Mccormick & Co Inc 10-Q for FY2026 Q3
Mccormick & Co Inc (MKC)
10-Q
2026-10-01
For: 2026-08-31
View Original
Added on
October 01, 2026
About this 10-Q
Mccormick & Co Inc filed this 10-Q on October 1, 2026, covering the quarter ended August 31, 2026 (FY2026 Q3).
Headline figures
Quarter ended August 31, 2026, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $2.02B
- up 17.4% from $1.72B a year earlier
- Net income
- $97.6M
- down 56.7% from net income of $225.5M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $0.36
- down 57.1% from $0.84 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the quarterly period ended August 31, 2026
OR
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-14920
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (410 ) 771-7301
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Trading | |||||||||||
| Title of each class | Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | |||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||
| Non-Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company | ||||||||||||
| Emerging Growth Company | ||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
| Shares Outstanding | |||||||||||
| August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||
| Common Stock | |||||||||||
| Common Stock Non-Voting | |||||||||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| ITEM 1 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 2 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 3 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 4 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 1 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 1a | |||||||||||
| ITEM 2 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 3 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 4 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 5 | |||||||||||
| ITEM 6 | |||||||||||
3
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)
(in millions except per share amounts)
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special charges | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from consolidated operations before income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income from consolidated operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from unconsolidated operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to McCormick & Company | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share – basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share – diluted | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – diluted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends paid per share – voting and non-voting | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
4
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Currency translation adjustments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts reclassified into earnings upon acquisition of controlling interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in derivative financial instruments | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized components of pension and other postretirement plans | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax (expense) benefit | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income, net of tax | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Attributable to: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-controlling interests | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| McCormick & Company shareholders' equity | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
5
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in millions)
| August 31, 2026 | November 30, 2025 | ||||||||||
| (unaudited) | |||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances | |||||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||
| Finished products | |||||||||||
| Raw materials and work-in-process | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | |||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | |||||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Deferred taxes | |||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Common stock | |||||||||||
| Common stock non-voting | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total McCormick & Company shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Non-controlling interests | |||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
6
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
| Nine months ended August 31, | |||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Amortization of inventory fair value adjustments associated with acquisition | |||||||||||
| Asset impairments included in special charges | |||||||||||
| Deferred income tax benefit | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Income from unconsolidated operations | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interest | ( | ||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effect of businesses acquired) | |||||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable | ( | ||||||||||
| Inventories | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other assets and liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||
| Net cash flow provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| Investing activities | |||||||||||
| Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Capital expenditures (including software) | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash flow used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Financing activities | |||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings, net | |||||||||||
Long-term debt borrowings (net of debt issuance costs of $ | |||||||||||
| Debt financing fees paid | ( | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt repayments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Proceeds from exercised stock options | |||||||||||
| Taxes withheld and paid on employee stock awards | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Common stock acquired by purchase | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Dividends paid to joint venture partners | ( | ||||||||||
| Other financing activities | |||||||||||
| Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
7
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
| Common Stock Shares | Common Stock Non-Voting Shares | Common Stock Amount | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Non-controlling Interests | Total Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||
Three months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 2026 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to McCormick & Company | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | — | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares purchased and retired | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equal exchange | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, August 31, 2026 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, November 30, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to McCormick & Company | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of non-controlling interest recognized at acquisition | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | — | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares purchased and retired | ( | — | ( | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equal exchange | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, August 31, 2026 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
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| Common Stock Shares | Common Stock Non-Voting Shares | Common Stock Amount | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Non-controlling Interests | Total Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to McCormick & Company | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares purchased and retired | ( | — | ( | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equal exchange | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, August 31, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, November 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to McCormick & Company | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares purchased and retired | ( | — | ( | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equal exchange | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, August 31, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
9
McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1.ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all the information and notes required by United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for complete financial statements. In our opinion, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is presented separately on the condensed consolidated income statement. Amounts from prior periods previously included in Income from unconsolidated operations are reflected in Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.
The results of consolidated operations for the nine-month period ended August 31, 2026 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Historically, our net sales, net income, and cash flow from operations have been lower in the first half of the fiscal year and higher in the second half of the fiscal year. This historical increase in the second half of the year has largely been due to the consumer business cycle in the United States (U.S.), where customers typically purchase more of our products in the fourth quarter due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2025.
On January 2, 2026, we completed the acquisition of an additional 25 % ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico from Grupo Herdez, which increased our ownership to a 75 % controlling interest. The results of McCormick de Mexico’s operations have been fully consolidated in our financial statements from the date the controlling interest was acquired, which is more fully described in Note 2.
Accounts Payable - Supplier Finance Program
As more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2025, we participate in a Supply Chain Financing (SCF) program with several global financial institutions (SCF Banks). Under the SCF program, qualifying suppliers may elect to sell their receivables from us to an SCF Bank, enabling participating suppliers to negotiate their receivables sales arrangements directly with the respective SCF Bank. We are not a party to those agreements and have no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to sell a receivable.
All outstanding amounts related to suppliers participating in the SCF program are recorded within the line entitled Trade accounts payable in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the associated payments are included in operating activities within our consolidated statements of cash flows. As of August 31, 2026 and November 30, 2025, the amounts due to suppliers participating in the SCF program and included in Trade accounts payable were approximately $447.7 million and $332.1 million, respectively.
U.S. Tariffs
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by the executive branch are not lawful. On March 4, 2026, the Court of International Trade (CIT) ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to begin the refund process for all importers who were subject to IEEPA tariffs. On April 20, 2026, CBP established an online portal through which companies can submit IEEPA tariff refund requests. We submitted our refund request on April 28, 2026, for reimbursement in the amount of $30.8 million, reflecting the amount of IEEPA tariffs we determined were paid while such tariffs were in effect from February 2025 until February 2026. During the second quarter of 2026, we determined that the refund was probable of recovery and we reduced cost of goods sold by $27.6 million, effectively reversing the IEEPA tariff expense previously recognized in connection with inventory sold to customers since the tariffs were enacted in the first quarter of 2025, and reduced the carrying value of inventory by $3.2 million.
As of August 31, 2026, we have received $29.2 million of IEEPA tariff refunds and have a receivable of $1.6 million for the remainder of the IEEPA tariffs previously paid, which we believe is probable of recovery. We will continue to monitor U.S. tariff-related developments and any associated impacts on our consolidated financial statements.
10
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07: Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures that requires entities to report incremental information about significant segment expenses included in a segment’s profit or loss measure as well as the position and title of the chief operating decision maker (CODM). The guidance also requires interim disclosures related to reportable segment profit or loss that had previously only been disclosed annually. The new standard requirements were effective for our annual period ending November 30, 2025 and are effective for interim periods of our fiscal year ending November 30, 2026. We include significant segment expenses and the required disclosure about our CODM in Note 12. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-09: Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Hedge Accounting Improvements that better aligns the hedge accounting model with risk management activities. The guidance is effective for our fiscal year ending November 30, 2028, with early adoption permitted. We elected to adopt the guidance effective December 1, 2025 and applied the amendments prospectively. We have designated all hedge positions as of December 1, 2025 under the updated guidance, which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
2. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Acquisitions are part of our strategy to increase sales and profits. The McCormick de Mexico and Jurado acquisitions described below were recorded as business combinations with the excess of total consideration over the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded as goodwill.
McCormick de Mexico
On January 2, 2026, we completed the acquisition of an additional 25 % ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico from Grupo Herdez, for a purchase price of $750 million, which increased our ownership to a 75 % controlling interest. McCormick de Mexico is a prominent food company in Mexico, with a broad portfolio, including mayonnaise, spices, marmalades, mustard, hot sauce, and tea, sold under McCormick brands. We believe the acquisition creates opportunities for further growth in the Mexican market and provides a strategic platform for further expansion in Latin America. The purchase of the additional 25 % ownership interest was funded through a combination of cash on hand and commercial paper borrowings.
Prior to the acquisition of the additional ownership interest, we accounted for our 50 % ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico as an equity method investment and recorded our proportional share of earnings as income from unconsolidated operations. The acquisition of the additional ownership interest resulted in the consolidation of McCormick de Mexico's financial results, which have been included as a component of our consumer and flavor solutions segments in our financial statements from the date of acquisition. The earnings attributable to the 25 % ownership retained by Grupo Herdez are recorded as net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.
As a result of the consolidation, the carrying value of our previously held 50 % ownership interest was remeasured to fair value resulting in a pre-tax and after-tax gain of $866.8 million which was recognized in Income from unconsolidated operations. The gain represents the remeasurement of our previously held 50 % ownership interest over its carrying value at the date of acquisition, less $44.8 million previously recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss primarily related to foreign currency translation adjustments. The fair value of the previously held equity interest was estimated based on a valuation derived from estimated fair value assessments and assumptions. This valuation was based on the implied value derived from the consideration transferred for the additional 25 % ownership interest, adjusted for the control premium, and was supported by a market approach as well as an overall enterprise level discounted cash flow.
The following is a summary of the total consideration for the acquisition of the additional ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico (in millions):
| Cash paid | $ | ||||
| Effective settlement of preexisting amounts due to McCormick de Mexico | ( | ||||
| Fair value of previously held equity interest | |||||
| Total consideration | $ | ||||
The total consideration for the additional ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico was allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities based upon their preliminary estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. We estimated the fair values based on independent valuations, discounted cash flow analyses, quoted market prices, and estimates made by management, which are
11
subject to finalization. The following is a summary of the preliminary allocation as of August 31, 2026, of the total consideration which we expect to be finalized during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2026 (in millions):
| Cash acquired | $ | ||||
| Trade accounts receivable | |||||
| Inventories | |||||
| Other current assets | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment | |||||
| Intangible assets | |||||
| Goodwill | |||||
| Other long-term assets | |||||
| Trade accounts payable | ( | ||||
| Other current liabilities | ( | ||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | ( | ||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ( | ||||
| Fair value of noncontrolling interest | ( | ||||
| Net assets acquired | $ | ||||
We determined the carrying values of cash, trade receivables and payables, as well as certain other current and non-current assets and liabilities, represented the fair values. The property, plant and equipment fair value was estimated using the replacement cost method.
Inventories acquired consist of raw materials and finished goods inventory that were valued using a net realizable value approach, which resulted in a step-up of $15.0 million that was recognized in cost of goods sold as the related inventory was sold.
Intangible assets include a reacquired right indefinite-lived intangible asset with an estimated fair value of $1,470.0 million and customer relationships with a weighted-average life of 15 years and an estimated fair value of $130.0 million. The reacquired right represents the value of McCormick's reacquisition of contractual rights previously granted to Grupo Herdez as part of the joint venture agreement giving McCormick de Mexico the perpetual and exclusive licensing right to sell specified McCormick branded products in Mexico. This right is expected to contribute cash flows for the foreseeable future and does not have substantive limiting factors. The fair value of the reacquired right was estimated using the multi-period excess earnings method of the income approach. The fair value of customer relationships was estimated using the distributor method, a variation of the multi-purpose excess earnings method that uses distributor-based inputs for margins and contributory asset charges. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in developing the estimated fair values included the estimated annual net cash flows for each intangible asset (including net sales, operating profit margin, and working capital/contributory asset charges), a discount rate that appropriately reflects the risk inherent in each future cash flow stream, the assessment of each asset’s life cycle, and competitive trends, as well as other factors. The assumptions used in the financial forecasts were determined using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions, estimated product category growth rates, management plans, and market comparables.
Goodwill, which represents the value associated with the expected synergies, acquired workforce and future growth opportunities anticipated to be realized as a combined company, is not deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill will be allocated to our consumer and flavor solutions segments when the allocation of the consideration to the acquired net assets is finalized.
Deferred tax liabilities primarily represent the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and their tax bases.
The fair value of the noncontrolling interest was estimated based on a valuation derived from estimated fair value assessments
and assumptions. This valuation was based on the implied value derived from the consideration transferred for the additional
enterprise level discounted cash flow.
No adjustments were made to the preliminary estimated fair values during the third quarter of 2026.
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The Company transacts in the ordinary course of business with Grupo Herdez, a related party that owns a 25 % noncontrolling interest in McCormick de Mexico. Contractual arrangements with Grupo Herdez include payments from McCormick de Mexico for (i) supervision and strategic management services based on a percentage of net sales of products registered under the McCormick brand and (ii) exclusive distribution services, including invoicing to customers, based on a percentage of net sales.
For the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, McCormick de Mexico incurred expenses of $41.7 million and $108.5 million, respectively, related to transactions with Grupo Herdez. As of August 31, 2026, accounts receivable included $192.5 million due from Grupo Herdez and accounts payable included $32.1 million due to Grupo Herdez. For the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, we paid total dividends to Grupo Herdez in the amounts of $11.3 million and $19.7 million, respectively.
For the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, McCormick de Mexico added $251.7 million and $655.4 million, respectively, to our net sales.
Supplemental Pro Forma Information
The following table presents unaudited supplemental pro forma consolidated net sales as if the McCormick de Mexico acquisition had occurred on December 1, 2024.
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The unaudited supplemental pro forma consolidated net sales gives effect to actual revenues prior to the McCormick de Mexico acquisition, adjusted to exclude the elimination of intercompany transactions. Other than the impact of the gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interest and transaction and integration costs (as discussed above), supplemental pro forma net earnings, assuming the McCormick de Mexico acquisition had occurred on December 1, 2024, would not be materially different from the results reported during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2025 and 2026.
The unaudited pro forma information has been prepared for comparative purposes only, in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred if the McCormick de Mexico acquisition had been completed on the date indicated, nor is it indicative of our future operating results.
Jurado
On March 31, 2025, we purchased substantially all of the assets of Jurado, Inc. (Jurado), a supplier of chili mash located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The purchase price for Jurado was $38.1 million and the determination of the fair value of the acquired Jurado assets was finalized during 2025. The results of Jurado’s operations have been included in our financial statements from the date of the acquisition and are not material.
Pending Merger with Unilever Foods Business
On March 31, 2026, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Unilever PLC (“Unilever”) to combine with the Unilever Foods business (“Unilever Foods”), a transaction that will create a global flavor leader in attractive and high-growth categories.
To facilitate the transaction, Unilever is expected to separate its Unilever Foods business, excluding its foods businesses in India, Nepal and Portugal, its Lifestyle & Nutrition business, its Buavita business, its Lipton Ready-to-Drink business and certain other businesses. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, we will issue voting and non-voting securities to Unilever shareholders and Unilever in the same proportion as is currently held by our shareholders. The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are expected to result in current Unilever shareholders owning approximately 55.1 % of the combined company, our current shareholders owning approximately 35.0 % of the combined company, and Unilever retaining up to approximately 9.9 % of the total outstanding equity of the combined company, assuming Unilever does not elect to dispose of such interest to its shareholders in accordance with the Merger Agreement. Unilever will also receive a one-time $15.7 billion cash payment, subject to certain adjustments. The distribution of shares of Unilever Foods to Unilever’s shareholders and the pending transaction, taken together, are intended to qualify as a Reverse Morris Trust transaction that is generally tax-free to Unilever’s shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except to the extent that cash is paid to Unilever’s shareholders in lieu of fractional shares or Unilever elects to sell all or substantially all of the Unilever Foods assets operated in the United States to McCormick or a subsidiary of McCormick in a transaction that is taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes (the "U.S. Asset Sale Election").
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The pending transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of our shareholders' approval, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, obtaining certain other consents, authorizations, orders or approvals from governmental authorities, including certain other antitrust and any foreign investment approvals, and the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed by us.
