52a $16 million loss from the Company’s share of equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen, decreased 12.0%51.1% to $176$87 million, compared to the year-ago quarter, primarily as a result of the reductionimpairment of AmerisourceBergen's PharMEDium long lived assets in equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen, compared to the year-ago quarter. Operating income was positivelynegatively impacted by 1.05.4 percentage points ($210 million) as a result of currency translation.

Gross profit increased 9.2%decreased 1.9% from the year-ago quarter. Gross profit was positivelynegatively impacted by 7.49.3 percentage points ($3650 million) as a result of currency translation. The remaining movementExcluding the impact of currency translation, the increase in gross profit was primarily due to higher sales partlygrowth, partially offset by lower gross margin, including some generic procurement pressure.margin.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9.9%2.9% from the year-ago quarter, primarily due to Transformational Cost Management Program expenses in the current quarter. ExpensesSelling, general and administrative expenses were negativelypositively impacted by 9.19.8 percentage points ($3440 million) as a result of currency translation. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 6.9%7.2% in the current quarter, compared to 7.1%6.9% in the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the three months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Pharmaceutical Wholesale division’s adjusted operating income for the three months ended May 31, 2018,2019, which included $112$121 million from the Company’s share of adjusted equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen, increased 1.6%2.6% to $257$265 million. Adjusted operating income was positivelynegatively impacted by 1.26.8 percentage points ($318 million) as a result of currency translation.

Excluding the contribution from the Company’s share of adjusted equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen and the positivenegative impact of currency translation, adjusted operating income decreased 6.6%increased 10.4% over the year-ago quarter, primarily due to higher sales and lower selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, partially offset by lower gross margin. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Sales for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Pharmaceutical Wholesale division’s sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 increased 10.8%2019 decreased 0.7% to $17.4$17.3 billion. Comparable sales increased 10.8%decreased 0.7%.

Sales and comparable sales were each positivelynegatively impacted by 6.88.7 percentage points and 6.8 percentage points respectively, as a result of currency translation. Comparable sales in constant currency increased 4.0%8.0%, mainly reflecting growth in emerging markets partially offset by challenging market conditions in certain continental European countries.and the UK.

Operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Pharmaceutical Wholesale division’s operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2018,2019, which included $142$105 million from the Company’s share of equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen, decreased 2.3%33.6% to $513$342 million. The decrease was primarily due to Transformational Cost Management Program expenses in the current period. Operating income was positivelynegatively impacted by 1.16.4 percentage points ($633 million) as a result of currency translation.

Gross profit increased 7.6%decreased 2.6% from the year-ago period. The positivenegative impact of currency translation was 6.27.9 percentage points ($91126 million). The remaining movementExcluding the impact of currency translation, the increase in gross profit was primarily due to higher sales partlygrowth, partially offset by lower gross margin, including some generic procurement pressure.margin.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 11.2%7.9% from the year-ago period, of which included 7.7 percentage points ($8593 million) was as a result of the negativepositive impact of currency translation. The remainingExcluding the impact of currency translation, the increase was primarily related to sales activity.the Transformational Cost Management Program expenses in the current period. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 7.0%7.6% in the current period, compared to 7.0% in the year-ago period.

Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 and 20172018
Pharmaceutical Wholesale division’s adjusted operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2018,2019, which included $278$296 million from the Company’s share of adjusted equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen, increased 1.3%decreased 0.5% to $712$710 million. Adjusted operating income was positivelynegatively impacted by 1.46.2 percentage points ($1044 million) as a result of currency translation.

Excluding the contribution from the Company’s share of adjusted equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen and the positivenegative impact of currency translation, adjusted operating income decreased 8.8%increased 5.0% over the year-ago period, primarily due to lower gross marginhigher

sales and higherlower selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, partially offset by sales growth.lower gross margin. See “--Non-GAAP Measures” below for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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, 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.

