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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Oct. 27, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Hormel Foods Corporation (the Company) and all its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits. Financial information from certain foreign subsidiaries is reported on a one-month lag. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Rounding: Certain amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements and associated notes may not foot due to rounding. All percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts. Fiscal Year: The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in October. Fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022 consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal year 2025 will consist of 52 weeks. Reportable Segments: As of October 30, 2022, the Company had four operating and reportable segments: Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, and International and Other. At the beginning of fiscal 2023, the Company transitioned to a new strategic operating model, which aligns its businesses to be more agile, consumer and customer focused, and market driven. Effective on October 31, 2022, the Company operates with the following three operating and reportable segments: Retail, Foodservice, and International, which are consistent with how the Company’s chief operating decision maker assesses performance and allocates resources. This change had no impact on the consolidated results of operations, financial position, shareholders’ investment, or cash flows. Prior period segment results have been retrospectively recast to reflect the new reportable segments. Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all investments with an original maturity of three months or less on their acquisition date to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash equivalents as of October 27, 2024 and October 29, 2023, consisted primarily of bank deposits, money market funds rated AAA, or other highly liquid investment accounts. The Net Asset Value (NAV) of the Company’s money market funds is based on the market value of the securities in the portfolio. Fair Value Measurements: Pursuant to the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, the Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value or discloses the fair value of certain assets and liabilities recorded at cost in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Fair value is calculated as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires assets and liabilities measured at fair value to be categorized into one of three levels based on the inputs used in the valuation. The Company classifies assets and liabilities in their entirety based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows: Level 1: Observable inputs based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Observable inputs, other than those included in Level 1, based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in inactive markets. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about what inputs a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. See additional discussion regarding the Company’s fair value measurements in Note F - Derivatives and Hedging, Note G - Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits, and Note I - Fair Value Measurements. Compensation: The Company maintains a rabbi trust to fund certain supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred compensation plans. The rabbi trust is reflected in Other Assets and deferred compensation liabilities in Other Long-term Liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The securities held by the trust are classified as trading securities. Therefore, unrealized gains and losses associated with these investments are included in Interest and Investment Income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company also has corporate-owned life insurance policies on certain participants in the deferred compensation plans. The cash surrender value of these policies is included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined principally under the average cost method. Adjustments to the Company’s lower of cost or net realizable value inventory reserve are reflected in Cost of Products Sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Property, Plant, and Equipment: Property, Plant, and Equipment are stated at cost and the Company recognizes depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. Costs associated with software developed or obtained for internal use, including third-party development fees incurred during the application development stage, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis. Depreciation has been computed principally using asset lives of 20 to 40 years for buildings and 3 to 14 years for software and equipment. Leases: The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The Company combines lease and non-lease components together in determining the minimum lease payments for all leases. The length of the lease term used in recording right-of-use assets and lease liabilities is based on the contractually required lease term adjusted for any options to renew, early terminate, or purchase the lease that are reasonably certain of being exercised. Most leases include one or more options to renew or terminate. The exercise of lease renewal and termination options is at the Company’s discretion and generally is not reasonably certain at lease commencement. The Company’s lease agreements typically do not contain material residual value guarantees. The Company has one lease with an immaterial residual value guarantee that is included in the minimum lease payments. Certain lease agreements include rental payment increases over the lease term that can be fixed or variable. Fixed payment increases and variable payment increases based on an index or rate are included in the initial lease liability using the index or rate at commencement date. Variable payment increases not based on an index or rate are recognized as incurred. If the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the Company used its periodic incremental borrowing rate, based on the information available at commencement date, to determine the present value of future lease payments. Leases and right-of-use assets that existed prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) were valued using the incremental borrowing rate on October 28, 2019. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets: Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company reviews long-lived assets and definite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets and any related goodwill, the carrying value is reduced to the estimated fair value. The Company recorded no material impairment charges for long-lived or definite-lived assets in fiscal years 2024, 2023, or 2022. Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangibles: Indefinite-lived intangible assets are originally recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is the residual after allocating the purchase price to net assets acquired. Acquired goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are allocated to reporting units that will receive the related benefits. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment during the fourth quarter or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. See additional discussion regarding the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets in Note C - Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill In conducting the annual impairment test for goodwill, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (> 50 percent likelihood) the fair value of any reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company elects to perform a qualitative assessment and determines an impairment is more likely than not, the Company is required to perform a quantitative impairment test. Otherwise, no further analysis is required. Alternatively, the Company may elect to proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. In conducting a qualitative assessment, the Company analyzes actual and projected growth trends for net sales, gross margin, and segment profit for each reporting unit, as well as historical performance versus plan and the results of prior quantitative tests. Additionally, the Company assesses factors that may impact the business’s financial results such as macroeconomic conditions and the related impact, market-related exposures, plans to market for sale all or a portion of the business, competitive changes, new or discontinued product lines, and changes in key personnel. If performed, the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level. First, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its corresponding carrying value, including goodwill. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using discounted cash flow valuations (Level 3), which incorporate assumptions regarding future growth rates, terminal values, and discount rates. The estimates and assumptions used consider historical performance and are consistent with the assumptions used in determining future profit plans for each reporting unit, which are approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. If the quantitative assessment results in the carrying value exceeding the fair value of any reporting unit, the results from the quantitative analysis will be relied upon to determine both the existence and amount of goodwill impairment. An impairment loss will be recognized for the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit. As a result of organizational changes in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company conducted an assessment of its operating segments and reporting units. Based on this analysis, goodwill was reallocated using the relative fair value approach. Prior to the goodwill reallocation, an impairment assessment was performed which indicated no impairment to the Company’s reporting units. Subsequent to the goodwill reallocation, the Company completed quantitative impairment testing on each new reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount; therefore, no impairment charges were recorded. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company completed its annual goodwill impairment tests by performing qualitative assessments. No impairment charges were recorded as a result of the annual assessments in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022. Indefinite-Lived Intangibles In conducting the annual impairment test for its indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (> 50 percent likelihood) an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If the Company concludes this is the case, a quantitative test for impairment must be performed. Otherwise, the Company does not need to perform a quantitative test. In conducting the qualitative assessment, the Company analyzes growth rates for historical and projected net sales and the results of prior quantitative tests. Additionally, each operating segment assesses items that may impact the value of their intangible assets or the applicable royalty rates to determine if impairment may be indicated. If performed, the quantitative impairment test compares the fair value and carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. The fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is primarily determined on the basis of estimated discounted value using the relief from royalty method (Level 3), which incorporates assumptions regarding future sales projections, discount rates and royalty rates. If the carrying amount exceeds fair value, the indefinite-lived intangible asset is considered impaired, and an impairment charge is recorded for the difference. Even if not required, the Company may elect to perform the quantitative test in order to gain further assurance in the qualitative assessment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, the Company completed its annual indefinite-lived asset impairment tests by performing qualitative assessments. In fiscal 2023, the qualitative assessment determined the Justin’s® trade name was more likely than not impaired, and the Company performed a quantitative impairment test. As a result of the quantitative impairment test, a $28.4 million intangible asset impairment charge was recorded for the Justin’s® trade name. No other impairment charges were recorded as a result of the assessments in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022. Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits: The Company has elected to use the corridor approach to recognize expenses related to its defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. Under the corridor approach, actuarial gains or losses resulting from experience and changes in assumptions are deferred and amortized over future periods. For the defined benefit pension plans, the unrecognized gains and losses are amortized when the net gain or loss exceeds 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year. For the other post-retirement plans, the unrecognized gains and losses are amortized when the net gain or loss exceeds 10 percent of the accumulated pension benefit obligation at the beginning of the year. For plans with primarily active participants, net gains or losses in excess of the corridor are amortized over the average remaining service period of participating employees expected to receive benefits under those plans. For plans with primarily inactive participants, net gains or losses in excess of the corridor are amortized over the average remaining life of the participants receiving benefits under those plans. Contingent Liabilities: The Company may be subject to investigations, legal proceedings, or claims related to the ongoing operation of its