We and Unilever each have termination rights under the Merger Agreement. A termination fee of $420 million or transaction expense reimbursement up to $75 million may be payable by us to Unilever, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, each as more fully described in the Merger Agreement.
In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, we entered into a commitment letter on March 31, 2026 (the "Bridge Commitment Letter") with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., (the "Commitment Parties") pursuant to which the Commitment Parties committed to provide, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, a 364-day senior unsecured bridge term loan credit facility (the "Bridge Facility") in an aggregate principal amount of up to $15.7 billion. See Note 4 for more information on the Bridge Facility.
The Bridge Commitment Letter also contemplates that we will seek to obtain permanent financing in the form of senior unsecured notes and/or senior unsecured term loans prior to the closing of the Merger (collectively, the “Permanent Financing”). Commitments under the Bridge Facility will be reduced by the amount of any Permanent Financing as well as the proceeds of certain asset sales and certain other events. The receipt of financing by us is not a condition to our obligation to consummate the pending transaction.
3. SPECIAL CHARGES
The following is a summary of special charges, by income statement line item, recognized in the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025 (in millions):
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration expenses | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asset impairment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee severance and related benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special charges | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory step-up included in Cost of goods sold | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction expenses included in Interest expense | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total special charges | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
In our consolidated income statement, we include a separate line item captioned Special charges in arriving at our consolidated operating income. Special charges consist of expenses associated with certain actions undertaken to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and enhance our competitiveness. These charges are of such significance in terms of both up-front costs and organizational/structural impact to require advance approval by our Management Committee, comprised of our senior management, including our Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Expenses associated with any approved action are classified as special charges upon recognition and monitored on an ongoing basis through completion. Included in Special charges are transaction and integration costs incurred in conjunction with acquisitions and impairments of long-lived assets.
Transaction and Integration Expenses
During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, we recorded $95.3 million and $160.8 million, respectively, of transaction and integration expenses primarily related to our pending merger with Unilever Foods announced on March 31, 2026, as discussed in Note 2. These charges were incurred to directly support due diligence, deal execution, and integration activities and are primarily comprised of banking, legal, and consulting fees. Additional transaction costs of $12.4 million and $19.2 million for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, respectively, were recognized in Interest expense related to the amortization of debt financing fees associated with our pending merger with Unilever Foods.
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The following transaction and integration expenses recorded in 2026 relate to the pending Merger Agreement with Unilever Foods (in millions) for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026:
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | ||||||||||
| August 31, 2026 | August 31, 2026 | ||||||||||
| Transaction and integration expenses in Special charges | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Transaction expenses included in Interest expense | |||||||||||
| Total special charges related to the pending Unilever transaction | $ | $ | |||||||||
During the three months ended August 31, 2026, we recorded $95.3 million of transaction and integration expenses including $94.6 million related to our pending merger with Unilever Foods, which is described above, and $0.7 million related to our acquisition of McCormick de Mexico that closed on January 2, 2026.
During the nine months ended August 31, 2026, we recorded $160.8 million of transaction and integration expenses including $152.0 million related to our pending merger with Unilever Foods which is described above and $8.8 million related to our acquisition of McCormick de Mexico that closed on January 2, 2026, as discussed in Note 2. We also recorded $15.0 million in Cost of goods sold related to the step-up of acquired inventory related to the acquisition of McCormick de Mexico.
During the three months ended August 31, 2025, we recorded $0.9 million of transaction and integration costs related to the acquisition of Jurado, described in Note 2, which was primarily comprised of transaction costs.
During the nine months ended August 31, 2025, we recorded $1.7 million of transaction and integration costs related to the acquisition of Jurado, described in Note 2, which was primarily comprised of transaction costs.
Asset Impairment
In August 2026, we made the decision to cease operations at our development-stage pepper sourcing and agricultural technology project in Malaysia. The long-term initiative was designed to advance our innovation agenda by applying technology-enabled sourcing practices to help reduce costs and strengthen supply resiliency. However, recent changes in the macroeconomic and supply environment have resulted in less favorable project economics. Our decision to exit this project reflects our disciplined capital allocation strategy and allows resources to be redirected toward higher priority opportunities that management believes will better support long-term value creation. Our August 31, 2026 results reflect a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $43.1 1.8
Employee Severance and Related Benefits and Other Costs
We continue to evaluate changes to our organizational structure to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and improve our competitiveness.
During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, we recorded $1.8 million and $19.8 million, respectively, of employee severance and related benefit costs related to global selling, general and administrative streamlining actions and $1.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively, associated with other actions, including the exit costs incurred to cease operations at our development-stage pepper sourcing and agricultural technology project in Malaysia.
During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2025, we recorded $1.3 million and $12.7 million, respectively, of employee severance and related benefit costs related to global selling, general and administrative streamlining actions and $1.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively, associated with other actions.
As of August 31, 2026 and November 30, 2025, special charges of $6.1 million and $4.7 million, respectively, are included in Other accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet.
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4. FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Debt and Credit Facilities
In January 2026, we entered into a 364-day $500 million revolving credit facility, which will expire in January 2027. The current pricing for the 364-day credit facility, on a fully drawn basis, is Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 1.125 %. The pricing of the credit facility is based on a credit rating that contains a fully drawn maximum pricing of the credit facility equal to Term SOFR plus 1.50 %. The provisions of the revolving credit facility restrict subsidiary indebtedness and require us to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio, consistent with our five-year $2.0 billion revolving credit facility (the five-year facility). We do not expect this covenant will limit our access to those facilities for the foreseeable future.
In February 2026, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.15 % unsecured senior notes due 2029. Interest is payable semiannually in February and August of each year, beginning in August 2026. The net proceeds received from the issuances of these notes of $497.1 million were used to repay a portion of the outstanding $500 million 0.90 % notes due in February 2026.
In March 2026, we entered into the Bridge Commitment Letter in connection with the financing of the pending transaction with Unilever Foods, pursuant to which the Commitment Parties committed to provide, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, the Bridge Facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $15.7 billion to fund the cash consideration required for the pending transaction. During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, we paid $24.0 million and $75.0 million, respectively, of debt financing fees related to the transaction which were deferred in Other assets and are being amortized to Interest expense through the expected term of the commitment. We recognized $12.4 million and $19.2 million of interest expense for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, respectively. Effective April 28, 2026, we terminated $2.0 billion of the commitments under the Bridge Facility and entered into a term loan agreement as described below, subject to customary closing conditions for similar facilities.
In April 2026, we entered into a term loan agreement (the "Term Loan Agreement") by and among us, the lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent"). The Term Loan Agreement provides us with the ability to borrow up to $2.0 billion (the "Term Loan Facility") at the closing of the pending merger with Unilever Foods (the "Closing Date"), subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions for similar facilities, for the purpose of financing a portion of the cash consideration to be paid in the pending transaction and paying related fees and expenses in connection therewith. The Term Loan Facility may be funded on the Closing Date or, subject to compliance with certain conditions, on the preceding business day, and matures three years after the Closing Date. Under the Term Loan Agreement, borrowings will bear interest on the principal amount outstanding at a floating rate based on, at our election, (i) Term SOFR (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) plus an applicable margin based on the credit ratings of our senior unsecured long term debt ranging from 0.75 % to 1.50 % or (ii) Base Rate (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) plus an applicable margin based on the credit ratings of our senior unsecured long term debt ranging from 0.00 % to 0.50 %. The Term Loan Agreement contains a financial covenant requiring us to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio as well as other non-financial covenants and certain customary events of default.
As of August 31, 2026, we are in compliance with all debt covenants.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative financial instruments to enhance our ability to manage risk, including foreign currency, net investment, commodity, and interest rate exposures, which exist as part of our ongoing business operations. We do not enter into contracts for trading purposes, nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instrument. We are not a party to master netting arrangements, and we do not offset the fair value of derivative contracts with the same counterparty in our financial statement disclosures. The use of derivative financial instruments is monitored through regular communication with senior management and the use of written guidelines.
Foreign currency exchange risk. We are potentially exposed to foreign currency fluctuations affecting net investments in subsidiaries, transactions (both third-party and intercompany), and earnings denominated in foreign currencies. We assess foreign currency risk based on transactional cash flows and translational volatility and may enter into forward contracts and currency swaps with highly-rated financial institutions to reduce fluctuations in the long or short currency positions.
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The following is a summary of the notional amounts of outstanding foreign currency exchange contracts as of August 31, 2026 and November 30, 2025 (in millions):
| August 31, 2026 | November 30, 2025 | ||||||||||
| Fair value hedges | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | |||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
As a matter of policy, all cash flow hedges are designated for hedge accounting on the trade date of the derivative. However, certain cash flow hedges are de-designated at the anticipated transaction date and subsequently marked-to-market through earnings until maturity. For the nine months ended August 31, 2026, derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consisted primarily of foreign exchange contracts. Foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments resulted in a net gain of $0.8 million and $1.4 million in the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, respectively, recognized in Cost of goods sold, reflecting the effect of exchange rate movements associated with purchases denominated in U.S. dollars.
The fair value and cash flow hedges were designated as hedges of foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities or hedges of anticipated purchases denominated in a foreign currency. Hedge ineffectiveness was not material. All foreign currency exchange contracts generally have durations of less than 18 months. At August 31, 2026, $227.2 million of notional contracts had an initial duration of less than one month and are used to hedge short-term cash flow funding.
Contracts which are designated as hedges of foreign currency denominated assets are accounted for as fair value hedges. These foreign currency exchange contracts manage both exposure to currency fluctuations in certain intercompany loans between subsidiaries as well as currency exposure to third-party non-functional currency assets or liabilities. Gains and losses from contracts that are designated as hedges of assets, liabilities, or firm commitments are recognized through income, offsetting the change in fair value of the hedged item. Contracts which are designated as hedges of anticipated purchases denominated in a foreign currency (generally purchases of inventory in U.S. dollars by operating units outside the U.S.) are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The gains and losses on these contracts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in cost of goods sold, at which time the net amount deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income is also recognized in cost of goods sold. Contracts which are not designated as hedging instruments are marked-to-market, with changes in unrealized gain or loss recognized in earnings.
We also utilize cross currency interest rate swap contracts that are designated as net investment hedges. Any gains or losses on net investment hedges are included in foreign currency translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Net interest accruals excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness are included in earnings as interest expense.
Interest rate risk. We finance a portion of our operations with both fixed and variable rate debt instruments, principally commercial paper, notes, and bank loans. We utilize interest rate derivative contracts, including interest rate swap agreements, to minimize worldwide financing costs and to achieve a desired mix of variable and fixed rate debt.
Commodity price risk. We purchase certain raw materials which are subject to price volatility caused by weather, market conditions, growing and harvesting conditions, governmental actions, and other factors beyond our control. While future movements of raw material costs are uncertain, we respond to this volatility in a number of ways, including strategic raw material purchases, purchases of raw material for future delivery, and customer price adjustments. With the exception of soybean oil, we generally do not use derivatives to manage price volatility. We utilize commodity contracts, including commodity futures, options, and over-the counter swaps to manage price risk for soybean oil. These commodity contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. Generally, we hedge a portion of our anticipated consumption of soybean oil inputs for periods of up to 24 months.
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The following table discloses the notional amount and fair values of derivative instruments on our balance sheet (in millions):
| Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance sheet location | Notional amount | Fair value | Balance sheet location | Notional amount | Fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | Other current assets / Other long-term assets | $ | $ | Other accrued liabilities / Other long-term liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | Other current assets | Other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | Other current assets / Other long-term assets | Other accrued liabilities / Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | Other current assets / Other long-term assets | Other accrued liabilities / Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | Other current assets | Other accrued liabilities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of November 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | Other current assets / Other long-term assets | $ | $ | Other accrued liabilities / Other long-term liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | Other current assets | Other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | Other current assets / Other long-term assets | Other accrued liabilities / Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The following tables disclose the impact of derivative instruments on our other comprehensive income (OCI), accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), and our consolidated income statement for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025 (in millions):
| Fair Value Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative | Income statement location | Expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | Interest expense | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income statement location | Gain (loss) recognized in income | Income statement location | Gain (loss) recognized in income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative | 2026 | 2025 | Hedged item | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | Other income, net | $ | ( | $ | Intercompany loans | Other income, net | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | Other income, net | $ | $ | ( | Intercompany loans | Other income, net | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flow Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) recognized in OCI | Income statement location | Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | $ | $ | Interest expense | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | ( | ( | Cost of goods sold | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | ( | Cost of goods sold | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | $ | $ | Interest expense | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | ( | ( | Cost of goods sold | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | Cost of goods sold | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of August 31, 2026, the net amount of Accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with all cash flow, settled interest rate cash flow hedge derivatives, and commodity contracts expected to be reclassified in the next 12 months is a $49.3 million decrease to earnings.
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| Net Investment Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) recognized in OCI | Income statement location | Gain excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | $ | $ | ( | Interest expense | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | $ | ( | $ | ( | Interest expense | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For all net investment hedges, no amounts have been reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The amounts noted in the tables above for OCI do not include any adjustments for the impact of deferred income taxes.
Accounts Receivable Sale Program
We maintain a non-recourse accounts receivable sale program whereby certain eligible U.S. receivables are sold to a third-party financial institution in exchange for cash. The program provides us with an additional means for managing liquidity. We account for the transfer of receivables as a sale at the point control is transferred and remove the sold receivables from our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The proceeds from the sales of receivables are included in cash from operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Under the terms of the arrangement, we act as the collecting agent on behalf of the financial institution for sold receivables of $432.7 million and $430.0 million as of August 31, 2026 and November 30, 2025, respectively. As collecting agent, we had $67.1 million and $45.4 million of cash collected that was not yet remitted to the third-party financial institution as of August 31, 2026 and November 30, 2025, respectively. This obligation is reported within Other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and within cash flows from financing activities on the consolidated cash flow statement. For the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, the incremental costs of the receivable sale program totaled $4.9 million and $13.8 million, respectively, and were recognized as a reduction of Net sales. For the three and nine months ended August 31, 2025, the incremental costs of the receivable sale program totaled $4.3 million and $12.3 million, respectively.
5. LEASES
In August 2026, we amended the synthetic lease arrangement associated with our largest distribution facility in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region. The amendment extended the contractual expiration date from November 2027 to August 2031, revised the payment structure, and modified our residual value guarantee to $297.9 million. Given the change in the residual value guarantee, we reclassified the modified lease from an operating lease to a finance lease.
We accounted for the amendment as a modification of the existing lease and remeasured the lease liability using an updated incremental borrowing rate. We do not believe it is probable that amounts will be owed under the guarantee. Therefore, no amounts related to the residual value guarantee are included in the lease payments used to measure the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.
As of August 31, 2026, the finance lease right of use asset was $72.6 million recorded in Property, plant and equipment, net and the recognized finance lease liability was $73.1 million, of which $13.1 million was included in Current portion of long-term debt and $60.0 million was included in Long-term debt on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of November 30, 2025, when classified as an operating lease, the total right of use asset associated with this facility was $34.5 million recorded in Other long-term assets with a related lease obligation of $35.6 million, of which $17.5 million was included in Other accrued liabilities and $18.1 million was included in Other long-term liabilities. The lease amendment was signed at the end of the third quarter and the reclassification to a finance lease generated noncash investing and financing activities for the amounts described above. There was no cash exchanged in connection with the amendment.