These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures are presented because ourCompany's management has evaluated ourthe Company's 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 ourCompany's 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,” 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 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 May 31, 2018
  Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (GAAP) $1,253
 $172
 $176
 $
 $1,601
Acquisition-related amortization 84
 26
 21
 
 131
Acquisition-related costs 57
 
 
 
 57
LIFO provision 69
 
 
 
 69
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 60
 
 60
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements 5
 
 
 
 5
Store optimization 24
 
 
 
 24
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) $1,492
 $198
 $257
 $
 $1,947
 (in millions) (in millions)
 Three months ended May 31, 2017 Three months ended May 31, 2019
 Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
 Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (GAAP) $1,170
 $142
 $200
 $5
 $1,517
 $995
 $119
 $87
 $1
 $1,203
Acquisition-related amortization 38
 25
 20
 
 83
 82
 25
 20
 
 127
Transformational cost management 43
 21
 22
 
 86
Acquisition-related costs 29
 
 
 
 29
 80
 
 
 
 80
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 137
 
 137
Store optimization 49
 
 
 
 49
LIFO provision 97
 
 
 
 97
 29
 
 
 
 29
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 17
 
 17
Cost transformation 129
 26
 16
 
 171
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements 7
 
 
 
 7
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) $1,463
 $193
 $253
 $5
 $1,914
 $1,286
 $165
 $265
 $1
 $1,717

 (in millions) (in millions)
 Nine months ended May 31, 2018 Three months ended May 31, 2018
 Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
 Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (GAAP) $3,781
 $608
 $513
 $1
 $4,903
Operating income (GAAP)1
 $1,253
 $167
 $177
 $
 $1,597
Acquisition-related amortization 186
 80
 63
 
 329
 84
 26
 21
 
 131
Acquisition-related costs 173
 
 
 
 173
 57
 
 
 
 57
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 60
 
 60
Store optimization 24
 
 
 
 24
LIFO provision 166
 
 
 
 166
 69
 
 
 
 69
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 136
 
 136
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements 120
 
 
 
 120
Hurricane-related costs 83
 
 
 
 83
Store optimization 24
 
 
 
 24
Asset recovery (15) 
 
 
 (15)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) $4,518
 $688
 $712
 $1
 $5,919
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements2
 5
 
 
 
 5
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
 $1,492
 $193
 $258
 $
 $1,943
 (in millions) (in millions)
 Nine months ended May 31, 2017 Nine months ended May 31, 2019
 Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
 Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (GAAP) $3,395
 $522
 $525
 $1
 $4,443
 $3,388
 $389
 $342
 $1
 $4,120
Acquisition-related amortization 113
 75
 59
 
 247
 237
 76
 59
 
 373
Transformational cost management 59
 88
 119
 
 265
Acquisition-related costs 75
 
 
 
 75
 228
 
 
 
 228
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 191
 
 191
Store optimization 99
 
 
 
 99
LIFO provision 204
 
 
 
 204
 77
 
 
 
 77
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 95
 
 95
Cost transformation 517
 51
 24
 
 592
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements 31
 
 
 
 31
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure) $4,304
 $648
 $703
 $1
 $5,656
 $4,119
 $553
 $710
 $1
 $5,384

  (in millions, except per share amounts)
  Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (GAAP) $1,342
 $1,162
 $3,512
 $3,276
         
Adjustments to operating income:        
Acquisition-related amortization 131
 83
 329
 247
Acquisition-related costs 57
 29
 173
 75
LIFO provision 69
 97
 166
 204
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 60
 17
 136
 95
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements 5
 
 120
 
Hurricane-related costs 
 
 83
 
Store optimization 24
 
 24
 
Cost transformation 
 171
 
 592
Asset recovery 
 
 (15) 
Total adjustments to operating income 346
 397
 1,016
 1,213
         
Adjustments to other income (expense):        
Impairment of equity method investment 8
 