business, including claims both by and against the Company. Such proceedings typically involve claims related to product liability, contract disputes, antitrust regulations, wage and hour laws, employment practices, or other actions brought by employees, consumers, competitors, government agencies, or suppliers. The Company establishes accruals for its potential exposure for claims when losses become probable and reasonably estimable. Where the Company is able to reasonably estimate a range of probable losses, but no amount within the range is more likely than another, the Company records the amount at the low end of the range. The Company also discloses the nature of claims against the Company when losses are reasonably possible and material; in this situation, the Company also discloses an estimate of the possible loss, range of loss, or that an estimate cannot be made. Foreign Currency Translation: Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated at the current exchange rate as of the date of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations are translated at the average monthly exchange rate. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates are recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss within Shareholders’ Investment. When calculating foreign currency translation, the Company has deemed its foreign investments to be permanent in nature and has not provided for taxes on currency translation adjustments arising from converting the investment in a foreign currency to U.S. dollars. Derivatives and Hedging Activity: The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to commodity prices and interest rates. Hedge accounting is used for cash flow and fair value hedging programs that qualify in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The Company has determined its designated hedging programs to be highly effective in offsetting the changes in fair value or cash flows generated by the items hedged. Effectiveness testing is performed on a quarterly basis to ascertain a high level of effectiveness for cash flow and fair value hedging programs. If the requirements of hedge accounting are no longer met, hedge accounting is discontinued immediately and any future changes to fair value are recorded directly through earnings. The derivative instruments are recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The Company nets the derivative assets and liabilities for each of its commodity hedging programs, including cash collateral, when a master netting arrangement exists between the Company and the counterparty to the derivative contract. The amount or timing of cash collateral balances may impact the classification of the commodity derivative on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The cash flow impacts from the derivative instruments are primarily included in Operating Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Additional information on hedging activities is presented in Note F - Derivatives and Hedging. Equity Method Investments: The Company has a number of investments for which its voting interests are in excess of 20 percent but not greater than 50 percent and for which there are no other indicators of control. The Company accounts for such investments under the equity method of accounting and its underlying share of each investee’s equity, along with any balances due to or from affiliates, is reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as part of Investments in Affiliates. The Company records its interest in the net earnings of its equity method investments, along with adjustments for unrealized profits on intra-entity transactions and amortization of basis differences, within Equity in Earnings of Affiliates in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Financial results for certain entities are reported on a 30- to 90-day lag. The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the fair value of its equity method investments. If events and circumstances, such as ongoing or projected decreases in earnings or significant business disruptions, indicate that a decline in the fair value of these assets has occurred and is other than temporary, the Company records a charge in Equity in Earnings of Affiliates in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company did not record an impairment charge on any of its equity method investments in fiscal 2024 or 2022. In fiscal 2023, the Company recorded a $7.0 million impairment related to a corporate venturing investment. See additional information pertaining to the Company’s equity method investments in Note D - Investments in Affiliates. The Company uses the cumulative earnings approach to determine the cash flow presentation of distributions from equity method investments. Distributions received are reflected in operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows unless the cumulative distributions exceed the portion of the cumulative equity in earnings of the equity method investment. Distributions in excess of the cumulative equity in earnings are deemed to be returns of the investment and classified as investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Revenue Recognition: The Company’s customer contracts predominantly contain a single performance obligation to fulfill customer orders for the purchase of specified products. Revenue from product sales is primarily identified by purchase orders (contracts), which in some cases are governed by a master sales agreement. The purchase orders in combination with the invoice typically specify quantity and product(s) ordered, shipping terms, and certain aspects of the transaction price including discounts. Contracts are at standalone pricing or governed by pricing lists or brackets. The Company’s revenue is recognized at the point in time when performance obligations have been satisfied and control of the product has transferred to the customer. This is typically once the ordered product is received or picked up by the customer. Revenue is recognized at the net consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for the goods. The amount of net consideration recognized includes estimates of variable consideration, including costs for trade promotion programs, consumer incentives, and allowances and discounts associated with distressed or potentially unsaleable products. A majority of the Company’s revenue is short-term in nature with shipments within one year from order date. The Company’s payment terms generally range between seven to 60 days and vary by sales channel and other factors. The Company accounts for shipping and handling costs as contract fulfillment costs and excludes taxes imposed on and collected from customers in revenue producing transactions from the transaction price. The Company does not have significant deferred revenue or unbilled receivable balances as a result of transactions with customers. Costs to obtain contracts with a duration of one year or less are expensed and included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company promotes products through advertising, consumer incentives, and trade promotions. These promotional programs include, but are not limited to, discounts, slotting fees, coupons, rebates, and in-store display incentives. Customer trade promotion and consumer incentive activities are recorded as a reduction to revenue and a corresponding accrued liability based on amounts estimated as variable consideration. The Company discloses revenue by reportable segment and class of similar product in Note P - Segment Reporting. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: The Company estimates the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts based on a combination of factors, evaluations, and historical data while considering current and future economic conditions. Advertising Expenses: Advertising costs are included in Selling, General, and Administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and expensed when incurred. Advertising expenses include all media advertising but exclude the costs associated with samples, demonstrations, and market research. Advertising costs for fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $163.3 million, $160.1 million, and $157.3 million, respectively. Shipping and Handling Costs: The Company’s shipping and handling expenses are included in Cost of Products Sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Research and Development Expenses: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are primarily included in Selling, General, and Administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Research and development expenses incurred for fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $36.1 million, $33.7 million, and $34.7 million, respectively. Income Taxes: The Company records income taxes in accordance with the liability method of accounting. Deferred taxes are recognized for the estimated taxes ultimately payable or recoverable based on enacted tax law. Changes in enacted tax rates are reflected in the tax provision as they occur. In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company recognizes a tax position in its financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. That position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Stock-Based Compensation: The Company records stock-based compensation expense in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense ratably over the shorter of the vesting period or the grantee’s retirement eligibility date. These costs are primarily included in Selling, General, and Administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant based on historical experience and revises in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ. Share Repurchases: The Company may purchase shares of its common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions pursuant to share repurchase authorizations approved by the Company's Board of Directors and at prices deemed appropriate by management. The timing and amount of repurchase transactions under the repurchase authorization depend on market conditions as well as corporate and regulatory considerations. For additional share repurchases information, see Part II, Item 5 - Market for Registrants’ Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Non-cash investment activities presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows primarily consist of unrealized gains or losses on the Company’s rabbi trust. Changes in the value of these investments are presented in Interest and Investment Income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Investment, or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements: New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Fiscal 2024 No new accounting standards were adopted during fiscal 2024. Fiscal 2023 No new accounting standards were adopted during fiscal 2023. Fiscal 2022 In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2019-12, Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740). The updated guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions in Topic 740 and clarifying and amending existing guidance. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the provisions of this new accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal 2022 and adoption did not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The update is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant expenses. The ASU requires disclosures to include significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM), a description of other segment items by reportable segment, and any additional measures of a segment’s profit or loss used by the CODM when deciding how to allocate resources. The ASU also requires all annual disclosures currently required by Topic 280 to be included in interim periods. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting the updated provisions. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The update is intended to enhance transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. This ASU updates income tax disclosure requirements by requiring specific categories and greater disaggregation within the rate reconciliation and disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting the updated provisions. In March 2024, the SEC adopted a final rule under SEC Release Nos. 33-11275 and 34-99678, The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors, to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures. The rule will require companies to disclose material Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions; climate-related risks, governance, and oversight; and the financial effects of severe weather events and other natural conditions. These disclosures are required to be phased in starting with annual reporting periods beginning in 2025; however, this rule has been stayed pending the outcome of legal challenges. The Company is assessing the impact of adoption on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures in the event that the stay is lifted. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The new guidance is intended to provide investors more detailed disclosures around specific types of expenses. The new disclosures require certain details for expenses presented on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations as well as selling expenses to be presented in the notes to the financial statements. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The disclosure updates are required to be applied prospectively with the option for retrospective application. The Company is currently assessing the impact and timing of adopting the updated provisions. Recently issued accounting standards or pronouncements not disclosed have been excluded as they are currently not relevant to the Company.

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