6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Fair value can be measured using valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). Accounting standards utilize a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:
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•Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
•Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
•Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect management's own assumptions.
At August 31, 2026 and November 30, 2025, we had no financial assets or liabilities that were subject to a level 3 fair value measurement. Our population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are as follows (in millions):
| August 31, 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bonds and money market fund investments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency derivatives | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 30, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bonds and money market fund investments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency derivatives | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross currency contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
At August 31, 2026 and November 30, 2025, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, interest rate derivatives, foreign currency derivatives, cross currency contracts, commodity contracts, insurance contracts, and bonds and money market fund investments were equal to their respective fair values. Because of their short-term nature, the amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivables, short-term borrowings, and trade accounts payable approximate fair value. Investments in affiliates are not readily marketable, and it is not practicable to estimate their fair value.
Insurance contracts and bonds and money market fund investments are comprised of fixed income and equity securities held for certain non-qualified U.S. employee benefit plans and are stated at fair value on the balance sheet. The fair values of insurance contracts and bonds and money market fund investments are based upon the underlying values of the securities in which they
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are invested and are from quoted market prices from various stock and bond exchanges for similar type assets. The fair values for interest rate derivatives, foreign currency derivatives, cross currency contracts, and commodity contracts are based on values for similar instruments using models with market-based inputs.
The following table sets forth the carrying amounts and fair values of our long-term debt including the current portion thereof (in millions):
| August 31, 2026 | November 30, 2025 | ||||||||||
| Carrying amount | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Level 1 valuation techniques | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Level 2 valuation techniques | |||||||||||
| Total fair value | $ | $ | |||||||||
7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT PLANS
We sponsor defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and certain foreign locations. Additionally, we sponsor defined contribution plans in the U.S. and contribute to defined contribution plans in various locations outside the U.S., including government-sponsored retirement plans. We also provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain U.S. employees and retirees. We previously froze the accrual of future benefits under certain defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and certain foreign locations. Although our defined benefit plans in the U.S., United Kingdom (UK), and Canada have generally been frozen, employees who are participants in the plans retained benefits accumulated up to the date of the freeze, based on credited service and eligible earnings, in accordance with the terms of the plans.
The following table presents the components of our pension expense (income) and other postretirement benefits expense for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025 (in millions):
| United States pension | International pension | Other postretirement benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service costs | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of net actuarial losses (gains) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expense (income) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service costs | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of net actuarial losses (gains) | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expense (income) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
During the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025, we contributed $6.1 million and $7.2 million, respectively, to our pension plans. Total contributions to our pension plans in fiscal year 2025 were $9.2 million.
All of the amounts in the tables above for pension expense (income) and other postretirement benefits expense, other than service cost, were included in Other income, net within our consolidated income statements. The net aggregate amount of
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pension and other postretirement benefits income, excluding service cost components, was $(1.1 ) million and $(1.2 ) million for the three months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, and $(3.3 ) million and $(3.5 ) million for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
We have three types of stock-based compensation awards: restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options, and company stock awarded as part of our long-term performance plan (LTPP). The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense recorded in Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense (in millions):
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Our 2026 annual grant consisted of RSUs and stock awarded under our LTPP and occurred in the first quarter, similar to the 2025 annual grant. Substantially all of the RSUs granted in 2026 and 2025 vest ratably over a three-year period or, if earlier, upon the holder’s retirement eligibility date. Stock awarded under our LTPP vest ratably over a three-year period.
The following is a summary of our stock option activity for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025:
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (shares in millions) | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at end of the period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at end of the period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
As of August 31, 2026, the intrinsic value (the difference between the exercise price and the market price) for all options outstanding was $2.2 million and for options currently exercisable was $2.2 million. The total intrinsic value of all options exercised during the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and August 31, 2025 was $5.5 million and $9.2 million, respectively.
The following is a summary of our RSU activity for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025:
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (shares in thousands) | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The following is a summary of our LTPP activity for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025:
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (shares in thousands) | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value | Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
9. INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense for the three months ended August 31, 2026 included approximately $9.0 million of net discrete tax benefits consisting principally of the following: (i) $5.6 million of tax benefits resulting from an adjustment to a prior year tax accrual, and related deferred taxes, based on the final return filed, (ii) $2.3 million of net tax benefits from the reversal of certain reserves for unrecognized tax benefits and related interest associated with the expiration of statutes of limitations, and (iii) $1.4 million of tax benefits resulting from state tax matters, and related deferred taxes.
Income tax expense for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 included $16.4 million of net discrete tax benefits consisting principally of the following: (i) $5.6 million of tax benefits resulting from an adjustment to a prior year tax accrual, and related deferred taxes, based on the final return filed, (ii) $4.2 million of tax benefit associated with the reversal of a deferred tax liability related to the reassessment of a permanent reinvestment assertion, (iii) $3.4 million of net tax benefits from the reversal of certain reserves for unrecognized tax benefits and related interest associated with the expiration of statutes of limitations, (iv) $3.0 million of tax benefit associated with the adjustment of a valuation allowance, and (v) $1.4 million of tax benefits resulting from state tax matters, and related deferred taxes.
Income tax expense for the three months ended August 31, 2025 included approximately $20.0 million of net discrete tax benefits consisting principally of the following: (i) $8.7 million of tax benefits from the reversal of certain reserves for unrecognized tax benefits and related interest, including $4.4 million associated with the expiration of statutes of limitations, (ii) $8.1 million of tax benefits resulting from state tax matters, and related deferred taxes, and (iii) $3.5 million of tax benefits resulting from an adjustment to a prior year tax accrual, and related deferred taxes, based on the final return filed.
Income tax expense for the nine months ended August 31, 2025 included approximately $27.6 million of net discrete tax benefits consisting principally of the following: (i) $10.2 million of tax benefits from the reversal of certain reserves for unrecognized tax benefits and related interest, including $5.9 million associated with the expiration of statutes of limitations, (ii) $8.0 million of tax benefits resulting from state tax matters, and related deferred taxes, (iii) a $5.0 million tax benefit resulting from the revaluation of deferred taxes associated with enacted legislation, (iv) $3.5 million of tax benefits resulting from an adjustment to a prior year tax accrual, and related deferred taxes, based on the final return filed, and (v) $1.0 million of excess tax benefits associated with stock compensation.
Other than additions for current year tax positions and the discrete tax benefit associated with unrecognized tax benefits, as previously described, there were no significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended August 31, 2026.
As of August 31, 2026, we believe the reasonably possible total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that could increase or decrease in the next 12 months as a result of various statute expirations, audit closures, and/or tax settlements would not be material to our consolidated financial statements.
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10. CAPITAL STOCK AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the reconciliation of average shares outstanding (in millions):
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options/RSUs/LTPP | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – diluted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table sets forth the stock options and RSUs that were not considered in our earnings per share calculation since they were anti-dilutive (in millions):
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Anti-dilutive securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table sets forth common stock activity (in millions):
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued under stock options, RSUs, LTPP, and employee stock purchase plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares repurchased under the stock repurchase program and shares withheld for taxes under stock options, RSUs, and LTPP | |||||||||||||||||||||||
As of August 31, 2026, $403 million remained of the $600 million share repurchase program authorization approved by our Board of Directors in November 2019.
11. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO McCORMICK
The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, where applicable (in millions):
| August 31, 2026 | November 30, 2025 | ||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment(1) | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
Unrealized net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges(2) | ( | ||||||||||
| Unamortized value of settled interest rate swaps | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Pension and other postretirement costs | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to McCormick | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
(1)During the nine months ended August 31, 2026, the foreign currency translation adjustment of Accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased on a net basis by $198.6 million, inclusive of $0.9 million of unrealized losses associated with net investment hedges, $2.3 million of foreign currency translation gain associated with the exit of our development-stage pepper sourcing and agricultural technology project, and $40.6 million of foreign currency translation loss associated with our prior 50 % ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico that was reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss as more fully described in Note 2. Net investment hedges are more fully described in Note 4.
(2)During the nine months ended August 31, 2026, cash flow hedges generated unrealized gains and increased on a net basis by $28.1 million, inclusive of $4.2 million unrealized net loss on cash flow hedges associated with our prior 50 % ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico that was reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss as more fully described in Note 2. Cash flow hedges are more fully described in Note 4.
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The following table sets forth the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and into consolidated net income (in millions):
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | Affected Line Items in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Gains)/losses on cash flow hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate derivatives | $ | ( | $ | ( | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | Cost of goods sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | ( | ( | Cost of goods sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total before tax | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | ( | ( | Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net, after tax | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit adjustments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service costs(1) | $ | $ | $ | Other income, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial (gains)(1) | ( | ( | ( | ( | Other income, net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total before tax | $ | ( | $ | ( | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net, after tax | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts reclassified into earnings due to acquisitions and divestitures: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification as a result of acquisition of McCormick de Mexico Non-Controlling Interest | $ | $ | $ | $ | Income from unconsolidated operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification as a result of exit of pepper sourcing and agricultural technology project | ( | ( | Special charges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total before tax | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net, after tax | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of total pension (income) and other postretirement benefits expense. Refer to Note 7 for additional details.
12. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
We operate in two
Our CODM is our Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer. Our CODM uses operating income excluding special charges and transaction and integration expenses related to our acquisitions to manage segment performance and allocate resources across segments and considers variances of actual performance to our annual budget and periodic forecasts as well as year over year performance when making decisions. Special charges, including transaction and integration expenses, are excluded from operating income in our internal reporting to the CODM as this activity is managed separately from the business segments. Activity related to special charges, including transaction and integration expenses, is described in Note 3. Transaction
26
and integration expenses include the amortization of the acquisition-date fair value adjustment of inventories included in Cost of goods sold, costs directly associated with that acquisition and costs associated with integrating the businesses. We also exclude the gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interest from operating income in our internal reporting to the CODM, which was recorded upon consolidation of McCormick de Mexico during the first quarter of 2026 and is described in more detail in Note 2.
Although the segments are managed separately due to their distinct distribution channels and marketing strategies, manufacturing and warehousing are often integrated to maximize cost efficiencies. As a result, jointly utilized assets, including fixed assets, and depreciation and amortization expense are not maintained by individual segment. Depreciation and amortization expense is allocated to the segments except for amounts that are recognized in interest. Because of manufacturing integration for certain products within the segments, products are not sold from one segment to another but rather inventory is transferred at cost. Inter-segment transfers are not material.
| Consumer | Flavor Solutions | Total | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| SG&A expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| SG&A expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| SG&A expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| SG&A expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
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A reconciliation of cost of goods sold excluding special charges and operating income excluding special charges to cost of goods sold and operating income for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026 is as follows (in millions):
| Consumer | Flavor Solutions | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended August 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating income excluding special charges | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | ||||||||||||||||
The preceding table provides a reconciliation of our segment operating income excluding special charges to our consolidated operating income. The reconciliation of that operating income to income from consolidated operations before income taxes, which includes interest expense and other income, net is presented on the consolidated income statement.
Geographic Area
The following table sets forth our net sales, by geographic area, for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025 (in millions):
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| EMEA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| APAC | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
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ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to help the reader understand McCormick & Company, Incorporated, our operations, and our present business environment from the perspective of management. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto, included in Item 1 of this report. We use certain non-GAAP information – more fully described below under the caption Non-GAAP Financial Measures – that we believe is important for purposes of comparison to prior periods and development of future projections and earnings growth prospects. This information is also used by management to measure the profitability of our ongoing operations and analyze our business performance and trends. Unless otherwise noted, the dollar and share information in the charts and tables in MD&A are in millions, except per share data.
Business profile
McCormick is a global leader in flavor. We manufacture, market, and distribute spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the entire food and beverage industry – retailers, food manufacturers, and the foodservice business. In fiscal year 2025, approximately 39% of our sales were generated outside of the U.S. We also are partners in a number of joint ventures involved in the manufacture and sale of flavorful products. We manage our business in two business segments, Consumer and Flavor Solutions.
Recent Events
On January 2, 2026, we acquired an additional 25% ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico for a purchase price of $750.0 million, which increased our ownership to a 75% controlling interest. We believe the acquisition creates opportunities for further growth in the Mexican market and provides a strategic platform for further expansion in Latin America. McCormick de Mexico is a prominent food company in Mexico, with a broad portfolio, including mayonnaise, spices, marmalades, mustard, hot sauce, and tea, sold under McCormick brands. The acquisition is described in detail in Note 2 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that certain tariffs imposed under IEEPA by the executive branch are not lawful. On March 4, 2026, the CIT ordered CBP to begin the refund process for all importers who were subject to IEEPA tariffs. On April 20, 2026, CBP established an online portal through which companies can submit IEEPA tariff refund requests. We submitted our refund request on April 28, 2026, which is described in Note 1 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. We will continue to monitor U.S. tariff-related developments for further updates and any associated impacts on our consolidated financial statements.
On March 31, 2026, we entered into the Merger Agreement with Unilever, pursuant to which Unilever will separate its Unilever Foods business, excluding its foods businesses in India, Nepal and Portugal, as well as its Lifestyle & Nutrition business, Buavita business and Lipton Ready-to-Drink business, and Unilever Foods will merge with a wholly owned subsidiary of McCormick in a transaction intended to qualify as a Reverse Morris Trust transaction. The transaction is generally expected to be tax-free to Unilever’s shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except to the extent that cash is paid to Unilever’s shareholders in lieu of fractional shares and provided that Unilever does not make the U.S. Asset Sale Election.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, we will issue voting and non-voting securities to Unilever shareholders and Unilever in the same proportion as is currently held by our shareholders. The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are expected to result in current Unilever shareholders owning approximately 55.1% of the combined company, our current shareholders owning approximately 35.0% of the combined company, and Unilever retaining up to approximately 9.9% of the total outstanding equity of the combined company, assuming Unilever does not elect under the Merger Agreement to dispose of such interest. Unilever will also receive a one-time $15.7 billion cash payment, subject to certain adjustments. The pending transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary closing conditions, including shareholder and regulatory approvals. For additional information regarding the pending transaction, see Note 2 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Executive Summary
In the third quarter of 2026, we achieved net sales growth of 17.4% as compared to the same quarter of 2025, due to the following factors:
•Volume and product mix unfavorably impacted net sales by 0.3%. The Consumer segment experienced unfavorable volume and product mix of 1.1% and the Flavor Solutions segment experienced favorable volume and product mix of 0.8%.
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•Pricing favorably impacted net sales by 2.2%. The Consumer segment experienced favorable pricing of 2.2% and the Flavor Solutions segment experienced favorable pricing of 2.2%.
•The impact of our acquisition of McCormick de Mexico contributed 14.6% of our net sales growth.
•Fluctuations in currency rates positively impacted net sales by 0.9%. Fluctuations in currency rates positively impacted our Consumer segment sales growth by 0.6% and our Flavor Solutions segment sales growth by 1.3%.
Operating income was $217.0 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to $288.7 million in the same period of 2025, reflecting a decrease of 24.8%. Our gross profit margin increased by 190 basis points driven by the impacts of the McCormick de Mexico acquisition, favorable pricing, and cost savings from the Company's Comprehensive Continuous Improvement (CCI) program, partially offset by increased commodity costs and higher freight costs, including the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percentage of sales increased by 110 basis points, primarily driven by the impact of the McCormick de Mexico acquisition and increased investments in technology. Excluding special charges, adjusted operating income was $358.5 million in the third quarter of 2026, reflecting an increase of 22.1% compared to $293.6 million in the 2025 period, primarily driven by the impact of the McCormick de Mexico acquisition. In constant currency, adjusted operating income increased by 20.9%.