 178
 
Net investment hedging (gain) loss (3) 1
 (36) 15
Total adjustments to other income (expense) 5
 1
 142
 15
         
Adjustments to interest expense, net:        
Prefunded acquisition financing costs 
 34
 29
 123
Total adjustments to interest expense, net 
 34
 29
 123
         
Adjustments to income tax provision:        
U.S. tax law changes1
 (140) 
 44
 
Equity method non-cash tax 8
 24
 19
 34
UK tax rate change1
 
 
 
 (77)
Tax impact of adjustments2
 (39) (177) (224) (466)
Total adjustments to income tax provision (171) (153) (161) (509)
         
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Non-GAAP measure) $1,522
 $1,441
 $4,538
 $4,118
         
Diluted net earnings per common share (GAAP) $1.35
 $1.07
 $3.51
 $3.02
Adjustments to operating income 0.35
 0.37
 1.02
 1.12
Adjustments to other income (expense) 0.01
 
 0.14
 0.01
Adjustments to interest expense, net 
 0.03
 0.03
 0.11
Adjustments to income tax provision (0.18) (0.14) (0.16) (0.47)
Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share (Non-GAAP measure) $1.53
 $1.33
 $4.54
 $3.79

        
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted 995.3
 1,082.6
 1,000.6
 1,085.5
  (in millions)
  Nine months ended May 31, 2018
  Retail
Pharmacy
USA
 Retail
Pharmacy
International
 Pharmaceutical
Wholesale
 Eliminations Walgreens
Boots
Alliance, Inc.
Operating income (GAAP)1
 $3,783
 $594
 $515
 $1
 $4,893
Acquisition-related amortization 186
 80
 63
 
 329
Acquisition-related costs 173
 
 
 
 173
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 
 
 136
 
 136
Store optimization 24
 
 
 
 24
LIFO provision 166
 
 
 
 166
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements2
 120
 
 
 
 120
Asset recovery (15) 
 
 
 (15)
Hurricane-related costs 83
 
 
 
 83
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP measure)1
 $4,520
 $674
 $714
 $1
 $5,909

1 
Discrete tax-only items.The Company adopted new accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 as of September 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) on a retrospective basis for the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings presentation. This change resulted in reclassification of all the other net cost components (excluding service cost component) of net pension cost and net postretirement benefit cost from selling, general and administrative expenses to other income (expense) with no impact on the Company’s net earnings.
2
As previously disclosed, beginning in the quarter ended August 31, 2018, management reviewed and refined its practice to include all charges related to the matters included in certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements. In order to present non-GAAP measures on a consistent basis for fiscal year 2018, the Company included adjustments in the quarter ended August 31, 2018 of $14 million, $50 million and $5 million which were previously accrued in the Company’s financial statements for the quarters ended November 30, 2017, February 28, 2018 and May 31, 2018, respectively. These additional adjustments impact the comparability of such results to the results reported in prior and future quarters.

  (in millions, except per share amounts)
  Three months ended
May 31,
 Nine months ended
May 31,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (GAAP) $1,025
 $1,342
 $3,305
 $3,512
         
Adjustments to operating income:        
Acquisition-related amortization 127
 131
 373
 329
Transformational cost management 86
 
 265
 
Acquisition-related costs 80
 57
 228
 173
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen 137
 60
 191
 136
Store optimization 49
 24
 99
 24
LIFO provision 29
 69
 77
 166
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements1
 7
 5
 31
 120
Asset recovery 
 
 
 (15)
Hurricane-related costs 
 
 
 83
Total adjustments to operating income 515
 346
 1,264
 1,016
         
Adjustments to other income (expense):        
Net investment hedging (gain) loss 8
 (3) 10
 (36)
Impairment of equity method investment 
 8
 
 178
Termination of option granted to Rite Aid (173) 
 (173) 
Total adjustments to other income (expense) (165) 5
 (163) 142
         
Adjustments to interest expense, net:        
Prefunded acquisition financing costs 
 