Diluted earnings per share was $0.36 and $0.84 in the third quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. Special charges, including transaction and integration costs and impairments of long-lived assets, lowered diluted earnings per share by $0.50 and $0.01 in the third quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. Excluding the effects of special charges, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.86 and $0.85 in the third quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share was driven by favorable operating income, partially offset by an increase in the effective tax rate, and an increase in interest expense.
A detailed review of our third quarter 2026 performance compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2025 appears in the section titled “Results of Operations – Company” and “Results of Operations – Segments.” For a reconciliation of non-GAAP to reported amounts, see the subsequent discussion under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2026 Outlook
Our fiscal 2026 outlook continues to reflect prioritized investments in key categories to sustain our volume trends and drive long-term profitable growth while appreciating the uncertainty of the consumer and macro environment, including global trade policies and the conflict in the Middle East. Our CCI program is continuing to fuel growth investments while also driving operating margin expansion. Our fiscal 2026 outlook also reflects meaningful contributions from the acquisition of a controlling interest in McCormick de Mexico, which closed on January 2, 2026.
Our outlook for 2026 adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude or otherwise adjust for items impacting comparability of financial results. We do not provide guidance on a GAAP basis as we cannot predict certain items included in GAAP results such as special charges, including transaction and integration expenses.
In 2026, we expect net sales to grow between 13% and 17% compared to 2025, including an 11% to 13% increase as a result of the acquisition of a controlling interest in McCormick de Mexico and a 1% favorable impact from foreign currency rates, or to grow from 1% to 3% on an organic basis. We anticipate that net sales will benefit from favorable pricing, while volumes are expected to remain flat.
In 2026, we expect an increase in adjusted operating income of 16% to 20% compared to 2025, including a 1% favorable impact from foreign currency rates, or to increase by 15% to 19% on a constant currency basis. This anticipated increase in adjusted operating income reflects adjusted gross margin expansion, accretion from the acquisition of the controlling interest in McCormick de Mexico and cost savings from our CCI program, partially offset by an increase in SG&A expense, including increased investments in technology, performance-based employee compensation expenses and investments aimed at driving volume growth, particularly in brand marketing. We project our brand marketing investments in 2026 to rise by low to mid-teens digits, including the impact from the acquisition of the controlling interest in McCormick de Mexico, compared to 2025. The benefit of the IEEPA tariff refund is expected to be offset by increased inflation, including costs related to the Middle East conflict, and continued investments in business growth.
We estimate that our 2026 adjusted effective tax rate, including the net favorable impact of anticipated discrete tax items, although at a lower amount than in 2025, will be 24.0% as compared to 21.5% in 2025.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $3.00 for the year ended November 30, 2025. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is projected to range from $3.05 to $3.13 in 2026. We expect adjusted diluted earnings per share to increase by 2% to 5%, which includes a 1% favorable impact from currency rates, or to increase by 1% to 4% on a constant currency basis.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – COMPANY
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,024.8 | $ | 1,724.9 | $ | 5,835.3 | $ | 4,989.9 | |||||||||||||||
| Percent increase | 17.4 | % | 2.7 | % | 16.9 | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
Components of percent change in net sales – increase (decrease): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pricing actions | 2.2 | % | 0.6 | % | 2.1 | % | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Volume and product mix | (0.3) | % | 1.2 | % | (0.5) | % | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition | 14.6 | % | — | % | 13.1 | % | — | % | |||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | 0.9 | % | 0.9 | % | 2.2 | % | (0.5) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 794.9 | $ | 645.1 | $ | 2,282.0 | $ | 1,871.9 | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit margin | 39.3 | % | 37.4 | % | 39.1 | % | 37.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Sales for the third quarter of 2026 increased by 17.4% from the same period in 2025 and increased by 1.9% on an organic basis (that is, excluding the impact of acquisitions and foreign currency exchange as more fully described under the caption, Non-GAAP Financial Measures). The acquisition of McCormick de Mexico added 14.6% to net sales. Pricing favorably impacted sales by 2.2% with favorable pricing from our Consumer and Flavor Solutions segments of 2.2% and 2.2%, respectively. Unfavorable volume and product mix decreased sales by 0.3% with unfavorable volume and product mix from our Consumer segment of 1.1% partially offset by favorable volume and product mix from our Flavor Solutions segment of 0.8%. Foreign currency rates increased sales by 0.9%.
Sales for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 increased by 16.9% from the same period in 2025 and increased by 1.6% on an organic basis. The acquisition of McCormick de Mexico added 13.1% to net sales. Pricing favorably impacted sales by 2.1% with favorable pricing from our Consumer and Flavor Solutions segments of 2.4% and 1.7%, respectively. Unfavorable volume and product mix decreased sales by 0.5% with unfavorable volume and product mix from our Consumer segment of 1.2% partially offset by favorable volume and product mix from our Flavor Solutions segment of 0.4%. Foreign currency rates increased sales by 2.2%.
Gross profit for the third quarter of 2026 increased by $149.8 million, or 23.2%, from the same period of 2025. Our gross profit margin was 39.3%, an increase of 190 basis points, driven by the impacts of the McCormick de Mexico acquisition, favorable pricing, and cost savings from the Company's CCI program, partially offset by increased commodity costs and higher freight costs, including the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
Gross profit for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 increased by $410.1 million, or 21.9%, from the same period in 2025. Our gross profit margin was 39.1%, an increase of 160 basis points, driven by the impact of the McCormick de Mexico acquisition, favorable pricing, the impact of the IEEPA tariff refund, and cost savings from the Company's CCI program, partially offset by increased commodity and freight costs, including the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. Excluding the impact of special charges included in Cost of goods sold, adjusted gross margin was 39.4%, or an increase of 190 basis points.
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expense | $ | 436.4 | $ | 352.5 | $ | 1,334.5 | $ | 1,095.5 | |||||||||||||||
| Percent of net sales | 21.6 | % | 20.5 | % | 22.9 | % | 21.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
SG&A expense increased by $83.9 million in the third quarter of 2026 as compared to the same period in 2025, driven primarily by the impact of the McCormick de Mexico acquisition, increased brand marketing expense, and increased investments in technology. SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased by 110 basis points.
SG&A expense increased by $239.0 million in the nine months ended August 31, 2026 as compared to the same period in 2025, driven primarily by the impact of the McCormick de Mexico acquisition, increased brand marketing expense, and increased investments in technology. SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased by 100 basis points.
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| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Special charges | $ | 141.5 | $ | 3.9 | $ | 226.6 | $ | 16.7 | |||||||||||||||
During the three months ended August 31, 2026, we recorded $141.5 million of special charges, including transaction and integration expenses. Those expenses consisted of $95.3 million of transaction and integration costs, $43.1 million related to the impairment of long-lived assets, $1.8 million associated with employee severance and related benefits associated with our SG&A streamlining actions, and $1.3 million associated with other actions, including the exit costs incurred to cease operations at our development-stage pepper sourcing and agricultural technology project in Malaysia.
During the nine months ended August 31, 2026, we recorded $226.6 million of special charges, including transaction and integration expenses. Those expenses consisted of $160.8 million of transaction and integration costs, $43.1 million related to the impairment of long-lived assets, $19.8 million associated with employee severance and related benefits associated with our SG&A streamlining actions, and $2.9 million associated with other actions, including the exit costs incurred to cease operations at our development-stage pepper sourcing and agricultural technology project in Malaysia.
During the three months ended August 31, 2025, we recorded $3.9 million of special charges, including transaction and integration expenses. Those expenses consisted of $1.3 million associated with employee severance and related benefits associated with our SG&A streamlining actions, $1.7 million associated with other actions, and $0.9 million of transaction and integration costs.
During the nine months ended August 31, 2025, we recorded $16.7 million of special charges, including transaction and integration expenses. Those expenses consisted principally of $12.7 million associated with employee severance and related benefits associated with our SG&A streamlining actions, $2.3 million associated with other actions, and $1.7 million of transaction and integration costs.
Details with respect to the composition of special charges, including transaction and integration expenses, are included in Note 3 of the notes to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 68.4 | $ | 50.2 | $ | 178.4 | $ | 149.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 5.9 | 9.4 | 17.2 | 29.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense increased by $18.2 million and $28.7 million for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2025, driven by $12.4 million and $19.2 million, respectively, of amortization of debt financing fees related to our pending merger with Unilever Foods. Interest expense in the 2026 periods was also impacted by the effects of higher interest rates and higher average borrowing levels.
Other income, net, decreased by $3.5 million and $11.8 million for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2025 due to a lower level of interest income driven primarily by the impact of the acquisition of McCormick de Mexico on our average cash balance during the period.
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from consolidated operations before income taxes | $ | 154.5 | $ | 247.9 | $ | 559.7 | $ | 639.0 | |||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 49.9 | 39.3 | 162.1 | 130.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 32.3 | % | 15.9 | % | 29.0 | % | 20.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
The effective tax rate for the three months ended August 31, 2026 increased by 16.4% compared to the same period in 2025 primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of nondeductible expenses and lower favorable discrete tax items.
The effective tax rate for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 increased by 8.6% compared to the same period in 2025 primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of nondeductible expenses and lower favorable discrete tax items.
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| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from unconsolidated operations | $ | 3.0 | $ | 19.1 | $ | 892.5 | $ | 58.3 | |||||||||||||||
Income from unconsolidated operations decreased $16.1 million for the three months ended August 31, 2026 compared to the same period of 2025. This decrease was primarily driven by the acquisition of an additional 25% ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico which resulted in the consolidation of McCormick de Mexico's financial results, which is described in more detail in Note 2 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Income from unconsolidated operations increased by $834.2 million for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 compared to the same period of 2025. This increase was primarily driven by a gain of $866.8 million on the remeasurement of our previously held equity interest in McCormick de Mexico, partially offset by the impact of consolidating McCormick de Mexico, which is described in more detail in Note 2 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | $ | 10.0 | $ | 2.2 | $ | 26.2 | $ | 4.3 | |||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $7.8 million for the three months ended August 31, 2026 and $21.9 million for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 compared to the same periods in 2025. This increase was driven by the net income attributable to our noncontrolling interest in McCormick de Mexico upon its consolidation in 2026.
The following table outlines the major components of the change in diluted earnings per share from 2025 to 2026:
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||
2025 Earnings per share – diluted | $ | 0.84 | $ | 2.09 | |||||||
| Impact of change in operating income | 0.20 | 0.55 | |||||||||
| Increase in special charges | (0.49) | (0.81) | |||||||||
| Increase in interest expense | (0.02) | (0.03) | |||||||||
| Decrease in other income, net | (0.01) | (0.04) | |||||||||
| After tax gain on remeasurement of a previously held equity interest in McCormick de Mexico | — | 3.22 | |||||||||
| Impact of change in effective income tax rate, excluding taxes on special charges | (0.07) | (0.09) | |||||||||
| Impact of net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | (0.03) | (0.08) | |||||||||
| Decrease in unconsolidated income | $ | (0.06) | $ | (0.12) | |||||||
2026 Earnings per share – diluted | $ | 0.36 | $ | 4.69 | |||||||
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — SEGMENTS
We measure the performance of our business segments based on operating income, excluding special charges for the periods presented. See Note 12 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on our segment measures as well as for a reconciliation by segment of operating income, excluding special charges, to consolidated operating income. In the following discussion, we refer to our previously described measure of segment profit as segment operating income.
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CONSUMER SEGMENT
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,215.4 | $ | 973.2 | $ | 3,503.1 | $ | 2,823.0 | |||||||||||||||
| Percent increase | 24.9 | % | 3.8 | % | 24.1 | % | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Segment operating income | $ | 241.1 | $ | 193.8 | $ | 637.6 | $ | 504.1 | |||||||||||||||
| Segment operating income margin | 19.8 | % | 19.9 | % | 18.2 | % | 17.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
In the third quarter of 2026, sales of our Consumer segment increased by 24.9% compared to the third quarter of 2025 and increased by 1.1% on an organic basis. The acquisition of McCormick de Mexico increased sales by 23.2%. Unfavorable volume and product mix decreased sales by 1.1%, driven by declines in the Americas region which were partially offset by growth in the EMEA and APAC regions. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 2.2% primarily driven by the Americas and EMEA regions. The favorable impact of foreign currency rates increased sales by 0.6%.
In the Americas region, Consumer segment sales increased by 31.7% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same quarter of 2025 and decreased by 0.3% on an organic basis. The acquisition of McCormick de Mexico increased sales by 32.1%. Unfavorable volume and product mix decreased sales by 2.5% driven by lower consumption across core categories. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 2.2%. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency rates decreased sales by 0.1%.
In the EMEA region, Consumer segment sales increased by 5.2% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same quarter of 2025 and increased by 5.0% on an organic basis. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 2.0%, driven by higher sales in Poland. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 3.0%. The favorable impact from foreign currency rates increased sales by 0.2%.
In the APAC region, Consumer segment sales increased by 10.7% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same quarter of 2025 and increased by 4.4% on an organic basis. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 4.1%, driven by higher sales in China. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 0.3%. The favorable impact from foreign currency rates increased sales by 6.3%.
For the nine months ended August 31, 2026, sales of our Consumer segment increased 24.1% as compared to the same period in 2025 and increased by 1.2% on an organic basis. The acquisition of McCormick de Mexico increased sales by 20.9%. Unfavorable volume and product mix decreased sales by 1.2% driven by declines in the Americas region which were partially offset by growth in the EMEA and APAC regions. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 2.4% driven by the Americas and EMEA regions. The favorable impact from foreign currency rates increased sales by 2.0%.
Segment operating income for our Consumer segment for the third quarter of 2026 increased by $47.3 million, or 24.4%, as compared to the same period of 2025 driven by an increase in gross profit, partially offset by an increase in SG&A expense. The increase in gross profit was driven by the impacts of our acquisition of McCormick de Mexico, favorable pricing, and CCI-led cost savings, partially offset by increased commodity costs and higher freight costs, including the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. The increase in SG&A expense was driven by the items described in the consolidated discussion. Segment operating margin decreased by 10 basis points to 19.8%. On a constant currency basis, segment operating income increased by 23.8%.
Segment operating income for our Consumer segment for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 increased by $133.5 million, or 26.5%, as compared to the same period in 2025, driven by the effects of an increase in gross profit partially offset by an increase in SG&A expense. The increase in gross profit was driven by the impacts of our acquisition of McCormick de Mexico, the IEEPA tariff refund, favorable pricing, and CCI-led cost savings, partially offset by increased commodity costs and higher freight costs, including the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. The increase in SG&A expense was driven by the items described in the consolidated discussion. Segment operating margin increased by 30 basis points to 18.2%. On a constant currency basis, segment operating income increased by 25.1%.
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FLAVOR SOLUTIONS SEGMENT
| Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 809.4 | $ | 751.7 | $ | 2,332.2 | $ | 2,166.9 | |||||||||||||||
| Percent increase | 7.7 | % | 1.2 | % | 7.6 | % | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Segment operating income | $ | 117.4 | $ | 99.8 | $ | 324.9 | $ | 273.3 | |||||||||||||||
| Segment operating income margin | 14.5 | % | 13.3 | % | 13.9 | % | 12.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
In the third quarter of 2026, sales of our Flavor Solutions segment increased by 7.7% as compared to the third quarter of 2025 and increased by 3.0% on an organic basis. The acquisition of McCormick de Mexico increased sales by 3.4%. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 0.8% driven by the APAC region, partially offset by lower sales in the Americas and EMEA regions. Favorable pricing increased sales by 2.2% driven by the Americas and EMEA regions, partially offset by unfavorable pricing in the APAC region. The favorable impact of foreign currency rates increased sales by 1.3%.