 
 29
Total adjustments to interest expense, net 
 
 
 29
         
Adjustments to income tax provision:        
Equity method non-cash tax (10) 8
 9
 19
U.S. tax law changes2
 
 (140) (3) 44
Tax impact of adjustments3
 (50) (39) (189) (224)
Total adjustments to income tax provision (60) (171) (183) (161)
         
Adjustments to post tax equity earnings from other equity method investments:        
Adjustments to equity earnings in other equity method investments4
 23
 
 23
 
Total adjustments to post tax equity earnings from other equity method investments 23
 
 23
 
         
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Non-GAAP measure) $1,338
 $1,522
 $4,246
 $4,538
         
Diluted net earnings per common share (GAAP) $1.13
 $1.35
 $3.55
 $3.51
Adjustments to operating income 0.56
 0.35
 1.36
 1.02
Adjustments to other income (expense) (0.18) 0.01
 (0.17) 0.14
Adjustments to interest expense, net 
 
 
 0.03

Adjustments to income tax provision (0.07) (0.18) (0.20) (0.16)
Adjustments to equity earnings in other equity method investments $0.02
 
 $0.02
 
Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share (Non-GAAP measure) $1.47
 $1.53
 $4.56
 $4.54

        
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted 911.2
 995.3
 931.1
 1,000.6


1
As previously disclosed, beginning in the quarter ended August 31, 2018, management reviewed and refined its practice to include all charges related to the matters included in certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements. In order to present non-GAAP measures on a consistent basis for fiscal year 2018, the company included adjustments in the quarter ended August 31, 2018 of $14 million, $50 million and $5 million which were previously accrued in the company’s financial statements for the quarters ended November 30, 2017, February 28, 2018, and May 31, 2018, respectively. These additional adjustments impact the comparability of such results to the results reported in prior and future quarters.
2 
Discrete tax-only items.
3
Represents the adjustment to the GAAP basis tax provision commensurate with non-GAAP adjustments.adjustments and the adjusted tax rate true-up.
4
Beginning in the quarter ended May 31, 2019, management reviewed and refined its practice to reflect the proportionate share of certain equity method investees’ non-cash items or unusual or infrequent items consistent with the Company’s non-GAAP measures in order to provide investors with a comparable view of performance across periods. These adjustments include acquisition-related amortization and acquisition-related costs and were immaterial for the prior periods presented. 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.��

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and cash equivalents were $839 million (including $274 million in non-U.S. jurisdictions) as of May 31, 2019, compared to $1.8 billion (including $730 million in non-U.S. jurisdictions) as of May 31, 2018, compared to $12.3 billion (including $2.2 billion in non-U.S. jurisdictions) at May 31, 2017.2018. 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 to 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 stockshare repurchases. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 was $5.4$3.2 billion, compared to $5.2$5.4 billion for the year-ago period. The $148 million increase$2.2 billion decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lowerreflects higher cash outflows from income taxes paid and accrued expenses and other liabilities, partially offset by higher cash outflows from accounts receivable, netinventories and trade accounts payable.income taxes paid. Changes in income taxes paid are mainly due to the impactpayment of transition tax resulting from the U.S. tax law changes. Changes in accrued expenses and other liabilities are mainly driven by thecash payments for certain legal and regulatory settlements and timing of payments.accruals. Changes in accounts receivable, net and inventories are mainly driven by increased sales in Retail Pharmacy USA and timing. Changes in trade accounts payable are mainly driven by the timing of payments resulting from term changes on pharmaceutical related purchases in the year ago period partially offset by increased purchases in Retail Pharmacy USA.

Net cash used for investing activities was $5.1$1.6 billion for the nine months ended May 31, 2018,2019, compared to $452 million used in$5.1 billion for the year-ago period. Business, investment and asset acquisitions infor the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 were $4.2$0.5 billion compared to $63 million$4.2 billion for the year-ago period.