In the Americas region, Flavor Solutions sales increased by 8.4% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the third quarter of 2025 and increased by 2.7% on an organic basis. The acquisition of McCormick de Mexico increased sales by 4.9%. Unfavorable volume and product mix decreased sales by 0.1%. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 2.8%. The favorable impact from foreign currency rates increased sales by 0.8%.
In the EMEA region, Flavor Solutions sales increased by 1.6% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the third quarter of 2025 and increased by 1.2% on an organic basis. Unfavorable volume and product mix decreased sales by 1.0% driven by the effect of lower sales to quick-service restaurant customers. Favorable pricing impacted sales by 2.2%. The favorable impact from foreign currency rates increased sales by 0.4%.
In the APAC region, Flavor Solutions sales increased by 14.2% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the third quarter of 2025, and increased by 8.3% on an organic basis. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 10.0%, primarily driven by growth in China. Pricing unfavorably impacted sales by 1.7%. The favorable impact from foreign currency rates increased sales by 5.9%.
For the nine months ended August 31, 2026, sales of our Flavor Solutions segment increased 7.6% as compared to the same period in 2025 and increased by 2.1% on an organic basis. The acquisition of McCormick de Mexico increased sales by 3.0%. Favorable volume and product mix increased sales by 0.4% driven primarily by growth in the APAC region. Favorable pricing increased sales by 1.7%, driven by the Americas and EMEA regions partially offset by unfavorable pricing in the APAC region. The favorable impact of foreign currency rates increased segment sales by 2.5%.
Segment operating income for our Flavor Solutions segment for the third quarter of 2026 increased by $17.6 million, or 17.6%, compared to the same period of 2025 driven by an increase in gross profit partially offset by an increase in SG&A expense. The increase in gross profit was driven by favorable pricing, the impact of our acquisition of McCormick de Mexico, and CCI-led cost savings. The increase in SG&A expense was driven by the impact of the McCormick de Mexico acquisition and increased investments in technology. Segment operating margin increased by 120 basis points to 14.5%. On a constant currency basis, segment operating income increased by 15.4%.
Segment operating income for our Flavor Solutions segment for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 increased by $51.6 million, or 18.9%, compared to the same period in 2025, driven by the effects of an increase in gross profit partially offset by an increase in SG&A expense. The increase in gross profit was driven by favorable pricing, the impact of our acquisition of McCormick de Mexico, and CCI-led cost savings. The increase in SG&A expense was driven by the impact of the McCormick de Mexico acquisition and increased investments in technology. Segment operating margin increased by 130 basis points to 13.9%. On a constant currency basis, segment operating income increased by 15.2%.
MARKET RISK SENSITIVITY
We utilize derivative financial instruments to enhance our ability to manage risk, including foreign exchange, interest rate, and commodity exposures, which exist as part of our ongoing business operations. We do not enter into contracts for trading purposes, nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instrument. The use of derivative financial instruments is monitored through regular communication with senior management and the utilization of written guidelines.
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Foreign Exchange Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency risk affecting net investments in subsidiaries, transactions (both third-party and intercompany) and earnings denominated in foreign currencies. Management assesses foreign currency risk based on transactional cash flows and translational volatility and may enter into forward contract and currency swaps with highly-rated financial institutions to reduce fluctuations in the long or short currency positions. All derivatives are designated as hedges.
The following table sets forth the notional values and unrealized net gains (losses) of the portfolio of our forward foreign currency and cross currency swap contracts:
| August 31, 2026 | November 30, 2025 | ||||||||||
| Forward foreign currency: | |||||||||||
| Notional value | $ | 1,060.5 | $ | 1,018.2 | |||||||
| Unrealized net (loss) gain | (3.7) | 5.8 | |||||||||
| Cross currency swaps: | |||||||||||
| Notional value | 1,024.7 | 1,011.9 | |||||||||
| Unrealized net loss | (11.1) | (9.6) | |||||||||
The outstanding notional value is a result of our decisions on foreign currency exposure coverage, based on our foreign currency and foreign currency translation exposures.
Interest Rate Risk
We manage our interest rate exposure by entering into both fixed and variable rate debt arrangements. We use interest rate swaps to minimize worldwide financing costs and to achieve a desired mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We do not enter into contracts for trading purposes, nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instruments, and all derivatives are designated as hedges.
The following table sets forth the notional values and unrealized net gains (losses) of our interest rate swap contracts:
| August 31, 2026 | November 30, 2025 | ||||||||||
| Notional value | $ | 500.0 | $ | 500.0 | |||||||
| Unrealized net loss | (25.8) | (20.8) | |||||||||
The change in fair values of our interest rate swap contracts is due to changes in interest rates on the notional amounts outstanding as of each date as well as the remaining duration of our interest rate derivative contracts.
Commodity Risk
We purchase certain raw materials which are subject to price volatility caused by weather, market conditions, growing and harvesting conditions, governmental actions, and other factors beyond our control. Our most significant raw materials are dairy products, pepper, onion, garlic, capsicums (red peppers and paprika), salt, tomato products, sugar, and soybean oil. While future movements of raw material costs are uncertain, we respond to this volatility in a number of ways, including strategic raw material purchases, purchases of raw material for future delivery, customer price adjustments, and the use of derivative instruments. Our use of commodity derivatives is currently limited to swaps, futures, and options to reduce our exposure to the price volatility of soybean oil.
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The following table sets forth the notional values and unrealized net gains (losses) of our commodity contracts:
| August 31, 2026 | November 30, 2025 | ||||||||||
| Notional value | $ | 326.9 | $ | — | |||||||
| Unrealized net gain | 42.5 | — | |||||||||
Credit Risk
The customers of our Consumer segment are predominantly food retailers and food wholesalers. Consolidations in these industries have created larger customers. In addition, competition has increased with the growth in alternative channels including mass merchandisers, dollar stores, warehouse clubs, discount chains, and e-commerce. This has caused some customers to be less profitable and increased our exposure to credit risk. Some of our customers and counterparties are highly leveraged. We continue to closely monitor the credit worthiness of our customers and counterparties. We believe that our allowance for credit losses properly recognizes trade receivables at realizable value. We consider nonperformance credit risk for other financial instruments to be insignificant.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The following tables include financial measures of organic net sales, adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross profit margin, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating income margin, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted income tax rate, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share. These represent non-GAAP financial measures which are prepared as a complement to our financial results prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. These financial measures exclude the impact, as applicable, of the following:
•Special charges - Special charges consist of expenses and income associated with certain actions undertaken by us to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and improve our competitiveness and are of such significance in terms of both up-front costs and organizational/structural impact to require advance approval by our Management Committee. Expenses associated with the approved actions are classified as special charges upon recognition and monitored on an ongoing basis through completion. Included in special charges are transaction and integration costs incurred in conjunction with acquisitions and impairments of long-lived assets.
•Gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interest - On January 2, 2026, we completed the acquisition of an additional 25% ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico which increased our ownership to a 75% controlling interest. Prior to the acquisition of the additional ownership interest, we accounted for our 50% ownership interest as an equity method investment. The acquisition of the additional ownership interest resulted in the consolidation of McCormick de Mexico's financial results. As a result of the consolidation, the carrying value of our previously held 50% ownership interest was remeasured to fair value resulting in a gain.
Details with respect to the composition of special charges, including transaction and integration expenses, set forth below are included in Note 3 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Details with respect to our gain on the revaluation of a previously held equity interest in McCormick de Mexico are included in Note 2 of the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Details with respect to the composition of special charges, including transaction and integration expenses, for the year ended November 30, 2025 are included in Note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2025.
We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are important. The exclusion of the items noted above provides additional information that enables enhanced comparisons to prior periods and, accordingly, facilitates the development of future projections and earnings growth prospects. This information is also used by management to measure the profitability of our ongoing operations and analyze our business performance and trends.
These non-GAAP financial measures may be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP; however, they should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Furthermore, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, as they may calculate them differently than we do. We intend to continue providing these non-GAAP financial measures as part of our future earnings discussions, ensuring consistency in our financial reporting.
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A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the related GAAP financial measures follows:
For the year ended November 30, 2025 | Three months ended August 31, | Nine months ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,592.2 | $ | 794.9 | $ | 645.1 | $ | 2,282.0 | $ | 1,871.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impact of Special charges included in cost of goods sold | 2.1 | — | 1.0 | 15.0 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted gross profit | $ | 2,594.3 | $ | 794.9 | $ | 646.1 | $ | 2,297.0 | $ | 1,872.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit margin(1) | 37.9 | % | 39.3 | % | 37.4 | % | 39.1 | % | 37.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impact of Special charges(1) | — | % | — | % | 0.1 | % | 0.3 | % | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted gross profit margin(1) | 37.9 | % | 39.3 | % | 37.5 | % | 39.4 | % | 37.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1,070.8 | $ | 217.0 | $ | 288.7 | $ | 720.9 | $ | 759.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impact of Special charges | 23.2 | 141.5 | 4.9 | 241.6 | 17.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 1,094.0 | $ | 358.5 | $ | 293.6 | $ | 962.5 | $ | 777.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income margin(2) | 15.7 | % | 10.7 | % | 16.7 | % | 12.4 | % | 15.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impact of Special charges(2) | 0.3 | % | 7.0 | % | 0.3 | % | 4.1 | % | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating income margin(2) | 16.0 | % | 17.7 | % | 17.0 | % | 16.5 | % | 15.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 195.8 | $ | 49.9 | $ | 39.3 | $ | 162.1 | $ | 130.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impact of Special charges | 5.5 | 19.8 | 1.3 | 30.7 | 4.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted income tax expense | $ | 201.3 | $ | 69.7 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 192.8 | $ | 134.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax rate(3) | 21.4 | % | 32.3 | % | 15.9 | % | 29.0 | % | 20.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impact of Special charges | 0.1 | % | (9.7) | % | 0.2 | % | (5.5) | % | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted income tax rate(3) | 21.5 | % | 22.6 | % | 16.1 | % | 23.5 | % | 20.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to McCormick & Company | $ | 789.4 | $ | 97.6 | $ | 225.5 | $ | 1,263.9 | $ | 562.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impact of Special charges, net of non-controlling interest(4)(5) | 17.7 | 134.1 | 3.6 | 227.4 | 13.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interest | — | — | — | (866.8) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 807.1 | $ | 231.7 | $ | 229.1 | $ | 624.5 | $ | 576.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share – diluted | $ | 2.93 | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 4.69 | $ | 2.09 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impact of Special charges | 0.07 | 0.50 | 0.01 | 0.85 | 0.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interest | — | — | — | (3.22) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted earnings per share – diluted | $ | 3.00 | $ | 0.86 | $ | 0.85 | $ | 2.32 | $ | 2.14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (1) | Gross profit margin, impact of special charges, and adjusted gross profit margin are calculated as gross profit, impact of special charges, and adjusted gross profit as a percentage of net sales for each period presented. The impact of special charges included in cost of goods sold represents the step-up of acquired inventory recognized in cost of goods sold as the related inventory was sold. | ||||||||||||||||
| (2) | Operating income margin, impact of special charges, and adjusted operating income margin are calculated as operating income, impact of special charges, and adjusted operating income as a percentage of net sales for each period presented. | ||||||||||||||||
| (3) | Income tax rate is calculated as income tax expense as a percentage of income from consolidated operations before income taxes. Adjusted income tax rate is calculated as adjusted income tax expense as a percentage of income from consolidated operations before income taxes excluding special charges of $308.4 million and $252.8 million for the three months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, and $820.5 million and $656.7 million for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Adjusted income tax rate is calculated as adjusted income tax expense as a percentage of income from consolidated operations before income taxes excluding special charges of $936.2 million for the year ended November 30, 2025. | ||||||||||||||||
| (4) | The impact of special charges, net of noncontrolling interests, for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 includes a $2.6 million non-controlling interest effect associated with the step-up of acquired inventory recognized in cost of goods sold as the related inventory was sold. | ||||||||||||||||
| (5) | The impact of special charges, net of noncontrolling interests, for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026 includes a net income impact of $12.4 million and $19.2 million, respectively, related to transaction expenses included in interest expense. | ||||||||||||||||
Because we are a multi-national company, we are subject to variability of our reported U.S. dollar results due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Those changes can be volatile. The exclusion of the effects of foreign currency exchange, or what we refer to as amounts expressed “on a constant currency basis,” is a non-GAAP measure. We believe that this non-GAAP measure provides additional information that enables enhanced comparison to prior periods excluding the translation effects of changes in rates of foreign currency exchange and provides additional insight into the underlying performance of our operations located outside of the U.S. It should be noted that our presentation herein of amounts and percentage changes on a constant currency basis does not exclude the impact of foreign currency transaction gains and losses (that is, the impact of transactions denominated in other than the local currency of any of our subsidiaries in their local currency reported results).
We provide organic net sales growth rates for our consolidated net sales and segment net sales. We believe that organic net sales growth rates provide useful information to investors because they provide transparency to underlying performance in our net sales by excluding the effect that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, acquisitions, and divestitures, as applicable, have on year-to-year comparability. A reconciliation of these measures from reported net sales growth rates, the relevant GAAP measures, are included in the tables set forth below.
Percentage changes in sales and adjusted operating income expressed on a constant currency basis are presented excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange. To present this information for historical periods, current period results for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the comparative year, rather than at the actual average exchange rates in effect during the current fiscal year. As a result, the foreign currency impact is equal to the current year results in local currencies multiplied by the change in the average foreign currency exchange rate between the current fiscal period and the corresponding period of the comparative year.