For the nine months ended May 31, 2018,2019, additions to property, plant and equipment were $983 million$1.2 billion compared to $912 million$1.0 billion in the year-ago period. Capital expenditures by reporting segment were as follows:follows (in millions):

 Nine months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31,
 2018 2017 2019 2018
Retail Pharmacy USA $726
 $556
 $968
 $726
Retail Pharmacy International 182
 279
 202
 182
Pharmaceutical Wholesale 75
 77
 76
 75
Total $983
 $912
 $1,246
 $983

Significant capital expenditures primarily relate to investments in our stores and information technology projects.
 
Additionally, investing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2018 did not include any proceeds related to sale-leaseback transactions, compared to $436 million in the year-ago period.

Net cash used for financing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 20182019 was $1.8$1.6 billion, compared to net cash used of $2.3$1.8 billion in the year-ago period. The Company repurchased shares as part of the June 2017 stock repurchase programprograms described below and to support the needs of the employee stock plans totaling $2.5$3.7 billion in the nine months ended May 31, 2018,2019, compared to $1.5$2.5 billion in shares repurchased in the nine months ended May 31, 2017.year-ago period. Proceeds related to employee stock plans were $118 million$0.2 billion during the nine months ended May 31, 2018,2019, compared to $174$118 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2017.2018. Cash dividends paid were $1.3$1.2 billion during the nine months ended May 31, 2018,2019, compared to $1.2$1.3 billion for the same period a year ago.

The Company believes that cash flow from operations, availability under our existing credit facilities and arrangements, current cash and investment balances and our ability to obtain other financing, if necessary, will provide adequate cash funds for ourthe foreseeable working capital needs, capital expenditures at existing facilities, pending acquisitions, (including the acquisition of Rite Aid assets), dividend payments and debt service obligations for at least the next 12 months. OurThe 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 ourits cash requirements.

See item 3, qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk, below for a discussion of certain financing and market risks.

Stock repurchase programs
In April 2017, Walgreens Boots Alliance authorized a stock repurchase program (the “April 2017 stock repurchase program”), which authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0 billion of Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock prior to the program’s expiration on December 31, 2017. In May 2017, the Company completed the April 2017 stock repurchase program, purchasing 11.8 million shares. 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 fiscalIn October 2017, the Company purchased 47.2 million shares at a total cost of $3.8 billion undercompleted the June 2017 stock repurchase program. During the nine months ended May 31, 2018, the Company purchased 30.3program, purchasing 77.4 million shares at a total cost of $2.2 billion. The June 2017 stock repurchase program was completed in October 2017.shares. In June 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance authorized a new stock repurchase program (the “June 2018 stock repurchase program”), which authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 billion of Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock of which the Company had repurchased $6.1 billion as of May 31, 2019. The June 2018 stock repurchase program has no specified expiration date.

The Company determines the timing and amount of repurchases, including repurchases to offset anticipated dilution from equity incentive plans, based on our assessment of various factors, including prevailing market conditions, alternate uses of capital, liquidity and the economic environment. The 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 us to repurchase shares at times when the Companywe otherwise might be precluded from doing so under insider tradingthe federal 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 $1.0$2.8 billion commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of May 31, 20182019 and there were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding$0.4 billion as of August 31, 2017.2018. The Company had average daily short-term borrowings of $1.4 billion of commercial paper outstanding of $2.6 billion and $1.4 billion at a weighted average interest rate of 3.08% and 2.00% for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018, and no activity under its commercial paper program for the nine months ended May 31, 2017.respectively.

Financing actions
On November 10, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walgreens 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. 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 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 May 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no borrowings or letters of credit issued pursuant to the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement.

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 June 1, 2016, Walgreens Boots Alliance issued in an underwritten public offering $1.2 billion of 1.750% notes due 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.

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 from time to time party thereto and, on August 1, 2017, Walgreens Boots

Alliance entered into an amendment agreement thereto. The terms and conditions ofOn January 31, 2019, the February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement were unchanged bymatured and the amendment other than the extension of the facility termination date to the earlier of (a) January 31, 2019 and (b) the date of terminationCompany paid all amounts due in whole of the aggregate commitments provided by the lenders thereunder. Borrowings under the February 2017 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. As of May 31, 2018, there were no borrowings under the February 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement.connection therewith.

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”). On November 30, 2018, in connection with the entrance into the November 2018 Credit Agreement (described below), Walgreens Boots Alliance terminated the 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement in accordance with its terms and together withas of such date paid all amounts due in connection therewith. On January 31, 2019, the August 2017 Revolving Credit Agreement matured and the Company paid all amounts due in connection therewith.

On August 29, 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “August 20172018 Revolving Credit Agreements”Agreement”). with the lenders and letter of credit issuers from time to time party thereto. The August 20172018 Revolving Credit Agreement is an unsecured revolving credit facility with an aggregate commitment in the amount of $3.5 billion, with a letter of credit subfacility commitment amount of $500 million. The facility termination date ofis the earlier of (a) January 31, 2019,August 29, 2023, subject to anythe extension thereof pursuant to the terms of the August 20172018 Revolving Credit Agreement and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments provided by the lenders thereunder. As of May 31, 2018, there were no borrowings outstanding underpursuant to the August 20172018 Revolving Credit Agreement. The 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement is an unsecured “multi-draw” term loan facility maturing on March 30, 2019. As of May 31, 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance had $1.0 billion of borrowings outstanding under the 2017 Term Loan Credit Agreement, and no additional commitments were available. Borrowings under the August 20172018 Revolving Credit AgreementsAgreement will bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at Walgreens Boots Alliance’s option, the alternate base rate or the Eurocurrency rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin calculated based on Walgreens Boots Alliance’s credit ratings. As of May 31, 2019, there were no borrowings under the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement.

On November 30, 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance entered into a credit agreement (as amended the “November 2018 Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto and, on March 25, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement reflecting certain changes to the borrowing notice provisions thereto. The November 2018 Credit Agreement includes a $500 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility and a $500 million senior unsecured term loan facility. The facility termination date is, with respect to the revolving credit facility, the earlier of (a) May 30, 2020 and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments pursuant to the November 2018 Credit Agreement and, with respect to the term loan facility, the earlier of (a) May 30, 2020 and (b) the date of acceleration of all term loans pursuant to the November 2018 Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the November 2018 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 Eurocurrency rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin calculated based on Walgreens Boots Alliance’s credit ratings. As of May 31, 2019, there were $0.8 billion of borrowings under the November 2018 Credit Agreement.

On December 5, 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance entered into a $1.0 billion term loan credit agreement (the “December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured term loan facility with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) January 29, 2021 and (b) the date of acceleration of all term loans pursuant to the December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the December 2018 Term Loan 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 Eurocurrency rate, plus an applicable margin of 0.75% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans. As of May 31, 2019, there were $1 billion of borrowings outstanding under the December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement.

On December 21, 2018, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion revolving credit agreement (the “December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured revolving credit facility with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 18 months following January 28, 2019, the date of the effectiveness of the commitments pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the December 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 Eurocurrency rate (including, at the Walgreens Boots Alliance’s election, a LIBOR daily floating rate), plus an applicable margin of 0.75% in the case of Eurocurrency rate loans. As of May 31, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding under the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement.

On January 18, 2019, the Company entered into a $2.0 billion 364-day revolving credit agreement (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 a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 364 days following January 31, 2019, the date of the effectiveness of the commitments pursuant to the January 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement and (b) the

date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the January 2019 364-Day 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 Eurocurrency rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin calculated based on the Company’s credit ratings. As of May 31, 2019, there were $0.2 billion of borrowings outstanding under the January 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement.