Rates of constant currency and organic growth (decline) follow:
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| Three months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
| Percentage change as reported | Impact of foreign currency exchange | Percentage change on constant currency basis | Impact of acquisition | Percentage change on an organic basis | |||||||||||||
| Net sales: | |||||||||||||||||
| Consumer segment: | |||||||||||||||||
| Americas | 31.7 | % | (0.1) | % | 31.8 | % | 32.1 | % | (0.3) | % | |||||||
| EMEA | 5.2 | % | 0.2 | % | 5.0 | % | — | % | 5.0 | % | |||||||
| APAC | 10.7 | % | 6.3 | % | 4.4 | % | — | % | 4.4 | % | |||||||
| Total Consumer | 24.9 | % | 0.6 | % | 24.3 | % | 23.2 | % | 1.1 | % | |||||||
| Flavor Solutions segment: | |||||||||||||||||
| Americas | 8.4 | % | 0.8 | % | 7.6 | % | 4.9 | % | 2.7 | % | |||||||
| EMEA | 1.6 | % | 0.4 | % | 1.2 | % | — | % | 1.2 | % | |||||||
| APAC | 14.2 | % | 5.9 | % | 8.3 | % | — | % | 8.3 | % | |||||||
| Total Flavor Solutions | 7.7 | % | 1.3 | % | 6.4 | % | 3.4 | % | 3.0 | % | |||||||
| Total net sales | 17.4 | % | 0.9 | % | 16.5 | % | 14.6 | % | 1.9 | % | |||||||
| Nine months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
| Percentage change as reported | Impact of foreign currency exchange | Percentage change on constant currency basis | Impact of acquisition | Percentage change on an organic basis | |||||||||||||
| Net sales: | |||||||||||||||||
| Consumer segment: | |||||||||||||||||
| Americas | 30.0 | % | 0.1 | % | 29.9 | % | 29.7 | % | 0.2 | % | |||||||
| EMEA | 10.5 | % | 6.5 | % | 4.0 | % | — | % | 4.0 | % | |||||||
| APAC | 8.9 | % | 5.8 | % | 3.1 | % | — | % | 3.1 | % | |||||||
| Total Consumer | 24.1 | % | 2.0 | % | 22.1 | % | 20.9 | % | 1.2 | % | |||||||
| Flavor Solutions segment: | |||||||||||||||||
| Americas | 8.2 | % | 1.6 | % | 6.6 | % | 4.2 | % | 2.4 | % | |||||||
| EMEA | 4.6 | % | 4.2 | % | 0.4 | % | — | % | 0.4 | % | |||||||
| APAC | 9.1 | % | 5.9 | % | 3.2 | % | — | % | 3.2 | % | |||||||
| Total Flavor Solutions | 7.6 | % | 2.5 | % | 5.1 | % | 3.0 | % | 2.1 | % | |||||||
| Total net sales | 16.9 | % | 2.2 | % | 14.7 | % | 13.1 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||
| Three months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||
| Percentage change as reported | Impact of foreign currency exchange | Percentage change on constant currency basis | |||||||||
| Adjusted operating income: | |||||||||||
| Consumer segment | 24.4 | % | 0.6 | % | 23.8 | % | |||||
| Flavor Solutions segment | 17.6 | % | 2.2 | % | 15.4 | % | |||||
| Total adjusted operating income | 22.1 | % | 1.2 | % | 20.9 | % | |||||
| Nine months ended August 31, 2026 | |||||||||||
| Percentage change as reported | Impact of foreign currency exchange | Percentage change on constant currency basis | |||||||||
| Adjusted operating income: | |||||||||||
| Consumer segment | 26.5 | % | 1.4 | % | 25.1 | % | |||||
| Flavor Solutions segment | 18.9 | % | 3.7 | % | 15.2 | % | |||||
| Total adjusted operating income | 23.8 | % | 2.2 | % | 21.6 | % | |||||
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To present the percentage change in projected 2026 net sales, adjusted operating income, and adjusted earnings per share (diluted) on a constant currency basis, the projected 2026 results for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the actual exchange rates in effect for each month during 2025. These 2026 figures are then compared to our actual results for 2025. This determines what 2026 results would be if currency exchange rates had not changed from 2025.
Projections for the Year Ending November 30, 2026 | |||||||||||
| Percentage change in net sales | 13% to 17% | ||||||||||
| Impact of favorable foreign currency exchange | 1% | ||||||||||
| Percentage change in net sales in constant currency | 12% to 16% | ||||||||||
| Impact of acquisition | 11% to 13% | ||||||||||
| Percentage change in organic net sales | 1% to 3% | ||||||||||
| Percentage change in adjusted operating income | 16% to 20% | ||||||||||
| Impact of favorable foreign currency exchange | 1% | ||||||||||
| Percentage change in adjusted operating income in constant currency | 15% to 19% | ||||||||||
| Percentage change in adjusted earnings per share - diluted | 2% to 5% | ||||||||||
| Impact of favorable foreign currency exchange | 1% | ||||||||||
| Percentage change in adjusted earnings per share in constant currency - diluted | 1% to 4% | ||||||||||
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
| Nine months ended August 31, | |||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 598.8 | $ | 420.2 | |||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (861.1) | (172.2) | |||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | 490.3 | (378.3) | |||||||||
The primary objective of our financing strategy is to maintain a prudent capital structure that provides us with flexibility to pursue our growth objectives. We use a combination of equity and short- and long-term debt. We use short-term debt, comprised primarily of commercial paper, principally to finance ongoing operations, including our requirements for working capital (accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, and inventories, less accounts payable, accrued payroll, and other accrued liabilities). We are committed to maintaining investment grade credit ratings.
Our cash flow from operations enables us to fund operating projects and investments that are designed to meet our growth objectives, service our debt, fund or increase our quarterly dividends, fund capital projects and other investments, and make share repurchases when appropriate. Due to the cyclical nature of a portion of our business, our cash flow from operations has historically been the strongest during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year. Due to the timing of the interest payments on our long-term debt, interest payments are higher in the first and third quarters of our fiscal year.
We expect that the pending merger with Unilever Foods is likely to result in a material increase in our debt and liquidity needs that will impact our capital needs prior to and after the closing of such transaction. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, we will issue voting and non-voting securities to Unilever and its shareholders and make a one-time cash payment of $15.7 billion to Unilever, subject to certain adjustments, which we intend to fund through the Bridge Facility, the Term Loan Facility, and, to the extent available, the Permanent Financing. See Note 4 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion. We believe that our sources of liquidity, which include existing cash balances, cash flows from operations, existing credit facilities, our commercial paper program, access to capital markets and the committed debt financing related to the pending transaction with Unilever Foods, will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our debt obligations, including any repayment of debt or refinancing of debt, working capital needs, planned capital expenditures, the one-time cash
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payment to Unilever in connection with the pending transaction, the payment associated with an acquisition and payment of anticipated quarterly dividends for at least the next twelve months.
In the consolidated cash flow statement, the changes in operating assets and liabilities are presented excluding the translation effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates as these do not reflect actual cash flows. In addition, in the cash flow statement, the changes in operating assets and liabilities are presented excluding the effect of acquired or disposed operating assets and liabilities, as the cash flow associated with acquisition or disposition of businesses is presented as an investing activity. Accordingly, the amounts in the cash flow statement do not agree with changes in the operating assets and liabilities that are presented in the balance sheet.
Operating Cash Flow — Net cash provided by operating activities of $598.8 million for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 increased $178.6 million as compared to $420.2 million for the corresponding 2025 period. The increase in operating cash flow was primarily driven by lower cash used for working capital, including cash inflows associated with tariff refunds.
Investing Cash Flow — Cash used in investing activities of $861.1 million for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 increased by $688.9 million as compared to $172.2 million for the corresponding period in 2025. Our primary investing cash flows included cash used in the acquisition of a business and cash used for capital expenditures. Capital expenditures, including expenditures for capitalized software, decreased from the 2025 level of $138.1 million to $131.2 million. Cash used for the acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 was $729.9 million as compared to $34.1 million for the nine months ended August 31, 2025. We expect 2026 capital expenditures to approximate $250 million.
Financing Cash Flow — Financing activities provided cash of $490.3 million for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 as compared to a use of cash of $378.3 million for the corresponding period in 2025. The year-over-year change was primarily driven by fluctuations in net borrowings, share repurchase activity, and dividend payments, as further described below.
The following table outlines our net borrowing activities:
| Nine months ended August 31, | |||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||
| Net increase in short-term borrowings (repayments), net | $ | 958.8 | $ | 13.2 | |||||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | (506.7) | (15.7) | |||||||||
| Debt financing fees paid | (75.0) | — | |||||||||
Long-term debt borrowings (net of debt issuance costs of $1.1) | 498.3 | 2.4 | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by borrowing activities | $ | 875.4 | $ | (0.1) | |||||||
During the nine months ended August 31, 2026, the increase in short-term borrowings was principally to fund investing cash requirements. During the nine months ended August 31, 2026, we repaid $506.7 million of long-term debt, including the $500 million, 0.90% notes that matured in February 2026. During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2026, we paid $24 million and $75 million, respectively, of aggregate debt financing fees related to the pending merger with Unilever Foods which were deferred in Other assets and are being amortized to Interest expense. During the nine months ended August 31, 2026, we issued $500 million of 4.15% notes due 2029, with net proceeds received of $497.1 million.
The following table outlines the activity in our share repurchase program:
| Nine months ended August 31, | |||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||
| Number of shares of common stock repurchased (in thousands) | 154 | 382 | |||||||||
| Dollar amount (in millions) | $ | 10.9 | $ | 29.2 | |||||||
As of August 31, 2026, approximately $403 million remained of the $600 million share repurchase program that was authorized by the Board of Directors in November 2019. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased is determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors.
During the nine months ended August 31, 2026, we received proceeds of $23.9 million from exercised stock options as compared to $15.1 million received in the corresponding 2025 period. We repurchased $11.9 million and $13.2 million of common stock during the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, in conjunction with employee tax withholding requirements associated with our stock compensation plans.
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Dividends paid increased to $387.0 million, or a per share quarterly dividend of $0.48, in the first nine months of 2026 from $362.2 million, or a per share quarterly dividend of $0.45, of dividends paid in the same period last year. The timing and amount of any future dividends is determined by our Board of Directors. We paid dividends to our joint venture partners of $20.8 million in the first nine months of 2026.
Most of our cash is in our subsidiaries outside of the U.S. We manage our worldwide cash requirements by considering available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct our business and the cost effectiveness with which those funds can be accessed. Those balances are generally available without legal restrictions to fund ordinary business operations, capital projects and any possible future acquisitions.
At August 31, 2026 and 2025, we temporarily used $510.9 million and $652.2 million, respectively, of cash from our non-U.S. subsidiaries to pay down short-term debt in the U.S. During a quarter, our short-term borrowings vary, but are typically lower at the end of a quarter. The average short-term borrowings outstanding for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025 were $1,599.5 million and $1,099.4 million, respectively. Total average debt outstanding for the nine months ended August 31, 2026 and 2025 was $5,177.3 million and $4,899.4 million, respectively.
The reported values of our assets and liabilities are significantly affected by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates between periods. At August 31, 2026, the exchange rate for the British pound sterling, euro, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Chinese renminbi, and Australian dollar were higher than the U.S. dollar at November 30, 2025 while the Polish zloty was lower than the U.S. dollar at November 30, 2025.
Credit and Capital Markets
Cash flows from operating activities are our primary source of liquidity for funding growth, dividends, capital expenditures and share repurchases. We also rely on our revolving credit facilities, or borrowings backed by these facilities, to fund working capital needs and other general corporate requirements.
In February 2026, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.15% unsecured senior notes due 2029. Interest is payable semiannually in February and August of each year, beginning in August 2026. The net proceeds received from the issuances of these notes of $497.1 million were used to repay a portion of the outstanding $500 million 0.90% notes due in February 2026.
In March 2026, we entered into the Bridge Commitment Letter in connection with the financing of the pending transaction with Unilever Foods, pursuant to which the Commitment Parties committed to provide, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, the Bridge Facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $15.7 billion to fund the cash consideration and related fees and expenses at closing of the pending transaction. Effective April 28, 2026, we terminated $2.0 billion of the commitments under the Bridge Facility and entered into a term loan agreement as described below, subject to customary closing conditions for similar facilities.
In April 2026, we entered into the Term Loan Agreement by and among us, the lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent. The Term Loan Agreement provides us with the Term Loan Facility at the Closing Date, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions for similar facilities, for the purpose of financing a portion of the cash consideration to be paid in the pending transaction and paying related fees and expenses in connection therewith. The Term Loan Facility may be funded on the Closing Date or, subject to compliance with certain conditions, on the preceding business day, and matures three years after the Closing Date. Under the Term Loan Agreement, borrowings will bear interest on the principal amount outstanding at a floating rate based on, at our election, (i) Term SOFR (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) plus an applicable margin based on the credit ratings of our senior unsecured long term debt ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% or (ii) Base Rate (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) plus an applicable margin based on the credit ratings of our senior unsecured long term debt ranging from 0.00% to 0.50%. The Term Loan Agreement contains a financial covenant requiring us to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio as well as other non-financial covenants and certain customary events of default.
Our committed revolving credit facilities include a five-year $2.0 billion revolving credit facility expiring in May 2030 and a 364-day $500 million revolving credit facility expiring in January 2027. Pricing for both facilities, on a fully drawn basis, is currently Term SOFR plus 1.125% and is based on a credit rating grid, with a maximum fully drawn rate of Term SOFR plus 1.50%. The provisions of our revolving credit facilities restrict subsidiary indebtedness and require us to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio. We do not expect that this covenant would limit our access to our revolving credit facilities for the foreseeable future.
We generally use our revolving credit facilities to support our issuance of commercial paper. If the commercial paper market is not available or viable, we could borrow directly under our revolving credit facility. This facility is made available by a syndicate of banks, with various commitments per bank. If any of the banks in this syndicate are unable to perform on their commitments, our liquidity could be impacted, which could reduce our ability to grow through funding of our working capital.
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We periodically review our banking and financing relationships, considering the stability of the institutions and other aspects of the relationships. In addition, we engage in regular communication with all banks participating in our credit facility. During these communications, none of the banks have indicated that they may be unable to perform on their commitments. Based on these communications and our monitoring activities, we believe our banks will perform on their commitments.
Material Cash Requirements
We will continue to have cash requirements to support seasonal working capital needs and capital expenditures, to pay interest, to service debt, and to fund acquisitions. As part of our ongoing operations, we enter into contractual arrangements that obligate us to make future cash payments. Our primary obligations include principal and interest payments on our outstanding short-term borrowings and long-term debt. Our other cash requirements include raw material purchases, lease payments, income taxes, anticipated quarterly dividends, and pension and postretirement benefits, as well as other contractual obligations. In addition, in connection with the pending transaction with Unilever Foods, we will be obligated to make a one-time cash payment of $15.7 billion to Unilever, subject to certain adjustments.
These obligations impact our liquidity and capital resource needs. To meet those cash requirements, we intend to use our existing cash, cash equivalents and internally generated funds, to borrow under our existing credit facilities or under other short-term borrowing facilities, to utilize the committed debt financing we have obtained in connection with the pending transaction, and depending on market conditions and upon the significance of the cost of a particular debt maturity to our then-available sources of funds, to obtain additional short- and long-term financing. We believe that the cash provided from these sources will be adequate to meet our future cash requirements.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
New accounting pronouncements are issued periodically that affect our current and future operations. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2025 and Note 1 of notes to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further details of these impacts.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
In preparing the financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses reported. These estimates can also affect supplemental information disclosed by us, including information about contingencies, risk and financial condition. We believe, given current facts and circumstances, our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, adhere to GAAP and are consistently applied. Inherent in the nature of an estimate or assumption is the fact that actual results may differ from estimates, and estimates may vary as new facts and circumstances arise. In preparing the financial statements, we make routine estimates and judgments in determining the net realizable value of accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, and prepaid allowances. Our most critical accounting estimates and assumptions are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2025.
There have been no changes in our critical accounting estimates and assumptions included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2025 except as follows.
Business Combinations
We use the acquisition method in accounting for acquired businesses. Under the acquisition method, our financial statements reflect the operations of an acquired business starting from the closing of the acquisition. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their respective estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition. The fair value of any noncontrolling interest is estimated based on the implied value derived from the consideration transferred adjusted for any control premium. Any excess of the purchase consideration over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Significant judgment is often required in estimating the fair value of assets acquired, particularly intangible assets, and noncontrolling interest. We generally obtain the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist in estimating fair values of tangible and intangible assets as well as estimating the fair value of any noncontrolling interest. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on expectations and assumptions about the future, considering the perspective of marketplace participants. While management believes those expectations and assumptions are reasonable, they are inherently uncertain. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur, which could affect the accuracy or validity of the estimates and assumptions.