From time to time, the Company may also enter into other credit facilities including in March 2018, a $350 million short-term unsecured revolving credit facility which was undrawn as of May 31, 2018.or financing arrangements.

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 contain various other customary covenants. As of May 31, 2018,2019, the Company was in compliance with all such applicable covenants.

Credit ratings
As of June 27, 2018,26, 2019, the credit ratings of Walgreens Boots Alliance were:
Rating agencyLong-term debt ratingCommercial paper ratingOutlook
FitchBBBF2StableNegative
Moody’sBaa2P-2Stable
Standard & Poor’sBBBA-2Stable

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
Pursuant to our arrangements with AmerisourceBergen,As of May 31, 2019, the Company hasowned 56,854,867 AmerisourceBergen common shares representing approximately 27% of the right, but notoutstanding AmerisourceBergen common stock and had designated one member of AmerisourceBergen’s board of directors. As of May 31, 2019, the obligation,Company can acquire up to purchase a minority equity positionan additional 8,398,752 AmerisourceBergen shares in AmerisourceBergen over time as described under “--AmerisourceBergen Corporation relationship” above.the open market and thereafter designate another member of AmerisourceBergen’s board of directors, subject in each case to applicable legal and contractual requirements. The amount of permitted open market purchases is subject to increase or decrease in 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 5, equity method investments, to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included herein for further information.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company does not have any unconsolidated special purpose entities and, except as described herein, the 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 the Company has: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 May 31, 2018,2019, the Company has issued $200 million in letters of credit, primarily related to insurance obligations. The Company also had $45$50 million of guarantees to various suppliers outstanding as of May 31, 2018.outstanding. The Company remains secondarily liable on 7115 leases. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments related to these leases was $311$21 million as of May 31, 2018.2019.

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 Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017.2018.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Consolidated 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 Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.2018. Some of the more significant estimates include business combinations, 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 significantmaterial changes in those accounting policies.policies for the nine months ended May 31, 2019.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
A discussion of new accounting pronouncements is described in note 17, new accounting pronouncements, in Item 1.to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) of this Quarterly 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 expected execution and effect of our business strategies, our cost-savings and growth initiatives, pilot programs and initiatives and restructuring activities and the amounts and timing of their expected impact and delivery of annual cost savings, our amended and restated asset purchase agreement with Rite Aid and the transactions contemplated thereby and their possible timing and effects, 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, changes in generic prescription drug prices, retail margins, number and location of new store openings, network participation, vendor, payer and 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, the inherent risks, challenges and uncertainties associated with forecasting financial results of large, complex organizations in rapidly evolving industries, particularly over longer time periods, 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 circumstancecircumstances 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 programrestructuring initiatives 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, risks related to pilot programs and new business initiatives and ventures generally, including the

risks that anticipated benefits may not be realized, changes in management’s plans and 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, credit ratings and interest rates, the risks relating to the terms, timing and magnitude of any share repurchase activity, the risks associated with international business operations, including the risks associated with the proposed withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and international trade policies, tariffs, particularly tariff negotiations between the risk of unexpected costs, liabilitiesUnited States and China, and relations, the risks associated with cybersecurity or delays,privacy breaches related to customer information, changes in vendor, customer and payer relationships and terms, including changes in network participation and reimbursement terms and the associated impacts on volume and operating results, risks of inflationrelated to competition including changes in the cost of goods, risks associated with the operationmarket dynamics, participants, product and growth of our customer loyalty programs, competition,service offerings, retail formats and competitive positioning, risks associated with new business areas and activities, risks associated with acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic investments, including those relating to the asset acquisition of certain assets pursuant to our amended and restated asset purchase agreement withfrom Rite Aid, the risks associated with the integration of complex businesses, the impact of regulatory restrictions and outcomes of legal and regulatory matters and risks associated with changes in laws, including those relatingrelated to the December 2017 U.S. tax legislation,law changes, regulations or interpretations thereof. These and other risks, assumptions and uncertainties are described in Item 1A. “Risk factors”1A, Risk factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 20172018 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2017February 28, 2019 and in other documents that we file or furnish with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking 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.


Item 3. Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk
Interest rate risk
The Company is 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, the Company uses interest rate swaps and forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge ourits 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, 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.

Information regarding ourthe Company's transactions are set forth in note 8, financial instruments, to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. These financial instruments are sensitive to changes in interest rates. On May 31, 2018,2019, 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 ourits 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).

OurUnder certain market conditions, the Company may seek to protect against possible declines in the reported net investments of our foreign subsidiaries by using foreign currency cross-currency swaps, foreign currency forward-exchange contracts or foreign currency debt.

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, 20182019, by approximately $14$29 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 5, equity method investments, to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. See “-- AmerisourceBergen relationship” above.

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 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”). As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company had acquired 1,932 stores from Rite Aid. The scope of management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures did not include the internal controls over financial reporting of the acquired Rite Aid stores. This exclusion is in accordance with the SEC staff's general guidance that an assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted from the scope of management's assessment for one year following the acquisition. 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 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 May 31, 20182019 were identified that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. AsWe are implementing a resultnew enterprise resource planning (ERP) system which affects many of our financial processes. This project is expected to improve the acquisitionefficiency and effectiveness of Rite Aid stores,certain financial and business transaction processes, as well as the Company has incorporatedunderlying systems environment. The new ERP system will be a significant component of our internal controlscontrol over significant processes specific to the acquisition that it believes to be appropriate and necessary in consideration of the level of related integration. As the post-closing integration continues, the Company will continue to review such internal controls and processes and may take further steps to integrate such controls and processes with those of the Company.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.

Part II.  Other Information

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

Item 1A. Risk factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Item 1A. “Risk factors” in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 20172018 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2017,February 28, 2019, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.

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, 2019 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.
 Issuer purchases of equity securities
PeriodTotal number of shares purchased by month Average price paid per share 
Total number of shares purchased by month as part of publicly announced repurchase programs1
 
Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or program1
03/01/19 – 03/31/19
 $
 
 $4,490,085,284
04/01/19 – 04/30/197,216,669
 54.35
 7,216,669
 4,097,811,612
05/01/19 – 05/31/194,177,380
 52.78
 4,177,380
 3,877,285,685
 11,394,049
 $53.77
 11,394,049
 $3,877,285,685

(c)
1
There were no purchases of the Company’s common stock during the quarter ended May 31, 2018 and as of that date no shares were authorized to be repurchased under a publicly announced plan. In June 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance authorized a new stock repurchase program, which authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 billion of Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock, whichstock. This program has no specified expiration date. 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.

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.
 Description SEC 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. 001-36759)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. 001-36759)1-36759) filed with the SEC on June 10, 2016.
     
 Offer letter agreementAmendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 6, 201825, 2019, by and between James Kehoe and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as sole lead arranger and administrative agent, amending that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2018, by and among Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as sole lead arranger and administrative agent. 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.110.5 to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.’s CurrentQuarterly Report on Form 8-K10-Q (File No. 1-36759) filed with the SEC on March 8, 2018.
April 2, 2019.Contract amendment dated as of March 6, 2018 between George Fairweather and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-36759) filed with the SEC on March 8, 2018.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.Filed herewith.
     
 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
     
 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.


     
 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 XBRL Instance Document Filed herewith.
     
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document Filed herewith.
     
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document Filed herewith.
     
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document Filed herewith.
     

101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document Filed herewith.
     
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document Filed herewith.

___________________________

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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: June 28, 201827, 2019/s/ James Kehoe
 James Kehoe
 Executive Vice President and Global Chief Financial Officer
  
  
Dated: June 28, 201827, 2019/s/ Kimberly R. ScardinoHeather Dixon
 Kimberly R. ScardinoHeather Dixon
 Senior Vice President, Global Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
 (Principal Accounting Officer)


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