Determining the useful lives of intangible assets also requires judgment. Certain intangibles are expected to have indefinite lives, including brand intangibles based on their history and our plans to continue to support and build the acquired brands, and reacquired rights based on their ability to contribute cash flows for the foreseeable future without substantive limiting factors.
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Other acquired intangible assets such as customer relationships are expected to have determinable useful lives. Our estimates of the useful lives of definite-lived intangible assets are primarily based upon historical experience, the competitive and macroeconomic environment, and our operating plans. The costs of definite-lived intangibles are amortized to expense over their estimated life.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements contained in this report, including statements concerning expected performance such as those relating to net sales, gross margin, earnings, cost savings, special charges, including transaction and integration expenses, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, brand marketing support, volume and product mix, income tax expense, tariff-related matters, and the impact of foreign currency rates are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “should,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “plan,” and similar expressions. These statements may relate to: the anticipated benefits and timing of, and our plans, strategies and objectives relating to, the pending transaction with Unilever Foods, including: the parties’ ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the pending transaction, including changes in relevant tax and other applicable laws; the possibility of failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, anticipated tax treatment or any required financing, or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the pending transaction; the possibility that unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, and business and management strategies could impact the value or expected benefit of, timing or pursuit of the pending transaction; the risks and costs of the pursuit and/or implementation of the anticipated separation of Unilever Foods' business prior to closing, including the anticipated timing required to complete the separation, any adjustment to the terms of the separation and any changes to the configuration of the businesses included in the separation if implemented; the financing of the pending transaction, including with respect to the Bridge Facility, the Term Loan Facility, and any other subsequent financing; the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 and our receipt of shareholder approval for the pending transaction and certain related matters; the anticipated ownership percentages of McCormick shareholders, Unilever shareholders and Unilever following the closing of the pending transaction; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the pending transaction on Unilever Foods’ or our business relationships, competition, business, financial condition and operating results; our ability to successfully integrate Unilever Foods’ operations and the implementation of and compliance with plans, agreements, forecasts and other expectations with respect to Unilever Foods’ business or the combined business after the closing of the pending transaction; our ability to manage additional debt and successfully de-lever following the transaction; general economic and industry conditions, including consumer spending rates, recessions, interest rates, and availability of capital; expectations regarding sales growth potential in various geographies and markets, including the impact of brand marketing support, product innovation, and customer, channel, category, heat platform, and e-commerce expansion; the expected results of operations of businesses acquired, including the additional 25% ownership interest in McCormick de Mexico; expected trends in net sales, earnings performance, and other financial measures; the expected impact of pricing actions on our results of operations, including our sales volume and mix as well as gross margins; the expected impact of the inflationary cost environment on our business; the anticipated effects of factors affecting our supply chain, including the availability and prices of commodities and other supply chain resources such as raw materials, packaging, labor, and transportation; the potential impact of trade policies, including tariffs; the potential impact of legal challenges to U.S. tariffs, tariff refunds, and the timing and anticipated benefits thereof; the expected impact of productivity improvements, including those associated with our CCI program and the Global Business Services operating model initiative; the ability to identify, attract, hire, retain, and develop qualified personnel and the next generation of leaders; the impact of ongoing or future geopolitical conflicts, including those between Russia and Ukraine and the war/conflict in the Middle East, including the potential for broader economic disruption, in particular related to fuel and freight prices; expected working capital improvements; the anticipated timing and costs of implementing our business transformation initiative, which includes the implementation of a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system; the expected impact of accounting pronouncements; expectations regarding pension and postretirement plan contributions and anticipated charges associated with those plans; the holding period and market risks associated with financial instruments; the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations; the adequacy of internally generated funds and existing sources of liquidity, such as the availability of bank financing; the anticipated sufficiency of future cash flows to enable payments of interest, repayment of short- and long-term debt, working capital needs, planned capital expenditures, quarterly dividends, and our ability to obtain additional short- and long-term financing or issue additional debt securities; and expectations regarding purchasing shares of our common stock under the existing repurchase authorization.
These and other forward-looking statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results. Actual results may be materially affected by factors that are beyond McCormick's and Unilever's control such as: the Company's ability to drive revenue growth; the Company's ability to increase pricing to offset, or partially offset, inflationary pressures on the cost of our products; damage to the Company's reputation or brand name; loss of brand relevance; increased private label use; the Company's ability to offset cost pressures or business impacts related to trade policies such as tariffs, including relating to tariff refunds; the Company's ability to drive
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productivity improvements, including those related to our CCI program and other streamlining actions; product quality, labeling, or safety concerns; negative publicity about our products; actions by, and the financial condition of, competitors and customers; the longevity of mutually beneficial relationships with our large customers; the ability to identify, interpret and react to changes in consumer preference and demand; business interruptions due to natural disasters, unexpected events or public health crises; issues affecting the Company's supply chain and procurement of raw materials, including fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw and packaging materials; labor shortage, turnover and labor cost increases; the impact of changing political and geopolitical conditions, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and the war/conflict in the Middle East, and the potential for broader economic disruption; government regulation, and changes in legal and regulatory requirements and enforcement practices; the lack of successful acquisition and integration of new businesses; global economic and financial conditions generally, availability of financing, interest and inflation rates, and the imposition of tariffs, quotas, trade barriers and other similar restrictions; foreign currency fluctuations; the effects of the amount of our outstanding indebtedness and related level of debt service as well as the effects that such debt service may have on the Company's ability to borrow or the cost of any such additional borrowing, our credit rating, and our ability to react to certain economic and industry conditions; impairments of indefinite-lived intangible assets; assumptions we have made regarding the investment return on retirement plan assets, and the costs associated with pension obligations; the stability of credit and capital markets; risks associated with the Company's information technology systems, including the threat of data breaches and cyber-attacks; the Company's inability to successfully implement our business transformation initiative; fundamental changes in tax laws, including interpretations and assumptions we have made, and guidance that may be issued, and volatility in our effective tax rate; climate change; sustainability matters; infringement of intellectual property rights, and those of customers; litigation, legal and administrative proceedings; the Company's inability to achieve expected and/or needed cost savings or margin improvements; negative employee relations; risks related to the pending transaction with Unilever Foods, including: direct transaction costs and substantial transition and integration-related costs associated with the pending transaction; the parties' ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the proposed transaction, and the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or any required financing, or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the proposed transaction; the possibility that unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies could adversely impact the value or expected benefit of, timing or pursuit of the proposed transaction; the risks and costs of the pursuit and/or implementation of the anticipated separation of Unilever Foods' business prior to closing; uncertainties as to access to available financing to consummate the proposed transaction upon acceptable terms and on a timely basis or at all; the failure to obtain the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 or our receipt of shareholder approval for the transaction; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on our or Unilever Foods' business relationships, competition, business, financial condition and operating results, including risks that the transaction disrupts current plans and operations of us or Unilever Foods; our or Unilever Foods' ability to retain and hire key personnel, risks related to diverting either management team's attention from ongoing business operations, and risks associated with third-party contracts containing consent and/or other provisions that may be triggered by the proposed transaction; our ability to successfully integrate Unilever Foods' operations and the implementation of and compliance with plans, agreements, forecasts and other expectations with respect to Unilever Foods' business or the combined business after the closing of the proposed transaction; our ability to manage additional debt and successfully de-lever following the proposed transaction; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us or Unilever Foods related to the proposed transaction; and other risks as described herein under Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Proposed Transaction”; and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
For information regarding our exposure to certain market risks, see “Market Risk Sensitivity” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations above, Note 4 of notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, and Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2025. Except as described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Market Risk Sensitivity, and Note 4 of notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, there have been no significant changes in our financial instrument portfolio or market risk exposures since our November 30, 2025 fiscal year end.
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ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) that occurred during our latest fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material pending legal proceedings in which we or our subsidiaries is a party or in which any of our or their property is the subject.
ITEM 1.ARISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2025, except as follows.
Risks Related to Our Company, Business and Operations
The conflict in the Middle East and related geopolitical instability may adversely affect our business.
The ongoing military conflict in Iran has resulted in instability around the Middle East region, particularly a disruption in shipment of global oil and gas flows, with cascading effects on energy prices and global economic conditions. Although we do not have material operations in the region, the conflict and any further escalation, including heightened military activity, retaliatory measures, sanctions, disruptions to trade or transportation routes, cyberattacks, or other governmental or market responses, has and could continue to lead to significant disruption of global energy supplies and increases in global energy prices, heighten inflationary pressures on our input costs and supply chain (including freight costs), adversely affect global supply chains, energy markets, commodity prices, currency exchange rates, financial markets and overall macroeconomic conditions, and adversely impact customer spending patterns in markets in which we operate. While we expect the impacts of the conflict to continue to have an effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, we are unable to predict the extent or nature of these impacts at this time.
Risks Related to the Proposed Transaction
We may fail to complete the proposed transaction or may not complete it on the terms described herein or in our other filings with the SEC.
The proposed transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including, among other things, approval by the requisite vote of our shareholders of the issuance of our voting and non-voting stock in connection with the transaction and an amendment to our charter, the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended, obtaining certain other regulatory approvals, and the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed by us. As a result, the possible timing and likelihood of completion are uncertain and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will be completed on the anticipated schedule, if at all.
Any delay in completing the proposed transaction could cause us not to realize some or all of the anticipated benefits. If the proposed transaction is not completed, we could be subject to a number of risks that may adversely affect our business and operating results, including, among other things:
•our stock price could decline to the extent it reflects an assumption that we will complete the proposed transaction;
•our incurrence of significant transaction costs that we would be unable to recoup;
•under certain specified circumstances we could be required to pay Unilever a termination fee or reimburse Unilever for certain transaction expenses, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement;
•we may be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the proposed transaction or related to any enforcement proceeding commenced against us to perform our obligations under the Merger Agreement; and
•negative publicity and other negative impacts on our relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees resulting from failure to complete the proposed transaction.
In addition, the terms of the definitive agreements governing the proposed transaction, including, but not limited to, a stockholders’ agreement, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement and certain intellectual property and asset purchase agreements, to be entered into by us and Unilever and its affiliates at closing, have not been finalized and remain subject to negotiation. The final terms of such agreements may differ materially from those described herein and in our other filings with the SEC. There can be no assurance that the parties will reach agreement on mutually acceptable final terms for all definitive agreements, or that the definitive agreements, once executed, will reflect the economic or legal terms currently anticipated or described herein.
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The proposed transaction is subject to the receipt of governmental approvals that may impose conditions that could have an adverse effect on us or, if not obtained, could prevent completion of the proposed transaction.
Completion of the proposed transaction is conditioned upon the receipt of certain governmental authorizations, consents, or other approvals, including certain antitrust approvals and any foreign investment approvals. There can be no assurance that these approvals will be obtained and that the other conditions to completing the proposed transaction will be satisfied. In addition, the governmental authorities from which these approvals are required may impose conditions on the completion of the proposed transaction or require changes to the terms of the proposed transaction or agreements to be entered into in connection with the proposed transaction, including the divestiture of certain businesses or assets. Such conditions or changes and the process of obtaining these approvals could have the effect of delaying or impeding the completion of the proposed transaction or of imposing additional costs or limitations on us following the completion of the proposed transaction, and could jeopardize or delay the completion of the proposed transaction or reduce the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, any of which might have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
The pendency of the proposed transaction may adversely affect our business and operations.
While the proposed transaction is pending, uncertainty about the effect of the proposed transaction on our employees, customers, suppliers, and other business relationships may adversely affect our business and operations. Such uncertainty may impair our ability to retain and motivate key personnel, and our current and prospective customers and suppliers may defer decisions concerning us, or seek to change or terminate existing relationships with us. In addition, the Merger Agreement restricts us from taking certain actions outside of the ordinary course of business prior to closing, including, among other things, certain acquisitions, certain amendments to material contracts, and non-ordinary course changes to compensation arrangements, in each case without the consent of Unilever. These restrictions and others more fully described in the Merger Agreement may prevent us from pursuing business opportunities or taking actions with respect to our business that we would otherwise consider advisable, and may adversely affect our ability to execute our business strategies and attain our financial and other goals. Any of these factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Failure to realize the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction within the expected timeline could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
The anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction are based on projections and assumptions about our combined business with Unilever Foods, which may not materialize as expected or which may prove to be inaccurate. We may encounter risks, costs and expenses associated with any undisclosed or other unanticipated liabilities and use more cash and other financial resources on integration and implementation activities than we expect, including as a result of any adjustments to the terms of the proposed transaction and any changes to the configuration of the businesses included in the separation. Additional integration costs may dilute the earnings per share of the combined company, and our business, revenue, expenses, operating results, financial condition and stock price could be materially adversely affected. Our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected if we are unable to realize the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction on a timely basis, if at all, including, among other things, realizing the anticipated synergies from the proposed transaction in the anticipated amounts or within the anticipated timeframes or cost expectations, if at all. Achieving the benefits of the proposed transaction will depend, in part, on our ability to integrate the business and operations of Unilever Foods successfully and efficiently with our business. The challenges involved in this integration, which may be complex and time-consuming, include, among others, the following:
•preserving customer and supplier and other important relationships of Unilever Foods and attracting new business and operational relationships;
•coordinating and integrating independent research and development and commercial teams across product platforms to enhance product development while reducing costs;
•integrating financial forecasting and controls, procedures and reporting cycles;
•consolidating and integrating corporate, IT, finance and administrative infrastructures, including addressing the possibility of incompatibility between the two companies’ information technology systems and heightened cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities related thereto;
•coordinating sales and marketing efforts to effectively position the combined company’s capabilities and the direction of product development;
•integrating Unilever Foods’ operations and product lines;
•obligations that we will have to counterparties of Unilever Foods that arise as a result of the change in control of Unilever Foods;
•integrating employees and related HR systems and benefits, maintaining employee productivity and retaining key employees;
•harmonizing standards, controls, procedures, accounting policies, compensation structures and corporate cultures across the combined organization;
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•resolving complexities associated with managing a larger, more complex, integrated business, including aligning and executing the strategy of the combined company and managing an additional international headquarters;
•aligning regulatory, quality, safety and sustainability practices across the combined organization, including with respect to Unilever Foods’ international operations; and
•the significant demands placed on management both before and after the completion of the proposed transaction, which may divert the attention of management from our normal business operations.
As a result of the proposed transaction, we anticipate that the scope and size of our operations and business will substantially change and will result in certain incremental risks to us, including increased competition.
We anticipate that the proposed transaction will substantially expand the scope and size of our business by adding substantial assets and operations to our existing business. The anticipated future growth of our business will impose significant added responsibilities on management, including, among other things, the need to identify, recruit, train and integrate additional employees. Our senior management’s attention may be diverted from the management of our business and its daily operations to the completion of the proposed transaction and the integration of the assets acquired in the proposed transaction. Further, the proposed transaction could also create uncertainty for our or Unilever Foods’ employees and customers, particularly during the post-closing integration process. It could also disrupt existing business relationships, make it more difficult to develop new business relationships, or otherwise negatively impact the way that we operate our business.
We also anticipate that the proposed transaction will result in increased competition. We and Unilever Foods operate in a highly competitive food industry and competition in our combined product categories is based on price, product innovation, product quality, brand recognition and loyalty, effectiveness of marketing and promotional activity, and the ability to identify and satisfy consumer preferences. Weak economic conditions, recessions, significant inflation and other factors could further intensify these competitive pressures, and may result in decreased sales volumes, price reductions and/or increased operating costs, as well as lower revenues, margins and net income for the combined company. These impacts could also result in our failure to realize expected synergies or cost savings as a result of the proposed transaction. By expanding the range of products and markets in which we operate, the proposed transaction could increase the competition we face in certain categories and regions.
In addition, the completion of the proposed transaction may heighten the potential adverse effects on our business, operating results or financial condition described elsewhere in the Risk Factors in this Quarterly Report.
Our significant debt may limit our financial flexibility following the proposed transaction.
We expect to incur a substantial amount of debt in connection with the proposed transaction and have entered into the Bridge Commitment Letter and the Term Loan Agreement for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the cash consideration to be paid in the proposed transaction and paying related fees and expenses in connection with the proposed transaction and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. We anticipate replacing some or all of the Bridge Facility commitments on or prior to closing with Permanent Financing. See "Debt and Credit Facilities" in the notes to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information. In addition to direct transaction costs, we expect to incur substantial transition and integration-related costs following the closing of the proposed transaction, the incurrence of which, together with additional indebtedness, could adversely affect our credit rating, cash flows, operating results, and ability to return capital to shareholders.
Our ability to obtain and the terms of the Permanent Financing will depend on, among other factors, prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain the Permanent Financing on terms acceptable to us or at all, in which case we may need to draw on the Bridge Facility to fund the cash consideration and related fees and expenses at closing of the proposed transaction. Our obligation to complete the proposed transaction is not conditioned upon the receipt of any financing.
Following the proposed transaction, the substantial indebtedness incurred in connection with the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on our business, operating results and financial condition, including, among other things:
•increasing our vulnerability to changing economic, regulatory and industry conditions;
•limiting our ability to compete and our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry;
•placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors with less indebtedness;
•increasing our interest expense and potentially requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, thereby reducing the availability of cash to fund our business needs;
•limiting our ability to borrow additional funds in the future to fund growth, acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures or other purposes; and
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•limiting our ability to pursue other strategic opportunities or acquisitions that might otherwise be beneficial to us and our shareholders.
Our ability to make required payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness levels will depend on, among other factors, our financial position and performance as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond our control. Our combined business may not generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures and meet other liquidity needs. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital or debt refinancing on terms less favorable to us than our existing indebtedness. In the event we are unable to complete any of the foregoing, we may default on our debt obligations which, if not cured or waived, could accelerate the repayment obligations under all of our outstanding debt, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. See also "Increases in interest rates or changes in our credit ratings may negatively impact us" and "Our credit ratings impact the cost and availability of future borrowings and, accordingly, our cost of capital" in Part I, Item 1A (Risk Factors) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2025.
In addition, the level and quality of our earnings, operations, business and management, among other things, will impact the determination of our credit ratings by credit rating agencies. A decrease in the ratings assigned to us may negatively impact our access to the debt capital markets and increase our cost of borrowing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any future required financing on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain the current credit worthiness or prospective credit rating of the combined company. Any actual or anticipated changes, or adverse conditions in the debt capital markets, could:
•adversely affect the trading price of, or market for, our debt securities;
•increase interest expense under our existing debt;
•increase the cost of, and adversely affect our ability to refinance, our existing debt; and
•adversely affect our ability to raise additional debt.
The issuance of our common stock in connection with the proposed transaction will dilute the ownership interests of our existing shareholders. Investors holding our shares prior to the completion of proposed transaction will, in the aggregate, have a significantly reduced ownership and voting interest in the combined company after the proposed transaction and will exercise less influence over management.
As a result of the proposed transaction, and subject to Unilever not electing to dispose of its interest in the combined company under the Merger Agreement, our existing shareholders are expected to own approximately 35.0% of the combined company, with current Unilever shareholders expected to own approximately 55.1% and Unilever retaining up to approximately 9.9%, assuming Unilever does not elect to distribute such interest to its shareholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement. This significant dilution in ownership will reduce the ability of holders of our voting securities to influence our management and policies after closing of the proposed transaction, and could have an adverse effect on the trading price of our securities.
ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
During the three months ended August 31, 2026, we did not purchase any of our Common Stock (CS) and Common Stock Non-Voting (CSNV).
As of August 31, 2026, approximately $403 million remained of the $600 million share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors in November 2019. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased is determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors.
In certain circumstances, we issue shares of CS in exchange for shares of CSNV, or issue shares of CSNV in exchange for shares of CS, in either case pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Typically, these exchanges are made in connection with the administration of our employee benefit plans, executive compensation programs and dividend reinvestment/direct purchase plans or at the request of holders of common stock. The number of shares issued in an exchange is generally equal to the number of shares received in the exchange, although the number may differ slightly to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. During the third quarter of 2026, we issued 491,510 shares of CSNV in exchange for shares of CS and issued 5,211 shares of CS in exchange for shares of CSNV.
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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted terminated
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ITEM 6.EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are attached or incorporated herein by reference:
| Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||||||||
| (2) | (i) | |||||||||||||
| (ii) | ||||||||||||||
| (iii) | ||||||||||||||
| (3) | (i) | Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws | ||||||||||||
| Restatement of Charter of McCormick & Company, Incorporated dated April 16, 1990 | Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 of Registration Form S-8, Registration No. 33-39582 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 1991. | |||||||||||||
| Articles of Amendment to Charter of McCormick & Company, Incorporated dated April 1, 1992 | Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 of Registration Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-59842 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 1993. | |||||||||||||
| Articles of Amendment to Charter of McCormick & Company, Incorporated dated March 27, 2003 | ||||||||||||||
| Articles of Amendment to Charter of McCormick & Company, Incorporated dated April 2, 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| (ii) | By-Laws | |||||||||||||
| By-Laws of McCormick & Company, Incorporated Amended and Restated on November 26, 2019 | ||||||||||||||
(4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures
(i)See Exhibit 3 (Restatement of Charter and By-Laws)
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(10)Material Contracts
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(31) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications Filed herewith
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(32) Section 1350 Certifications Filed herewith
(101) The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of McCormick for the quarter ended August 31, 2026, filed electronically herewith, and formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Income Statement; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity; and (vi) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(104) Inline XBRL for the cover page from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of McCormick for the quarter ended August 31, 2026, filed electronically herewith, included in the Exhibit 101 inline XBRL Document Set.
| * | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | ||||
McCormick hereby undertakes to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon its request, copies of additional instruments of McCormick with respect to long-term debt that involve an amount of securities that do not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of McCormick and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED | ||||||||||||||
| Date: | October 1, 2026 | By: | /s/ Marcos M. Gabriel | |||||||||||
| Marcos M. Gabriel | ||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||||
| Date: | October 1, 2026 | By: | /s/ Julie E. Giese | |||||||||||
| Julie E. Giese | ||||||||||||||
| Vice President & Controller | ||||||||||||||
| Principal Accounting Officer | ||||||||||||||
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Exhibit 10(xvi)
RETENTION AWARD AGREEMENT
This Retention Award Agreement (hereinafter, the “Agreement”) is made by and between McCormick & Company, Inc., its subsidiaries, predecessors, successor, related entities, and affiliates (collectively, the “Company”) and _________ (“Employee”).
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 31, 2026, by and among the Company, Unilever PLC, Unilever Alpha HoldCo B.V., Sandman Corporation, Morpheus Merger Sub I Corp., and Morpheus Merger Sub II, LLC (the “Merger Agreement”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Company will combine with Unilever PLC’s foods business, with such foods business surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Transaction”);
WHEREAS, the Company has identified Employee as critical to the long-term success of the Company and the Transaction; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Transaction, the Company wishes to grant Employee a cash retention award equal to _____________ USD (the “Retention Award”), subject to the requirements, conditions, restrictions and limitations set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing promises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby mutually acknowledged, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:
1.Retention Award. The Retention Award will vest and be payable in two (2) equal installments as follows, subject to Employee’s continued employment through each such vesting date (other than as set forth in Section 2 below) and the other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement:
(a)If the Closing Date occurs on or before the Anniversary Date (as defined below), one-half of the Retention Award shall vest on each of: (i) the Closing Date; and (ii) the six (6)-month anniversary of the Closing Date, subject, in each case, to Employee’s continued employment with the Company through each vesting date; or
(b)If the Closing Date has not occurred prior to the Anniversary Date, one-half of the Retention Award shall vest on each of: (i) the Anniversary Date; and (ii) the six (6)-month anniversary of the Closing Date, subject, in each case, to Employee’s continued employment with the Company through each vesting date.
(c)For purposes of this Agreement, the “Anniversary Date” means June 8, 2027, the one-year anniversary of the date hereof.
Any vested portion of the Retention Award will be paid to Employee in a lump sum no later than the first regular pay date that occurs following fifteen (15) days following the applicable vesting date.
2.Effect of Certain Events.
(a)If Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without “Cause” (as defined below), in each case on or after the Closing Date, then, subject to the Release Requirement (as defined below), any unvested portion of the Retention Award shall fully vest and be paid to Employee in a lump sum no later than fifteen (15) days after the release becomes effective. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Release Requirement” means Employee (or Employee’s estate in the event of Employee’s death) has timely executed and delivered to the Company a signed general release of claims in a form provided to Employee and reasonably acceptable to the Company and the release becomes effective and irrevocable within twenty-eight (28) days following the date of Employee’s termination (or such longer period provided by the Company therein).
(b)If Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated by reason of death or Disability, then, subject to the Release Requirement, the Retention Award shall fully vest and be paid to Employee in a lump sum no later than fifteen (15) days after the release becomes effective.
(c)If Employee’s employment with the Company terminates under any circumstances other than those described above in Sections 2(a) or (b), then Employee’s right to any unvested portion of the Retention Award shall terminate without any payment of consideration by the Company to Employee.
(d)If the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms without the occurrence of the Closing, then, subject to Employee’s timely execution and delivery to the Company of a signed general release of claims in the form provided by the Company and the release becoming effective and irrevocable within twenty-eight (28) days following the date of the termination of the Merger Agreement, Employee will be eligible to receive one-half (1/2) of the Retention Award in a lump sum no later than fifteen (15) days after the release becomes effective.
(e)If Employee is on an approved leave of absence (excluding vacation leave of less than twenty-one (21) days), the vesting and payment dates set forth in Section 1 above shall be extended by the length of such leave of absence, subject to applicable laws.
3.Definitions.
(a)“Cause” shall mean, as determined by the Company, (i) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of duties; (ii) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a criminal offense (other than minor traffic offenses); or (iii) material breach of any term of any employment, consulting, or other service, confidentiality, intellectual property, nonsolicitation, or non-competition agreements, if any, between Employee and any McCormick Entity; provided that, if Employee has an individual agreement with a McCormick Entity that includes a definition of “Cause,” the definition of cause in such agreement shall apply with respect to Employee’s rights under this Agreement. For purposes of
this Agreement, “McCormick Entity” means the Company and any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.
(b)“Disability” shall mean (i) if Employee participates in the Company’s long-term disability plan, “Totally and Permanently Disabled” within the meaning of the Company’s long-term disability plan; and (ii) if Employee does not participate in the Company’s long-term disability plan, the inability of Employee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Company on the basis of such medical evidence as the Company deems warranted under the circumstances.
4.At-Will Employment. Nothing in this Agreement alters the at-will nature of Employee’s employment with the Company. This Agreement is not, and shall not be construed as, a contract for employment.
5.Taxes.
(a)The Company reserves the right to withhold an amount of the Retention Award at each applicable payment date in order to satisfy applicable tax withholding requirements or otherwise as required by applicable law.
(b)The Retention Award is intended to qualify for the “short-term deferral” exception under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and this Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and administered in a manner that reflects this intention.
(c)In the event the execution and non-revocation of the release of claims straddles two (2) calendar years, such release will be deemed to have become effective (and payments will commence) on the second calendar year, regardless of when such release is actually executed.
(d)In the event of a change in ownership or control under Section 280G of the Code, if it shall be determined that any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, the aggregate present value of the Payments under the Agreement shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the Reduced Amount (defined below) if and only if the Accounting Firm (defined below) determines that the reduction will provide Employee with a greater net after-tax benefit than would no reduction. No reduction shall be made unless the reduction would provide Employee with a greater net after-tax benefit. The determinations under this Section 5(d) shall be made as follows:
(i)The “Reduced Amount” shall be an amount expressed in present value which maximizes the aggregate present value of the Payments without causing any Payment to be subject to the Excise Tax (defined below), determined in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code. The term “Excise Tax” means the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such excise tax.
(ii)Payments shall be reduced on a nondiscretionary basis in such a way as to minimize the reduction in the economic value deliverable to Employee.
(iii)All determinations to be made under this Section shall be made by __________________ (the “Accounting Firm”). Any such determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee. All of the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in performing the determinations referred to in this Section 5(d) shall be borne solely by the Company.
6.Confidentiality. Subject to applicable law, the terms of this Agreement are confidential, and are intended to remain strictly confidential. By signing this Agreement, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Employee covenants not to disclose any of the terms of this Agreement, whether generally or specifically, to any third party, except as may be required by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing in this Agreement shall impair Employee’s rights under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable federal law or regulation (including Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to report possible violations of law or regulation directly to, or to respond to any inquiry from, any governmental agency or entity under any whistleblower protection provision of U.S. federal or state law or regulation or, for the avoidance of doubt, limit Employee’s right to receive an award for the information provided to any government authority under such law or regulation.
7.Effect on Other Benefits. Employee acknowledges that the Retention Award is not part of, and will not be taken into account in computing the amount of, normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits, or similar payments.
8.No Mitigation; No Set-Off. In no event shall Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement, and such amounts shall not be reduced regardless of whether Employee obtains other employment. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against Employee or others.
9.Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement shall to any extent be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
10.Assignment; Successors. Employee shall not have any right to assign, delegate, or transfer this Agreement or any of Employee’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement and any rights and benefits hereunder will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
11.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to any conflict of law provisions of any State that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland. The parties agree that any suit or proceeding arising under this Agreement shall be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland or for the district in which the Company is headquartered.
12.Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement between the parties on the subject matter contained herein. This Agreement replaces and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, and agreements—oral and written—on the subject matter of these documents. The terms of this Agreement may not be amended or modified except upon the express written and signed consent of the parties.
This Agreement has been delivered to Employee pursuant to authority granted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and his designees and is being accepted and will be effective only upon execution by the signature of Employee and timely delivery to the Company by _________.
By Employee’s signature below, Employee is acknowledging that Employee has read this document carefully.
McCormick & Company, Inc.,
_________________________ _________________________
By: _______________________ By: ______________________
Date: ______________________ Date: _____________________
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
I, Brendan M. Foley, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of McCormick & Company, Incorporated (the “registrant”);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: October 1, 2026 | /s/ Brendan M. Foley | ||||
| Brendan M. Foley | |||||
| Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer | |||||
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
I, Marcos M. Gabriel, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of McCormick & Company, Incorporated (the “registrant”);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: October 1, 2026 | /s/ Marcos M. Gabriel | ||||
| Marcos M. Gabriel | |||||
| Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | |||||
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of McCormick & Company, Incorporated (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending August 31, 2026, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Brendan M. Foley, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: October 1, 2026 | /s/ Brendan M. Foley | ||||
| Brendan M. Foley | |||||
| Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer | |||||
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of McCormick & Company, Incorporated (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending August 31, 2026, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Marcos M. Gabriel, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: October 1, 2026 | /s/ Marcos M. Gabriel | ||||
| Marcos M. Gabriel | |||||
| Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | |||||